Will a Moving Company Pack My Stuff

When it comes to moving, the mental checklist never seems to end.

From choosing the right moving company to packing all your essentials, the list goes on.

While there is always an option to pack your stuff on your own, it’s better to pass on that stress to movers, so you have time to focus on other essential tasks. 

You might be wondering, “Will a moving company pack my stuff?” The answer is it depends! While some companies offer only moving services, others provide a full range of packing services as part of their moving packages and customize them according to your needs.

So, by the end of this blog, you’ll know whether movers pack for you, what packing services you can choose from, what to expect during the packing process, and how much professional packing services typically cost.

Full-Service Moving Companies: What All Services They Offer

Hiring a full-service moving company means that they handle all the aspects of moving.

From packing your belongings to loading, unloading, transporting, and even unpacking them at your new home.

Full-service movers provide a variety of packing services, including: 

Complete Packing Service

Full packing service means the packers will pack everything in your home.

Starting from the smallest items in your place, like books, toys, and dishes, to larger items, including furniture, art, and electronics.

Full-service moving companies ensure all your items are safely packed in premium packing materials, including sturdy boxes, bubble wraps, packing tapes, moving blankets, and cushioning materials to ensure your belongings are safe during transportation.

This service is ideal for people with busy schedules, working full time, and families with children or pets. 

Partial Packing Services 

Partial Packing Services gives you the flexibility to create a balance by packing yourself and getting the help of a professional packer. 

How do movers pack your stuff in partial packing services? Here, you can choose which items or rooms you’d need help with from a professional packer.

For example, they can handle delicate or valuable items like packing kitchenware, electronics, art frames, and antiques while you take care of less fragile belongings. 

This service is not only cost-effective but also allows you to maintain a sense of control over your belongings.

Speciality Packing

Some moving companies offer specialty packing and moving services for delicate, fragile, and valuable items.

Items like glassware, pianos, antiques, or bulky furniture require special attention and should be packed using specialized packing materials and techniques to ensure protection during transit. 

Professional packers know how to pack your valuables safely or how to pack artwork for moving.

They ensure all your fragile items are secured, professionally packed, and safely transported to your new home. 

Packing for Long Distance Moves

Many moving and packing companies offer additional packing services for long-distance or international moves.

These services may include extra protection for your belongings, climate-controlled storage units for items you can’t take immediately, and custom crates for valuable or fragile items such as pianos, artwork, sculptures, marble or glass pieces, chandeliers, and electronics.

Unpacking Services

Several movers and packers also offer unpacking services at your new location.

This includes unpacking boxes, placing items in designated areas, and assembling furniture.

After they are done unpacking, they’ll remove all the boxes and packing materials, leaving your space clean and organized.

Paying someone to pack your house will not only reduce your stress but also allow you to focus on other essential tasks after your move.

Ultimately, you can choose what suits you best according to your budget, needs, and moving schedule.

Take your time weighing your options, whether you want to opt for a full-service move or handle the less difficult parts of the move yourself.

Professional movers can provide you with all the support and knowledge to make your moving process seamless. 

The Packing Process: What Can You Expect

It is natural to feel overwhelmed about your belongings when you decide to hire professional movers and packers.

You may think you’ve lost that sense of control over your stuff, but that’s not always the case; they work for you.

Professional movers are well-equipped to handle your packing process from start to end and ensure your belongings are safely packed and moved. 

Initial Assessment for Packing

Before relocating, local movers will arrive at your home to determine the amount of packing materials needed and how long the packing process will take.

They will provide you with a quote based on the size of your home and the services you require. 

Before the moving company that will pack for you arrives, you must prepare your home for the initial assessment. This will include: 

• Declutter 

You haven’t worn that shirt in a year, and it’s unlikely you’ll wear it again.

Consider donating it to someone who can make use of that. Many NGOs and charities accept clothes in different sizes.

Ensure you only donate items in good condition; do not donate torn or worn-out stuff.

If something is broken or in poor condition, discard them.

Decluttering before you move will not only reduce your workload but will also reduce the cost of hiring movers.

The fewer items you have, the less you have to pack and carry.

• Keep Your Valuables and Important Documents Handy

Keep your valuables, important documents, and other essentials handy to prevent them from losing during the packing and moving process. 

Set aside jewelry, cash, or any valuable possessions that might get stolen or lost during the packing process.

• Clear Pathways 

Clear all pathways to ensure professional movers have enough space to access the hallways, rooms, and other storage areas to assist with the packing process.

If you have pets or children, secure them in a safe area to avoid any kind of disruptions. 

Remove any obstructions that might interrupt the moving or packing process. 

•  Create an Inventory Checklist

Create a room-by-room packing checklist that will include everything that needs to be packed. 

Keep aside the valuables and fragile items to inform the movers that these need to be packed separately.

• Disconnect all Appliances and Equipment

Before the experienced movers arrive to pack your stuff, disconnect and clean all the appliances and equipment.

Back up all the necessary data on hard drives and computers and wrap all the chords and accessories for each item.

Packing Day

“How do movers pack your stuff?” This is one important question that arises in the minds of people who have hired a professional packing and moving company.

So, on the packing day, the team will arrive at the given time with all the packing materials. 

They will carefully pack all your belongings, ensuring all the boxes are correctly labeled with their contents and the room they belong to.

The packing process is followed systematically, starting with the least-used rooms first and ending with the kitchen

(The order of packing rooms might differ according to different moving companies) 

Packing Materials Used By Movers

Professional movers use high-quality and premium packing materials of all sizes, including Bubble wraps, packing tapes, sturdy boxes, cushioning materials, and specialized containers for fragile items.

They use moving blankets, plastic wraps, and custom crates for items like furniture, pianos, motorcycles, and electronics.

These high-quality materials offer extra protection, helping to keep your belongings safe and secure during the move.

Duration of Packing Process

The duration of the packing process depends upon the number of belongings you have, the size of your home, and how complex the packing process is.

For example, on average, it will take around 7-8 hours to pack a three-bedroom house with a team of 3-4 packers.

Professional movers are trained to pack your items efficiently so that there is no damage to the belongings.

They usually tackle one room at a time to make the packing process more organized.

Clear Communication

Have clear communication with movers throughout the day, and let them know of any last-minute concerns or changes you might have.

You can supervise them if you want but don’t get in their way when they are packing and moving.

Label the Boxes

Clearly label all the boxes to avoid confusion during the unpacking process.

Try using color-coded labels in different colors for each room.

For example, you can use green for the bedroom and blue for the kitchen.

You can also use a permanent marker to write a brief description of the contents of each box.

For instance, “Kitchen: Utensils.”

Final Walk Through

After packing, professional movers will double-check that all boxes are securely sealed and ready for loading.

They’ll do a final walk-through with you to ensure everything is packed, and nothing is forgotten.

Before leaving, they will also clean the house and leave it in good condition.

How Much Do Professional Packing Services Cost?

Most of the time, professional movers will charge you an hourly rate for packing and moving services.

At the same time, some companies will give you a flat rate.

For example, the moving cost in Virginia (with two movers and one truck) can be around $139 per hour, excluding taxes.

While several other factors influence the cost of your belongings, including:

• Volume of household items: The volume of household items plays a vital role in estimating the cost of professional packing services.  If you have a lot of belongings, the packing time will be longer, increasing the cost of your packing services. 
• Size of your home: If you have a large house, more movers will be required, leading to higher costs. 
• Type of Packing Service: Hiring full-service movers will be more expensive than opting for partial packing services. 
• Specialty Items: If you own specialty items, including antiques, glassware, piano, artwork, and pool table. Then you can expect the packing costs to increase as some items require custom crating.

DIY Packing or Professional Packing: Which Is Better

DIY packing comes with its risks.

Hiring professional movers and packers can reduce the chances of damage.

With their expertise in handling fragile items, they can make the packing process quick and stress-free

How Can You Save Money on Packing?

If you’re on a tight budget or looking to save money on packing, here are a few cost-saving strategies you can follow:

Choose Partial Packing Services

You can choose partial packing services, where you pack non-fragile items yourself and leave the fragile and valuable ones for professional packers to save on costs.

Call Multiple Moving Companies To Get Quotes

Call multiple apartment moving companies to get quotes and choose the one that fits both your budget and needs.

Get Rid of Unwanted Items

Clear out unnecessary items before the packers arrive. The fewer things you have, the less you’ll pay for packing services.

What Are The Hidden Costs That You Should Consider

When hiring a professional apartment moving company

for packing, be sure to ask about any hidden fees or additional costs.

It’s important to know in advance what services are included and what may incur extra charges—packing day can already be overwhelming, and you don’t want any unexpected surprises.

Here are some potential hidden costs to consider before hiring a professional moving company:

1. Junk removal services:  Moving companies often charge extra for junk pick-up services. Be sure to check with your moving company for more details.
2. Storage fees: If there are items that cannot be packed immediately, you may need to pay extra fees to keep them safe in climate-controlled storage units.
3. Tipping movers: If your moving company provides you with exceptional services, it is a no-brainer to tip movers for their hard work. The tip amount can vary based on the mover’s shift. For example, if it’s an 8 hr shift, the tip can range from $20-$60 per mover.
4. Extra charge for an additional mover: If you require extra movers to help with your packing, expect to pay around $60 per additional mover.
5. Packing Materials: Packing materials, including shrink wraps and packing tapes, are included in the overall moving cost, but you’ll incur an additional fee for things like boxes, moving blankets, and protective wraps.

Items Moving Companies Won’t Pack

Professional moving companies are well-equipped and trained to pack almost everything, including fragile items, glassware, pool tables, pianos, etc. 

However, there are always some restrictions to certain items that moving companies won’t move. 

Hazardous Materials: A Complete NO!

Moving companies are prohibited from packing and carrying hazardous materials due to safety concerns. These items include:

• Gasoline/fuels/oils/lighter fluid/propane tanks
• Acids/Ammonia/Bleach
• Fireworks
• Ammunition
• Charcoal
• Fertilizers
• Pesticides
• Weed killers
• Matches
• Fire extinguishers
• Poisons
• Batteries, car batteries
• Paint and paint thinner
• Nail polish remover

Perishables: Not Allowed!

Movers are not allowed to pack perishables, including:

• Food items
• Frozen food
• Refrigerated items
• Plants

Valuables and Important Documents: Should Be Handy

Keep your valuables and important documents handy at all times to protect them from losing or getting damaged.

• Cash
• Passport/birth certificates/license/financial documents/Sin number
• Jewelry
• Family photos
• Keys
• Cell phones
• Medicines
• Credit/Debit cards
• Laptops

Pets: Keep Them Safe With You

Moving companies cannot transport your pets as the trucks aren’t climate-controlled, and there is a risk of items falling, which could cause injury. 

Unpacking Services: The Final Step

Once the move is complete and all the boxes are unloaded into your new home, the next step is unpacking.

While it may sound simple, you only want to relax or get back to your routine after a long, stressful day of moving and packing.

Many companies offer unpacking services as part of their packages.

You just have to sit back and relax while the movers handle the unpacking process for you.

What is Included In Unpacking Services?

Professional moving companies help you settle into your new home by providing you with services like unpacking your boxes and putting things in the right places.

They also assemble your furniture, arrange it how you want, and do some basic organizing.

What To Expect After The Unpacking Service?

Once the movers finish unpacking, they’ll ask you to do a final check to ensure everything is in the right place.

If anything needs rearranging, you can let them know.

After the unpacking is done, they will remove and dispose of all the packing materials and clean up the area before leaving.

Final Thoughts

After reading this blog, you must have had a good understanding of whether a moving company will pack your things or not.

Full-service movers can take care of everything—from packing all your belongings to transporting them into your new home.

This reduces stress, saves time, and ensures everything is packed safely, and you don’t lose or damage anything.

Consider crucial factors, including your budget, the size of your home, and the volume of belongings, before choosing a reliable moving company that aligns with your needs.

The bottom line is to choose the right moving company that makes the process of packing hassle-free for you.

FAQs

1. How should you pack clothes when moving?

There are different ways to pack clothes when moving.

You can fold them and pack them in cardboard boxes or suitcases or leave them in the dresser if it’s not too heavy to move.

Another option is to use wardrobe boxes to hang your clothes.

2. What do movers pack for you?

Movers can pack almost everything for you, from fragile items to bulky furniture and specialty items.

If you’d prefer to pack some things yourself but still need help with others, partial packing services are a great option.

This allows you to handle part of the packing while the movers take care of the rest.

However, they are not permitted to pack hazardous materials or perishables.

3. What is the hardest room to pack when moving?

The kitchen is the most difficult room to pack when moving because it has many breakable items, including glassware, plates, bowls, and mugs.

It takes time to carefully wrap these items using proper packing materials to ensure everything is safely packed and there is no damage during the transit. 

4. Is it rude not to help movers?

You might feel the need to help movers when they pack for you, but most often, movers prefer that you stay out of the way and handle other moving-related tasks so they can finish the job as quickly as possible.