Ugh. Packing.
It’s the part of moving everyone dreads. The endless sea of moving boxes. The squeak of the tape gun. The creeping feeling that your stuff is multiplying every time you turn around. It’s overwhelming, and you’ve probably had the thought: “Can’t I just pay someone to do this?”
You can. And in many cases, you absolutely should.
We’ve seen it all. We’ve seen the relief on a client’s face when a professional team takes over. We’ve also seen the exhaustion of a DIY packer who’s been at it for three straight weeks. So, do I need packing services? Let’s look at the signs.
What Are Professional Packing Services?
First, let’s clear up what we’re talking about. This isn’t just about having a few extra hands. Professional packing services for moving are a specialized service where a trained crew comes to your home (usually a day or two before the move) and systematically packs everything.
They bring all the supplies. The right boxes, the packing paper, the bubble wrap, the tape. They know how to wrap your grandmother’s china and how to box up your awkward-shaped lamps.
As full service movers, this is a core part of what we do. It’s designed to take the most time-consuming, stressful part of the packing and moving process completely off your plate.
Sign 1: You Are Short On Time
This is the number one reason, and it’s a big one. Packing for a move takes an incredible amount of time. We’re not talking about a few hours; we’re talking dozens of hours.
If you have a demanding job, young kids, or you’re managing the move on a tight deadline, where will that time come from? It usually comes from your nights and weekends. For weeks.
If the thought of spending every evening after work wrapping dishes fills you with dread, it’s a huge sign. You need to save time moving, and hiring moving help to pack is the most direct and effective way to buy that time back.
Sign 2: You Have Many Fragile Or High-Value Items
Take a quick mental inventory of your home. Do you have a cabinet full of crystal glassware? A collection of art? An antique mirror or piece of furniture?
You can’t just wrap these things in a towel and hope for the best. Fragile item packing is an art and a science. Our crews are trained to do it right.
They use specific materials, like dish-pack boxes with cardboard dividers, and techniques to cushion and protect your most valuable items. Plus, here’s the inside scoop: most movers’ liability coverage (what protects your stuff) is different for boxes you pack yourself versus boxes we pack. If a pro packs it, it’s generally better protected.
Sign 3: You Are Moving A Large Home
The sheer volume of packing a large house is almost impossible to underestimate. A one or two-bedroom apartment is a manageable DIY project. A four-bedroom house with a garage, an attic, and 15 years of memories is a different animal.
It’s not just the bedrooms; it’s the kitchen. The kitchen alone, with its hundreds of small, fragile, and oddly-shaped items, can take a non-professional an entire weekend. A pro crew can pack a 3,000-square-foot home in a day, something that might take you every weekend for a month.
Sign 4: This Is Your First Big Move
If all your previous moves involved a friend’s pickup truck and a few pizza-fueled-helpers, you might be in for a shock. A “real” move is a complex logistical puzzle.
You just don’t know what you don’t know. How do you properly pack a flat-screen TV? What’s the right way to box a computer and its 20 cables? How do you keep all the hardware for your furniture organized?
If this is your first time doing a move of this size, it can be a painful learning experience. Letting pros handle the professional packing removes all that guesswork. It ensures the truck is loaded efficiently and your belongings are safe.
Sign 5: You Want To Reduce Moving Stress
This is just as valid as any other reason. Moving stress is real. It’s consistently ranked as one of the most stressful life events, right up there with a new job or a divorce.
The process of living in a chaotic, half-packed house for weeks on end is mentally and emotionally draining. It can lead to anxiety, lost sleep, and arguments with your family.
You have to ask yourself: “Is it worth hiring packers to protect my peace of mind?” For many people, the answer is a resounding yes. Handing that massive to-do item over to a trusted team is an investment in your well-being.
Full Vs. Partial Packing Services
It’s important to know that this isn’t always an all-or-nothing decision. You have options.
Full packing is just what it sounds like. We pack every single item in your home. You don’t lift a finger.
Partial packing is a fantastic compromise. This is where you tell us what to pack. Many clients have us handle just the kitchen, or just all the fragile items. You can save some money by packing the “easy” stuff like clothes, books, and linens, while we handle the hard stuff.
And don’t forget unpacking services. That’s right—we can come in at the new house and get all those boxes unpacked, so you’re settled in a single day. It’s the ultimate stress-free move.
Is Hiring Packers Worth The Cost?
This is the bottom line, isn’t it? The cost of packing services is an additional expense on top of the move itself.
But you have to compare that cost to the alternative. What is your time worth per hour? What is the cost of buying all those moving boxes and supplies yourself (which are all included in a packing service)?
Most importantly, what is the cost of replacing your $1,000 TV or your priceless family heirloom because it was packed incorrectly? When you add up the time saved, the supplies included, and the massive reduction in stress and damage, the value often far outweighs the price.
Ultimately, the decision to hire professional packers is a personal one. It’s a balance of your budget, your timeline, and your sanity.
But if you found yourself nodding along to two or more of these signs, it’s time to at least get a quote. You might be surprised at how affordable it can be to buy back your time and your peace of mind.
You don’t have to do it all yourself. That’s what we’re here for.