“Are packing services worth it?” Packing is one of the most time-consuming aspects of a move and requires a significant investment in materials and supplies. If you want to reduce your stress, save time, and avoid damage to your beloved belongings, hiring professional packers and movers to handle your move is likely the right decision.
DIY packing vs professional packing: how do the processes differ? Professional services meet your needs within our budget, offer customizable options, and reduce stress and unnecessary spending. As professional packing experts, Suburban Solutions explains the pros and cons of DIY packing for your family.
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How Much Do Professional Packing Services Cost?
The cost of packing services performed by trained movers varies widely depending on a few factors.
- Distance
- Size of home
- Volume of household goods
- Services requested
Your moving costs reflect your specific needs, as all packing services are fully customizable. Professional packers for movers have higher rates for long distance moves and bigger homes. The more items you have, the longer it will take; therefore, the more it will cost. If you have special requests, for example, you have extra fragile items, there may be additional fees.
The average cost of packing services is between $50 and $150 per hour per packer. Moving companies that pack and unpack for you will likely charge hourly for local moves and a flat rate for long distance ones.
Studio apartments or small homes will cost between $200 and $600, whereas a one-bedroom can cost as much as $1,500, just for packing services. Essentially, the cost of movers and packers greatly depends on your circumstances and desires. For a more comprehensive guide to our packing services, call Suburban Solutions at (610) 314-6868; we can even provide you with a free estimate over the phone!
Common Add-On Services
Are packing services worth it if they come with add-on costs? The cost for packers and movers may increase if you have sentimental belongings, expensive artwork, wine collections, or collectibles. Requesting specific packing materials and unpacking services may also affect the final price.
What Do Professional Packers Actually Do?
How do full service movers pack for you? Speaking with professional home packers on how they can serve you will help you answer the question, “Are packing services worth it?” Professional packers will come into your home, carefully wrap each item in bubble wrap or packing paper, place them securely in specialized moving boxes, and transport all items to your new home. They can provide custom crating for specialty items like antiques, mirrors, and artwork. If you want your closets packed, the professional can do it.
Likewise, if you want them to only pack a few items or rooms, they will do that, too. Packing services are highly flexible and tailored to the client’s unique needs. Most importantly, they will reduce your stress and shorten the time it takes you to relocate to your new address.
Self-packing is flexible, but it lacks the security and ease of service that professionals offer. For example, when you hire packers and movers to provide full packing service, you will receive access to their extensive insurance coverages and years of fragile-item handling expertise.
How Long Does Professional Packing Take vs. DIY?
A great way to answer the question “Are packing services worth it?” is to identify exactly how much time and money you will be saving. A professional packing and moving company packs homes daily and has fine-tuned its processes to ensure an efficient relocation
Thanks to efficiency, proper equipment, and extensive training, professionals complete a full packing job in one working day or less. A three-bedroom house would take a team of 3 to 4 movers, 6 to 8 hours to pack the entire home.
Packing the same-sized home will look very different without professional packers. Typically, self packing a 3-bedroom house will take the homeowner 3 to 5 days, as they can likely only pack in the evenings after work or on weekends.
Professional packers are highly efficient and follow a refined system that streamlines the whole move. They use premium packing materials and know how to pack extra-delicate items, family heirlooms, or expensive artwork. Your household goods will be transported in high-quality, secure moving boxes. Packers who provide pack service boast a comprehensive understanding of the entire packing process, which items require specific wrapping, and which belongings should remain on the tops of boxes.
If you want to pack your entire house in one-third the time it would normally take, hiring professional movers is an excellent choice.
Does Hiring Professional Packers Reduce Damage Rates?
Proper packing can greatly reduce the stress during a move for DIY packers. Lack the technical knowledge, exclusive industry packing techniques, and extensive attention to detail. We use reinforced boxes and specific wrapping techniques, such as criss-cross paper layering and corner padding, to keep your belongings extra secure.
Common packing mistakes, such as not padding boxes, poor cushioning, and choosing the wrong type of box, can increase the risk of damage to your items. Industry knowledge indicates that items like glassware, electronics, and artwork are at much higher risk of damage during a DIY pack-and-move than when a professional moving company handles the task.
Our clients love our packing service, with hundreds of positive reviews specifically noting our efficiency and attention to detail.
What Items Should I Still Pack Myself?
Professional packers can handle pretty much anything, but there are certain items you should opt for.
Valuables and personal items such as jewelry, family heirlooms, passports, birth certificates, financial records, and sentimental keepsakes should stay with you throughout the entire moving process. While professional movers are trained and insured, federal moving regulations prohibit movers from being responsible for certain items unless they are specifically listed.
You should always pack and transport medication and medical devices yourself to avoid delay. And keep your tax records, contracts, and business files with you during the move, in a secure box with an incognito label, to ensure security.
Pro Tip
Create a “last-minute packing kit” that includes medications, toiletries, phone chargers, a change of clothes, and important documents. Anything you think you’ll need within the first few days of your move should be easily accessible.
Suburban Solutions offers partial packing and full service packing service. This means we can pack your entire home and virtually every item inside, or select items and rooms.
Can I Do Partial Packing? – Full Packing Service VS Partial Packing Service
Like most moving companies, we offer flexible solutions, including full-packing, partial-packing, and fragile-only packing. Customizable partial packing services allow customers to pack some items themselves while professionals handle the rest, often focusing on fragile or high-value items like artwork, mirrors, and heirlooms.
Kitchens are one of the most tedious rooms to pack due to glassware and small items. It’s not uncommon for packers to be hired to solely pack kitchens or home offices. This flexible option is ideal for clients with unique needs, especially financial ones. We understand that not everyone has the budget for a full service pack job, but we also know how taxing packing an entire home on your own really is. Get the best of both worlds with our partial packing option.
Gain a better idea of what your hired team will pack; assess your belongings and property, and decide what you would want to handle yourself, and what you think the professionals will do a better job at packing. This way, you can go into the estimating process with a clear list for a more accurate price.
Are you still asking yourself, “Are packing services worth it?” Perhaps knowing you have the flexibility to pick and choose what we pack helps put your mind at ease.
Cost Comparison: DIY Packing Supplies + Time vs. Hiring Packers
Moving companies often provide custom quotes based on the specific packing services required, such as full-service or partial packing. The final packing cost can vary drastically, with the size of the home, the number of items, and the requested services playing significant roles.
Self Pack Breakdown
You will have to buy more than a few boxes and rolls of tape when you pack your entire home on your own, and the cost of expenses will add up quickly.
If you want to pack your items securely and efficiently, you will need to invest in the following packing materials: moving boxes, specialty cartons, packing paper, bubble wrap, tape, labels, and protective padding. An average-sized US home (between 2,000 and 2,999 square feet) has roughly 3,000 items inside the home.
Packing supplies for all of these items can cost anywhere between $150 to over $400. If you’re packing these hundreds of thousands of items on your own, it can take anywhere from 10 to 25 hours. Time is money; these hours are also lost work hours or childcare costs, further increasing the overall cost.
Full Service Packing – Are Packing Services Worth it?
While hiring a team to provide professional packing services is a larger upfront investment, it may save you money in the long term (and will definitely save you time). Pack and load services bundle labor, materials, and efficiency into a single affordable quote.
How much for movers to pack and move your home? Professional packing services are typically priced by the size of the home, volume of goods, and the services you request. Your hired movers will examine your property and offer you either a flat rate or an hourly rate, which will be added to your original quote.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how much you’ll pay when hiring professional packers to pack your home, but between $300 and $1,200 is a good estimate. Smaller homes always cost less, and if you opt for partial packing (when movers only pack some items), the price will be reduced.
Experienced crews can pack even a large home in 2 to 4 hours, which is much quicker than doing it yourself. Not to mention, you will have peace of mind that your belongings are as secure as possible and that they’re insured through the moving company’s insurance policy.
How About Hidden Costs?
When you move with professional movers and packers, there are no hidden costs. However, when you pack yourself, you can expect unexpected expenses to pop up throughout the entire process. For example, under-packed boxes will increase supply costs, improper wrapping and rushed labeling can lead to damaged items. Issues like these can increase stress and the overall cost.
You can get a better idea of your moving costs with our detailed guide, which covers everything from storage to packing.
Customer Testimonials & Success Stories
If you’re still asking yourself, “Are packing services worth it?”, you should know that Suburban Solutions has obtained a long list of satisfied customers throughout the years. Take a look at our many client success stories.
- Nancy Curan, a verified customer of Suburban Solutions – wrote in her review that she had a 5-star experience with our moving and packing services, with our dedication to keeping her items secure and organized standing out the most. They praised the move manager and how the relocation was seamless and stress free. Our moving crew was recognized for safely lifting, transporting, and placing every item with precision. The reviewer emphasized the team’s professionalism, positive attitude, and strong coordination throughout the move.
- Laura Cermignano, a verified customer of Suburban Solutions – praised our competence and meticulous packing and moving approach in her review. She felt the pricing was reasonable, especially given our quick communication and clear costs.
Are Packing Services Worth It FAQ
Why Is Proper Packing Important?
Proper packing is important as it protects belongings from damage, loss, and delays during a move. Using the right boxes, padding, and labeling reduces the risk of breakage, especially for fragile items like glassware and electronics. In a dense urban area like Philadelphia, PA, where narrow streets, stairs, and row homes are common, well-packed items are easier and safer to transport. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, professional service packing must include liability coverage, which DIY packing typically does not.
Are Packing Services Worth It?
Packing services are often worth it for households with fragile items, limited time, or complex moves. Professional packers use industry-grade materials and techniques that reduce the risk of damage compared to typical DIY packing. Factors like walk-up apartments, tight staircases, and street parking restrictions can make careful packing more valuable. While professional packing adds to moving costs, it can lower breakage rates and may include valuation coverage for items packed by the moving company.
What Will Packers Not Pack?
Per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, professional packers typically will not pack hazardous or prohibited items, including flammable liquids, paint, propane tanks, ammunition, fireworks, and perishable food. Most moving companies also refuse to pack personal documents, cash, jewelry, and medications due to liability rules. Plants and open chemical containers are often restricted as well. Policies vary by carrier and by building regulations, so customers should confirm exclusions in writing before packing day to avoid delays or rejected items.
Our Professional Movers Will Provide a Stress-Free Packing Process
If you were wondering, “Are professional packing services worth it?”, we’re confident you understand that there are countless benefits of professional packing over DIY packing. If you want a simple, quick, and affordable moving process with no heavy lifting or tedious packing, hire professional movers and packers to handle your relocation. Ready for a free estimate? You can reach our friendly Philadelphia movers at Suburban Solutions by calling (610) 314-6868.
