Should You Hire Professional Packers?
If you want to minimize stress — and your budget allows it
+2 more
Packing is one of the most time-consuming and stressful parts of moving. For people with limited time or physical restrictions, or for long-distance moves, hiring professional packers can be a practical way to save effort and reduce stress. Packers bring their own supplies, work quickly and know how to protect fragile items, but the service comes at a cost. If your budget allows, professional packing can make your move more efficient and less overwhelming.
Below, we’ll cover the benefits and drawbacks of hiring professional packers, how much they cost and how to vet them.
Hiring professional packers can save time and reduce stress, but it comes at a premium price.
Jump to insightExpect to pay anywhere from $500 to $5,000 depending on your home’s size and the level of service.
Jump to insightPackers handle boxing and wrapping, not decluttering or organizing — and items like pianos and vehicles require specialty movers.
Jump to insightTo find the right company, compare quotes, check licensing and review customer feedback.
Jump to insightPros and cons of hiring professional packers
As with any home service, you should weigh the pros and cons. Hiring packers reduces the likelihood of your belongings being damaged and gives you one less thing to do yourself. However, you’ll spend more and have less overall control over the process.
Pros
- Less stress
- Peace of mind
- Saves time
- Less damage
- Includes moving supplies
Cons
- Impersonal
- Expensive
- Less control
Advantages of hiring professional packers
If you can afford it, working with professional packers offers many advantages:
- Less stress: Without a doubt, moving is a stressful experience, and anything you can do to minimize this pressure will help, especially outsourcing the job of packing.
- Peace of mind: Professional packers are just that — professionals. This means they’re trained to pack up houses safely and efficiently, and you won’t have to worry about whether boxes will open up, spill out or shift around during transport.
- Saves time: Packing up a whole house takes most people several days, but professional packers will have your house packed within hours.
- Less damage: Professional packers have the supplies and training to handle and pack your belongings to minimize damage.
- Includes moving supplies: Professional packers come equipped with all the packing supplies they’ll need, including boxes, tape, cushioning material and packing paper.
Disadvantages of hiring professional packers
Though hiring professional packers can be beneficial, you should consider these drawbacks:
- Impersonal: Professional packers don’t know you or what things are important to you. This can be hard when it comes to handling sentimental items like family heirlooms, photos or memorabilia. You also may feel uncomfortable having strangers in your home touching your things and emptying out drawers.
- Expensive: Every service comes with a cost, and packers can be pricey. A full-service packing job for a two-bedroom home will cost an average of $2,000.
- Less control: Your packers won’t consider which items within a room should be boxed together, or what makes the most sense for unpacking; they’re only focused on the most efficient way to pack. The bottom line is, when you hire packers, be prepared to relinquish some control.
Cost of professional packers
The price of hiring packers depends on factors like the size of your home, how much needs to be packed and whether you want a full or partial service. Costs also vary by location and moving date — weekends and peak moving seasons usually come with higher rates.
Unpacking often isn’t included in the base price, so double-check your estimate to make sure you understand exactly what services are covered.
For a local move, a two-bedroom home with full-service packing can run close to $2,000. Here’s a look at average price ranges by home size and service level:
| Full service | Partial service | Self-service | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio apartment | $770 to $1,290 | $630 to $1,020 | $500 to $760 |
| 2-bedroom home | $1,730 to $2,220 | $1,330 to $1,680 | $930 to $1,150 |
| 3-bedroom home | $2,660 to $3,620 | $2,000 to $2,670 | $1,330 to $1,740 |
| 4-bedroom home | $3,600 to $5,390 | $2,660 to $3,920 | $1,730 to $2,460 |
What services do professional packers supply?
When you hire professional packers, it’s important to know what they will and won’t do. While they can cut down on your workload considerably, you’ll still need to perform some tasks yourself.
You can expect packing crews to do the following:
- Go room by room wrapping and packing your belongings
- Ensure fragile items are protected by wrapping them in packing paper or cushioning material
- Bring packing supplies like boxes and tape to your home for their use
- Label each box according to the room it came from
On the other hand, professional packers probably won’t perform these services:
- Help you decide what items to take with you and which to leave
- Provide an inventory for what’s in each box (the labeling will only be per room (e.g., kitchen, bedrooms, living room)
- Organizing
Specialty packing
Some household items will need separate arrangements to pack and ship. Items like pianos, valuable artwork, pool tables, wine collections or cars usually require a specialty mover that has the training and equipment to move these things safely.
That said, you should check with your moving company first to see what they can offer — just know it will almost always include an additional charge.
» MORE: Best auto transporters
Professional moving
If you know you’ll be hiring a full-service moving company, the crew can usually provide packing services — but it will cost you extra. However, if you plan to rent a truck and transport your own things, you can still schedule a packing service with a moving company or an independent business in your area. Whatever route you go, be sure you vet the company first.
Professional moving companies almost always have an established training program for their workers, and they’re required to carry certain licensing and insurance. Local companies will have different requirements based on the state they’re in, so you should always ask about this.
Some reputable moving companies offer independent packing services, but you can also hire freelance labor through online marketplaces like TaskRabbit, which is mostly available in metro areas. The laborers aren’t trained or employed by a moving company, but the platform displays recent customer ratings and reviews. You can also hire TaskRabbit workers for same-day service.
How to find professional packers
Those living in or near a metro area have a lot of choices for moving and packing services, and most people look to a moving company first. You can begin with a simple internet search, but also ask friends and neighbors if they have worked with companies they’d recommend.
In either case, be sure to read third-party reviews and get quotes from at least three different companies to compare services and pricing.
» COMPARE: Best moving companies
How to vet a professional packing service
All major moving companies should be licensed and bonded, but independent packing services may have different state regulations, so be vigilant about which company you hire.
You should vet any company you work with, but doing so is particularly important if you’re working with independent packers instead of a moving company. Contract references and read reviews, but remember you’re unlikely to find a company with a perfect record. Rather, look for customer reviews that talk about how the company resolved any conflicts.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask about the company’s hiring and training process.
FAQ
Is it better to hire a professional packer or pack myself?
It depends on your budget, time and priorities. Packing yourself is cheaper and gives you more control over how your belongings are organized, but it can take days or even weeks to finish.
Professional packers cost more, yet they work quickly, bring the right supplies, and know how to protect fragile items. If you’re short on time or moving long-distance, hiring packers may be worth the extra expense.
How can I ensure packers won’t damage my property during the packing process?
There’s no way to ensure your property won’t ever be damaged, because people aren’t perfect. To maximize success, only work with reputable companies and make sure you understand what the insurance covers in case of damage.
If you’re truly concerned, you can take out separate liability coverage or you can move certain valuable items yourself.
Will a new job requiring relocation reimburse my packing expenses?
Sometimes your company will reimburse you for packing expenses if you’re relocating for a job, though it's not a requirement. Ask your new employer about a relocation reimbursement package — this is a common benefit that can be negotiated.
These packages may cover only a portion of your moving expenses or everything, including packing, transport and temporary housing while you’re between homes.
Should I pack private items such as records/documents before the packing crew comes?
Whenever possible, personal items like this shouldn’t be packed or transported by your movers. If you can, pack and move these yourself so they’re in your possession the entire time. Before your packers come, designate a “no pack” zone where you put everything you plan on transporting yourself.
How do you designate how an unpacking crew should unpack your items?
This answer depends on the level of service you’ve chosen and the terms of your contract. Some companies only place boxes into the room they’re labeled for and set up furniture like couches and beds.
Others may actually take items out of the boxes, but they won’t set up rooms or place things in cupboards or drawers. For that service, you’re better off hiring a professional organizer.
How long will it take for professional packers to pack?
Most people are surprised at how fast professionals can pack up an entire house. With a trained team of two, you can expect a one-bedroom home to take two to four hours, a two-bedroom home to take three to six hours and a three-bedroom home to take six to ten hours.
Bottom line
Hiring professional packers can make moving faster, safer and less stressful, but the convenience comes with a higher price tag. If your budget is tight and you don’t mind doing the work, packing yourself will save money. But if you’re short on time, have fragile or high-value items, or simply want a smoother moving experience, paying for professional help can be worth it.
