Do Movers Pack For You?

Hiring movers is one of the most significant decisions that you’ll have to make during a move. Although it’s certainly possible to handle both the packing and shifting of all your stuff by yourself, it requires a lot of effort and time. In most cases, the smartest move is to leave at least some of the shifting tasks to the experts – but how much of relocation do professional relocators handle?

In other words, do haulers pack for you? What can they pack, and will they also handle the unpacking process as well? We’ve outlined everything you need to know to ensure that you get the greatest value out of your professional shifters.

Will Professional Movers Pack You

Generally speaking, professional relocators can handle pretty much any task that your move involves. Yes, even packing. Of course, service offerings will vary based on the company. Additionally, the price of your move is going to go up based on how many services you select.With this in mind, here’s what you can expect when you choose to hire professional full-service shifters:

• Packing and moving supplies: With a full-service shifting company, you won’t have to provide the boxes, packing paper, tape, or even the moving blankets and other materials used to protect your items while in transit. Your movers will arrive at your home with all the necessary supplies.
• Packing: Although typically an add-on service, professional haulers are capable of carefully and efficiently packing your goods in a manner that ensures nothing breaks during the shifting process.
• Assembling and disassembling furniture: Full-service relocators will disassemble desks, cabinets, tables, and anything else that has to be broken down for transport. Then, when everything arrives at the new location, they will put it all back together.
• Loading and unloading: Of course, one of the main benefits of hiring professional relocators is avoiding all the heavy lifting. Our experts will pack everything into the truck and arrange it to guarantee damage-free transport. Once the truck reaches your intended destination, everything will be unloaded and placed in the specified rooms of your home.
• Unpacking: In addition to packing, you can also opt for unpacking services, as desired. You have the option to fully customize your move based on the services you need and/or want.
• Waste disposal: Then, before your haulers leave, they will dispose of all the remaining boxes and packing materials for you – it doesn’t get more convenient than that.

Will Shifting Companies Pack Everything?

This is often a question that gets thrown around quite a bit. In most cases, movers will be able to pack up all your stuff. They have the experience and training to carefully wrap, box up, and secure even your most fragile or bulky items. However, there are certain items that shifting companies won’t, or legally cannot, pack. These include, but are not limited to:

• Live animals
• Chemicals
• Live plants
• Jewelry, cash, etc. (it’s highly advised that you keep these on your person during a move)
• Fireworks
• Matches
• Paint and paint thinner
• Live ammunition
• Loaded weapons
• Nail polish remover
• Light fluid
• Oxygen tanks
• Gasoline
• Items contaminated by human or animal fluids
• Items that show signs of mold or pest infestation

The items that haulers cannot (or will not) pack will vary based on the company you hire. Make sure you check with your movers regarding their specific policy. Additionally, some companies have a policy in place regarding transporting customers’ valuables.

Regardless, you should always strongly consider keeping anything of value with you at all times during the relocating process. If your haulers were to move these items and they got lost, they will only be able to reimburse you for them. Things like family photos, collections, jewelry, important documents, or family heirlooms have sentimental value that can’t truly be replaced.

Cost of Packing Services

Oftentimes, packing services are charged based on an hourly rate. It is typically a separate charge from the move, as it is considered an add-on service. Since not everyone needs or wants packing, they are almost always priced individually. Costs vary based on a number of factors, and you can also choose to have your entire home packed or just certain rooms.

According to Thumbtack, the average cost to hire professional packers is between $42.50 and $32.50 per hour per packer. To put things in perspective, you can expect to spend between $305 and $465 to have a one-bedroom apartment packed. This includes about 3 to 4 hours of packing by 2 packers, and the cost of all applicable packing materials.
The best way to know how much it costs to have your shifters pack for you is to request an estimate from a moving company. Contact us today at (888) 202-0036 for your free, no-obligation packing quote and find out how you could save up to 20% on your next move!