Packing and unpacking: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What packing and unpacking is

Packing and unpacking wraps and boxes belongings with the right materials before a move, labels each box by room and contents, and later unpacks and arranges items in the new home. It takes the time-consuming part of moving off you and reduces breakage on the way.

Signs you need it

  • You have a move date and far more belongings than you can pack in the time you have
  • Your kitchen, glassware and dishes need careful wrapping and you do not have the right materials
  • You want the new home set up quickly with each room unpacked and arranged
  • Your closet, wardrobe and bathroom items need to be packed and sorted by room
  • You are moving with a job, children or a health issue that limits how much you can carry

What the pro does

  • Walk the home and plan the packing by room, starting with items you use the least
  • Pack dishes, glassware and fragile items with paper, bubble wrap and dividers in the right box sizes
  • Wrap and box clothing, linens and soft items, keeping heavy items in small boxes
  • Label every box with the room it belongs to and a short list of what is inside
  • Unpack boxes in the new home room by room and place items where you choose
  • Remove packing materials from the home and flatten boxes for pickup or recycling

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of rooms and the total number of boxes needed
  • Kitchen and fragile item count, since dishes and glassware take the longest to pack
  • Whether the packer supplies boxes and materials or you buy them
  • Whether unpacking and placement in the new home are included
  • Whether the packing needs to happen the day before the move or over several days
  • Specialty items such as artwork, electronics or wardrobe boxes

What a written quote should spell out

  • The rooms covered and the items that will be packed, including fragile and specialty pieces
  • The packing materials supplied, such as boxes, paper, bubble wrap and tape
  • Whether unpacking is included, and where the boxes will be placed
  • How packing materials are removed and whether they are taken away
  • What the packer will not pack, such as cleaning chemicals, medication or plants

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What materials do you use on dishes and glassware, and how do you wrap them
  • Will you label each box by room and by contents, and how detailed is the list
  • Do you unpack the boxes or only place them, and where do you put the empty boxes
  • What do you leave unpacked, such as items you want to keep in an open bag
  • Will you pack the kitchen the day before, or on the day of the move
  • How do you handle artwork, mirrors and electronics that need extra protection

Red flags

  • Boxes packed with no labels, which makes unpacking slow and often leaves items misplaced
  • Heavy items packed in large boxes, which can break or strain the box on the stairs
  • Dishes packed with newspaper alone or with no padding between plates
  • A quote that leaves out materials and removal of packing debris

What you can do yourself

You can pack clothes, books, bedding and non-breakable items yourself, and keep your essentials box with you. Call a professional for dishes, glassware, artwork, mirrors and electronics, where the packing method decides whether anything survives the move.

Licenses and permits

Packing and unpacking services are not commonly licensed. Check with your state or local licensing agency for any business registration that applies to a packing company, and check the rules for any moving service the packer offers in addition.

Packing and unpacking questions

What should I never let a packer put in a box?

Cleaning chemicals, aerosols, medication, passports, cash and valuables. Carry those yourself and tell the packer which items to leave out.

How far ahead should I book packing?

Book as early as you can, especially before a busy moving season. Packing a full home often takes more than one day, so ask how the schedule works.

Will the packer unpack everything?

Ask. Some packers unpack and place items; others only unpack boxes and leave the placement to you. Decide before the move, and write it into the quote.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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