Packing is one of the most underestimated parts of a move.
It takes seconds to say “I need packing”, but it takes hours of focused, professional labor to pack a home correctly so that everything arrives safely and can be unloaded efficiently on move day.
This page explains what packing actually involves, how long it typically takes, and how we price it fairly.
Packing Time Is Often Similar to Move Time
For many homes, especially when the client has done little or no packing, packing time is roughly equal to move time.
That surprises people—but it shouldn’t.
Every item that must be:
- sorted,
- wrapped,
- boxed,
- labeled,
- and staged
requires hands‑on labor before it ever touches the truck.
Where Packing Time Goes (The Reality)
While every home is different, a few patterns are extremely consistent:
- Kitchens take the most time to pack in roughly 90% of homes
- Fragile items require individual wrapping
- Drawers, cabinets, pantries, and closets add up quickly
- Furniture prep and protection happens alongside packing
Packing is not just “putting things in boxes.”
It is preparing your entire household for transport.
Example: Fully Furnished 3‑Bedroom Single‑Family Home
As a planning example:
A fully furnished 3‑bedroom single‑family home, with little to no pre‑packing done by the client, typically requires:
- 3 professional packers
- Approximately 7 hours of packing time
This is a realistic, field‑tested average—not an inflated number.
How Packing Is Priced (Fairly and Transparently)
Packing services are billed based on time and crew size, just like moving—without hidden fees.
Standard Packing Rates (Example)
- Hourly Rate: $95 per packer, per hour
- Crew: 3 packers
- Typical Time: ~7 hours
Double Play: 20% Discount for Separate Pack Day
When packing is scheduled on a separate day prior to the move, we apply a 20% discount to the hourly packing rate.
Why?
- Packing is more efficient without trucks being loaded
- There is less congestion and interruption
- It improves flow and reduces move‑day stress
This is what we call a Double Play—better execution for you, better efficiency for the team.
Van, Trip & Destination Charges
Packing deployments also require equipment and transportation.
For example:
- Packing Van Fee: $195
- Zone 1 Trip & Destination Charge: $50
These charges cover:
- vehicle deployment,
- equipment,
- fuel,
- and crew travel time.
Everything is disclosed up front—no surprises.
Why Packing Is Worth Doing Right
Proper packing:
- reduces damage risk,
- speeds up loading and unloading,
- improves organization at delivery,
- and lowers overall stress.
Trying to rush or shortcut packing almost always pushes the cost somewhere else—usually on move day.
What We Need From You
To estimate packing accurately, we’ll ask:
- how much packing you’ve already done (if any),
- which rooms need full packing,
- and whether packing will be done before move day or combined with it.
Clear information helps us plan the right crew and timeline.
The Bottom Line
Packing is real work.
It’s not insignificant, it’s not instant, and it’s not arbitrary.
We price packing the same way we price moving:
- based on time,
- based on effort,
- and based on what it actually takes to do the job correctly.
That’s fair to you—and fair to our team.
Questions About Packing for Your Move?
Our team is happy to walk through your home and explain what packing will realistically involve—before move day.
That’s how professionals plan.