Most movers offer a range of packing services from fragile-only to full pack and unpack.
To make the most of the fragile-only packing service, it is a good idea to pack everything else yourself and put the fragile items to one side for the movers to pack on the day.
Another option is packing for kitchen only. This is the worst room to pack if you’re not used to it. Plates and other crockery are vulnerable if not packed correctly and there is a risk of overloading the boxes.
Full Packing Service
Full packing services are usually done the day before a move. Whereas self-packing often takes several days, professional packers can pack up an average house in one working day or a few hours, depending on the size of the crew.
Apart from the convenience of packing services, there is the issue of insurance. Boxes and cartons that are packed by the owner have less cover than those packed by professionals.
The industry standard removals Terms & Conditions will have a clause on exclusions from liability which will include something like “We will not be liable for… Loss or damage resulting from inadequate or improper packing unless the goods damaged were packed by us”, or “If the goods sustain damage by reason of defective or inadequate packing or unpacking, and the packing or unpacking (as the case may be) was not undertaken by us, we will not be liable.”
Unpacking Service
Unpacking services usually means unpack onto surfaces only. The mover will not put your goods away into cupboards but will lay everything out on your work surfaces or tables. Arguably the best reason for an unpacking service is that the mover will take away all the used packing materials, so your new home is cluttered with boxes and packing paper.
Specialist Packing
Occasionally, movers are asked to pack special items such as canvases or works of art that require extra protection. These items may need to be packed in custom built crates or wooden frames but if the items are such that they warrant such measures, they will probably need specific insurance.
Whether you are doing the packing yourself or using a packing service, you will not usually need to remove hanging items from wardrobes and put them in boxes. Movers use wardrobe boxes which are basically boxes with a hanging rail inside. The boxes are rarely sold but are used on the day of the move to transport hanging garments from one wardrobe to another. If there is no wardrobe to hang the items in at the delivery address, the items may be carefully laid on a bed so the boxes can be retrieved.
