Should you hire professional packers when you move home? When the alternative is packing everything you own into bags and boxes while juggling every other part of the moving process, bringing in the experts is certainly appealing.
However, the high cost of hiring packers – and the potential complications around scheduling them – can put movers off the idea.
We’ve weighed up the pros and cons of paying for help with packing to help you decide. Plus, we’ve given some of our top tips for keeping costs down and the move running smoothly.
Benefits of using professional packers
Professional packers exist for a reason, and there are many benefits to using their services, including:
Save time when you move
One of the biggest benefits of hiring professional packers when you move is the amount of time you can save. Packing up a single-family home can take 50-75 hours of work during what is already a busy and hectic time.
Not only will a team of packing and removal experts be able to get the job done much quicker, but the extra help will also leave you free to complete other tasks.
Keep your possessions safe
From electricals to artwork, furniture to musical instruments, our homes are full of delicate items we want to protect. When packing yourself, this can be a huge source of stress.
Hiring professional packers means you can trust that your fragile items are well protected – and that your packers’ insurance will cover the damage if anything does go wrong.
Use a one-stop shop
Moving house involves hundreds of smaller tasks, and the mental load of making those decisions quickly adds up. A complete professional packing service involves the crew bringing their own boxes and packing supplies, deciding how to arrange your items together and even labelling the boxes.
This means you can cross multiple items off your to-do list with a single choice, and save your mental energy for where it’s needed most.
Cons of hiring a packing service
There are also some drawbacks to hiring a team to handle your packing, such as:
Packing services can be expensive
The average cost of a full professional packing service in the UK ranges from £197 for a one-bedroom home to a hefty £575 for a four-bedroom home, according to Compare My Move.
Moving home is already expensive, and handling packing yourself instead of hiring someone is one place where you can cut costs.
Coordinating schedules
Arranging the timing for your packing service can also be complicated. If you’re moving a longer distance, such as to another town or across the country, it’s important to start early to make the most of the available sunlight. In this case, you’ll want to arrange for the packing to be completed before your moving day. However, this means multiple days of movers and packers in your home, which can be stressful.
For this reason, you might choose to handle packing yourself so that you can fit it around your other commitments. This saves dedicating multiple hours on the day before your move to supervising and assisting with the packing process. Instead, you can spread the packing work out over the days and weeks beforehand, starting with less frequently used items.
How to keep the cost of professional packers down
If you do decide to hire a packing service, there are ways to keep costs down.
- Declutter before your move
This is one of the most helpful things you can do to prepare for your move ahead of time. Don’t waste time, money and energy moving with things you aren’t going to use in your new home.
- Make a packing plan
Decide what items you want packed together and make sure they’re in the same room. Tell your packers what you have planned, and make a list for you and them to both refer to during the process. Warning the team about delicate, awkward or bulky items will help them work quickly and efficiently.
- Shop around for packing services
Not all packing services charge the same, and you don’t have to use the same company for packing and moving. Compare quotes from different companies – just make sure you’re hiring a reputable firm with good reviews and insurance.
- Book your packing at off-peak times
The most popular days to move are at the weekends. If you can, book your packing services from Monday to Thursday to get a potentially cheaper rate.
- Watch out for extra charges
When comparing prices, be sure to mention all the services you need. Is there any furniture that will need to be disassembled? Do you own fragile or valuable items that will need special attention? Include all the information you can during the quote process to avoid extra fees once everything is already booked.
