Will removal companies pack for you?
/A common question asked by the public is will removal companies pack for you? In this blog we answer the question, as go into detail about what you can expect when a removal company packs your house for you.
We look at what a packing service includes, how long it may take and how much a packing service costs in the UK.
Do removal companies pack for you? The answer is yes. Most reputable removal firms will offer a packing service along with their standard removal services. Like anything, a packing service will increase your moving costs, however there are a number of benefits which could outweigh any costs.
So what is a packing service?
When moving home, you can either pack up the contents of your home yourself, or for an additional fee, you can ask your chosen removal company to do this for you. The removal team will usually attend a day or 2 prior to your move and bring with them a variety of packing boxes and materials. They will then begin to pack your personal effects into boxes (hopefully in a careful way!). This may include the use of packing paper and bubblewrap for fragile items, protective furniture coverings for your furniture and portable wardrobe cartons to keep your hanging clothes tidy.
A full packing service will literally involve everything being packed. Drawers emptied, kitchen cupboard contents into boxes, toiletries from the bathroom into boxes etc. There may be certain exceptions like paints, flammables etc so always best to check for any exclusions.
How long does it take for a removal company to pack a house?
Well this will depend on the size of your home and how many possessions you have. A standard 3 bedroom house with a garage and average volume of belongings should be packed up in a day. For larger moves 2 or more days may be required. If there are a particularly high amount of fragile items that require extra care or high value precious items like oil paintings, antiques etc, this may take longer. For smaller homes it may be possible to pack and move in the same day.
How much does it cost for a removal company to pack a house?
Prices for packing will vary, again depending on the size of your home and how much stuff you have. Obviously the larger the house, and greater the volume of belongings to pack will result in more time required for packing, more packing materials and more staff, so costs will be higher.
Some removal firms will quote you a flat fee for packing. Some may price on a ‘per box’ basis and some may have a mixture of the both.
Is it faster for a removal company to pack for me?
Removal companies will generally be quicker at packing as they are experienced and know how to pack correctly and in an efficient manner. Also when you are packing your own home up, you often take time to look at items and get side tracked. A removal company will be ruthless but in a careful way and pack the box and move onto the next box.
Will my belongings be safer if packed by a removal firm?
Whilst you may take care packing your own belongings, removal companies have the necessary experience, knowledge and materials to carefully pack those precious items. Good quality double-walled packing boxes, strong packing paper and strong packing tape will all increase the safety of your belongings.
Will it be less stressful having a packing service?
Packing is one of the biggest causes of stress when moving home. Sourcing good quality packing materials, knowing where to start and most importantly finding the time to pack are stressful situations. It isn’t uncommon for moving dates to be delayed so if you have started packing you could well be without items you may end up needing before you move.
Generally if a removal company packs for you they will supply all the materials. If you are packing yourself you will soon find out how expensive it is and you will always underestimate just how many boxes you will need.
Do removal companies unpack for you?
Some do and some don’t is the simple answer. Unpacking is less common than packing but it can be useful for customers who face difficulty in packing and unpacking. Be sure to ask the question when speaking to your removal company.
How to prepare for a packing service?
One of the joys of having a removal firm pack for you is that you do not need to do much yourself. There are some useful things you can do though which will help your movers and yourself.
Keep important documents safe in their own box and mark clearly
Remove any items of particular value or sentiment if you are not happy for them to be packed
Start working your way through your food supplies, this will mean less to pack!
De-clutter beforehand. This is often overlooked, but why pay someone to pack items you no longer need or use
Make a box up for your children’s favourite toys etc and keep separate. This way when you come to unpack you have their favourite toys at hand.
Keep any medicines or tablets back that you may need quick access to
Will my belongings be insured if packed by a removal company?
What many people do not realise is that the majority of removal companies terms and conditions will limit the insurance cover if the customer packs themselves. A lot of removal firms have similar terms and conditions as they are very industry specific. The insurers will often limit cover on a self-packed item to a minimal amount.
If your removal company packs for you, you will usually receive a greater insurance cover for any unfortunate damages that could occur.
So what have we learnt from the above? Having a removal company pack for you may add to your moving cost, but the benefits are clear to see. As always it is a case of weighing up what your priorities are as a customer. Would you rather spend more on your move and have less to do, or would you look to keep the costs down and do more yourself. Everyone is different but hopefully this article will help you reach the decision that is best for you.
So if you would like a professional removal company to pack for you in Devon, please get in touch.
Empire Removals South West Ltd
