Last Updated: December 30, 2019
Written by HomeAdvisor.
Packing Services Cost
The cost to pack a home ranges from $270 to $2,200, with an average of $1,000. This total includes materials and labor to pack boxes and furniture. Hiring a pro to pack and unpack runs $370 to $3,600.
Moving between homes can be tedious. Packing takes a lot of time and might damage your belongings if you’re not careful. Hiring a service saves time and lets you focus on other aspects related to moving. Here are several price factors you’ll want to consider as you prepare.
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Cost to Hire a Professional Packing Service
| Average Cost | $1,000 |
| High Cost | $2,200 |
| Low Cost | $270 |
Professional Packers Cost
The $270 to $2,200 cost to hire professional packers relates to the number of bedrooms and the total square feet.
| Bedrooms | Typical Square Footage | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 400 - 1,000 | $270 - $550 |
| 2 | 700 - 1,250 | $540 - $900 |
| 3 | 1,250+ | $1,000 - $2,200 |
Packing Service Cost by Home Size
Packing costs average $1,000, depending on the size of your home. The average price by the number of bedrooms is:
- 1 bedroom: $400
- 2 bedrooms: $725
- 3 bedrooms: $1,500
Keep in mind that square footage determines the total as much as the number of rooms. If you have a two-bedroom house that is 1,500 square feet, you’ll pay $1,000 to $2,200.
Cost to Pack a House by the Hour
At $50 to $120 per hour for labor, the rate you pay depends on the number of hours you need for the job:
- 400 to 1,250 square feet: 2 to 5 hours
- 1,250+ square feet: 6 to 12 hours
The total price per hour depends on the number of packers. If you schedule three pros instead of two, usually for 3+ bedrooms, you’ll pay a higher hourly rate.
Packing Cost by Weight
Weight can make a small difference in the cost of moving boxes. For example, if you like to collect books, you’ll need more small, heavy duty boxes than if you like to collect cashmere sweaters.
The total weight of your possessions affects cost if you’re hiring loaders or movers to do the packing. These pros need to confirm that your items will fit in the truck. Vehicles have variable limits based on size but usually max at 10,000 pounds.
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Labor Cost of Professional Packers
The cost to hire packers ranges from $25 to $40 per hour per pro, not including materials. In most cases, you’ll need at least two pros. You’ll pay $100 to $400 in labor for 1 to 2 bedrooms, and $480 to $1,440 for 3+ bedrooms.
| Square Feet | # of Pros | Est. Hours | Total Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400 - 1,250 | 2 | 2 - 5 | $100 - $400 |
| 1,250+ | 3 | 6 - 12 | $480 - $1,440 |
Companies often discount the hourly rate for additional packers. So if you have 3 to 4 pros on the job, you’ll pay closer to $25 per person per hour.
Cost to Pack Furniture
The $100 to $1,440 you pay for labor depends on the type of furniture you have as well as the amount. It takes longer to pack a piano than a sofa. If you have more than a few boxes of specialty items like antiques or glassware, budget 1 to 2 more hours than the average range.
Professional Unpacking Service Prices
Professional unpackers cost $100 to $1,440, in addition to materials and packing rates. You’ll pay $370 to $3,600 for all three.
Hiring unpackers is a matter of convenience for most homeowners. The average American takes about six months to empty the last box by themselves. By comparison, pros may be able to finish in 12 hours or less. In most cases, they will also haul away the materials.
Additional Packing and Unpacking Services
The $270 to $2,200 price for packing does not include loading or unloading. If you need this service, you’ll pay an extra $400 to $1,600 each time.
Most professional packers will disassemble or reassemble basic furniture as part of the service. You may need to pay for an extra hour or two if you want them to take down or put together complicated pieces, such as:
- Cribs
- Waterbeds
- Pianos
- Televisions or other electronics
Packaging Cost Estimator
Buying boxes and other packing materials ranges from $170 to $740. If you have a small home and more furniture than other belongings, you may pay less.
| Bedrooms | Materials |
|---|---|
| 1 | $170 - $250 |
| 2 | $340 - $500 |
| 3+ | $510 - $740 |
Some packing companies include supplies in the quote, but others may not. Be sure to ask when you get an estimate.
Packing Boxes Prices
At $170 to $740, packing materials can make up more than half the total price. The amount you'll pay depends on the size of your home and type of supplies you need.
| Material | Cost Per Unit | Total for 3 Bedrooms |
|---|---|---|
| Small boxes | $1 | $30 - $40 |
| Medium boxes | $1.50 | $37.50 - $75 |
| Large boxes | $2 | $30 - $50 |
| XL boxes | $2.50 | $25 - $37.50 |
| Book boxes | $2 | $10 - $20 |
| Wardrobe box | $13 | $51 - $65 |
| Glassware boxes | $15 | $45 - $75 |
| Dish boxes | $15 | $60 - $75 |
| TV/Picture boxes | $25 | $125 - $150 |
| Packing paper | $10 - $15 | $20 - $30 |
| Bubble wrap | $10 - $25 | $20 - $50 |
| Stretch wrap | $10 - $25 | $20 - $50 |
| Tape rolls | $3 - $4 | $12 - $16 |
| Tape dispensers | $12 | $24 |
| Total | $510 - $740 |
For low cost moving boxes, ask friends, family or nearby stores for extra supplies. Make sure that the materials are in good condition before you use them.
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Hiring Movers vs. Standalone Packing Company
Most professional packing companies also operate as loaders or movers. This means that you may be able to hire a business to pack, load and move. If you’re looking for convenience and a single bill to pay, this is the way to go.
If you’re trying to save money, it may be better to hire a standalone packing company. This allows you to choose which services you need and the ones you’ll do yourself.
DIY vs. Professional Packing and Unpacking Services
At $100 to $1,440, the labor costs for packing may be as much as two-thirds of the total. You can save hundreds of dollars by doing it yourself, but it’s not as easy or quick as it looks. A professional can:
- Identify all the materials you’ll need.
- Quickly prepare large or outsized items for travel.
- Complete in hours what might take you days.
If you’re worried about making time for this task, hiring a pro is often worth the money. When you’re ready to explore packing services near you, start by requesting at least three quotes. Remember to ask if they offer loading or moving services as well.
FAQs
What does full packing service mean?
A full packing service involves every item in the house, from couches to knick knacks. These businesses often provide materials as well. Movers or loaders prepare your furniture for travel but they usually don’t pack unless you pay extra for it.
What can I expect from a full-service mover?
A full-service move includes the following:
- Materials
- Packing and loading
- Transport
- Unloading and unpacking
Do movers unpack for you?
Movers may unpack for you at a cost of $100 to $1,440. This is usually a service you’ll need to request.
How long do professional packers take?
Professional packers take 2 to 5 hours for a smaller home, and 6 to 12 hours for one with 3+ bedrooms.
Is it customary to tip packers?
It is customary to tip packers about $4 to $8 per person per hour. For three pros working for six hours, this comes to $72 to $144.
What is the average cost to move a house?
The cost to hire a moving service averages $1,100. The price to move cross-country ranges from $2,100 to $5,700.
When should you start packing?
You should start packing non-essential items about 4 to 6 weeks before you move.
