Professional Packing vs Doing It Yourself
Packing is the most time-consuming part of any house move. A professional packing service saves huge amounts of time and stress — but it costs extra. Here's how to decide.
How Much Does a Packing Service Cost?
| Property Size | Full Packing Service | Packing Materials Only |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed flat | £150 – £300 | £30 – £60 |
| 2-bed house | £250 – £500 | £50 – £100 |
| 3-bed house | £400 – £750 | £80 – £150 |
| 4-bed house | £600 – £1,000 | £120 – £200 |
| 5-bed house | £800 – £1,300+ | £150 – £250+ |
A part packing service (kitchen + fragile items only) is a popular middle ground, typically costing 40-60% of a full pack.
What Does a Packing Service Include?
A full pack from a removal company typically covers:
- All packing materials — boxes, tissue paper, bubble wrap, wardrobe cartons, tape
- Professional packing of every item in every room
- Labelling — every box marked with contents and destination room
- Fragile item wrapping — china, glass, electronics, artwork
- Wardrobe boxes — clothes transferred directly from wardrobe to hanging box
- Dismantling — beds, flat-pack furniture (if agreed in the quote)
Packing usually happens the day before the move, with the team arriving at 8-9am and finishing by late afternoon for an average 3-bed house.
DIY Packing: The Real Cost
"Free" packing isn't really free. Factor in:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Boxes (40-60 for a 3-bed) | £40 – £80 |
| Bubble wrap, tape, tissue paper | £20 – £40 |
| Wardrobe boxes | £8 – £12 each |
| Your time (20-40 hours for a 3-bed) | Priceless |
| days off work (if needed) | £100 – £300+ |
Total materials cost: £80–£150 for a typical 3-bed house.
Where to Get Cheap Packing Materials
- Online retailers — Amazon, eBay, packaging specialists
- Local shops — supermarkets and stores often give away boxes
- Neighbours and friends who've recently moved
- Freecycle and Facebook Marketplace — free used boxes
- Your removal company — buying materials with your move booking is often cheapest
Full Pack vs DIY: Comparison
| Factor | Full Packing Service | DIY Packing |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (3-bed house) | £400 – £750 | £80 – £150 |
| Time to pack | 4-6 hours (professionals) | 20-40 hours (you) |
| Breakage risk | Very low (insured) | Higher |
| Insurance claim eligible | Yes — they packed it | Depends on company |
| Stress level | Low | High |
| Control | Less (but they're good at it) | Full |
The Insurance Advantage
This is the detail most people miss: if a removal company packs your items and something breaks, they're fully liable under their goods-in-transit insurance. If you pack it yourself and it breaks, they may argue it was "insufficiently packed" and reject the claim.
For valuable or fragile items (crockery, artwork, electronics) this insurance coverage alone can justify the packing cost.
When to Pay for Professional Packing
Professional packing is worth it if:
- You have a large house (3+ beds) — the time saving is enormous
- You have many fragile items — china, glassware, artwork, mirrors
- You're short on time — work, childcare, or other commitments
- You want maximum insurance protection
- You're doing a long-distance or international move — everything needs to be packed properly
When to DIY
DIY packing makes sense if:
- You're on a tight budget and have time to spare
- It's a small move (studio or 1-bed)
- You're organised and methodical by nature
- You want to declutter as you pack — going through everything yourself helps you decide what to keep
The Best of Both Worlds
The part packing option is increasingly popular. The removal company packs your kitchen, fragile items, and artwork — the most time-consuming and risky rooms — while you handle bedrooms, clothing, and straightforward items.
This typically costs 40-60% of a full pack and saves the most stressful parts of the job.
Use our calculator to see how packing services affect your total moving cost.