How Much Do Professional Packers Cost?

Typical Professional Packer Costs

The price to hire professional packers near you includes labor and material costs. If you supply your own materials such as boxes, packing tape, and more for the packers, your costs may be lower. When getting quotes from packing companies, ask if their pricing includes supplies.

As we analyze the cost of packing services below, remember that unpacking services cost an additional $100 to $1,400 for a move and aren’t included in these calculations.

Packing Service Cost by Home Size

Your home size can have the biggest impact on how much professional packers cost. For example, a one-bedroom apartment may cost as little as $280 to pack, while a five-bedroom mansion can exceed $2,000.

Packing Cost by Weight

The weight of your items can have a small impact on the overall cost of packing services. This is because heavier items may slow packers down, thus increasing labor costs, and will require more heavy-duty boxes, thus increasing supply costs. For example, if you collect books, you’ll need more small, heavy-duty boxes than if you collect cashmere sweaters.

The total weight of your possessions also affects prices 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 limits based on the size but usually max out at 10,000 pounds.

Furniture

Packing furniture can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,450 as part of your total packing costs. The size and shape of the furniture can impact how long it takes professional packers to prepare it for loading. However, packing furniture is only one part of the equation. If you aren’t prepared to lift it yourself, you’ll also need to budget for the cost to move furniture.

Specialty Items

If you have specialty items of significant value, packers will need to spend more time carefully packing them. Fragile items like antiques, glassware, and artwork can add one to two additional hours of labor, depending on the number of specialty items. This could increase labor costs from $25 to $100 at a minimum. If the pieces require specialty packing supplies, expect prices to be even higher. In addition, specialty items may also cost extra to move, such as the cost to hire piano movers.

Labor Cost of Professional Packers

In most cases, you’ll need to hire at least two packers, and a single packer can typically pack 100 square feet of home in one hour, which averages out to $25 to $40 per 100 square feet or $25 per hour per professional. However, the amount and type of belongings can impact that estimate. Keep in mind that companies often discount the hourly rate for additional packers, so if you have three to four pros on the job, you’ll pay closer to $25 per person per hour.

Boxes and Packing Material Costs

The price of packing materials ranges from $180 to $750 or more, depending on the size of your home. This represents the cost of materials when supplied by the packing company. If your professional packers are providing boxes, packing blankets, packing paper, tape, and other supplies, they’ll likely upcharge. If you have a smaller home and more furniture than other belongings, you may pay less.

Some packing companies include supplies in the quote, but others may not. Be sure to ask when you get an estimate. Here’s how the cost of materials breaks down by the supply type:

Professional Unpacking Service Prices

Professional unpackers cost around $100 to $1,400, depending on the amount of unpacking you need assistance with. When added to the cost of packing services and materials, your total packing cost calculation will fall between $380 and $3,600.

Additional Packing and Unpacking Services

The $280 to $2,200 price tag for packing doesn’t typically 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 

• TVs or other electronics

Hiring Movers vs. Standalone Packing Company

Most professional packing companies also operate as loaders or movers. This means 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, hiring a standalone packing company may be better. This allows you to choose which services you need and the ones you'll do yourself.

DIY vs. Professional Packing and Unpacking Services

The cost of packing and unpacking services can surpass $3,600, depending on your home size, and it’ll cost even more if you pay for loading and unloading. Because you may already be budgeting for other costs—like the cost of a down payment or security deposit for a new home or apartment, plus the cost of move-out cleaning—you may choose to tackle this project yourself.

DIY packing is doable, but it’s a time-consuming process. If you’re busy with other elements of your move and want to ensure proper packing of valuable items, it makes sense to hire professionals. 

Benefits of hiring professional packers include the following:

• Time savings: You can spend your time preparing for your move or settling into your new home. 

• Experience: Professional packers know how to safely get your belongings to their destination.

• Insurance: Most professional packing companies offer insurance on all of your items. If something is lost or broken, you'll be compensated.

• No stress: Moving is a stressful experience. Paying for professional packing services means taking one worry off your plate.

FAQs

What does full-packing service mean?

A full packing service involves every item in the house, from large furniture like couches and washers/dryers to knickknacks. These businesses often provide packing materials as well. Local furniture movers or loaders prepare your furniture for travel, but they usually don't pack unless you pay extra.

What can I expect from a full-service mover?

A full-service move includes the following:

• Materials

• Packing 

• Loading

• Transport

• Unloading 

• Unpacking

Full-service movers are a great option if you're short on time, have many items to pack and load into a moving truck, or need to move a long distance and would rather pay for the cost of a cross-country move.

How long do professional packers take?

Professional packers take two to five hours for a smaller home and six to 12 hours for a house with three-plus bedrooms. But how long they’ll take depends on many factors, including how many rooms you have, how many items, and whether those items are bulky, small, or fragile. 

Is it customary to tip packers?

It’s customary to tip packers about $4 to $8 per person per hour. For three pros working for six hours, this comes to approximately $72 to $140. Depending on a job well done, you may tip more to thank the pros for their service and careful attention to your belongings.

What is the average cost to move a house?

The cost to hire a moving service averages $1,650. Local movers usually charge between $25 to $50 per hour for each worker, with most movers taking around four hours to move a one-bedroom home, six hours to move a two- or three-bedroom home, and eight hours to move a four-bedroom home.