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Hiring Professional Packers vs. Packing Yourself: Which Is Right For You?
Those planning a big move may be wondering “should I hire professional packers or should I pack myself?”. Fortunately, we’re here to help make that decision easier. While hiring pros comes with plenty of benefits, not everyone needs or prefers to have strangers packing up their belongings. However, for those with a tight moving schedule, hiring professional packers may be worth the hefty price tag. For help weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each packing option, take a look below.
Should I hire professional packers?
How it works: Professional packers are trained in the art of packing a moving box. Many full-service moving companies offer packing services as either an add-on option or as an a la carte option to customers. Pros will typically walk through the home with the customer before the packing begins in order to assess what does and does not need to be included in the packing process. Once the packing starts, movers will assemble all moving boxes and carefully box up belongings throughout the home. Most packers charge by the hour, so customers should be sure to ask about the hourly rate as well as how long the packing process will likely take.
Advantages
- Professional packers are efficient – It goes without saying that professional packers are professionals for a reason. They are trained to carefully and quickly pack household belongings in the safest way possible. With years of packing experience under their belts, they know just how many boxes and moving supply items it will take to pack up your home in the most efficient way possible. While you may spend countless hours, days and weeks packing up your home, a professional can often pack up an entire place in less than 24 hours.
- Professional packers make it easy – Let’s face it: ordering moving supplies, packing up belongings and labeling boxes is a huge time suck – not to mention, a labor-intensive process in many cases. Those hiring professional packers will enjoy an easier, less stressful moving experience overall. Instead of wasting all of their free time boxing up belongings, they’ll be able to spend more time with loved ones and partaking in activities that don’t involve moving to a new home.
Disadvantages
- Professional packers are pricey – Of course, if hiring professional packers were free, everyone would do it. Unfortunately, it’s not. Hiring pros to box up a home usually means having to spend a few extra hundred dollars on the move – sometimes more. The cost of packing services will depend on the company’s hourly rate, the amount of stuff you’re moving and the number of moving supplies and boxes needed. The longer it takes to pack up the contents of your home, the pricier the packing service. Keep in mind that those moving long distance may have to pay a flat rate for packing services. Given that costs can vary, customers should be sure to ask a moving company for pricing details and a quote before committing to packing services.
- Professional packers can make some people uncomfortable – Inviting strangers into a home to sift through belongings is about as impersonal as it gets. Many people aren’t comfortable with movers and packers handling their belongings (think: photo albums, personal documents and clothing). Sentimental and valuable items will also be handled by the packers, which doesn’t always sit right with the customer. After all, not many people want strangers touching their things. Instead, those moving may prefer to slowly pack up their home in order to maintain privacy and ensure that personal belongings are well taken care of.
Should I pack myself?
How it works: Anyone who’s ever moved knows how painstakingly slow and tedious packing up a home can be. Items needed for packing include cardboard boxes, plastic bins, plastic wrap, moving blankets, packing tape, labels and other various moving supplies and equipment. Of course, the more there is to pack, the longer the packing process will take. Packing yourself up will mean setting a packing schedule and using the utmost caution when boxing up fragile glassware, valuable items and other belongings that are prone to breaking.
Advantages
- Packing yourself means having more control over the move – Handing the packing responsibilities over to professional packers means having to relinquish control over how and when household items are boxed up and prepared for the move. Those moving won’t be able to decide what goes where or how exactly belongings are packed. Those who prefer to control their own packing and moving timeline should absolutely pack themselves instead of hiring pros for the job. Those who do decide to hire packing help but still wish to maintain more control over the move should give as much guidance as possible to packers on what and how to box up belongings.
- Packing yourself means saving money – Unfortunately, hiring professional packers isn’t cheap. Those moving on a tight budget, and those simply looking to save a pretty penny, will benefit financially from packing themselves up for the move. By putting in the time and effort to pack themselves, they’ll have money to spend on other necessities and conveniences, such as additional moving costs, real estate fees, vacations, school tuition, etc.
Disadvantages
- Packing yourself leads to wasted time and energy – Packing up an entire household can take days, weeks and months – depending on the amount of contents inside a home. All those countless hours wasted packing are hours that could have been spent doing other productive activities such as working, socializing and spending time with loved ones. Remember: the time you put into packing is time lost on other priorities. So if saving valuable time and energy is a must, then we recommend hiring professional packers.
- Packing yourself is sometimes risky – Professional packers are exactly that: professionals. Given that they’ve been trained to pack household items and fragile goods, it’s very likely that belongings will arrive safely at the new home. Unfortunately, most people are not professional packers and have little experience prepping and boxing items for moving. This means that household belongings are more likely to become damaged or broken when non-professionals pack them. In addition, if the customer packs his or her own belongings but hires professionals to move them, then the professional movers likely won’t be liable for any damages that occur to items inside boxes.
Who should pack themselves?
Anyone who is hoping to save money and/or on a tight budget should pack themselves instead of paying for professional packers. This could save customers several hundred dollars (or more) on a move.
Who should hire professional packers?
Those moving in a hurry without budget constraints should consider hiring professional packers to handle the packing process. After all, pros can likely accomplish the packing job in several days or less. Those with busy schedules and/or a heavy work load who simply lack the time to pack should also consider hiring professionals to take over the process.
Ready to move?
For those who need help finding professional packers and movers for an upcoming move, we have you covered. Fortunately, Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers makes it easy to find the right moving company for the job. By choosing a Moving.com mover, customers can rest assured that their move will be in good hands. Best of luck and happy moving!