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How Much Do Packing Services Cost and Are They Worth It?

by | Oct 7

Moving can be stressful and time-consuming. Whether you hire professional packing services or decide to pack on your own is one of the largest choices that you will make when you are making your move. That’s why it’s essential to understand the benefits of packing services and what you can expect in return to make an informed choice.

Terry Moving & Storage specializes in professional packing and moving services in the Orange County Area. We offer transparent pricing, a range of packing options, and labeling options for your valuable items.

Why Consider Professional Packing Services?

Professional movers packing boxes and office items

Hiring professional packers and movers will make your move simpler. That is why it can be a worthwhile investment:

  • Time Savings: Packing your entire home can take one to two weeks, depending on your belongings. Professional packers do this in hours.
  • Damage Prevention: Fragile items such as electronics, artwork, and glassware are packed using the correct materials.
  • Stress Reduction: Moving is stressful enough. Outsourcing the packing process means you can work on other aspects of your move.
  • Insurance & Liability: Carrier-packed items are protected by Terry Moving OC’s liability, providing you with peace of mind.

Understanding Packing Services Cost

Person labeling a moving box as fragile.

The cost of moving company packing varies depending on several factors:

1. Size of Your Move

The amount of belongings determines the number of packers and the time required. Larger homes naturally incur higher packing services costs.

  • Studio/1-bedroom apartment: Typically $150–$300 for professional packing.
  • 2–3 bedroom home: $300–$600 depending on volume and fragility of items.
  • 4+ bedroom home: $600+; includes larger crews and more packing materials.

2. Packing Options

Terry Moving OC offers three primary packing options:

Full Packing

Every item in your home is packed professionally, including fragile items, clothing, kitchenware, and furniture.

  • Cost Range: Usually $25–$45 per hour per packer.
  • Best For: Clients who want a complete, stress-free packing experience.

Partial Packing

Terry Moving OC handles delicate or valuable items like electronics, artwork, and TVs, while you pack the rest (closets, books, garage items).

  • Cost Range: $15–$30 per hour per packer for professional handling.
  • Best For: Clients who want to save money while ensuring fragile items are professionally protected.

Pack-by-Owner (PBO)

You pack everything yourself. Terry Moving OC provides moving and transport services but liability only applies to carrier-packed items (CP).

  • Cost: Lowest option, as you provide labor and materials for packing.
  • Best For: Cost-conscious clients with non-fragile belongings or extra time.

Materials Included and Policies

One factor that often surprises homeowners is the cost of packing materials. Terry Moving OC includes most packing materials in their professional packing quotes:

  • Boxes for clothing, books, kitchenware, and fragile items
  • Bubble wrap, tape, and packing paper for delicate items
  • Specialized TV boxes and protective padding

Important

  • TVs must always be packed by the professionals and disclosed in your confirmation.
  • Carrier-packed items are fully insured, while PBO items are your responsibility.

Detailed Cost Breakdown

Here’s a breakdown of what drives the professional packing cost:

Labor

  • Hourly rates vary based on crew size and experience.
  • Typical rates in Orange County: $25–$45 per hour per packer.

Materials

  • Materials are often included for carrier-packed items.
  • Specialized items (art, mirrors, large electronics) may incur a small additional cost.

Distance & Complexity

  • Packing for a long-distance move or high-rise apartment can increase cost due to logistical challenges.

Value & Fragility of Items

  • Expensive or delicate items require extra care, adding to labor time and material use.

Are Packing Services Worth the Cost?

Many people wonder if professional packing services justify the expense. Here’s why it often pays off:

1. Protecting Your Belongings

  • Professional packers have the materials and skills of the industry.
  • Less likely to be damaged, which results in less replacement cost.

2. Saving Time

  • The DIY packing of a 2-3 bedroom home may require 20-30 hours.
  • When it is done in 4 -8 hours, professional packers allow the same to be done.

3. Reducing Stress

  • You will not be annoyed by wrapping delicate products or calculating the box sizes.
  • Put your priorities on logistics, moving, and family moving.

4. Opportunity Cost

  • Consider your hourly rate × 1–2 weeks spent packing. Often, hiring professionals costs less than your time it would be worth.

5. Liability and Insurance

  • Carrier-packed (CP) items are fully covered by Terry Moving OC’s liability.
  • Pack-by-Owner (PBO) items remain your responsibility, emphasizing the benefit of partial or full professional packing.

See Terry Moving in Action.

Tips for Reducing Packing Costs

When it comes to budget then follow these tips:

  • Use Partial Packing: The best thing to do when packing non-fragile items, such as clothing and books, is to get the experts to do this.
  • Declutter Before Moving: Give away or sell the things you which you have or no longer need. Less volume = lower packing cost.
  • Consolidate Packing Days: Schedule packing over fewer days to reduce labor hours.
  • Prepare Non-Fragile Items: Pre-pack items you can, so professionals only handle delicate or heavy goods.

How Terry Moving OC Helps You Optimize Packing

Terry Moving OC stands out as a professional packers and movers company in Orange County. Here’s how they make the most of your investment:

  • Flexible Options: Full pack, partial pack, or DIY with guidance
  • Liability Coverage: CP items are fully insured for peace of mind
  • Time Savings: Efficient packing reduces move duration significantly

Key Considerations Before Hiring Packers

Before hiring, ask these questions:

  1. What’s included in your packing service?
  2. Are materials included in the cost?
  3. Which items are carrier-packed vs. owner-packed?
  4. How is liability handled for fragile or high-value items?
  5. Do you offer partial packing options?

Understanding these points ensures no surprises on moving day.

Final Thoughts

Professional packing service is not just a form of convenience, but an investment into security, time, and stress. The process of moving, be it a small apartment or a huge house with a family of six, will require moving on weeks of work, protecting the fragile foundations, and ensuring that your issue is painless and headache-free when you hire Terry Moving OC.

  • Full pack for complete peace of mind
  • Partial pack for cost-effective solutions
  • PBO for DIY enthusiasts who want to save

When we consider the cost of moving company packing against the promise of avoiding a tossed (and costly) company’s properly stored goods in a truck, we find the value of professional packing can far exceed the expense.

Want to Make Your Move Without the Stress?

Contact Terry Moving OC today for a customized packing quote. Secure your valuables, save time, and be confident to settle into your new home.

FAQs

Are packing services charged by the hour or by the project?

Packing services can either be charged by the hour or on a flat project basis. Hourly rates may be used for smaller moves or for packing areas only, and this means that you only pay for as long as the packers spend working on your items.

How much do packers charge per hour?

Different rates are offered by professional packers, based on how experienced he/she is, how many other packers are in the team, and the complexity of the move. Standard rates typically fall between $25 and $45 per hour per packer-two, though there are special cases if the item is electronic, artwork, or an antique, what else can cost you more. Partial packing crews, where you do some of the packing yourself, are usually less expensive, ranging from $15 to $30/hr/p packer.

What is the difference between full packing and partial packing services?

Full packing service includes the professionals managing all of the items in your home, from fragile glassware to bulky furniture. This option is ideal for clients who are looking for a stress-free and hands-off moving experience and who want full liability coverage for their belongings. Partial packing, on the other hand, is a flexible solution where, by fabricating temporary moving objects, Terry Moving OC will only tackle your fragile or high-value items, then you pack non-fragile possessions like clothing, books, or even your garage items. 

Are packing materials included in the price?

At Terry Moving OC, the majority of packing materials are incorporated into the quoted service prices for both full and partial packing. This usually includes things like cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, tape, and specialty packaging for things such as TVs and artwork. If you select the Pack-by-Owner option, it is your responsibility to provide materials for use in your items, and the liability coverage only applies to the items professionally packed by Terry Moving.

Do packers also unpack at the new location?

Yes, their unpacking services are available, and they can be customized according to your needs. Full unpacking is when the packers don’t just help you unpack all your boxes, but will put things in the designated rooms and even help with assembling pieces of furniture if they have to. Partial unpacking enables professionals to manage fragile or high-value items, and you to the personal items such as clothes or books.

How do I know if packing services are right for me?

Packing services are suitable for anyone with further-fragile, bulky, or high-value items, or for anyone eager to save time and the physical pain that can come with packing themselves. They are especially valuable for long-distance moves, higher-rise apartments, or for long-distance moves of important possessions where liability coverage is important.