Full packing service?

Angie_B

I moved from a first floor flat to a house a couple of miles away.  Two lovely gents from the movers came the day before and packed almost everything into boxes (the 'wardrobe' boxes are amazing - you don't even have to take your clothes off the hangers!).  Then the day of the actual move four guys appeared, dismantled the beds, wrapped the sofas and everything was quickly packed into the vans (I'm in London so two smaller vans was a much better option than one big truck due to parking) and the place was empty by 11.30am.  I had kept the vacuum and some small personal items aside, did a quick wizz round with the hoover and just as I was locking up, got the call that we had completed and all was a go.  

I drove down to the new house, calling into the EA on the way to pick up the keys and some snacks for the guys, met the vans and we unloaded in a matter of 2 hours.  My sellers were going much further so they had packed their truck the night before and sent it on its way so the property was totally empty when we arrived.  

It was absolutely the best money spent on the entire house moving process.  As everyone above has said, the packing service was barely more than just the removal.  I expect they factor in that if they do the packing, they know they will not be delayed because you haven't finished, or you've overloaded the boxes and they are falling apart / unliftable.  

badger09

Thanks to OP and everyone who has responded.

I'm in the process of getting quotes for a fairly local removal from a 4 bed with 20+ years of assorted 'stuff'. Steadily decluttering and was thinking of packing everything ourselves (myself!) but having read this, we'll definitely pay for full packing.

To confirm 'they pack everything';  when we moved here 20 years ago, with full packing service, they packed my stepson's school shoes in the empty kitchen bin. Result - he couldn't go to school. Crafty little.....

I'll update when I get the quotes.

LandyAndy

I have never used a full packing service although I think I would in the future but one point comes to mind having read the posts that comment on the cost of the packing materials for those doing their own packing and that is that removal companies have always provided me with all the materials (boxes, cartons, wrapping paper,  bubble wrap, etc.) FOC.  I certainly have never had to supply any of it myself.

eve824

Another thing that sealed the deal for us, apart from it only being a couple hundred £££ more than the removals quote, is that the insurance is much more comprehensive if they pack for you. Presumably as they know how to pack boxes safely.

One thing I would definitely concentrate on (and we are doing now) is decluttering as much as you can before you go, so there's less for them to pack up.

Jonbvn

Scotbot said:

I  have had a full packing service when relocating to and from overseas as the customs rules are so complex. The guys turned up with a 2m roll of bubble wrap, i looked like a roll of carpet! They also used far more than I would have done. Once you factor in the cost of buying  boxes, bubble wrap etc it is not that much extra

We used this when relocating from overseas back to the UK. The guys who packed our stuff were excellent. They dealt with everything including customs clearance etc. I found them to be excellent.
We have also done the self packing for a move in the UK. All I would say is never again!

fiwen30

The first of 3 companies I contacted got back to me this morning with a quote - the day before, 2 crew would come and pack @ £55/hour +packing material costs. On the day, another 2 crew will load and transport @ £75/hour.

At a guess, it’ll take about 5(?) hours to pack, and 4(?) to transport (distance is 3.5 miles, about 15 minutes). Does this sound about right for a 3 bed house? This would total £575.

Scotbot

LandyAndy said:

I have never used a full packing service although I think I would in the future but one point comes to mind having read the posts that comment on the cost of the packing materials for those doing their own packing and that is that removal companies have always provided me with all the materials (boxes, cartons, wrapping paper,  bubble wrap, etc.) FOC.  I certainly have never had to supply any of it myself.

They may well have done but they will also have factored the cost into the fee.

fewcloudy

Scotbot said:

I  have had a full packing service when relocating to and from overseas as the customs rules are so complex. The guys turned up with a 2m roll of bubble wrap, i looked like a roll of carpet! They also used far more than I would have done. Once you factor in the cost of buying  boxes, bubble wrap etc it is not that much extra

Not nitpicking, but a 2m roll of bubble wrap doesn't sound very much at all? A friend bought 100 metres not so long ago for under 20 quid... unless you just mean the height of the roll standing up I guess...

Scotbot

fiwen30 said:

The first of 3 companies I contacted got back to me this morning with a quote - the day before, 2 crew would come and pack @ £55/hour +packing material costs. On the day, another 2 crew will load and transport @ £75/hour.

At a guess, it’ll take about 5(?) hours to pack, and 4(?) to transport (distance is 3.5 miles, about 15 minutes). Does this sound about right for a 3 bed house? This would total £575.

Ask them how many hours they estimate and how much packing materials will be. Chances are they will charge a full day to pack as they can't redeploy the guys  for a couple of hours.

Scotbot

I have moved more often than many people and certainly much further so know what to expect. I  reckon removal companies bank on the fact most people don't do it that often so don't know what to ask for or what is reasonable.