When you plan a move, you have several questions to answer. For example: will you rent your own moving truck and DIY your move or hire a professional moving crew? Do you want experienced packers to wrap and box your possessions, or do you prefer to learn how to pack like a pro and do it yourself? And finally, do movers pack for you, and if so, what should you expect from a full-service moving company that can take care of packing and the move?
The answers to these questions are unique to every individual. To make a well-informed decision on the best way to handle the packing responsibilities, truck loading at your old home, transportation, and truck unloading at your new home, here’s everything you need to know about working with a full-service moving company.
What do movers pack for you?
From boxing up your bed linens to carefully packing fragile items, there are a lot of intricacies to the packing process. Because it’s time-consuming (and let’s be honest, it’s sometimes tedious), many people opt to hire a full-service moving company to pack up either some or all of their home.
Moving companies can pack the vast majority of your possessions, including your kitchenware, artwork, knickknacks, clothing, and electronics. They’ll bring all the packing supplies, and after a walkthrough where you show them what you do and don’t want packed, they’ll get right to work wrapping, boxing, and labeling your possessions.
You also get to decide which rooms and which items they handle. For example, if you want some help with your kitchen and books but prefer to pack up the bedrooms on your own, no problem! And if you want them to pack up each room in your home, they’ll be happy to accommodate. However, there’s a list of items packers won’t be able to work on, and that you’ll need to plan to handle yourself.
What you’ll have to pack on your own
Despite customized service delivered by packing professionals, there are some items that packers aren’t allowed to touch and movers aren’t allowed to move. Here are some items that you’ll need to pack and transport on your own:
- Currency, including coin collections
- Firearms and ammunition
- Any flammable items like gas cans or propane tanks
- Jewelry
- Medication
- Important paperwork like vehicle titles, home deeds, and passports
For specific information on what you might have to pack on your own, consult your full-service moving company’s packing guide or give their customer service team a call.
Packing coverage options from professional packing companies
If you choose to pack up your items on your own, you’re fully responsible if anything gets damaged. Since most people aren’t professionally trained in the fine art of packing, you might not know how to effectively protect and box your breakables. However, when you hire a full-service moving company to handle your pack as well as your move, they’ll assume full responsibility for the contents of the boxes they pack. On the off-chance that something is damaged, you can file a claim with them for repair or replacement.
However, there is an exception to this rule. If you have any items of extraordinary value—for example, family heirlooms, antiques, or pieces that are valued at more than $100 per pound—the movers and packers will not be responsible. In this case, you might want to consider getting moving insurance from a third-party broker. The insurance agent that covers your auto, homeowner’s, or renter’s insurance may be able to help.
How much does it cost to hire professional packers?
The cost of hiring a full-service moving company to pack up your home is really up to you since you get to decide how much—or how little—of your home they’ll pack. In general, your total packing cost will be driven by the quantity of materials used, the labor to pack each box, and a travel fee based on the distance between your location and the moving company’s headquarters.
Some of the best moving and packing companies can save you money with eco-friendly packing and moving supplies as alternatives to traditional cardboard boxes, tape, and shrink wrap. These cost-effective materials aren’t only less expensive than old school supplies, they’re also delivered to your door and won’t end up in a landfill after you’ve settled into your new home. The convenience, eco-friendliness, and money savings make these supplies some of the many benefits of working with a full-service moving company.
Benefits of hiring a full-service moving company to handle your pack
So, do movers pack for you? You already know that the answer to that question is a resounding “Yes!”. Bringing in experts to handle the packing duties is a load off of many people’s minds, but there are even more advantages to hiring a full-service moving company to handle everything for you. Here are a few additional benefits to think about:
- You only have to work with one company. From the moment you submit your estimate request all the way through the final bill, you’re speaking with one team instead of coordinating multiple companies.
- Increased confidence in your packers and movers. You’ll get to know a full-service moving company as you work with them, starting with the customer service team, then onto to the talented packers and the moving crew. Every bit of communication should let you know that you’re in good hands.
- Peace of mind that your belongings are taken care of. Professional packers take a lot of pride in their work, and they know how to appropriately wrap and box even the most delicate items. You can rest assured that your prized possessions are in good hands from the pack through the move.
- Scheduling flexibility. Sometimes closing dates change, or you’re a new apartment isn’t ready for move day. Working with a full-service moving company allows you to easily change the dates of your pack and move since both appointments are on the same company’s schedule.
- Additional services. Maybe you require some extra packing supplies. Or maybe you need storage service for a night, a few weeks, or even a year. The best moving companies in Chicago offer additional services to help you have a great overall experience.
As you research moving companies in Chicago and determine whether to hire a professional packing crew, keep in mind that you should do what’s best for you. For many people, the optimal solution is working with one full-service moving company for packing, moving, and (when applicable) storage service to make their lives easy and their entire moving process free of stress.
Our full-service moving company can help you have a smooth, stress-free pack and move!
Moving doesn’t have to be stressful. From our helpful and friendly customer service team to our talented packers and movers, we pride ourselves on delivering outstanding service that takes the stress out of your entire relocation process. We can’t wait to show you why we’re the best movers in Chicago!
Contact us today for a free estimate!