Full service packing means a professional moving crew packs every item in your home, from kitchen cabinets to bedroom closets, using their own supplies and expertise. The service covers wrapping, boxing, labeling, and protecting all of your belongings so they’re ready for safe transport on moving day. If you’ve been wondering whether it’s worth it, here’s exactly what’s included.
Key Takeaways
- Full-service packing covers your entire home from fragile glassware to bulky furniture, using professional-grade materials supplied by the moving crew
- A professional team can pack a three-bedroom house in about 6 to 8 hours, a job that could take a homeowner3 to 5 days on their own
- Professionally packed items are easier to protect with insurance claims, since self-packed boxes can make it harder to file damage claims according to FMCSA guidelines
What Is Full Service Packing?
Full-service packing is a professional moving service where trained packers handle everything in your home from start to finish. You don’t need to buy boxes, roll out bubble wrap, or spend your weekends sorting through closets. The crew arrives with all the materials, wraps and boxes each item by room, and labels everything for organized unloading at your new place.
This is different from a DIY move, where you handle all the packing yourself, or a partial packing service, where you pack most rooms and hire professionals for specific areas like the kitchen or fragile items. With full-service packing, nothing is left for you to do except point the crew in the right direction.
How Does Full-Service Packing Differ from Partial Packing?
With partial packing, you choose which rooms or item categories the professionals handle. Maybe you’re comfortable packing your own clothes and books, but you want expert hands on your china cabinet and artwork. It’s a flexible middle ground that can lower costs while still protecting your most vulnerable belongings.
Full-service packing removes that decision entirely. Every drawer, shelf, and closet gets packed by professionals. If you want to explore both options side by side, check out our DIY vs. full packing service comparison to see which approach fits your move.
What Do Professional Packers Actually Do on Packing Day?
On packing day, a trained crew arrives at your home with a full inventory of supplies and a systematic plan. They typically start with the rooms you use least, like guest bedrooms or storage areas, and save high-traffic spaces like the kitchen and bathrooms for last. According to HomeGuide, a small crew can fully pack a standard two- to three-bedroom home in a single day, usually within 6 to 8 hours.
Room-by-Room Packing Process
Professional packers work through your home one room at a time. Each box is packed with items from the same room and clearly labeled with the contents and destination room. This systematic approach keeps everything organized and makes unpacking at your new home significantly faster. For a closer look at what goes into each room, our room-by-room packing checklist breaks down the process step by step.
Fragile and Specialty Item Handling
Dishes, glassware, mirrors, artwork, and electronics all receive individual wrapping and custom padding. Professional packers use techniques like double-boxing fragile items and layering protective paper between each piece. Specialty items like antiques or oddly shaped decor may require extra time and custom crating. You’d be surprised what experienced movers can handle safely, and our guide on things you didn’t know movers can handle covers some of the less obvious examples.
What Materials Are Included in Full-Service Packing?
One of the biggest advantages of full-service packing is that you don’t need to source a single box or roll of tape. The crew brings everything, and the cost of materials is typically included in your packing quote. According to MoveAdvisor, the national average for professional packing labor runs close to $80 per hour per packer, with materials factored into most full-service estimates.
Here’s what a professional packing crew typically brings:
- Standard moving boxes in small, medium, and large sizes
- Dish pack boxes with reinforced walls for kitchenware
- Wardrobe boxes with built-in hanging bars for clothing
- Packing paper and bubble wrap for cushioning fragile items
- Stretch wrap and furniture pads for protecting surfaces
- Packing tape, labels, and markers for secure sealing and room identification
This means no last-minute trips to the store, no guessing how many boxes you need, and no running out of tape halfway through the kitchen.
Who Benefits Most from Full-Service Packing?
Full-service packing isn’t only for large or luxury moves. It’s a practical choice for anyone who values time, safety, or peace of mind during a move. An Anytime Estimate survey found that 82% of Americans who moved in 2024 described the experience as stressful, with nearly half saying the stress of moving was their biggest challenge. Professional packing directly addresses that pressure.
Busy Families and Working Professionals
If you’re balancing work deadlines, school schedules, and daily life, carving out 25 to 40 hours to pack a three-bedroom home just isn’t realistic. According to Beltway Movers, that’s the typical DIY timeline for a mid-sized home. A professional team compresses that into a single day, giving you back your evenings and weekends.
Seniors and Long-Distance Movers
For seniors downsizing or relocating, the physical demands of packing can be overwhelming and even risky. Full-service packing eliminates the heavy lifting and bending. Long-distance movers also benefit because properly packed items are far less likely to shift and sustain damage during extended transit. For more tips on how packing ties into the bigger picture, take a look at our packing and organizing tips from our crew.
Does Full-Service Packing Help Prevent Moving Damage?
Yes, and this is one of the most overlooked benefits. Professional packers are trained to secure items using industry-standard techniques that reduce shifting, crushing, and breakage during transport. Beyond the physical protection, there’s also a claims advantage.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) notes that if you pack your own boxes and those items are damaged, it can be more difficult to establish a claim against the mover. When the moving company’s crew packs your belongings, they take on greater accountability for safe handling. That distinction matters if something goes wrong.
Professional movers also offer two levels of liability protection: Released Value (basic, no extra cost, but minimal coverage at $0.60 per pound per item) and Full Value Protection (comprehensive, covers replacement value). Having your items professionally packed strengthens your position under either option.
What Is Not Included in Full-Service Packing?
Full-service packing covers a lot, but it doesn’t cover everything. Setting clear expectations helps avoid surprises. Here’s what most full-service packing does not include:
- Hazardous materials like paint, propane tanks, cleaning chemicals, or ammunition
- Perishable food items such as refrigerated or frozen goods
- Plants and live animals, which require climate-controlled transport
- Personal valuables like passports, jewelry, medications, or important documents (keep these with you)
- Vehicles or outdoor equipment like lawnmowers with fuel still in the tank
It’s always a good idea to confirm the full list of exclusions with your moving company before packing day, so you have time to handle those items yourself.
Ready to Let the Pros Handle Your Packing?
Full-service packing takes one of the most time-consuming parts of moving completely off your plate. From professional-grade materials to room-by-room organization and damage protection, it’s designed to make your move smoother and less stressful.
Whether you’re a busy family in Green Bay, a senior planning a move to Appleton, or anyone in the surrounding Wisconsin communities who wants a stress-free packing experience, our crew is here to help. Reach out to Green Bay Moving Co. for a full-service packing quote and let’s make your next move an easy one.
