Short answer
A useful packing service quote must define exactly what will be packed, who supplies materials, when the work happens and whether unpacking, disassembly or rubbish removal is included. Choose a scope such as full-home packing, selected rooms, fragile-only packing, kitchen packing or unpacking at the destination. Give providers the property size, room list, photos, estimated contents, fragile and high-value items, books, artwork, wardrobes, garage items, access, move date and the deadline by which packing must be finished. Ask whether cartons, paper, tape, protective covers and specialist containers are included or charged separately, and whether the quote is fixed, hourly or subject to material usage. Clarify what the provider will not pack, how owner-packed boxes are treated and whether cupboards must be sorted beforehand. Written scope matters because two quotes can look similar while covering very different labour and materials. Keep valuables, documents, medicines and personal essentials separate unless a provider has expressly agreed to handle them.
Choose the packing scope before requesting quotes
| Packing scope | Useful when | What to define |
|---|---|---|
| Full-home packing | Most household contents need packing | Rooms, exclusions, materials and completion deadline. |
| Selected rooms | Kitchen, garage or wardrobes need the most help | Exact rooms and items included. |
| Fragile-only packing | Artwork, glassware or delicate items need attention | Item list, photos and any specialist containers. |
| Unpacking service | Boxes need opening and contents placed at delivery | Rooms, placement, carton removal and time limit. |
| Pack and move | One provider may perform both stages | Separate packing, moving and unpacking inclusions. |
What affects a packing or unpacking quote?
- number of rooms and volume of contents
- how much sorting is already complete
- fragile, high-value or unusually shaped items
- books, files and other dense contents
- kitchen and glassware volume
- garage, shed, balcony and outdoor items
- materials supplied by the provider
- specialist cartons, covers or crates
- disassembly and reassembly
- stairs, lifts and parking for the packing crew
- how close the packing date is to move day
- whether unpacking and carton removal are included
- hourly, fixed or materials-based pricing
What information should you give packing providers?
- property type and number of rooms
- photos or a video walkthrough of each included area
- rooms or cupboards excluded from the service
- fragile and high-value item list
- artwork, mirrors, televisions and large ornaments
- books, records, files and dense items
- clothing and wardrobe expectations
- garage, shed and outdoor contents
- items needing disassembly
- materials already available
- preferred packing date and completion deadline
- move date
- delivery address if unpacking is required
- placement expectations at the destination
- items you will transport personally
Example: partial packing before an apartment move
A renter has already packed clothes and books but needs help with the kitchen, glassware, television, mirrors and framed artwork. The apartment lift is available only from 1 pm to 4 pm on move day.
A useful request separates the packing visit from the removalist window, lists the fragile items, states who supplies cartons, and says whether unpacking is needed. A vague request for packing help does not reveal enough labour or materials to compare quotes.
Before you book a packing service
- get the included rooms and items in writing
- confirm who supplies and owns reusable materials
- ask how unused materials are charged
- confirm which items the provider will not pack
- ask how fragile items are recorded and labelled
- separate passports, keys, medicines, jewellery and essential documents
- confirm whether dismantling is included
- confirm whether unpacking means opening boxes or placing contents
- ask whether cartons and packing waste will be removed
- check insurance or liability terms for provider-packed and owner-packed goods
- keep an inventory and condition photos
Packing quote checklist
- scope selected
- rooms listed
- photos taken
- fragile items identified
- exclusions written down
- materials responsibility confirmed
- packing date confirmed
- move-day dependency checked
- unpacking level defined
- carton removal discussed
- pricing basis understood
- insurance questions answered
- personal essentials separated