Home packing service: What’s involved & what you need to do

Moving house is a big job, and packing is usually the part that people dread the most. That’s where a quality home packing service comes in. Instead of spending weeks wrapping glasses and wrestling with tape guns, you hand the job over to a team that does it every day. But if you’ve never used one before, you probably have a few questions. How prepared do you need to be? Does the house need to be spotless? Do they bring their own boxes? What do we need to do leading up to moving day? Let’s walk through those questions to help you organise your move.

What does a home packing service actually involve?

A professional team arrives on the day (or preferably the day before your move), and they pack your home room by room. They bring the materials, the know-how and the muscle.

In most cases, a home packing service includes:

• Packing boxes in a range of sizes, including wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes
• Packing paper, bubble wrap, tape and protective padding
• All other packing materials needed for the job
• Wrapping and packing of fragile items like glassware, crockery and ornaments
• Dismantling and wrapping furniture where needed
• Labelling each box so it ends up in the right room at the other end
• Taking care with artwork, mirrors, electronics and other items that need special handling

A good removalist packing service will also have a system. Kitchens tend to take the longest because of all the small, breakable items, while bedrooms and living areas move along faster. Most crews will give you an estimate of how many packers are needed and how long it will take, based on the size of your home and how much you own.

Do I need to supply the boxes?

No. One of the main perks of a home packing service is that the removalist supplies everything. You don’t need to hunt down supermarket boxes or buy rolls of bubble wrap. The team brings what they need and uses purpose-built boxes that stack securely and protect your belongings.

Ask your removalist how packing materials are charged. Some include them in the quote, others list them separately. It’s worth knowing upfront so there are no surprises.

Does the house need to be clean?

It doesn’t need to be sparkling, but it does need to be workable. Packers need clear access to your cupboards, drawers, shelves and floors. A bit of dust is fine. Dirty dishes in the sink, overflowing bins or piles of laundry are not, as they slow everything down.

A few simple things make a big difference:

• Wash and put away dishes so they can be packed
• Empty the bins
• Clear benchtops and tables of everyday clutter so that the packers have a clear area to wrap and pack your kitchen items
• Wash and dry dirty laundry, or pack it yourself in a bag

Think of it as tidying, not deep cleaning. You can save the proper clean for after the house is empty, which is much easier for the cleaners anyway.

Will they throw out my rubbish?

Generally, no. A removalist packing service is there to pack and move your belongings, not to sort through your junk. Packers will pack what’s in front of them, so if there’s rubbish in a drawer or an expired jar at the back of the pantry, it may end up in a box and travel across town to your new location with you.

Most crews won’t take general rubbish away or dispose of unwanted items, unless you’ve arranged it in advance. If you need a hand with rubbish removal, ask your removalist whether they can help or whether you should book a separate skip bin, rubbish or junk collection. Either way, sort your rubbish out before packing day.

What shouldn’t be packed by the removalist?

Some things are better kept with you, or can’t be moved at all. Most removalists won’t pack:

• Hazardous or flammable items like gas bottles, paint, fuel and some cleaning products
• Perishable food
• Important documents, passports and cash
• Jewellery and valuables
• Medication
• Pets and plants (many removalists can’t transport plants over long distances, mostly because of quarantine regulations at state borders)

Set these aside in a clearly marked spot or pack a personal “essentials” bag to travel with you.

Your to-do list before packing day

You don’t need to be fully organised, but a little prep makes the day smoother and keeps your costs down. Here’s a simple checklist.

1. Declutter first
 This is the single most useful thing you can do. Every item you pack is an item you pay to move, unpack and find a place for. Go through your wardrobes, kitchen, garage and storage areas. Donate, sell or bin what you no longer need. See if the family want any of your items which might hold a sentimental value to them. Be honest with yourself about the things that have been sitting in a cupboard for five years.

2. Decide what’s coming and what’s staying
 Make it obvious if something is going. If something is staying with the house, being left for someone else, or going into a skip, make sure that’s clear to the crew. Masking tape and a marker pen work well. A large note saying “DO NOT PACK” stuck on a piece of furniture is wonderfully effective.

3. Set aside your essentials
 Pack a bag or box for the first couple of days in your new home. Include toiletries, a change of clothes, chargers, basic kitchenware, medications, kids’ favourite toys and important paperwork. Keep it with you, not on the truck.

4. Clear out the fridge, freezer and pantry
 Use up what you can in the weeks leading up to the move. Throw out anything past its use by or prime. Defrost the freezer and fridge at least 24 hours before your move if they are going with you.

5. Tidy up and clear surfaces
 Do a general tidy so packers can move freely. Clear walkways, put away loose items and empty the bins.

6. Arrange access and parking
 Let your removalist know about stairs, narrow doorways, steep driveways or tricky parking. If you live in an apartment, book the lift in advance. Arrange for the truck to park as close as possible.

7. Organise pets and kids
Packing day is busy and a bit chaotic. If you can, arrange for pets and little ones to be elsewhere for the day, or at least keep them somewhere safe and out of the way.

8. Label any special instructions
 Got something fragile, valuable or awkward? Flag it. Walk the team through the house when they arrive and point out anything they should be made aware of.

9. Be available on the day
 Even with a full home packing service, it helps to be around for the first part of the day. You can answer questions, double-check what’s being packed and sign off at the end. If that's not possible, be contactable by phone at least.

Consider booking an organiser and cleaner first

If your home is packed to the rafters, or you want a really fresh start in your new place, it can be worth bringing in extra help before the removalists arrive.

A professional organiser can help you sort through belongings, make decisions about what to keep and set up a system so the packing goes faster. They’re particularly handy if you’re downsizing, moving after many years in one house, or you simply find decluttering overwhelming.

A cleaner can come in before packing day to clear out the worst of the mess, or after the house is empty for an end-of-lease or pre-sale clean. Many people book the cleaner for the day after the move, when the rooms are bare and everything is easy to reach.

Neither is essential, but both can take a lot of stress off you and help you arrive in your new home feeling like you’ve actually started fresh, rather than just relocating your clutter.

A few final tips

• Get a written quote and ask what’s included
• Check whether the mover’s insurance covers your belongings during the move
• Book as early as possible, especially for moves at the end of the month or during school holidays
• Be upfront about how much stuff you have, so the quote and crew sizes are appropriate

Ready to hand it over?

A home packing service takes a huge load off your shoulders, and with a bit of preparation you’ll get the best result. Declutter, tidy, set aside what matters most and let the team do the rest.

If you’re planning a move and want to know what a removalist packing service could look like for your home, get in touch with us for a no-obligation quote. We’re happy to answer your questions and help you plan a move that is a lot less stressful. 

Happy Moving!