Packing and Unpacking Services That Make Moving a Breeze

Why Packing and Unpacking Services Are Essential for Stress-Free Moving

Packing and unpacking services can transform your most stressful moving tasks into a hands-off experience. These professional services handle everything from carefully boxing your belongings to setting up your new home, letting you focus on other important aspects of your relocation.

Quick Overview of Packing and Unpacking Services:

• Full-Service Packing: Professional teams pack your entire home using commercial-grade materials
• Partial Packing: Target specific rooms or fragile items while you handle the rest
• Specialty Packing: Custom crating for artwork, antiques, and valuable electronics
• Unpacking Services: Room-by-room unpacking with furniture assembly and debris removal
• Timeline: Professional crews can pack a home in 1-7 days vs. weeks for DIY
• Cost Range: $200-$2,000+ depending on home size and service level

Moving can become overwhelming quickly, especially when you underestimate the time and energy required to pack properly. Professional packers use trained techniques and quality materials that significantly reduce the risk of damage during transport.

As Mina Georgalas, owner and president of Bernard Movers with nearly 30 years of leadership experience in the moving industry, I’ve seen how packing and unpacking services can make the difference between a chaotic move and a seamless transition. Our family-owned company has been providing these specialized services throughout Chicago and 45 states since 1972, helping thousands of families relocate with confidence.

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Packing and Unpacking Services: The Ultimate Time-Saver

Moving your entire household can take over evenings and weekends. Professional packing and unpacking services lift that burden. A trained crew arrives with commercial-grade boxes, wraps and labels everything, then sets it back up at your new address. What might take a family a week often takes pros a single day.

Because the team packs every day, they know how to prevent damage. Dishes, glassware and electronics all receive padding matched to their weight and shape, and the work comes with liability protection.

Need extra care? Artwork, antiques and high-end electronics get custom crating or anti-static materials so they reach your new home in perfect condition.

What exactly do packing and unpacking services include?

• Whole-home boxing with the right supplies for each item
• Inventory lists and clear labels by room and contents
• Furniture padded, shrink-wrapped and, when needed, disassembled and reassembled
• Room-by-room unpacking and removal of every empty box and scrap of paper

How can these services cut packing time from 7 days to a single afternoon?

Speed comes from three things:

1. Trained crews who have packed thousands of kitchens, closets and garages.
2. An assembly-line workflow—one person wraps, another builds boxes, another labels.
3. Strong, pre-cut materials that reduce re-packing.

Industry research shows a household may spend one to seven days packing; our teams routinely finish in one or two afternoons.

Service Levels & Specialty Options

No two homes are alike, so Bernard Movers lets you choose the exact level of help you need.

Full vs. Partial Packing and Unpacking Services

Full service is the VIP option: we supply every box, pack every room and finish most homes in 1–3 days. Partial service costs about 30–50% less and is perfect when you want pros for the kitchen or fragile areas but will handle clothes or linens yourself. A two-person crew can usually pack 40 boxes in four hours—work that might take a DIY approach several days.

When do you need specialty or custom packing?

Some belongings call for extra protection:

• Antiques or fine furniture — often crated in wood for long trips
• Art and mirrors — acid-free paper and custom boxes
• Pianos — special dollies and climate-safe padding
• Heirlooms or collectibles — archival supplies keep value intact
• High-value electronics — anti-static wraps, original boxes if available
• Climate-sensitive items such as wine or instruments — temperature-controlled options available

With custom packing, whatever you own travels safely.

How the Professional Process Works

A smooth move starts with an in-home or virtual survey. We count boxes, note fragile items and discuss your deadlines. You then receive a clear, itemized quote.

On packing day our crew protects floors, assigns specialists to delicate rooms and works through the home in a proven sequence: pack, inventory, label. After loading and transport, we unpack, reassemble furniture and haul away debris, leaving you ready to live in your new space.

Step-by-Step Packing Day Checklist

1. Declutter first — donate or discard items you do not want to pay to move.
2. Mark “open-first” boxes with daily essentials.
3. Color-code or number boxes by room for quick sorting.
4. Review the inventory with the team leader before the truck departs.

Find more preparation ideas on our detailed moving tips page.

Unpacking Day: Faster Settling-In

Boxes are placed in the correct rooms, beds and tables are reassembled, and we prioritize kitchens and bathrooms so you can cook, shower and sleep the first night. Finally, we remove all packing materials for recycling.

Pricing, Cost Factors & Savings

Professional packing ranges from roughly $200 for a studio to $2,000+ for a large, fully serviced home. Costs depend on:

• Home size and volume of items
• Full vs. partial service
• Specialty materials such as custom crates
• Number of packers and desired speed
• Local (hourly) or long-distance (volume/weight) pricing
• Peak-season demand and geographic labor rates

Typical local rates run $200–$300 for the first two hours with two packers, then $85–$110 per additional hour per packer. Long-distance jobs often bundle packing at $0.75–$1.50 per cubic foot, including materials.

How to estimate your packing budget accurately

Provide a thorough video walk-through or in-person survey, ask for a binding estimate, consider off-peak dates and review insurance options. Our online moving estimate tool walks you through every detail.

DIY vs. Professional: Which Is Right for You?

DIY saves labor dollars but costs time, energy and possible breakage. If you can spare several weeks, have help lifting and are comfortable sourcing boxes, it can work. Otherwise, professional packing finishes the job in a day or two and includes liability coverage.

Many customers choose a hybrid approach: they pack clothes and personal papers, while we handle kitchens, art and furniture. Before the crew arrives, declutter, set aside documents, medications and valuables, and arrange parking or elevator time so the team can work efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions about Packing and Unpacking Services

What items will professionals not pack?

When it comes to packing and unpacking services, there are some things our pros simply can’t (or shouldn’t) box up for you. Knowing these ahead of time helps you avoid any last-minute surprises or headaches.

First up: hazardous materials. Movers can’t pack items like paint, gasoline, propane tanks, ammunition, fireworks, or cleaning chemicals. These aren’t just tricky—they’re actually regulated by law because they pose real safety risks during transport. If you’re unsure whether an item is considered hazardous, it’s best to ask your moving coordinator well before the big day.

Perishable food items are also a no-go, especially for long-distance moves. Anything that could spoil on the road, like fresh produce, frozen foods, and open containers, should be used up, donated, or thrown away before packing day. Nobody wants to open a box at their new place and find last week’s leftovers!

Live plants are generally not allowed on interstate moves due to agricultural rules designed to prevent the spread of pests and diseases. Some local moves might make an exception, but this depends on the company and state laws. If you’re attached to your favorite fern, you may need to transport it yourself.

Irreplaceable documents (think passports, birth certificates, insurance paperwork, and financial records) are best kept with you at all times. While it’s not illegal for movers to pack these, it’s just too risky to let important paperwork out of your sight.

Also, keep in mind high-value personal items—like jewelry, cash, coin collections, and family heirlooms. These kinds of items usually aren’t covered by standard moving insurance. For peace of mind, transport these yourself or arrange special handling with extra insurance.

Other items to plan to move or secure yourself include prescription medications, certain medical equipment, and—depending on the situation—firearms or ammunition (which require special procedures). Anything with major sentimental value should stay with you too, just in case.

How do costs differ for local vs. long-distance moves?

The price of packing and unpacking services varies quite a bit depending on whether you’re heading across town or across the country.

For local moves, packing is usually charged by the hour, somewhere in the range of $85-$110 per hour per packer. Materials are often a separate cost. Local packing can be scheduled with more flexibility, and if you need something last-minute, there’s often room to squeeze it in. If your home is far from the moving crew’s base, a travel fee might apply—but otherwise, costs are pretty straightforward.

For long-distance moves, things work a bit differently. Packing services are often included in the overall weight or volume-based price. Sometimes, you’ll see a flat rate per cubic foot, typically between $0.75 and $1.50. These moves need more planning and usually follow federal transportation rules and tariffs. The cost of materials is generally wrapped into the quote.

Don’t forget about extra considerations: There might be travel fees if the crew needs to come a long way to reach you, and interstate moves require compliance with federal pricing regulations (tariffs). Higher insurance minimums and possible storage charges may also apply for moves covering a lot of miles.

Do packing companies recycle materials after the move?

Absolutely—eco-friendly practices are becoming a standard part of packing and unpacking services. At Bernard Movers, we know that moving can generate a mountain of cardboard and packing paper, so we offer several ways to keep your move green.

Many companies now provide box buy-back programs, so you can return gently used boxes after your move for a bit of cash back (and a clear conscience). If you want to go the extra mile, you can request eco-friendly packing materials like recycled boxes, biodegradable peanuts, or reusable plastic containers. These may cost a little more, but they’re much kinder to the planet.

After you’ve unpacked, on-site debris pickup makes life easier—crews will come by to collect leftover boxes and packing materials, ensuring everything gets properly recycled or disposed of. This service is usually an extra $50-$150, but it saves you from being buried under empty boxes.

In fact, industry data shows that up to 70% of packing materials can be recycled or donated when handled professionally. We accomplish this by using right-sized boxes, reusable furniture pads, and digital inventory systems that cut down on unnecessary paper waste. We also partner with local recycling centers to keep as much material as possible out of landfills.

Have more questions? Check out our moving tips for more helpful info, or ask your Bernard Movers coordinator how we keep your move efficient and eco-friendly.

Conclusion

When it comes to moving, packing and unpacking services truly change the game. Tasks that once took weeks and left you exhausted can now be completed in just a day or two, with your cherished belongings protected every step of the way. Whether you need the works—full-service packing and unpacking—or just a hand with your most fragile or valuable items, there’s real comfort in letting professionals bring their know-how, efficiency, and sturdy materials to your move.

Investing in professional packing is about so much more than just saving time (though, let’s be honest, not spending your weekends buried in boxes is a huge plus!). It’s about reducing the chance of damage, skipping the sore muscles, and enjoying true peace of mind. Imagine your items arriving safely, every box labeled, your beds reassembled, and not a stray scrap of packing paper in sight. That’s what experienced movers bring to the table—and why so many people swear by these services once they’ve tried them.

At Bernard Movers, we know every move is different. That’s why our packing and unpacking services come with options—full service, partial, specialty handling, and more—custom to your schedule, needs, and budget. After 50+ years serving Chicago, Illinois, and 45 other states, we’ve learned how to make moving less stressful and a whole lot more manageable.

And here’s some good news for those planning a move to Georgia or Florida: we’re offering a 20% extra discount on moves delivered by March 15, 2025. It’s the perfect opportunity to make your move smoother and save money at the same time.

Whether you’re moving across town or across state lines, Bernard Movers is your one-stop shop for a truly stress-free move. We handle the heavy lifting and the fiddly details so you can focus on settling into your new home (and maybe finally figuring out where that mystery kitchen gadget goes).

Ready to make your move easy? Reach out for a detailed estimate and let us show you how our friendly, professional team can make your next move your best one. Want to see all the ways we can help? Visit our packing, loading & storage page for everything you need to know.

Let Bernard Movers take the hassle out of moving—so you can start your new chapter with a smile.