Packing costs are a combination of material costs (usually between $200 – $300) and labor costs (usually between $400 and $500).
Prices for professional packing can be all inclusive as a flat-rate job or paid as a combination of the materials and labor hours using the actual cost method.
For customers who plan on doing some packing themselves, using the actual cost method generally makes the most sense. Customers who have a specific request for packing certain items, certain rooms or an entire home should opt for the all inclusive flat rate cost.
To obtain a flat rate on your packing costs or any costs, for that matter, you must first have a complete survey and inventory performed. This can be done easily over the phone, with pictures and video, or in person.
Full Service Packing Costs
Full-service packing costs are usually around the same price as your full-service moving costs. This price can vary a little less or a little more depending on how organized and how full your home is of personal items.
Are you an organized person? Are you a minimalist?
Customers who have fewer items and a small amount of personal effects should expect a lower packing bill. However, if you have saved and collected an abundance of things over the years, then your packing bill can be substantially higher than your moving cost.
Average Costs For Full-Service Packing:
- Generally each box you need packed will end up costing you between $3 and $60 including labor and materials.
- A large box costs $5 and takes about 10 minutes to pack. At a rate of $120 per hour, with two professional packers on site, the total cost to pack a single large box is $15.
- The average home will have between 25 and 100 boxes total. Most homes have 80-90% of their boxes packed at a low cost. Usually, only 10-20% of boxes are packed at a higher cost. This includes specialty boxes like televisions and wardrobes.
- The average full-service packing job costs between $800 and $1,000.
*An economical homeowner can take care of the higher cost packing themselves and contract us to take care of the small, medium and large box packing which keeps material and labor costs low.
Example of Packing Costs
Below is an example of a larger 3 bedroom home with full-service packing. This job also included a single crate. The customer chose to have everything in the home packed professionally. This means all of the customers items including the contents of their boxes were insured.
The total material cost for this job was $979, which included one custom crate at $300. The total labor cost was $720. The total cost for this entire packing job was $1,699.00. The customer chose to opt for the actual cost method, and so they paid only for the materials and labor actually used during packing.
Here is an example of their packing material list:
| MATERIAL | QUANTITY | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Crate | 1 | $300.00 |
| Small Boxes | 12 | $24.00 |
| Medium Boxes | 20 | $50.00 |
| Large Boxes | 10 | $50.00 |
| Dish Pack Boxes | 6 | $30.00 |
| Extra Large Boxes | 4 | $20.00 |
| Wardrobe Boxes | 8 | $175.00 |
| Television Boxes | 2 | $100.00 |
| Packing Paper | 75 lbs | $150.00 |
| Packing Tape | 10 Rolls (55yd) | $50.00 |
| Bubble Wrap | 1 Roll (35ft) | $30.00 |
| TOTAL COST = | $979.00 |
Packing Billing Methods
Flat Rate Option
Material costs can be summed up in an estimate as a flat rate if you choose to request a binding cost for your move. This is perhaps the most convenient if you need to calculate a precise budget for your packing costs.
Actual Cost Method
Material costs can also be totaled at the end of your packing job, calculating only the actual materials and labor used. If you require 20 boxes and 3 hours of labor, then that is all you will be billed for.
This method is the most common chosen by our customers, due to the reality that most people end up doing some of their own packing before our packers arrive.
*Remember, boxes packed by owner (PBO) and not the moving company, cannot be insured during your move.
*All of the contents in your boxes will be assumed “condition unknown” if you do not have them professionally packed.
Crating
The most expensive type of packing is specialty crating. Custom crates usually range between $250 and $500 each. If you have a large piece of granite, glass, stone or mirror, then you should consider crating this item. Crates can be reused of course, so save your crates! The average person moves 11 times in their lifetime, bringing the cost of crates way down over time.
Items that require specialty crates are usually very unique pieces of art, chandeliers, and extra large table tops.
Many items cannot be insured at all without being crated. Ask your mover if any items like this are in your inventory. Some examples are: glass, mirror, marble, granite and stone tops longer than 5 feet.
Partial Packing Costs
If you are only having a few items packed or choosing to do some of your own packing, providing some of your own materials, etc.. then partial packing costs should only cost a couple hundred dollars.
On moving day any item that is not packed, that needs to be packed, will be packed by your mover. This can often cause unexpected incidental costs, known as accessorial services. Often times a single box or roll of tape is used to tidy up a few last minute items at no cost to the customer, but you should not depend on this.
Used Boxes
Used Wardrobe Boxes: Wardrobe boxes are particularly expensive, costing around $25 each. These boxes should be saved after your move and you can reuse them on your next move. Wardrobe boxes are a great resource for keeping your clothes in a wrinkle and crease free condition and if you reuse them your actual costs are minimal over time. You can also ask your mover if they have any used wardrobes available for sale or rent.
Used Small, Medium, Large Boxes: You can often find used boxes for your packing job if you cannot afford to purchase them or are looking for a little savings wherever you can find it. Your mover may have a stockpile of used boxes they can provide you. The Deland Mover keeps used boxes available for customers in need. You can also find free used boxes online with a little searching. When you have unpacking services scheduled, most customers choose to donate their boxes as well.
Original Boxes
Used Television Boxes: Specialty boxes are the most expensive boxes. Television boxes for example cost between $25 and $100. If you still have your original box, then this won’t cost you a penny! Always save your television boxes, especially if you plan on moving. There is no better box than the manufacturers original box for your televisions and electronics. Curved televisions for example are uniquely relevant in this way.
Musical Instruments: These items are best moved in their own specialty plastic, leather or canvas cases. Although these are used boxes, they are the best choice for musical instruments like guitars, brass and drum sets.
Statues: If you have any statues or specialty art that you are worried about, then consider the original box. There is no better option for these items. Most smaller pieces of decorations and collectibles come with customized boxes that include perfectly shaped Styrofoam. This is your best option when packing these types of items.
New Boxes
Small, Medium, Large Boxes: These boxes usually cost between $1 and $5 each. You can often find bundles of each size online at a great price. Your mover should have all of these available for sale if you would like to purchase them.
Wardrobe and Television Boxes: These boxes can add up the cost of your bill, but can be reused and recycled for your next move or perhaps a family member or friend.
Wardrobe boxes range from free (rental) to $25 or so new. Packing your clothing in a used rental box is not the cleanest way to go, but many companies offer this option. The Deland Mover offers used boxes at a discounted rate, but we do not reuse wardrobes over and over from job to job. We retain used boxes for customers who are in financial stress and also donate packing materials to
Television boxes range between $25 and $100. These boxes come with a kit of packing materials as well. You should receive some corner and edge protection along with screen protection. These boxes are customizable for a perfect fit to your television. Always remember to pack your remote and television stand with the television for convenience and an easy set up at your new home.
Packing Labor Costs
Professional packing is the most popular accessorial service in the moving industry. Our customers frequently request packing. On nearly every single moving job we execute, we are doing some type of packing. All of our movers are trained packers and so your packing labor rate will be the same as your moving labor rate.
Accessorial and Incidental Packing: This labor cost will be added onto your original bill as an accessorial service or calculated at the end of your job if you have an hourly, non-binding contract. You will only be billed for the labor used at the rate you have already agreed to. If you have 2 movers on-site, then you will pay that rate for 2 movers. If you have 3 movers, you will pay the rate of 3 movers, and so on…
Scheduled Packing Services: If you schedule packing prior to your move on on the same day of your move, then there is usually a minimum labor cost that you will be billed. This cost usually starts at 1 hour for packing on the same day as your move. If you schedule packing on a separate day prior to your move, then you should expect a higher minimum. The Deland Mover has a minimum of 2 or 3 hours for any day of service depending on the unique service you require. Your mover may also schedule a minimum cost for your packing labor that can be higher, especially if you require 3 or 4 professionals to complete your job.