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Packing can be one of the most time-consuming and complicated parts of moving, but packing services will give you peace of mind. When you work with experienced professionals at companies that help you pack and move, you get the benefit of their expertise and resources to ensure that even your most fragile and challenging items make it to your new home safely.
The best packing services tailor their solutions to exactly what you need, whether that’s a quick assist with some unusual items or full-service packing, loading, and storage. We researched several packing services, analyzing factors that matter most to clients such as customer service, move distance, and more. Below are packing companies that we found to be best on the market, giving you a solid set of options for your upcoming move.
8 Best Packing Services of 2023
- Best Overall: Atlas Van Lines
- Best for Local Moves: Two Men and a Truck
- Best for Discount Packing: TaskRabbit
- Best for Vehicle Moving: United Van Lines
- Best Customer Service: JK Moving Services
- Best for Specialty Items: Wheaton World Wide Moving
- Best for Long-Distance Moves: Colonial Van Lines
- Best for Sustainable Packing: College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
Best Overall : Atlas Van Lines
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Atlas Van Lines
- Nationwide Availability: 50 states
- Initial Deposit Required? No
- Storage Options? Yes
Offers full-, partial-, and self-service packing options
Easy, accessible online tracking
Experienced in packing and moving specialty items
No truck or van rentals
Atlas Van Lines takes the top prize among the best packing services for making everything a little less stressful. With service in all 50 states and over 15 countries, Atlas offers convenient, wide-ranging options to ensure that your items are safely packed and moved no matter where you are. The company is also very experienced with moving specialty and fragile items, and offers a user-friendly tracking portal if you need extra peace of mind.
A move with Atlas starts with an easy digital quote, which clients can request through a virtual inventory. Once the moving process starts, customers can choose which packing services they prefer. You can have Atlas’ expert team of movers handle everything, get assistance just for the most fragile and complicated items, or pack and load it all up on your own. Just note that the company doesn't offer and truck or van rentals if you want to DIY your packing and/or move.
Best for Local Moves : Two Men and a Truck
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Two Men and A Truck
- Nationwide Availability: 47 states
- Initial Deposit Required? Yes
- Storage Options? Yes
Each franchise is well-versed in its local community
Offers junk removal
Plenty of customizable services offered
Prices may vary between locations
Rather than being a single, unified company, Two Men and a Truck operates on a local franchise model, with hundreds of individual franchises located around the country. The company is excellent for shorter-distance moves, as each franchise has movers that have specialized knowledge and experience of the local area. The only downside is that there isn't standard pricing, so the total cost of services can vary between individual franchise locations.
Despite this drawback, Two Men and a Truck's packing teams offer as much or as little assistance as you need, as well as quality supplies to properly protect any and all items. The company’s packers will even assist with packing for storage, whether in relation to a move or just during a cleaning spree, and they offer additional services including junk removal and storage.
Best for Discount Packing : TaskRabbit
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TaskRabbit
- Nationwide Availability: 30+ states (including Washington, D.C.)
- Initial Deposit Required? No
- Storage Options? No
Cheaper than many competitors
Available in most major cities
Offers last-minute and same-day service
Lacks the guarantees of moving companies
TaskRabbit offers affordable packing services in dozens of major cities in the U.S. and even internationally. Customers can browse “taskers” and view their reviews, pricing, and offerings, and book them for packing help. Many individuals are available even for same-day service, so it’s a great option if you’re looking for fast assistance at a lower rate compared to larger moving companies.
However, while prices are usually lower, you're taking more more of a risk since you're working with an individual rather than an "official" company. Moving companies offer the safety net for guarantees and coverage, hence why they cost more compared to hiring a tasker. That being said, TaskRabbit’s packing services are best suited for someone who just needs a little extra help with DIY packing, but has made other plans for delicate items and other moving components.
Best for Vehicle Moving : United Van Lines
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United Van Lines
- Nationwide Availability: 50 states
- Initial Deposit Required? No
- Storage Options? Yes
Packs and moves luxury and antique cars
Guaranteed delivery on your schedule
App for a streamlined process
Lacks 24/7 customer service
When you’re moving a car or other vehicle, count on United Van Lines to ensure that your vehicle arrives safe and sound at your new destination. The company has the equipment and experience to pack and move most vehicles, even ones that are luxury, vintage, or otherwise require special handling. It has its own fleet of auto transporters that offer enclosed transport for extra protection.
Vehicle services aside, United Van Lines' other offerings include full-, partial-, or self-service packing solutions. Additional services like packing materials and storage are also offered to simplify your move. While the company does not offer 24/7 customer service, it does have plenty of channels for contact, including online live chat, resource guides, and automated FAQ chat, so you’re never far from the answers you need.
Best Customer Service : JK Moving Services
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JK Moving Services
- Nationwide Availability: 50 states
- Initial Deposit Required? No
- Storage Options? Yes
24/7 customer support
Can pack and move specialty items
Offers full-, partial-, and self-service packing
Initial deposit required
JK Moving Services goes above and beyond to make sure that all your questions are answered and that you feel totally comfortable throughout the entire process. The company offers 24/7 customer service through multiple points of contact, including email and live chat. With these readily available channels, you can feel confident that you’re never more than a quick message away from getting all your questions answered.
Prospective clients can take a virtual survey, schedule a virtual consultation with a moving consultant, or have an in-person consultation at home. If you’re looking to shave a little off your costs, you can choose the self-service packing option. Alternatively, if you prefer (or need) more assistance, the company’s expert team can take care of a few particularly fragile items or even the entire packing process. Just note that an initial deposit is required if you want to hire the company
Best for Specialty Items : Wheaton World Wide Moving
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Wheaton World Wide Moving
- Nationwide Availability: 50 states
- Initial Deposit Required? No
- Storage Options? Yes
Packs and unpacks a variety of fragile items
Offers full-, partial-, and self-service packing
No initial deposit required
Limited ways of contacting customer service
Whether you’d prefer to have everything packed and loaded, or simply want your fragile and specialty items safely stowed away, Wheaton World Wide Moving ensures every item is accounted for. It has experience packing everything from oversized items like grand pianos and stoves, to delicate items like chandeliers and rare collectibles. All specialty items are carefully strapped in and protected with furniture pads to ensure everything arrives the same way it was packed.
After submitting an online form, a moving consultant will reach out to schedule a virtual or in-home inventory to determine the specific services you’ll need for your move and your budget. You’ll also select valuation and coverage to protect your belongings from any unexpected events along the way. Despite these helpful offerings, getting in touch with the company can prove tricky as customers can only call or submit an online form and wait up 24 hours for a response.
Best for Long-Distance Moves : Colonial Van Lines
- Nationwide Availability: 48 states
- Initial Deposit Required? Yes
- Storage Options? Yes
Packing services are tailored toward long-distance moves
Offers detailed, clear quotes
Can easily view and manage move through app
Does not support local or international moves
If you’re moving across longer distances or across state lines, Colonial Van Lines can help with every aspect of the process, from the evaluation of your items to the final unloading. The company provides easily customizable packing services at reasonable prices, with a special focus on long-distance moves. Colonial can also provide affordable packing supplies (if you’re taking the DIY approach), pack your specialty and fragile items, or pack and load everything.
Once you’ve begun the process, you can use the Colonial app to conveniently upload details of your inventory and get a personalized quote. You can also add other services like storage if you need extra time to unpack your belongings. However, since the company mainly specializes in long-distance moves, those seeking a packing service for a local relocation will have to look elsewhere.
Best for Sustainable Packing : College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
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College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving
- Nationwide Availability: 50 states
- Initial Deposit Required? Yes
- Storage Options? Yes
Utilizes sustainable packaging and recycling
Can provide customized hourly labor
Offers full- and partial-service packing
No self-packing option
If sustainability is a priority for you, then consider packing and moving with College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving. The company provides flexible packing, loading, and moving options, all with a commitment to making the moving process a little kinder to the planet. Many of the packing materials are sustainable or recyclable, and up to 70 percent of the “junk” the company removes from homes is recycled and/or donated, keeping it out of landfills.
After filling out a form online, a company representative will get in touch with you for a quote. While tallying up the total cost, your rep will ask if you'd like to “pay by the hour” for services like packing, ensuring you pay for exactly what you need and not a penny more. Just know that the company doesn't offer any self-service options, so DIYers or those on a tighter budget may want to opt for a different packing service.
Final Verdict
There are plenty of great packing services that can help you get your items in order for a move. Two Men and a Truck provides fantastic, easy service for local moves, while Colonial Van Lines takes the stress out of long-distance moves. In the end, the top choice is Atlas Van Lines, which provides a variety of helpful packing solutions along with other full-service moving options for a complete, straightforward move. The company also offers packing services for fragile and speciality items, adding an extra layer of protection for your belongings.
Compare the Best Packing Services
Company | Nationwide Availability | Initial Deposit Required? | Storage Options? | Moving Services |
---|---|---|---|---|
Atlas Van Lines Best Overall | 50 states | No | Yes | Local, long-distance, and international |
Two Men and a Truck Best for Local Moves | 47 states | Yes | Yes | Local and long-distance |
TaskRabbit
Best for Discount Packing |
30+ states (including Washington, D.C.) | No | No | None |
United Van Lines Best for Vehicle Moving | 50 states | No | Yes | Local, long-distance, and international |
JK Moving Services Best Customer Service | 50 states | No | Yes | Local, long-distance, and international |
Wheaton World Wide Moving Best for Specialty Items | 50 states | No | Yes | Local, long-distance, and international |
Colonial Van Lines Best for Long-Distance Moves | 48 states | Yes | Yes | Long-distance |
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving Best for Sustainable Packing | 50 states | Yes | Yes | Local and long-distance |
How to Choose the Best Packing Service
Choosing the best packing service requires considering a variety of factors, all of which have an impact on the success of your move. Here are a few of the most important things to keep in mind.
- Level of Service: While some companies offer all three types of packing services (full-, partial-, and self-service), others only offer one or two. Be sure to choose a company whose service levels match what you’re looking for.
- Cost: If you’re looking for places to save money, consider choosing a moving and packing company that allows for self-packing—it’s often cheaper than paying for full-service packing.
- Fragile or Specialty Items: If you have heirloom, fragile, or otherwise complex items to pack, consider hiring professional packers who specialize in specialty times (fragile and oversized).
- Packing Supplies: If you’re self-packing, you may want to work with a company that can help you find and purchase high-quality packing materials. If you’re having the professionals do the packing, check to see if packing materials are included in the quote or if you’ll need to purchase them separately.
- Additional Services: Many packing services are part of a wider set of services offered by moving companies, and you can have the same company load and unload, transport, and store your items. However, if you just need a little packing help, you may be able to find options for shorter-term labor to assist with this task alone.
How to Calculate the Cost of a Packing Service
Different packing services will have different rates, so it’s important to talk to your prospective packers before booking. Some will charge a simple, flat, hourly rate, while others may charge a minimum amount or adjust prices based on the number and type of items. Remember that the cost of packing will include packing materials (whether you’re packing yourself or having professionals do the packing), and “extras” like packing specialty and fragile items will probably cost more.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Is a Full-Service Mover?
A full-service mover is a company that offers services for every aspect of the moving process. This means that your movers will pack your belongings, load them into a moving vehicle, deliver them to your new location, and unload them at the destination.
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What Should You Expect When a Moving Service Packs for You?
If you have full-service movers pack your items, expect them to take care of the whole process, start to finish. They’ll bring in packing supplies and figure out the most efficient and safest way to pack your belongings. Your moving service will also carefully pack up any fragile, sentimental, or other “specialty” items, using special materials to protect them in-transit. Many packers will also unload and unpack at your destination, and some companies even offer furniture assembly and appliance assistance.
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What Do Movers Pack First?
Movers typically start with the heaviest and bulkiest items, then work their way from there. Afterwards, they’ll pack and load everything else, with the lightest items going in last. If you’re moving something fragile, it will probably be packed and moved a little later in the process.
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How Long Does It Take Professional Packers to Pack a House?
If you have a team of experienced, full-service movers, you can expect all of the packing to be handled on a single day. A typical packing session could take anywhere from two to five hours, depending on how many movers you have, how large your home is, and how much stuff you have to handle.
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Is It Worth Paying for Professional Packers?
Whether professional packers are worth the cost really depends on your moving situation. If you’re looking to save money, don’t have particularly fragile or difficult items, and you’re comfortable with packing your own items, then packing is certainly an easy area to save money. If you’d rather have the peace of mind that comes from professionals doing the job—or you have breakable or unusual items that could use a professional assist—then paying for packers is probably worth it.
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What Should You Do Before Packers Arrive?
Preparation is key when getting ready for your packers to arrive. You can streamline the process—and save a little money—by getting everything ready ahead of time. These suggestions can make the process easier:
- Take the time to sort your items ahead of time, and get rid of anything you know you don’t want to move.
- Separate any items that you’ll be moving personally—things like critical electronics, important paperwork, cash, jewelry, and other similar items.
- If there are any high-value or specialty items, be sure to point them out when you do your walk-through, and label them clearly on the day of.
- Clean and organize your items to make them easier to sort and pack.
- Try to keep items organized and labeled by room.
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How Much Should You Tip Professional Packers?
Tipping your packers depends on what kind of service you’re getting. If the packing is part of the overall moving service—and your packers are part of your overall moving team—then tip them accordingly. Most people will either tip per mover (at about $5 to $12 per hour, per person), or in a lump sum equivalent to around 10 to 15 percent of the whole bill. If you hire packers separate from your moving services, you’ll probably tip a little less—closer to $5 to $7 per person, per hour.
Methodology
To find the best packing companies, our research team reviewed 19 nationwide services, collecting a total of 589 data points. Ratings were created by assigning weights to each of the 31 moving criteria we considered.
Our top picks received high scores in heavily weighted areas such as customer experience (23 percent), nationwide availability and packing capabilities (20 percent), moving services (20 percent), and pricing structure (20 percent).
The information presented here was verified by at least two data collectors through customer service calls. If we were unable to fill in data due to multiple failed attempts to contact a company, the company in question received a zero for any piece of criteria that couldn’t be confirmed. For more details on our research process and scoring system, head to our complete moving methodology page.
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Oscar Wong / Getty Images