Packing Service Cost in the UK: Is It Worth Paying For?
What professional packing typically costs in the UK, what is included, and how to decide between full packing, part packing and doing it yourself.
Packing is the part of a move that most people underestimate and then regret. A professional packing service can turn a week of cardboard misery into one calm morning, but it also adds a noticeable line to the bill. Whether it is worth it depends on your time, your belongings and your budget.
What a packing service usually includes
Packing services differ, so check the wording. Typically they cover:
- A team arriving the day before, or on the morning of, the move
- Boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, tape and labels
- Wrapping furniture in blankets or protective sheeting
- Unpacking at the new address, sometimes as an optional extra
Some firms price the labour and materials together, others itemise them. Make sure you know which you are looking at.
Typical costs
These are rough guides and vary by region, volume and the number of fragile items. London and the South East are often higher.
| Level of service | What it covers | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing, 1-bed flat | Everything, one packer for a few hours | £150 to £300 |
| Full packing, 2 to 3-bed home | Whole house, usually two packers | £300 to £700 |
| Full packing, 4-bed or larger | Two to three packers, one to two days | £600 to £1,200 |
| Part packing | Kitchen and fragile items only | £80 to £300 |
| Materials only | Boxes and paper delivered | £50 to £200 |
Unpacking at the other end is commonly an extra charge on top.
Choosing between full, part and DIY
Full packing
Best if you are short of time, moving a long distance, or have lots of delicate items. It is also useful if you have a physical limitation that makes packing hard.
Part packing
Often the sweet spot. Let the professionals handle the kitchen, glassware, pictures and anything awkward, and pack clothes, books and bedding yourself. Our guide on packing fragile items shows what to keep for them.
Doing it yourself
The cheapest option, but you need time and materials. Use the packing a kitchen guide and the boxes calculator guide to plan.
Questions to ask before booking packers
- Are materials included in the price?
- How many people will come and for how long?
- Do they label boxes by room, and will you get an inventory?
- Is anything excluded, such as jewellery, documents or food?
- What cover applies to items they pack compared with items you pack?
That last point matters. Some providers will only consider claims for items they packed themselves, or exclude damage to items in boxes they did not pack. Check the provider's own terms and your home contents policy rather than assuming.
Tips to get value from packers
- Declutter first. Paying someone to wrap things you will later throw away is a waste.
- Set aside a box for valuables, passports and documents, and carry it yourself.
- Tell them what to leave out, including the kettle and bedding for the first night.
- Walk round with them at the start to point out fragile or sentimental items.
Is it worth it?
Put a number on your own time. If packing a three-bed takes you five evenings and a weekend, and a team does it in a day for £400, the maths often looks different. If you are well organised and have a free week, DIY may suit you better.
If you want a team for the move itself, you can send a request on Compito, say whether you need packing and compare offers from ID-verified local providers.
A worked example
A family in a three-bed semi books a packing day before the move. Two packers arrive at 9am, and by mid-afternoon the kitchen, living room and loft are boxed and labelled. The quote might be £350 to £650 for labour plus materials, depending on region. The family packed the children's rooms and their own clothes and papers themselves the week before. Compared with doing everything alone over two weekends, they saved around 15 to 20 hours, and the kitchen, which they were dreading, was done properly.
Where the price goes
Three things set most quotes:
- Volume. More rooms and more items mean more time and materials.
- Fragile content. Glass, china and artwork take longer and need more padding.
- Access. Stairs, long carries and parking add time.
If the quote seems high, ask how many hours and packers it assumes, and what materials are included.
Choosing what to hand over
| Room | Worth outsourcing? |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Often yes, it is the most time-consuming and fragile |
| Living room | Often, for pictures, glass and electronics |
| Bedrooms | Usually fine to do yourself |
| Loft and garage | Depends on how much you have, and how heavy |
| Paperwork and valuables | Keep and pack yourself |
Common mistakes
- Not decluttering before the packers arrive
- Leaving valuables or documents lying around
- Assuming unpacking is included
- Not asking what happens to the empty boxes afterwards
- Booking packing and the move on the same day without checking whether the crew can handle it
If you are on a tight budget
Hire packers for the single hardest room, normally the kitchen, and do everything else yourself. Compare the cost with your time, and see how to save money on moving house for other ideas.
Frequently asked questions
How long does professional packing take?
A two or three-bed home is typically a day for two packers, a flat often half a day. Heavily cluttered homes take longer.
Do packers bring their own boxes?
Most do, and charge for them. Some will use boxes you have bought. Clarify which before the day.
Can I just buy packing materials from the mover?
Many firms sell box packs. Compare the price with buying yourself, and ask about buy-back or collection of used boxes.
Should I be home while the packers work?
It is sensible to be there at the start and end, to point things out and check the inventory. You do not need to hover, but being reachable helps.