Moving can be very stressful. Adding to this is the pressure to pack clothes and other belongings. According to survey conducted in 2020 (Psychology Today), nearly two-thirds of respondents stated that moving was among the most stressful events they had ever encountered. Individuals get overwhelmed by sorting, packing, and arranging their items in order. Much of the stress may be avoided if people knew how professional movers could let them off the burden of packing.
Do Movers Pack Your Clothes?
💡 Yes, professional movers often pack your clothes for you if they offer a packing service. This service typically includes packing clothes along with other household items, ensuring everything is securely and efficiently packed for the move.
Some professional movers offer packing clothes in dressers and closets. For clothes in dressers, professional movers will wrap commercial-grade plastic wrap around the dressers. This protects your furniture and holds the drawers in place. You are not required to empty clothing drawers; however, you should remove all breakable items.
For clothes in wardrobes, movers are equipped with wardrobe boxes. These are tall boxes with a bar hanging across the top of them. You can quickly hang your clothes to pack in these boxes, making the process much easier and quicker. This way, all your clothes will remain folded and wrinkle-free during the move.
Packing Methods for Clothes and Belongings
Clothes in Dressers
Clothes remain safe from damage in dressers simply by securing the furniture. The movers wrap a dresser with commercial-grade plastic wrap that holds the drawers closed. After that, they proceed to cover the whole piece with moving blankets for protection against damage during transport. Remove any breakable or fragile articles from the drawers to prevent damage.
Clothes in Closets
For clothes already on your hangers in the closets, wardrobe boxes will be used by the movers. These are tall boxes with a hanger bar across the top. Here is a step-by-step process:
- Preparation: Movers bring wardrobes to your residence.
- Hanging Clothes: While movers load other pre-packed items, you hang your clothes on the bars inside the wardrobe boxes.
- Box Transportation: These wardrobe moving boxes, along with your remaining things, are then transported by home movers.
- Unpacking: This means that once you get to your new home, all you will do is transfer the clothes from the boxes back into your closets.
Other Belongings
Other household items that movers handle include:
- Fragile Items: Movers use bubble wrap, packing paper, and sturdy boxes to protect fragile items like dishes, glassware, and decorations.
- Electronics: This refers to goods like TVs and computers. Specialized packing shall be done in the original packaging or with tailor-made solutions.
- Valuables: The custom crates are used by movers to ensure the safe movement of costly and valuable items, such as artwork and antiques individually built for the item to be moved to offer maximum protection.
Here are the techniques through which professional movers make sure all your stuff is well-packed and transported.
Cost of Packing Services
Packing services in Washington, D.C., are variably priced. For a local move, the typical rate will be anywhere between $30 to $60 per hour per packer. Prices for long-distance moves are usually quote-fixed depending on the size and type of your goods.
Hourly Rates
- Local Moves: $30 to $60 per hour per packer.
- Packing Materials: Often included in the hourly rate.
Fixed Prices for Long-Distance Moves
- Estimates: Based on item volume, move distance, and special packing needs.
Benefits of Professional Packing
- Safety: Proper packing reduces damage risk.
- Convenience: Saves time and effort.
- Efficiency: Professionals pack quickly and securely.
- Peace of Mind: Focus on other moving tasks, knowing your items are safe.
💲 Cost of Movers
You can learn more about the price of moving with professional movers in DC in our article.
What Movers Won’t Pack
Some items are not to be packed or moved by a mover for safety and/or legal reasons. Common exclusions include:
| 🧪 Hazardous Materials | pesticides, darkroom chemicals, batteries, paints, aerosols. |
| 🍎 Food | those are perishable items that could go to bad. |
| 🌱 Plants | Due to regulations and risk of damage. |
| 🔫 Firearms and Ammunition | Frequently subject to legal constraints. |
| 💊 Medicine | Usually, prescription medications are not included. |
| 🔥 Flammable Liquids | Lighter fluid, charcoal, and other items. |
| 🐾 Pets | Pet transportation is not done by movers. |
| 💼 Personal Valuables | All vital documents, jewelry and cash should be carried personally. |
Unpacking Services
Not only that, but many movers also offer unpacking services to get you settled in your home. These services involve unpacking boxes, setting up furniture, and arranging stuff.
Discuss the available options for unpacking directly with your moving coordinator to have it included in the estimate so that you can know your total cost upfront and can plan accordingly.
Conclusion
Using professional movers for packing and unpacking reduces stress and ensures your belongings are handled safely. Movers provide expertise, convenience, and efficiency, making your move smoother.
For more tips and tools, check out our moving checklist or estimate cost of your move with our moving calculator.
