Sometimes you only need the packing done properly: a kitchen full of crockery, a home before renovation, or goods going by your own transport.
A verified mover sends a packing crew with the right material. The quote lists the material and labour for your inventory.
What's usually included
- Packing material suited to each item
- Wrapping of furniture and fragile items
- Labelled boxes by room
- An inventory list on request
The exact scope is on the mover's written quote.
How to prepare
- Set aside what you'll keep with you
- Point out fragile and high-value items
- Clear a space for the crew to work
IllustrationPacking materials and what they're for
Good packing uses the right material for each item. Double-walled cartons carry kitchenware and books; single-walled cartons are fine for clothes and linen. Bubble wrap protects glass, crockery and electronics. Stretch wrap keeps dust and scratches off furniture, and corner guards protect edges. Wooden crates are used for very fragile or valuable pieces.
Ask which materials the mover will use. Cheaper quotes sometimes mean thinner cartons or less wrapping, which matters on long routes.
Room by room
Packers usually start with rooms you use least, such as spare bedrooms and storage, and leave the kitchen and the bedroom you sleep in until last. Each carton should be labelled with the room it's going to and a short note of what's inside.
Our guide to packing a kitchen covers the hardest room in detail, from glassware to the gas stove.
Fragile and special items
Glass tabletops, mirrors, artwork, idols, musical instruments and antiques need special care. Tell the packers about them in advance so they bring the right materials. Many need crating or individual wrapping, and some are best carried by you.
Electronics are safest in their original boxes. If you don't have them, ask for proper TV cartons and padding, and photograph cable connections before unplugging.
The inventory list
As cartons are packed, the mover should number them and record a short description on an inventory list. Check the list before the truck leaves and keep a copy. At delivery, the count and condition are checked against the same list.
For valuable items, ask for them to be listed individually rather than as part of a carton.
Packing only, or packing and unpacking
Some people book packing only and handle transport themselves, or book packing now and transport later. Others want the crew to unpack at the new home too, placing items in cupboards and removing the packing waste.
Ask what's included: packing only, unpacking, reassembly of furniture and removal of cartons and wrapping. Get it written on the quote.
Wardrobes and clothes
Clothes are the easiest things to pack and the easiest to lose track of. Wardrobe cartons, tall boxes with a hanging rail, let clothes travel on their hangers and go straight back into the cupboard. Folded clothes and linen go into single-walled cartons, labelled by person and room.
Before packing, sort what you'll actually wear in the new home and give away the rest. Keep a few days' clothes in the bag you carry, especially if the goods will take time to arrive.
Furniture: dismantling and wrapping
Large furniture often needs dismantling to get out of the door, the lift or the staircase: beds, wardrobes, dining tables and some sofas. Packers keep the screws and fittings in labelled bags taped to each piece, so reassembly is quick.
Wrapped furniture gets a layer of bubble wrap or foam on polished surfaces and corners, then stretch wrap over the top. Glass tops and mirrors are packed separately in cartons or crates.
Packing in the monsoon
Rain changes how things should be packed. Furniture, mattresses and appliances need plastic over the stretch wrap, and cartons should be kept off wet floors. Anything that's damp should be dried before it goes into a sealed carton, or it can grow mould on the way.
Ask the packers to load cartons into a covered truck and to keep electronics and documents in sealed, clearly marked boxes.
Books, papers and documents
Books are heavy, so they go into small, double-walled cartons rather than large ones that are hard to lift and likely to split. Pack them flat or with spines down, and fill gaps so they don't shift.
Important documents, such as property papers, certificates, passports and financial records, should travel with you in a folder or a bag, not with the household goods. Files you're keeping for reference can be packed in sealed, labelled cartons.
Every mover is checked before they work with us
- Office visited in person
- Godown or storage facility visited, where applicable
- GST details checked
- Customer references called
- General operating setup reviewed
Questions about packing services
Can I book packing now and transport later?
Yes. Tell us your plan when you enquire and the mover will quote for packing only.
Can packers unpack at the new home too?
Often, if it's on the quote. Ask whether unpacking, furniture reassembly and waste removal are included.
Should I pack anything myself?
Documents, valuables, medicines and the first night's essentials. Leave fragile and heavy items to the packers.
Will the packers reassemble furniture?
Often, if it's on the quote. Ask whether dismantling and reassembly are included.
What packing materials are used for glass?
Usually bubble wrap and a carton or a wooden crate, depending on size and value.
Should books go in big cartons?
No. Use small, strong cartons so they're not too heavy to carry and don't split.
Where should important documents go?
With you, in a folder or bag. Don't send originals on the moving truck.
How long does packing a home take?
It depends on the size of the home and how much there is. Larger homes often need a separate packing day before loading.
Do packers bring all the materials?
Usually, if it's on the quote. Check which materials are included and whether any cost extra.
Can I keep some cartons for myself to pack?
Ask the mover. Some will leave cartons in advance for things you'd rather pack yourself.