Do Removal Companies Offer Packing Services?
Yes – most established removal companies offer packing services, either as a full pack (the crew handles everything) or a partial pack (fragile and high-value items only). Whether it makes sense for your move depends on the size of your home, how much time you have before moving day, and what you are carrying. This guide covers what packing services typically include, what they cost, and the questions worth asking any company before you book.
David Dale Removals has offered packing as part of its service since 1976. Our trained, permanent staff handle everything from export wrapping on large furniture to specialist crating for antiques – using the same materials on a Harrogate terrace as on a full European removal to Spain or France.
What Does a Removal Company Packing Service Include?
Packing services vary between firms, but a full-service pack from a BAR-accredited company typically covers:
- All packing materials – double-walled boxes, bubble wrap, acid-free tissue for china and silverware, wardrobe boxes, mattress covers, heavy-duty tape
- Export wrapping for large furniture items (sofas, wardrobes, dining tables)
- Specialist crating for grand pianos, large mirrors, antiques, or high-value artwork
- Room-by-room labelling – every box marked with contents and destination room
- Systematic loading – items packed tightly to prevent movement in transit, which is the primary cause of breakage
- Inventory sheet – a written record of what has been packed and where
What is typically NOT included in a standard pack:
- Loft, garage, or outbuilding clearance (usually a separate service or quoted separately)
- Item disposal or charity drop-offs
- Disconnecting or moving white goods (often requires a separate engineer)
- Packing of hazardous materials (aerosols, paints, gas canisters)
Knowing the exclusions before moving day avoids surprises on the day.
Full Packing vs Partial Packing: Which Option Fits Your Move?
| Option | What’s covered | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing service | Every drawer, shelf, and cupboard – crew handles it all | Families short on time, larger homes, long-distance or European moves |
| Fragile-only / partial pack | Glassware, china, mirrors, artwork, lamps, electronics | People happy to pack clothing and books themselves |
| Materials only | Company supplies boxes, tape, and wrapping – you pack | Those with limited funds who have time to pack themselves |
| Unpacking service | Crew unpacks at destination and removes boxes | Available from some firms as an add-on |
For long-distance removals to Europe – moves to France, Spain, or Portugal for example – a full pack using export-grade materials is strongly recommended. Items in transit for several days across multiple borders need better protection than a short domestic move across town.
How Much Does a Packing Service Cost?
Prices vary by firm and by volume. The figures below are indicative ballpark ranges for a full packing service in North Yorkshire (2026). Always get a surveyed quote rather than a phone estimate – the volume of items in a 3-bedroom house varies enormously and a surveyed price is the only accurate one.
| Property size | Estimated full pack cost |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom flat | £150 – £250 |
| 2 bedroom house | £280 – £380 |
| 3 bedroom house | £400 – £550 |
| 4 bedroom house | £550 – £800+ |
Partial packing (fragile items only) typically runs at roughly 40-60% of a full pack cost, depending on the volume of specialist items involved.
Why professional packing is often worth the cost
- Insurance coverage – most removal insurance policies only cover breakage if items were professionally packed. Self-packed boxes are often excluded from breakage claims, so the packing cost can be offset against the reduced insurance risk.
- Speed – a trained two-person packing team can pack a 3-bedroom house in a day. Most homeowners doing it themselves take several weekends.
- Physical cost – packing and lifting heavy boxes is physically demanding. A professional crew handles the load.
What to Ask a Removal Company Before Booking Packing
Not all packing services are equal. Before committing, ask:
- 1. Are your packers employed staff or subcontractors? Trained, permanent staff will be familiar with the company’s materials and methods. Casual labour varies.
- 2. What materials are included in the price? Confirm boxes, bubble wrap, tissue paper, and tape are included rather than charged separately.
- 3. Do you carry out a survey before quoting? A quote given without a survey is rarely accurate for packing.
- 4. What is your insurance cover for packed items? Ask specifically for the per-item limit and the claims process.
- 5. Are you a BAR member? BAR membership (check at bar.co.uk) requires firms to hold adequate insurance, follow a code of practice, and offer alternative dispute resolution if something goes wrong.
- 6. Do you offer export wrapping for large furniture? Essential for long-distance and European moves.
Packing for European and International Removals
For moves to France, Spain, or Portugal, packing requirements go beyond a standard domestic removal. Goods in transit for several days need export-grade protection – heavier-duty wrapping, purpose-built timber crates for antiques or high-value artwork, and secure loading designed for motorway distances.
Customs requirements also affect what goes into the shipment. New or unused items, commercial goods, and vehicles each sit outside the Transfer of Residence relief scheme and need separate handling. Mixing them into the household goods shipment creates a documentation problem that can delay clearance.
David Dale runs the UK-Spain-UK lane roughly 50 weeks of the year from our Knaresborough depot. Our coordinators prepare the customs inventory and documentation before the lorry loads – that is part of the service, not a separate charge. For detail on the customs side, see our guide to customs rules for moving household goods between the UK and Europe.
David Dale’s Packing Service
We have been offering packing as part of our removals service since 1976. Our packing teams are employed, trained staff – not subcontractors. The same crew that packs your home loads the lorry, which means they know exactly what is in each box and how it has been protected.
We are a BAR member (number D040) and carry the BAR Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme and Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman accreditation. Our packing materials include export-grade options for long-distance and European moves.
For an accurate quote, we carry out a survey before issuing a price – in person or by video call. A survey takes 30-45 minutes and gives you a clear, fixed price rather than an estimate that changes on moving day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most established removal companies offer packing as an optional extra. Smaller man-and-van operators may not. If packing is important to your move, confirm it is available – and ask whether the packers are employed staff or subcontractors – before booking.
For most moves above a 1-bedroom flat, yes. The main reasons are insurance coverage (most policies only cover breakage for professionally packed items), speed (a trained team packs faster than a homeowner working evenings), and physical effort. For long-distance or European moves, export-grade packing is strongly recommended.
We supply double-walled cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, acid-free tissue paper for china and silver, wardrobe boxes, mattress covers, heavy-duty tape, and export wrapping for large furniture. Specialist timber crates are available for antiques, grand pianos, and high-value artwork. You can also purchase packing materials separately through our packing materials page.
Yes. A partial pack – where you handle clothing, books, and linen and we handle fragile and high-value items – is a popular option. Tell us at survey stage what you plan to pack yourself so we can quote accurately for the remaining volume.
Yes. Goods-in-transit insurance covers loss or damage during the move. Whether breakage is covered often depends on whether items were professionally packed. Check the specific policy terms with your removal company before moving day.