How Much Does it Cost to Pack a Home for Moving?

How long is a piece of string? Every home move is unique and packing costs can vary enormously, depending on the quantity of items to be packed, the fragility or value of the items to be protected, and the quality of the packing materials being used.

With so many variables for every home move it can be difficult to accurately calculate the number of boxes you need, the time it will take to pack all your belongings, and what the packing costs will be.

But in this guide to home moving packing costs you will find out:

• The average cost to hire a professional packing service for your sized home
• How many boxes you need on average for your sized home
• How much moving boxes cost
• How much packing materials cost
• Cheap packing alternatives
• The cost of specialist moving boxes
• Low-cost, or even free, alternatives to specialist packing boxes

If you have already decided that you don’t have the time (packing is probably the worst part of moving home), have numerous items of furniture to move, or just prefer to use a professional packing service, you can get a quote from a professional removal company here.

How much does it cost to pack up a home for moving?

The box sizes in the following examples are based on the UK Removal industry standard box sizes:

• Small = 318mm x 268mm x 318mm
• Medium = 457mm x 330mm x 330mm
• Large = 457mm x 457mm x 499mm
• Plastic Crates = 710mm x 460mm x 375mm

How much does it Cost to pack a 1 1-bedroom home?

On average, how much does it cost to hire packers for a 1 bedroom home move? £150

How many boxes do I need to move a 1 bedroom home?

• 10 small cardboard boxes
• 5 medium cardboard boxes
• 3 large cardboard boxes
• 20 Plastic crates

How much do moving boxes cost for a 1 bedroom home move? About £55

How much does it cost to hire enough plastic crates for a 1 bedroom home move? £17 per week

You may be interested in: How to choose the right moving boxes

How much does it cost to pack a 2-3 bedroom home move?

What is the average cost to hire packers for a 2-3 bedroom home? £250 – £400

What is the average number of boxes needed for a 2-3 bedroom home move?

• 10 small cardboard boxes
• 10 medium cardboard boxes
• 5 large cardboard boxes
• 40 Plastic crates

How much are cardboard moving boxes, enough for a 1 bedroom home move? About £70

How much does it cost to hire enough plastic crates for a 1 bedroom home move? £34 per week

Useful packing information: How to pack fragile Items

How much does it cost to pack a 3-4 Bedroom home?

Approximately how much does a home packing service cost for a 3-4 bedroom home move? £400 – £600

How many boxes do I need to move a 3-4 bedroom home move?

• 15 small cardboard boxes
• 10 medium cardboard boxes
• 10 large cardboard boxes
• 50 Plastic crates

About how much do packing boxes cost for a 3-4 bedroom home move? Around £90

How much does it cost to hire enough plastic crates for a 3-4 bedroom home move? £42 per week

Useful Packing Tip: Packing Mistakes to Avoid

How much do packing materials cost?

• How much does bubble wrap cost? 25m for around £16

Cost-saving tip: Clothing, towels, and blankets can all be used as a substitute for bubble wrap.

• How much does packing tape cost? 3 rolls of 66m long tape is about £4

Cost-saving tip: Don’t even try to cut costs here. Quality tape is worth every penny.

• How much does packing paper cost? 500 sheets cost approximately £13

Cost-saving tip: Free packing paper in the form of magazines and newspapers can be used, but beware that the newsprint does not stain whatever it is being used to protect.

• How much do packing peanuts cost? ft is around £20

Cost-saving tip: Go to local stores that stock fragile or electrical items, they may well have some they will give you for free.

• How much do flat-screen TV moving boxes cost? Between £10 – £15 each

Cost-saving tip: Visit your local bicycle store and ask for a box that a bike is shipped in. They should fit most sizes of television.

• How much do wardrobe boxes cost? Approximately £8 each

Cost-saving tip: Keep everything on their hangers. Put a large dustbin bag liner over the top and secure at the bottom. Poke the hanger neck out of the bag so the clothes can still be hung.

• How much do moving boxes for dishes and plates cost? The inserts cost about £10 for 50

Cost-saving tip: Use ordinary boxes of suitable strength (at least 2 ply) and use cardboard or paperplates as dividers.

• How much do packing boxes for glasses cost? Between £10-£13 each

Cost-saving tip: Wine glasses can be slipped inside socks for protection.

• How much do moving blankets cost? Between £15 – £20 each

Cost-saving tip: Use old blankets as protective padding

There are plenty of free ad websites that people who have recently moved may be listing free boxes or packing materials on, such as www.freecycle.org or www.freeads.co.uk.

Good to know: Alternative Packing Materials

Useful Packing Tips

• Before starting any packing, declutter your home.

This means getting rid of anything that you no longer have a need for, or will not fit in your new home.

The fewer things you have to move, the cheaper your packing and removal costs, and the less time it will take you to move home.

Do not underestimate how important this process is, not only will you save time and money but your new home will be more organised too.

Essential reading: How to move home cheaply and make a profit

Packing for a home move is an arduous task, possibly the worst part of the whole home moving process.

But armed with a little knowledge, some forethought, and planning, you will be able to execute a successful and stress-free home move.

Worth reading: 40 Tips for Packing for a Home Move

Everything has to start somewhere, usually with a right and wrong way to do it, usually with an easy and a hard way to do it.

Moving home is a classic example. Tackle the project in a methodical manner and most of the associated home-moving stresses will disappear.

In the guide below you will find out how to plan the best way to start packing for your home move.

Great packing tips: What to pack first

One essential box that you must pack is an open-me-first box.

Within this box, you would keep everything that you need close at hand on moving day, from fresh water to essential medication.

For some great ideas on what to pack in yours, and to learn about how important it is to pack your essentials box, read on.

Super tips: How to pack an Open Me First Box

• Underestimating the number of packing boxes and materials you need is a classic mistake.

Be sure you have enough supplies as it will prolong the packing chore even more having to resupply yourself.

This guide shows you how to estimate what you will need to pack your home.

Good to read: How to estimate how many moving boxes you need

An important aspect of planning to remember, and pay special attention to, is labeling your moving boxes.

It may be time-consuming to label the boxes, but don’t do it and you will be cursing yourself.

Not only will it help in identifying which room in the new home the boxes should be put in, but you will find the contents of each box quicker, and you will be able to identify if anything has gone missing en route to your new home.

Must read: How to label Boxes the write way

• If you are packing your items yourself bear in mind that some insurance policies will not cover you for any items damaged during your move.

Useful information: Home Removal Insurance – Do I Need It

• Some professional removal companies will offer you free packing supplies as part of their packing service.

You may like: How to negotiate with a Removal Company

• Packing antiques or collectibles for a home move will require time and specialist packing skills.

If you are planning on moving antique furniture it is best to employ the services of a professional removal company.

Valuable framed items may require custom crates to be made, and some pieces of furniture may need specialist equipment to move them.

One of the most comprehensive guides to packing antiques and collectibles available can be found below.

Useful information: How to Move Antiques and Collectibles

• Not everyone will have the luxury of a long pre-planned home move.

In such circumstances, you will need some tips on how to move home quickly. There are plenty of shortcuts to a successful home move but it will require a plan and organization.

The guide below will be invaluable to you in such a situation.

Good to read: Tips for moving home quickly

• One packing problem you may not have considered is a lack of motivation.

This could be as a result of a number of things, including a reluctance to move or being overwhelmed by the packing task ahead.

In the guide below you will find plenty of tips to help identify why you are lacking motivation and what you can do to get motivated for your home move.

Essential reading: How to motivate yourself to pack for a home move

• One easy aspect of home moving that can be overlooked is planning how you will unpack.

Just as you found a moving timeline and planner to be invaluable when moving out of your old home, a plan to unpack will prove just as valuable.

Great advice: How to unpack after a home move

• And finally, after everything is safely unpacked and put in its new location, what do you do with that pile of empty boxes and used packing materials?

You will find some practical and fun ideas in the following guide.

Worth reading: What to do with packing materials after your home move

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