Is a full packing service worth it? For most larger house moves the answer is yes, because it saves a lot of time, lowers the risk of breakages, and removes one of the most tiring parts of moving. Whether it is right for your move depends on how much you have to pack, how much time you actually have, and what your belongings are worth to you.
Bradway Premier Removals has packed house moves across Sheffield and South Yorkshire for 12 years, and we are Which? Trusted Trader certified, independently audited each year. This guide explains what a full packing service includes, who benefits most, and what to check before you add it to your quote.
What a Full Packing Service Includes
A full packing service means the removals team packs every room in your home, usually the day before your move. You do not source boxes, buy bubble wrap, or spend evenings wrapping crockery.
Our full packing service covers:
- Cardboard boxes in several sizes, supplied and included in the price
- Bubble wrap and packing paper for fragile items
- Wardrobe boxes so hanging clothes travel without creasing
- Furniture covers and carpet protection fitted before loading
- Labelling by room so the unpack at the other end is logical
- Fragile labels on boxes with breakables
Packing the day before means moving day runs faster. The van arrives, the boxes are ready to load, and the crew is not waiting for you to finish the kitchen.
Who Gets the Most Out of Professional Packing
Professional packing costs more than doing it yourself, but for some moves the cost is easily justified.
Families moving a larger home
A three or four-bedroom family home can take two adults the better part of a week to pack properly, and between work and family that week rarely appears. Industry guides put professional packing of a two to three-bedroom home at a few hours to a full day, and larger homes at longer (source: HireAHelper). A packing crew can clear in a day what would take you evenings on end. If you are moving a full household, our house removals service can handle the pack and the move together.
People moving valuable or fragile belongings
Professional packers wrap fragile items differently: the box is padded at the base, items are individually wrapped, and the top is padded so nothing shifts. For artwork, good crockery, glassware, or electronics, that materially reduces the risk of damage in transit (source: ConsumerAffairs). Reputable removals firms also carry goods-in-transit insurance covering items while in their care, so ask what the cover includes.
Anyone short on time or with physical limits
Packing is physically demanding, with a lot of bending, lifting, and carrying. For older movers, anyone with a back complaint, or anyone already juggling a house purchase and a day job, professional packing is the practical call.
People moving at short notice
If your completion date jumps forward, a packing team can absorb that pressure. Doing it yourself at short notice usually means something gets rushed and poorly packed. It is also worth reading our guide on how far in advance to book a Sheffield removals company.
What a Full Packing Service Does Not Include
Being clear on exclusions avoids surprises on the day. Professional packing typically does not cover:
- Hazardous items such as aerosols, cleaning chemicals, paint, and gas canisters, which cannot travel in a removal vehicle under UK regulations.
- Perishables, so fridge and freezer contents need using or disposing of before the move.
- Loft, garage, or outbuilding clearance, unless separately agreed and quoted.
- Items you keep with you, such as medication, documents, valuables, and keys. Always pack a personal bag for the day.
Before packing day, your removals company should run a survey or consultation to agree what is packed and what is not. With Bradway, that consultation is free and carries no obligation.
Packing Options: Full, Part, or DIY
You do not have to choose between a full pack and doing everything yourself. These are the options Bradway offers.
| Option | What it covers | Best for |
| Full packing | Every room, all materials supplied | Families, larger homes, limited time |
| Fragile-only (part packing) | Breakables and valuables only, you pack the rest | Confident packers who want the high-risk items handled |
| Packing for storage | Items going into removal storage, packed to an inventory standard | When part of your load is going into storage |
| DIY packing | You source boxes and pack everything | Smaller moves, plenty of time |
Fragile-only packing is a practical middle ground. You pack the general household items and the crew handles glassware, china, artwork, and electronics, which is the most common cause of damage. It costs less than a full pack.
How to Decide
- How much do you have to pack? A one-bedroom flat is a manageable DIY job. A four-bedroom house with a full garage is not.
- How much time do you actually have? Be honest. If the evenings before your move are already spoken for, the packing will not get done well.
- What would it cost to replace what gets damaged? If your belongings are hard or expensive to replace, packing is a form of insurance.
- Is there anyone to help? Packing alone takes roughly twice as long as packing with a second person.
- What does the quote include? Always check whether materials are included in the packing price or charged separately.
Common Mistakes When Packing Yourself
- Overfilling boxes. A box you cannot lift safely is a box that gets dropped. Keep heavy items in small boxes.
- Mixing rooms. Labelling by destination room makes unpacking far faster.
- Not padding the base. A layer of paper or bubble wrap at the bottom before items go in cuts breakages.
- Leaving it to the night before. Packing on top of a full moving day is a reliable way to start badly.
- Using bin bags for soft furnishings. They tear, spill, and get mistaken for rubbish. Use boxes or vacuum bags.
FAQs
The crew packs every room in your home, supplies all the materials (boxes, bubble wrap, paper, wardrobe boxes, tape, and labels), and labels boxes by room so unpacking is straightforward. It is usually done the day before your move so moving day is clear for loading.
Set aside anything you want to keep with you (medication, documents, valuables, keys), use up or dispose of perishables and hazardous items that cannot travel, and decide whether the loft or garage is included. Everything else the packing team handles.
Yes. Breakables such as glassware, china, artwork, and electronics are individually wrapped and padded, which is exactly where professional packing reduces damage risk most. If you only want help with these, ask for a fragile-only pack.
Yes. Fragile-only packing is our most popular part option, and we also offer packing for items going into storage. Tell us what you want when you call and we will tailor the quote.
It is most worth it for larger homes, tight timescales, valuable or fragile contents, or if packing yourself is physically difficult. For a small move with plenty of time, DIY or a fragile-only pack may be enough.
Ready to Add Packing to Your Sheffield Move?
Bradway Premier Removals covers Sheffield and across South Yorkshire. Tell us your moving date, your address, and whether you want a full pack, fragile-only, or just the move, and we will come back with clear pricing. Get a free packing and removals quote or call Matt on 07770 585 521. So, is a full packing service worth it for your move? If your home is large, your time is short, or your belongings are precious, it usually is.