What Packing and Unpacking Services Include
Professional packing and unpacking services handle the most time-consuming part of any move — the hours spent wrapping, boxing, and organizing every item in your home. In Ottawa, most full-service moving companies offer packing as an add-on to their standard moving service.
Full-Service Packing Includes
- All packing materials: Boxes (small, medium, large, wardrobe, dish barrel), packing paper, bubble wrap, stretch wrap, tape, and labels. You do not need to purchase or source any materials.
- Professional packers: Trained crew members who pack every item in your home using industry-standard techniques. They know how to protect fragile items, maximize box space, and label for efficient unpacking.
- Kitchen packing: The most labor-intensive room. Every dish, glass, pot, pan, and utensil is individually wrapped and packed in appropriate boxes. Glassware goes in cell boxes with dividers.
- Bedroom and closet packing: Clothing is transferred to wardrobe boxes on hangers. Bedding, linens, and personal items are boxed. Drawers are emptied and contents packed.
- Bathroom packing: Toiletries, towels, cleaning supplies, and medicine cabinet contents are organized and packed.
- Art and wall decor: Pictures, mirrors, and wall hangings are wrapped and packed in picture boxes or custom protection.
- Electronics: TVs, computers, and audio equipment are disconnected, cables bundled, and packed with appropriate cushioning.
Unpacking Services Include
Unpacking reverses the process: boxes are opened, items are placed in their designated locations (cabinets, drawers, closets, shelves), and all packing materials are removed and disposed of or recycled. Your home is functional and organized the same day you move in.
Full-service packing and unpacking means you can go from your old home to a fully functional new home in a single day — without lifting a roll of tape.
Full-Service vs Partial Packing
Not every move requires full-service packing. Understanding the options helps you choose the level of service that fits your needs and budget.
Full-Service Packing
The packing crew handles every item in your home. You do nothing except point out anything that requires special attention. This is the most expensive option but saves the most time and delivers the most consistent protection. Full-service packing is ideal for large homes, families with young children, seniors, and anyone with a demanding work schedule who cannot dedicate days to packing.
Partial Packing
You pack some rooms or categories yourself, and the professional crew handles the rest. Common partial packing approaches include having the professionals pack the kitchen (the most challenging room) while you handle bedrooms and clothing. Another approach is packing non-fragile items yourself (books, clothing, linens) and having professionals handle fragile items (dishes, glassware, artwork, electronics).
Fragile-Only Packing
The most targeted option. You pack everything except fragile items, and the professionals handle only the breakables — kitchen dishes, glassware, crystal, artwork, mirrors, and electronics. This provides professional-grade protection for your most vulnerable items while minimizing the cost of packing services.
Self-Packing with Materials Purchase
You do all the packing yourself using materials purchased from the moving company. This is the most affordable option — you buy boxes and packing paper at wholesale prices and do the work yourself. Many Ottawa movers sell packing kits designed for specific home sizes.
💡 Pro Tip: The best cost-to-protection ratio for most Ottawa families is partial packing: let the professionals handle your kitchen and fragile items while you pack clothing, books, and linens yourself.
Packing Materials Provided vs Bring-Your-Own
If you are packing yourself, the choice between professional packing materials and scrounged free boxes affects the safety of your belongings.
Professional Packing Materials
- New corrugated boxes: Strong, uniform sizes that stack efficiently in the truck. Double-wall boxes for heavy items, reinforced handles for easy carrying. Cost: $2-5 per box.
- Dish barrel boxes: Extra-strong, double-wall boxes specifically designed for kitchen items. Cost: $5-8 each.
- Wardrobe boxes: Tall boxes with a hanging bar — clothes transfer directly from closet to box on hangers. Cost: $12-20 each.
- Packing paper: Clean, unprinted paper for wrapping fragile items. Ink-free to prevent transfer to dishes and surfaces. Cost: $20-35 per bundle (about 200 sheets).
- Bubble wrap: For electronics, picture frames, and extra-fragile items. Cost: $20-40 per roll.
- Mattress bags: Sealed plastic covers for mattresses. Cost: $10-25 per bag.
Free and Low-Cost Alternatives
- LCBO boxes: Liquor store boxes are sturdy and plentiful. The dividers inside wine boxes are perfect for glasses. Free — just ask.
- Grocery store boxes: Variable quality. Produce boxes tend to be strong; cereal and snack boxes are too weak for moving.
- Buy Nothing groups: Ottawa's Buy Nothing Facebook groups are excellent sources for free boxes from neighbours who recently moved.
- Newspaper for wrapping: Free or cheap, but ink can transfer to dishes and clothing. Use unprinted newsprint or packing paper for items you care about.
The hybrid approach works well: use free LCBO boxes for books and heavy items, purchase a few wardrobe boxes for clothing, and buy packing paper for the kitchen. This combination provides good protection at minimal cost.
How Much Do Packing Services Cost in Ottawa
Professional packing in Ottawa is typically billed at the same hourly rate as the move itself, since the same crew handles both tasks. Here are typical costs by home size:
Packing Service Costs
- Studio/1-bedroom: $300-500 (3-4 hours, 2 packers)
- 2-bedroom: $500-900 (4-6 hours, 2 packers)
- 3-bedroom: $800-1,400 (6-8 hours, 2-3 packers)
- 4-bedroom: $1,200-2,000 (8-10 hours, 2-3 packers)
- 5+ bedroom: $1,500-2,500+ (full day, 3+ packers)
Materials Costs (On Top of Labour)
- Studio/1-bedroom: $100-200
- 2-bedroom: $150-300
- 3-bedroom: $200-400
- 4-bedroom: $300-500
- 5+ bedroom: $400-600+
Total Packing + Materials
For a typical three-bedroom Ottawa home, expect to pay $1,000-1,800 total for full-service packing including all materials. This is in addition to the moving day cost.
Unpacking Costs
Unpacking typically takes less time than packing — approximately 60-75% of the packing time. For a three-bedroom home, unpacking runs $600-1,000. Some companies offer discounted rates when you book both packing and unpacking together.
Time Savings Calculator
The real value of professional packing becomes clear when you calculate the time investment of self-packing:
Average Self-Packing Times
- Kitchen: 6-10 hours (the most time-consuming room by far)
- Master bedroom: 3-5 hours
- Additional bedrooms: 2-4 hours each
- Bathrooms: 1-2 hours each
- Living room: 2-4 hours
- Office/den: 2-4 hours
- Basement/storage: 3-8 hours
- Garage: 2-5 hours
Total Self-Packing Time
A typical three-bedroom Ottawa home takes 25-45 hours to pack yourself — roughly 3-6 days of dedicated work. Most people cannot dedicate uninterrupted days to packing, so the process stretches over 1-3 weeks of evening and weekend sessions.
Professional Packing Time
The same three-bedroom home takes a professional two-person crew 6-8 hours — one day. Their speed comes from experience, efficient technique, and commercial-grade materials designed for fast application.
The Value Equation
If you value your time at $30/hour (a reasonable Ottawa average), self-packing a three-bedroom home costs $750-1,350 in time investment alone. Professional packing for the same home costs $800-1,400 in labour — roughly the same as your time value. When you factor in the reduced damage risk and elimination of stress, professional packing often delivers positive returns.
Professional Packing Techniques
Professional packers use techniques developed over thousands of moves that maximize protection and efficiency:
The Wrap Method
Every item is individually wrapped before placement in a box. Two sheets of packing paper per item for standard dishes, three or more for fine china. Items are never placed unwrapped against each other — paper creates a cushion that absorbs impact.
The Bundle Method
Clothing is packed in bundles: 10-15 items on hangers are bundled together, wrapped in paper, and placed in wardrobe boxes. Folded clothing is packed tightly in medium boxes with paper between layers to prevent shifting.
Box Loading Strategy
Professional packers follow strict box-loading rules: heavy items at the bottom, light items on top. No empty space inside boxes — gaps are filled with crumpled paper to prevent shifting. Boxes are filled to capacity but never overstuffed (which weakens the box and creates bulging that prevents stacking).
The Shake Test
💡 Pro Tip: After packing a box, professional packers gently shake it. If they hear anything shifting or rattling, they open the box and add more cushioning. A properly packed box produces no sound when shaken — everything is snug and immobile. Try this technique with your own boxes.
Labelling System
Every box is labelled on at least two sides with the destination room, a brief description of contents, and any handling instructions (FRAGILE, THIS SIDE UP). The two-side labelling ensures the label is visible regardless of how the box is stacked.
Eco-Friendly Packing Options
Environmentally conscious Ottawa residents increasingly seek packing solutions that minimize waste. Several eco-friendly options are available:
Reusable Plastic Moving Bins
Companies like Frog Box and Gorilla Bins in Ottawa rent durable, stackable plastic bins that replace cardboard boxes. After your move, the bins are picked up, cleaned, and rented to the next customer. Costs range from $100-250 for a kit of 20-40 bins, rented for 1-2 weeks.
Recyclable Materials
Standard corrugated cardboard boxes are fully recyclable through Ottawa's blue box program. Packing paper (uncoated, unprinted) is also recyclable. After unpacking, flatten all boxes and bundle packing paper for curbside recycling collection.
Biodegradable Alternatives
Biodegradable packing peanuts (made from cornstarch), recycled paper void fill, and honeycomb paper wrap are available as alternatives to plastic bubble wrap and styrofoam. These materials provide good protection while being compostable or recyclable.
Zero-Waste Techniques
- Use towels, sheets, and blankets as wrapping materials — they need to be moved anyway
- Pack fragile items in clothing for double protection
- Use socks as glass and bottle protectors
- Pack books in suitcases that are already being moved
- Use reusable bags instead of garbage bags for soft items
Zero-waste packing uses items you are already moving as packing materials, reducing both waste and cost while still providing effective protection for your belongings.
The Packing Timeline
Whether you pack yourself or hire professionals, understanding the timeline helps you plan effectively:
If You Are Self-Packing
- 4-6 weeks before: Start with storage rooms, basement, garage, and guest rooms — spaces you use least frequently
- 3-4 weeks before: Pack seasonal items, books, decorative items, and non-essential electronics
- 2-3 weeks before: Pack most of each room, leaving only daily-use items. Begin kitchen packing (non-daily dishes, small appliances, pantry items)
- 1 week before: Pack nearly everything. Live out of suitcases. Leave only essentials unpacked (toiletries, basic kitchen items, bedding)
- Night before: Pack the last items. Strip beds and pack bedding. Final kitchen items (coffee maker is usually the last thing packed)
If You Are Hiring Professional Packers
- 2-3 weeks before: Declutter and dispose of items you are not moving. The packers will pack everything they find — including items you meant to throw away.
- 1 week before: Identify items that require special attention (valuables, fragile collections, sentimental items). Set aside anything you do not want packed (travel bags, documents, medications).
- Day before moving: Packers arrive and pack your entire home in one day. You supervise, answer questions, and handle personal items.
- Moving day: The moving crew loads everything the packers prepared and transports it to your new home.
⚠️ Warning: If hiring professional packers, clearly separate and label items you do NOT want packed. Packers will pack everything they see — including items in your garbage pile if not clearly marked.
When Packing Services Are Worth the Cost
Professional packing is not for everyone, but it is clearly worth the cost in these scenarios:
- Dual-income families with young children: You simply do not have the time or energy to pack after work and parenting duties. Professional packers eliminate this burden entirely.
- Seniors downsizing: Physical limitations make packing difficult or impossible. Professional packers handle everything with patience and care.
- Corporate relocations: If your employer is covering moving costs, include packing services. It reduces your stress and ensures professional handling of your belongings.
- High-value belongings: If you own fine china, crystal, artwork, or collectibles, professional packing provides significantly better protection than self-packing.
- Tight timelines: If you have less than a week between selling and buying, professional packers compress the timeline from days to hours.
- Health limitations: Physical disabilities, injuries, or health conditions that prevent the bending, lifting, and repetitive motions of packing make professional services a necessity.
- Large homes: Packing a four or five-bedroom home yourself is a massive undertaking that takes weeks. Professional packers do it in a day.
💡 Pro Tip: If you are on the fence, consider partial packing as a compromise. Having professionals handle just the kitchen and fragile items saves you the hardest 10-15 hours of packing while keeping costs manageable.
Booking Packing Services in Ottawa
Here is how to book packing services effectively with Ottawa movers:
- Book packing and moving together: Most Ottawa moving companies offer packing as an add-on to their moving service. Booking both together is usually cheaper than hiring separate packing and moving companies.
- Schedule the assessment: For accurate packing quotes, the company needs to see your home — either in person or via video call. The assessment determines how many packers, how many hours, and how many materials your home requires.
- Choose your level: Specify whether you want full-service packing, partial packing (which rooms), or fragile-only packing. The cost and timeline change significantly based on your choice.
- Plan the day before: Professional packers typically work the day before your move. This means your packing day and moving day are back-to-back. Ensure you have accommodation plans for the packing day if the packers will be working in your bedroom.
- Communicate special items: Let the packing crew know about any items requiring special attention — family heirlooms, irreplaceable documents, expensive electronics, or items with sentimental value.
- Separate do-not-pack items: Place items you do not want packed in a designated area (your car, a marked closet) to prevent them from being boxed accidentally.
Professional packing services transform the most stressful part of moving into a hands-off experience. Whether you choose full-service, partial, or fragile-only packing, the investment pays for itself in time savings, reduced damage risk, and significantly lower stress levels on moving day.
For full-service movers and packers Ottawa families recommend, Prestige Moving handles everything from wrapping fragile items to unpacking at your destination. As leading packers and movers Ottawa homeowners trust, their trained crews pack with precision and care.
Want professional packing for your Ottawa move? Get a free packing and moving quote or call (613) 600-4000.