Professional Packing Services

Packing is the part of a move that takes longer than anyone expects — and the part where most damage happens when it is not done right. Call The Movers has been packing homes and businesses across the DMV for over two decades. We pack the way the truck loads: room by room, fragile items first, with the right materials for the item and the right boxes for the truck. Whether you want us to handle every box (full pack), only the breakables (partial pack), or just deliver materials so you can pack yourself, one top-rated, licensed, insured, and BBB A+ accredited team handles it. No third-party packers, no surprise faces on packing day, no advance payment, and free delivery of packing materials across the DMV — you only pay for the materials you actually use.

Three Ways We Pack — Full, Partial, and Self-Pack

Different families have different packing needs and different budgets. We offer three service tiers so you only pay for what you actually want us to do:

Full Packing Service

We pack everything in the home — kitchen, bedrooms, closets, basement, garage, attic. Our crew arrives with all materials, packs room by room, labels every box by destination room and content, and stages everything for an efficient truck load on move day. Best for families who are short on time, dealing with a tight move-out deadline, expecting a baby, recovering from surgery, downsizing under emotional stress, or simply not interested in spending three weekends packing. Full pack is also standard for executive corporate relocations and senior moves where time and energy matter more than the line item on the invoice.

Partial Packing Service

We pack the items that need professional handling — fragile, valuable, sentimental, awkwardly shaped — and you handle the rest. This is the most popular option in the DMV. We typically handle: kitchen (china, glassware, small appliances), framed art and mirrors, lamps and electronics, instruments, antiques and heirlooms, wine collections, and any oddly shaped items. You pack books, clothes, linens, kids’ toys, and the garage. You save money on the easy parts; we handle the parts where damage is expensive and irreversible.

Self-Pack with Material Delivery

You pack everything yourself. We deliver the right materials to your home for free anywhere across the DMV — boxes in every size, packing paper, wardrobe boxes, mattress bags, mirror cartons, and tape. We always bring more than you need, then pick up unused materials after the move so you do not pay for what you did not use. Our packing specialist can walk through your home during the material drop-off and give you tips so your self-packing holds up like professional work.

Specialty and Fragile Packing

Some items require more than a box and a sheet of packing paper. We custom-pack:

• Fine art and framed pieces — paper-wrapped, corner-protected, cardboard-skinned, then placed in dedicated picture boxes or built into custom wood crates for high-value pieces
• China, crystal, and porcelain — dish-pack boxes, individually paper-wrapped in clean newsprint, double-cushioned on top and bottom
• Antiques and heirlooms — pad-wrapped, blanket-protected, often crated for long-distance or international shipping
• Pianos — grand, baby grand, upright, and player pianos protected with proper rigging, skid boards, and padded covers (handled by our dedicated piano crews)
• Wine collections — temperature-aware planning, individual bottle protection, careful handling of racking systems
• Electronics and home theater — original boxes preferred when available, otherwise double-walled boxes with custom-cut paper padding; cables labeled and bagged for easy reassembly
• Lamps and chandeliers — disassembled where needed, shades boxed separately, crystal pieces individually wrapped
• Sculpture, large mirrors, oversize artwork — custom crating built to the dimensions of the piece

Free Material Delivery — Pay Only for What You Actually Use

Here is something most DMV moving companies do not offer: we deliver packing materials to your home at no charge anywhere across our entire service area — and you only pay for the materials you actually use. No delivery fee. No charge for boxes, paper, or supplies you do not end up needing. You do not have to drive to a U-Haul store, search for old boxes on Craigslist, or buy a fixed bulk pack of materials that may not match your real needs.

What we deliver:

• Small, medium, large, and dish-pack boxes
• Wardrobe boxes (for hanging clothes directly from the closet)
• Mattress bags and mirror cartons
• Packing paper (clean newsprint)
• Tape

How it works:

• Tell us approximately how many bedrooms and how much kitchen and storage you have
• We deliver an over-supply so you never run out mid-pack — delivery itself is free, and you are only billed for the materials you actually use
• After the move, we pick up any unused materials at no charge — you are only billed for what you used, never for what came back
• During delivery, our packing specialist can walk through your home and give you self-packing tips for your specific items

What to Expect — Our Packing Process

Whether you book full pack, partial pack, or self-pack with material delivery, the process is the same shape:

• Free in-home or virtual estimate — we walk through the home with you so the quote reflects your actual contents, not a phone guess. We identify fragile items and any specialty needs (art, piano, wine, antiques) and document them on the estimate.
• Materials and schedule confirmed — for full or partial packs, we schedule the packing day(s) before the move. For larger homes we may pack across 1 to 2 days; for smaller moves, packing happens the day before or the morning of the move.
• Packing day — the crew arrives on time, room by room. Every box is labeled with destination room and a one-line content summary. Fragile boxes are marked. Inventoried boxes (for long-distance, international moves, or storage) are numbered and logged.
• Move day load — boxes are loaded the way we packed them: heaviest first, fragile boxes on top, in the order they will be unloaded. No re-staging at the destination.
• Unpacking (optional) — for full-pack jobs we can also unpack at the new home: kitchens stocked, beds made, art hung.

Why DMV Families Choose Call The Movers for Packing

• Over two decades of packing experience — hundreds of homes, families, and businesses. We have packed kitchens, art collections, wine cellars, pianos, antique furniture, electronics, and 40 years of accumulated belongings. We have seen what survives the move and what does not.
• Integrated team — the people who pack the boxes are the same company that loads the truck, drives it, and unloads at the destination. Boxes are packed for our crew, by our crew. No third-party packers, no finger-pointing if a box arrives damaged.
• Free delivery of packing material anywhere in the DMV — no store runs, no fixed bulk packs you may not need. Delivery is on us, you pay only for the materials you actually use, and we pick up the rest after the move at no charge.
• Licensed, insured, top-rated, BBB A+ accredited for over a decade. Full cargo and liability coverage. Separate documentation for high-value items.
• Our quality is not what we say about ourselves — it is what our returning clients say about us. Hundreds of verified reviews on Google, Angi, BBB, Yelp, and HomeAdvisor. A meaningful share of our packing jobs each year come from clients we have packed for before.
• Transparent pricing — clear hourly or flat-rate quote up front, no advance payment, and your estimate itemizes labor and materials separately so you see exactly what each part costs. No bundled rates hiding either, no surprise charges at the end.

Frequently Asked Questions — Packing Services

How much does professional packing cost in Northern Virginia?

Packing cost depends on the size of the home, the scope (full vs. partial), and the volume of fragile items. A typical 2-bedroom partial pack runs in the low hundreds; a 4-bedroom full pack with art, china, and electronics is materially higher. Materials are included in the packing service rate. We provide a free in-home or video estimate before any work begins. No advance payment.

How long does packing a typical home take?

A 2-bedroom condo usually packs in a single day. A 3 to 4-bedroom home with kitchen, art, and basement contents typically takes 1 to 2 days. A larger estate with significant art, wine, or antiques may take 2 to 3 days plus dedicated crating time for high-value pieces. We schedule packing day(s) so the move can happen the day after.

Do you provide the packing materials, or do I buy them?

We can provide everything you need — boxes, paper, tape, wardrobe boxes, mirror cartons, mattress bags. Your estimate itemizes packing labor and materials separately so you see exactly what each part costs: how much for the packing work, how much for the materials we used. For self-pack jobs, we deliver materials to your home at no delivery charge anywhere in the DMV — you only pay for the materials you actually use, and we pick up any unused boxes and supplies after the move at no extra charge.

What insurance covers items if something is damaged during the move?

Your homeowners policy may cover moving and storage, but coverage varies — check with your insurance company before move day so you know exactly what is and is not included. Separately, we provide our own coverage as part of the move, called valuation coverage and written into the bill of lading. The basic carrier liability required by USDOT and Virginia law is included in our rate at no extra cost. Full Replacement Value upgrades are also available if you want more protection for higher-value items — we walk through the options during the in-home estimate so you can pick the level that fits your move. A few rules to know in advance: valuation does not automatically pay for damage — it must be clearly shown that the mover was responsible; items in boxes packed by you (not by our crew) are not covered under our valuation; electronics are not covered unless there is clear evidence of improper handling during the move; and even if you see damage on move day, you are legally required to pay the full amount for the move first, with claims submitted and processed afterwards.

Can you pack just the fragile items and let me handle the rest?

Yes — this is our most popular service in the DMV. We pack the kitchen (china, glassware, small appliances), framed art and mirrors, lamps, electronics, instruments, antiques, and any oddly-shaped or breakable items. You handle books, clothes, linens, and the easy parts. You save on cost; we handle where the risk is.

When should I book packing services?

For weekday off-peak moves, 1 to 2 weeks ahead is usually enough. For weekend moves, end-of-month dates, or peak summer season (May through September), book 4 to 6 weeks ahead. Material-only deliveries are usually available with shorter notice.

Do you pack and ship internationally?

Yes. We do export-grade packing and custom wood crating for ocean-container or air shipping, with certified inventory and customs documentation. Coordinated end to end with our international shipping partners — door to door, US-side and destination-side.

Ready to Pack? Get Your Free Estimate Today

Whether you need every box handled, just the breakables, or only materials delivered to your door — the next step is a free, no-obligation estimate. We will walk through your home with you or on video, identify the fragile items, and give you a clear price with packing labor and materials itemized separately. No bundled rates. No pressure. No advance payment.

Call The Movers 703-577-9227