So You’re Moving, and You’d Rather Not Cry in a Cardboard Box
Let’s be honest — choosing a packing and moving company feels a bit like blind dating in a cardboard jungle. There are too many choices, wildly varying prices, and everyone promising you the “best move of your life.” But in reality? Some packers couldn’t fold a T-shirt if it came with IKEA-style instructions. And you, dear Londoner, deserve better.
This guide is here to help you pick a moving company that won’t ghost you on moving day, drop your heirloom vase, or charge you extra for breathing too close to the bubble wrap. Whether you’re moving one street over or across zones, we’ll walk you through what these companies should do, what they won’t, and how to tell the difference between pros and pretenders.
What Does a Packing and Moving Company Do?
At its core, a reputable packing and moving company should make your life easier, not more complicated. You’re not just paying for a van and two blokes in fluorescent vests — you’re paying for peace of mind, strategy, and the kind of packing skills that make origami look sloppy.
A professional team will:
- Pack your belongings safely, using quality materials (not just leftover takeaway containers).
- Label boxes clearly, so your kettle doesn’t end up buried under gym weights.
- Wrap furniture in protective materials, like quilted blankets and shrink wrap.
- Disassemble and reassemble beds, tables, and even the occasional emotional support shelving unit.
- Load and unload the van efficiently, with spatial skills worthy of a Tetris grandmaster.
Some even provide inventory sheets, timed packing plans, and backup tea bags (unofficially, but we’ve seen it).
What’s Not Included by Packing And Moving Companies
Now, even the best packing and moving companies in London have their limits — and no, they’re not being picky, they’re just not in the business of chaos. There are a few things most movers won’t touch, pack, or even glance at without flinching.
Here’s a quick “do-not-pack” list:
- Hazardous materials: That half-used tin of paint? Best leave it behind or gift it to the neighbour.
- Live plants: Unless it’s a cactus with a travel bug, plants often suffer in transit.
- Open bottles, perishables, or half-eaten lasagnes: Fridges aren’t included in the van unless they’re defrosted.
- Essential documents, passports, or sentimental heirlooms: Keep these close at all times.
- Pets: You’d be shocked how many people ask if we can “just put the hamster in the back.”
Always ask your movers what’s excluded. A good company won’t just say no — they’ll tell you why, and offer safe alternatives.
Do They Pack Clothes, Fold Things, or Just Toss It All In?
Ah, yes — the wardrobe question. If you’ve got visions of packers folding your clothes like department store ninjas, slow your roll. Here’s what you should expect.
Most professional movers will offer two options:
- Wardrobe boxes: These are tall, upright boxes with a hanging rail — your clothes go straight in, no creasing, no drama.
- Flat fold: For drawers and folded clothes, packers will fold them neatly and stack them in boxes. (No, they won’t Marie Kondo your jumpers, but it’s respectable.)
What they won’t do? Sort your socks by colour, iron your shirts, or organise your shoes by emotional significance. Packing is fast, functional, and designed to get you from one place to another, not make you feel like you’ve hired a fashion house.
How to Compare Packing and Moving Quotes Fairly
Comparing removal quotes in London can feel like trying to compare three sandwiches: one has no bread, one charges £3.50 for mayo, and the third just screams “bespoke” at you until you give up.
Here’s what matters when you’re looking at packing and moving estimates:
- Labour hours and team size: Are they quoting two men for six hours or three men for four? Spoiler: three pros can often finish faster and handle heavier items more safely, which could save you money in the end.
- Packing materials: Some companies include boxes, paper, and tape. Others will happily charge you £50 to tape two tea towels together.
- Travel and congestion charges: Especially in Central London, these can add up quickly. Good companies are transparent. Others hide it behind vague phrases like “logistics surcharge.”
- Storage options: If you’re in between homes, will they pack it into storage pods, wooden crates, or just stack it in a garage somewhere? Ask what’s included and whether access is possible.
The best advice? Ask for a breakdown and don’t be shy about comparing apples to apples. And if someone offers you “all-in” without detail, run faster than a removal guy who just heard “elevator’s broken.”
Common Gotchas in Packing Contracts
Now, this bit’s important — because nothing ruins moving day quite like finding out your quote doesn’t include packing your fragile collection of commemorative mugs or that your wardrobe box costs extra because it includes… a rail.
Look out for these sneaky exclusions:
- Stairs and long carries: If your flat is on the third floor and there’s no lift, some firms will add a “difficulty surcharge” on the day unless it was pre-agreed.
- Special item clauses: pianos, mirrors, artwork, antique chairs, and the cat’s designer scratching post — they may not be included unless specifically mentioned.
- Last-minute additions: Think “we decided to add the shed contents,” followed by “oh that’ll be another £200, love.”
- Waiting time fees: If keys aren’t ready, or access is delayed, some companies charge by the hour while they sit in their van sipping coffee and judging your front garden.
Always read the terms, ask for clarification, and don’t assume “full packing” includes every single teacup and towel.
Should I Book a Packing and Moving Service Together or Separately?
Great question. Here’s the short version: book together unless you’ve got a very good reason not to.
When packing and moving are handled by the same team, they:
- Know how they packed it, so they know how to stack it in the van.
- Take full responsibility — no blaming the “other guys” for breakages.
- Can pack with van space and storage layout in mind, especially helpful if you’re using temporary storage.
Booking separately can make sense if, for example, you’re packing up months in advance and only need movers later. But be warned: packers working without knowing van sizes often mean overpacking, weird box sizes, or discovering you’ve boxed the kettle on day one. A tragedy.
So, unless you’ve got a logistics degree or a monk-like calm about move-day chaos, go bundled.
When Do I Need Professional Packing Services?
Not everyone needs packers. But when you do, you do.
Here’s when hiring professional packing help is worth every penny:
- You’re short on time: Between kids, work, and existential dread, who’s got time to wrap 97 wine glasses in newspaper?
- You’re moving out of London or into temporary storage — pros know how to pack for jostles, stacking, and long hauls.
- You’ve got high-value or awkward items like art, antiques, musical instruments, or mirrored wardrobes.
- You physically can’t: Maybe you’ve got mobility concerns, or maybe you just can’t face the idea of packing that dreaded “miscellaneous” drawer.
Sometimes it’s not about being unable — it’s about being smart with your energy. Let the pros sweat the bubble wrap while you focus on forwarding your post and arguing over curtain rods.
What Exactly Do Packing Services Include — and What Don’t They?
A proper packing service isn’t just someone flinging your plates into boxes and yelling, “sorted.” When done right, it includes:
- All packing materials – boxes, bubble wrap, wrapping paper, tape, furniture blankets, and wardrobe cartons for clothes.
- Full packing – everything from books to glassware, carefully wrapped and labelled.
- Partial packing – if you only want help with the fragile or overwhelming bits.
- Furniture wrapping – thick padded covers for things like sofas, TVs, and wardrobes.
- Dismantling larger items – beds, desks, tables – with screws placed in neatly labelled bags.
But no, they won’t pack your pets, houseplants that still need watering, or that half-eaten kebab from the fridge. Most companies also steer clear of hazardous materials (bleach, aerosols) and, understandably, personal valuables like jewellery or passports. If it’s legally, biologically, or morally sketchy, it stays with you.
Do Movers Pack Clothes? Do They Fold Stuff, or…?
Yes, movers do pack clothes — and no, they won’t judge your novelty pyjamas.
Clothing is usually packed using wardrobe boxes, tall cartons with built-in rails, so your hanging garments go in wrinkle-free and come out ready to party. For folded items, they’ll usually go into standard boxes, neatly and efficiently — but it’s not precisely a KonMari situation.
A great team (like ours, not to toot our own horn but toot toot) will even label clothes by room or owner. So your teenage son’s black t-shirts don’t end up in Grandma’s floral cupboard.
If you’re storing items for an extended period, consider vacuum sealing or specialised packaging for added moisture protection. Your tweed deserves better than damp.
Can You Haggle with a Packing and Moving Company?
Yes. Maybe. Sometimes. Ask nicely and don’t open with “What’s your cheapest rate, mate?”
Reputable removals companies — especially in London — often have fixed base rates, but there’s usually wiggle room depending on:
- The time of year (August = chaos, February = chill),
- How flexible you are with move dates,
- Whether you’re booking multiple services (packing + storage + moving = bundle power).
At RAD, we love a good bundle deal. Tell us what you need, and we’ll see if we can trim things without compromising on the care your stuff gets. Just don’t expect us to knock 50% off because you “only live five minutes away.” That’s five minutes in London traffic, mate. We’ll still be there an hour.
What Makes a Great Packing and Moving Company in London?
It’s not just strong arms and branded tape (though those help). Here’s what to look for:
- Training & Accreditation – Look for BAR or Checkatrade memberships or industry certifications. We’ve got ‘em, by the way.
- Experience – Knowing how to pack a Picasso or unstick a wardrobe from a narrow hallway takes years.
- Inventory Lists & Labels – If your movers don’t track what’s in each box, panic will arrive before your belongings.
- Transparency – Quotes should be clear, pricing honest, and include no “surprise” charges, such as additional fees for packing an ironing board.
- Flexibility – Need storage? Fragile-only packing? Boxes delivered early? A great team adapts.
Bonus points if they also bring biscuits. We do. Toby the Rad Retriever insists.
What Are the Hidden Costs of Packing and Moving Services?
Ah yes — the goblins of the removals world. Hidden costs are the stuff of moving nightmares, and too many companies still sneak them in. Here’s what to keep an eye out for:
- Packing Materials – Are They Included or Extra? We’re talking boxes, bubble wrap, tape, and mattress covers.
- Waiting Time – If keys are delayed or your landlord’s on lunch, are you being charged for standing still?
- Access Charges – Many firms charge extra for stairs, narrow hallways, or no lift access (we don’t, by the way — we just grumble a bit and get on with it).
- Weekend or Evening Rates – Some companies hike their prices if you dare move after 5pm or on a Saturday.
- Storage Loading/Unloading Fees – Ask whether you’re paying twice when your stuff goes in and out of storage.
At RAD, we’re upfront. What we quote is what you get — unless you suddenly add a grand piano or a Bengal tiger. Then we’ll talk.
Should You Bundle Packing, Storage, and Moving With One Provider?
Short answer: yes, if you value your time, budget, and sanity.
Imagine this: You’ve hired moving, packing, and a storage companies — all separate. Something changes. Now you’re making three phone calls, trying to coordinate three different teams, with three wildly different levels of customer service.
Bundle it, and you get:
- One point of contact
- Streamlined scheduling
- Reduced risk of miscommunication
- Discounted rates for bundled services (hello savings!)
- Fewer grey hairs
With RAD, everything’s under one roof — packing, moving, storage, and friendly humans who answer the phone. That’s the RAD difference.
Do They Actually Care What Happens to Your Things?
Sounds obvious, doesn’t it? But trust us — not all packing companies are created equal. Some treat your grandmother’s china like it’s from a car boot sale.
So, how do you tell?
- Ask about their materials – Are they using thick double-walled boxes and padded wraps or the flimsy stuff that feels like it’ll fold if you sneeze near it?
- Look at their process – Real pros have an order of operations: categorise, label, protect, then load. If they just chuck everything in a van like it’s a university move-out day, run.
- Google reviews don’t lie – Filter by “packing” and see if past clients mention how carefully (or not) things were handled.
At RAD, we wrap your furniture like it’s being presented to royalty — quilted covers, shrink wrap, colour-coded labelling, and enough tape to gift-wrap the Gherkin.
What Red Flags Should I Watch Out For?
Here’s your unofficial (and slightly cheeky) removals warning list:
- “Cash only” – Unless you’re buying a dodgy stereo in a lay-by, this is never a good sign.
- No physical address – If the only trace of the company is a Gmail account and a PO box, abort mission.
- Prices that are too good – If it’s £69 for packing, loading, moving and a foot rub — something’s up.
- No paperwork – You need a contract. You want a contract. Without it, good luck chasing compensation if things go sideways.
- Vans with no branding – If the team turns up in an unmarked van and mismatched T-shirts, that’s a hard no from us.
RAD might crack jokes, but we’re deadly serious about quality. We wear our name with pride, literally — it’s on our shirts, vans, and the odd dog bandana.
Final Verdict: Picking the Right Packing and Moving Company in London
Ultimately, it comes down to trust. You’re handing over the contents of your life to people who will roll bubble wrap around your memories, load them into a van, and (ideally) deliver them intact to your new home or storage unit. That’s no small thing.
So, pick the company that:
- Answers your questions without dodging.
- Offers clear, itemised pricing (no “mystery fuel surcharges”).
- Uses branded materials, branded vans, and branded brains.
- Can flex to your needs — whether you’re packing a palace or a pantry.
And hey, if you’re still unsure, just ring RAD Removals. We’ve packed homes in every postcode, tucked priceless antiques into crates, and once even bubble-wrapped a taxidermied ostrich.
We’ll treat your belongings like they’re our own (maybe even better, we’ve seen our own garages).
