Professional packing service for your move
Packing is one of the most time-consuming and delicate tasks of any move. Inadequate packing is one of the main causes of damage during transport.
Whether you want to pack everything yourself, entrust the entire job to professionals or opt for a mixed approach, this guide gives you all the keys to protecting your belongings effectively.
What a professional packing service includes
A comprehensive packing service includes:
- Supply of all materials: boxes (standard, reinforced, crockery, wardrobe), bubble wrap, kraft paper, stretch film, protective foam, tape
- Individual wrapping of every item according to its fragility and size
- Systematic labelling of every box: destination room, summary of contents, “fragile” marking if needed
- Furniture protection with padded blankets and stretch film
- Disassembly of furniture if necessary — see also our assembly/disassembly service
- Special treatment for fragile and valuable items: crockery, crystal, electronics, works of art
- Unpacking at destination: opening boxes, placing contents, collection and recycling of packaging
- Insurance: ask the mover what their insurance covers for items they pack
Packing services offered
Full packing (turnkey package)
The most comfortable option: a team of professional movers from your area comes to your home and packs the entire property.
What is included:
- Supply of all materials (boxes, paper, bubble wrap, tape)
- Individual packing of every item
- Labelling of each box by room and contents
- Furniture protection with blankets and film
- Disassembly of furniture if needed
Price: it depends on the volume and the materials needed; the free quote gives you the exact figure.
Partial packing
You pack everyday items and leave the fragile and valuable objects to the professionals:
- Crockery, glasses, crystal
- Paintings, mirrors, frames
- Electronics (TV, screens, hi-fi)
- Fragile decorative items
- Works of art and antiques
Price: it depends on the volume of fragile items; the free quote gives you the exact figure.
Unpacking and setup
The mirror service to packing, at destination:
- Unpacking all boxes
- Placing contents according to your instructions
- Collection and recycling of used packaging
- Assembly of furniture (see assembly/disassembly)
Price: comparable to packing, depending on volume; see the free quote.
What affects the price of packing
The price of a packing service depends on several factors:
- Volume of belongings and number of rooms
- Amount and type of materials: standard boxes, reinforced boxes, wardrobe boxes, crockery boxes, bubble wrap, kraft paper, stretch film, foam, tape
- Fragile items: crockery, crystal, electronics and works of art take longer to pack
- Access and floors at both addresses
- Date: busy periods such as the end of the month and the usual lease terms
- Added services: unpacking, furniture disassembly, packaging collection
The free quote lets you compare offers from professional movers in your area.
Step-by-step process
1. Assessment (well in advance)
- Estimate the number of boxes needed based on your property
- Identify fragile items requiring special packing
- Order materials or book the professional packing service via a free quote
2. Preparation
- Sort and declutter: fewer items = fewer boxes = lower cost. Use a house clearance service if needed
- Start with seldom-used items: books, ornaments, out-of-season clothes
3. Systematic packing
- One room at a time: do not mix contents from different rooms
- Heavy at the bottom, light on top in each box
- Label each box on two sides (room + contents)
- Maximum 20-25 kg per box
4. Moving day
- “First day” box: prepare a box with essentials (sheets, towels, coffee maker, chargers, medication)
- Protect the floors: roll out corrugated cardboard in traffic areas
5. Unpacking at destination
- Start with the kitchen and bathroom: the essential rooms
- Recycle boxes as you go (free cardboard collection points in Switzerland)
Packing techniques by item type
Crockery and glasses
The category most prone to breakage:
- Plates: wrap individually in paper, stand vertically (not stacked) in the box
- Glasses: stuff the inside with crumpled paper, wrap in bubble wrap, place opening downwards
- Crystal: double layer of bubble wrap + tissue paper, cushioned in a box with dividers
- Cups: paper inside the handle and around, never stack
- Golden rule: fill empty spaces with crumpled paper to prevent movement
Electronics
- TV and screens: in the original box if available, otherwise custom box with foam
- Computers: remove hard drives if possible, wrap in anti-static foam
- Hi-fi system: photograph the connections, wrap each component separately
- Small appliances: in their original packaging or an appropriate box with cushioning
- Cables: bundle into labelled zip bags
Books and documents
- Weight: book boxes become very heavy quickly. Only fill halfway with books, top up with lightweight items
- Position: books flat or upright (never spine up for valuable bindings)
- Important documents: keep them with you, not in the truck (passports, contracts, diplomas)
Clothes and textiles
- On hangers: use wardrobe boxes to avoid creasing
- Folded: standard boxes are fine, no special protection needed
- Duvets and pillows: vacuum bags to reduce volume by 60-70%
- Shoes: leave in their boxes or wrap in pairs
Furniture
- Tables: remove legs if possible, protect the top with a blanket
- Chairs: stack face to face, wrap in stretch film
- Wardrobes: empty completely, remove movable shelves, protect the doors
- Sofa: wrap entirely in stretch film then blankets
- Mattress: special mattress cover (prevents stains and moisture)
Special items
- Piano: never pack yourself, call in specialists
- Works of art: custom packing is essential
- Plants: in open-topped boxes, watered the day before, transported upright
- Aquarium: empty completely, transport the fish, filter and tank separately
Professional packing vs DIY: comparison
| Criterion | Do it yourself | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Materials cost | You buy or hire them | Depends on the quote |
| Labour cost | Your own time | Depends on the quote |
| Packing quality | Variable | Professional |
| Risk of breakage | Higher | Lower |
| Insurance coverage | May be limited if poorly packed | Ask the mover |
| Time required | Several days | Much shorter |
| Stress | High | Minimal |
Our recommendation
- Pack yourself: clothes, books, toys, linen — anything that won’t break
- Leave to the pros: crockery, glasses, electronics, fragile and valuable items
- Save time: if your budget allows, full packing is a worthwhile investment in peace of mind
When to use this service
Professional packing is recommended in the following situations:
- Lack of time: you are working and don’t have several days to devote to packing
- Many fragile items: large collection of crockery, crystal, china, electronics
- Valuable items: works of art, antiques, musical instruments
- International move: professional packing is virtually essential for long-distance transport
- Physical limitation: bad back, pregnancy, injury
- Urgent move: no time to pack yourself
- Maximum insurance: you want to check what is covered in case of breakage (ask the mover about their insurance)
Where to buy or hire packing materials
Buying new
- Moving companies: often offer complete kits
- DIY superstores: Hornbach, Jumbo, Coop Bau+Hobby
- Online shops: home delivery, wide selection
- Swiss Post: postal-standard boxes if sending by mail
Economical alternatives
- Used boxes: free or cheap on classified platforms (Anibis, Tutti, Facebook Marketplace)
- Supermarkets: ask for boxes at end of day (free)
- Hire: some movers offer reusable plastic crates for hire
- Recycling: newspapers for cushioning, towels for wrapping fragile items
What to do with packaging after the move?
- Boxes: flatten and take to the cardboard collection point (free in Switzerland)
- Bubble wrap and plastics: plastic collection point or recycling centre
- Collection service: some movers collect used boxes and packaging after the move (often included in the premium package)
Tips for efficient packing
- Start early: 2-3 weeks before for DIY packing
- One room at a time: don’t mix contents from different rooms in one box
- Heavy at the bottom, light on top: in each box and in the truck
- Don’t overload: a box should not exceed 20-25 kg
- Label everything: destination room + summary contents on two sides of the box
- “First day” box: prepare a box with essentials (sheets, towels, coffee maker, chargers, medication)
- Photograph: your electronic connections, the contents of your drawers, the state of your furniture before disassembly
- Protect the floors: roll out corrugated cardboard in traffic areas on moving day
Request a quote for professional packing
Frequently asked questions
Questions fréquentes
Allow between 30 and 50 boxes for a 3-room flat, depending on the quantity of belongings. This includes approximately 10-15 standard boxes for clothes and linen, 8-12 for the kitchen (including crockery boxes), 5-10 for books and documents, and 5-10 for miscellaneous items. Add 2-3 wardrobe boxes if you have a lot of clothes.
The price depends on the volume of belongings, the materials needed, the number of fragile items, access and floors at both addresses, the date and any added services such as unpacking. The free quote from professional movers in your area gives you a precise figure.
Cover depends on the mover and the policy, so ask before the move. If you pack yourself and an item is damaged, the mover may invoke insufficient packing to refuse the claim, and some transport insurance policies exclude breakages linked to non-professional packing. Ask the mover for details of what is covered when professionals pack for you.
Yes, several free options exist: supermarkets give away their boxes at end of day, classified sites (Anibis, Tutti, Facebook Marketplace) regularly offer free moving boxes, and some moving companies recycle boxes collected from previous clients. Make sure the boxes are clean, dry and strong enough.
Never put in boxes: flammable products (petrol, cleaning alcohol, aerosols), perishable food, plants (transport upright in open-topped boxes), valuable documents (keep with you), jewellery and high-value items (carry personally), and essential medication (keep within reach).
Ideally, use the original packaging with its polystyrene inserts. Otherwise, get a suitable TV box from your mover. Protect the screen with bubble wrap (at least 2 layers), add foam corner protectors, and pack firmly into the box. Always transport the TV upright, never flat. Mark FRAGILE and THIS WAY UP on the box.
Furniture is not put in boxes, but it must be protected. Professional movers use padded blankets and stretch film to wrap each piece. Fragile surfaces (glass, marble, lacquer) receive additional protection in foam or cardboard. Drawers are wrapped in film to stay shut during transport. Disassembly of large furniture is often necessary — see our assembly/disassembly page.