Packing assistance in Exeter
Professional packing assistance services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£110-£260
Typical Duration
2-5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Professional packing assistance to get your house ready for moving day. I'll pack boxes properly, protect fragile items, label everything clearly - making the whole process faster, safer, and far less stressful.
Packing Is The Worst Part Of Moving
Moving house has three horrible bits:
- Packing - takes forever, you never have enough boxes, everything breaks
- Moving day - exhausting but at least removal people do the heavy lifting
- Unpacking - tedious but you're excited about new house
Packing is the absolute worst because:
- It takes WAY longer than you think
- You run out of materials halfway through
- You don't know how to pack fragile stuff properly
- Decision fatigue - keep or chuck? Which box?
- It's boring, repetitive, seemingly endless
That's where I come in. Extra pair of hands who actually knows how to pack efficiently.
💡 Pro tip: Professional packing isn't just faster - it's safer. Properly packed boxes means less breakage, easier lifting, and quicker unpacking. Worth every penny.
What I Actually Do
📦 Systematic Packing
| Room Type | Approach |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Heaviest boxes, fragile items wrapped individually, organized by type |
| Living room | Media equipment, ornaments, books (heavy!), soft furnishings |
| Bedrooms | Clothes, bedding, personal items - privacy respected |
| Bathroom | Toiletries secured (leak prevention!), medicines separate |
| Garage/shed | Tools, garden stuff, chemicals isolated |
🔧 Proper Techniques
- Weight distribution - heavy items in small boxes, light in large
- Fragile protection - bubble wrap, paper, proper cushioning
- Box filling - full boxes (don't collapse), not overfilled (can't lift)
- Clear labeling - room destination, contents, "FRAGILE" where needed
- Logical grouping - like with like, makes unpacking easier
Pricing Guide
| Service Level | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen + fragile items only | 2 hrs | £110 |
| Half house (main rooms) | 3 hrs | £160 |
| Full 3-bed house packing | 4-5 hrs | £210-£260 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Large houses or extensive fragile items take longer.
Packing materials (if I supply):
- Boxes: £1-3 each depending on size
- Bubble wrap: £10-20 per roll
- Packing paper: £15 per pack
- Tape: £5 per roll
I'll estimate materials needed once I see what you're packing.
Common Packing Jobs
Scenario 1: Kitchen & Fragiles You pack clothes and books (easy), I handle kitchen (complex), ornaments, glassware, pictures. 2-3 hours typical.
Scenario 2: Full House Support We work together - you sort and decide, I pack and label. Whole 3-bed in a day or two. Much faster than solo.
Scenario 3: Last-Minute Panic Moving day approaching, you've run out of time. I pack whatever's left - fast but efficient.
Scenario 4: Elderly/Health Issues You can't physically pack. I do it all, checking with you about decisions as I go.
Why Choose Us for Packing assistance in Exeter?
Experienced packer who knows how to do it right
Much faster than doing it yourself
Fragile items packed safely
Less stress on moving day
What to Expect
Step 1: Planning Session
Quick walkthrough - what needs packing, what you're handling, any special requirements. I estimate time and materials needed.
Step 2: Systematic Packing
Work through room by room. You can supervise, help, or leave me to it. I pack properly, label clearly, stack ready for movers.
Step 3: Final Check
Everything packed and labeled, special items marked, ready for moving day. You know where everything is because it's properly labeled.
🔧 DIY Tips
Doing packing yourself? Here's how to do it properly:
📦 Box strategy
Size matters:
- Small boxes - books, tools, heavy items (easier to lift)
- Medium boxes - kitchen items, ornaments, general stuff
- Large boxes - bedding, pillows, light bulky items only
- Wardrobe boxes - hanging clothes (worth the investment)
How many boxes?
- 1-bed flat: 20-30 boxes
- 2-bed house: 40-60 boxes
- 3-bed house: 60-80 boxes
- 4-bed+: 100+ boxes
People always underestimate. Better too many than too few.
🔨 Packing techniques
Kitchen (hardest room):
- Plates - stand on edge, bubble wrap between each, in sturdy box
- Glasses - wrap individually, fill interior with paper, pack tight
- Pans - nest together, fill gaps with tea towels
- Breakables - individual wrap, layer with paper/bubble wrap
- Drawers - can stay full for cutlery, utensils (tape shut)
Books:
- Small boxes only - books are HEAVY
- Flat, not standing (prevents spine damage)
- Don't overfill - you won't be able to lift it
Clothes:
- Drawers - can stay full, secure with tape/cling film
- Hanging - wardrobe box or lay flat in suitcase
- Folded - vacuum bags save space but very heavy
Electronics:
- Photo cable connections before unplugging
- Original boxes if you kept them (ideal)
- Or well-padded in box with clear labeling
⚠️ Common packing mistakes
- Overfilling boxes (can't lift them)
- Under-filling boxes (they collapse under weight)
- Mixed rooms in one box (nightmare unpacking)
- No labels or vague labels ("stuff")
- Not protecting fragile items properly
- Leaving drawers full of heavy items (can't lift furniture)
- Packing hazardous materials (cleaners, paint - need special handling)
💡 Pro tricks:
- Color code by room - colored tape or stickers per room
- Number boxes - "Kitchen 1 of 8" helps track everything arrived
- Essentials box - kettle, mugs, toilet roll, phone chargers - pack last, unpack first
- Photo inventory - photo inside each box before sealing (helps find things later)
- Heavy items bottom - when packing AND when loading van
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🏚️ Old Exeter properties? Decades of accumulated stuff. Lofts full of who-knows-what. Under stairs mysteries. Budget more packing time than you think - there's always more than expected.
Timing matters - book packing help week before move if possible. Leaves time to sort missed items and doesn't create last-minute panic.
What I won't pack - hazardous materials (paint, chemicals), valuables without specific instruction, obviously damp/moldy items, anything you've not sorted yet. Better safe than sorry.
Kids' stuff - let them pack favorite toys themselves (age-appropriate). Gives them control during stressful time, keeps special items safe.
Combining services? If I'm helping with move-in prep at new house or furniture moving, can often do some packing the day before. Efficient use of time.
Professional movers often pack - but charge premium rates and do it quickly (not always carefully). I'm cheaper and more thorough for pre-packing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included in packing assistance?
I help pack boxes properly - fragile items wrapped correctly, boxes filled efficiently but not too heavy, everything labeled clearly. You direct what goes where, I do the physical packing. Can do whole house or just the difficult stuff like kitchen and fragile items.
Do you provide packing materials?
I can bring boxes, tape, bubble wrap, paper - just add the cost to the quote. Or work with materials you've already bought. Or bit of both - I'll advise what you need once I know what you're packing.
Can you pack while we're at work?
Yes, if you're happy to leave me to it. Most people give me a room-by-room plan ('pack everything except...') and I work through it systematically. Send photos of progress if you want updates. Other people prefer to supervise - either works.
What about valuable or personal items?
You pack those yourself or direct me exactly how you want them done. I'll never just pack personal documents, jewelry, or anything clearly valuable without specific instruction. Better safe than sorry.
How much faster is professional packing?
Honestly? About 3x faster than DIY. I pack all day, know the tricks, don't get distracted or overwhelmed. Average 3-bed house that takes you a week of evenings? I can do in 1-2 full days with your help.
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01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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