Packing and Unpacking Services are for people who want the removal crew to box up the household, or just the fragile and awkward parts of it. Professional packing is faster, protects breakables better and can affect what the company will cover if something breaks.
- Say whether you want a full pack, a fragile-only pack or materials only.
- List rooms, and mention glassware, crystal, art and electronics.
- Say whether you also want unpacking at the new home.
Describe what needs packing once and compare quotes.
Compare Moving QuotesWhat You Can Request
| Option | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Full pack | The crew packs every room, usually the day before the move |
| Fragile pack | Kitchen, glassware, ornaments, pictures and mirrors only |
| Materials only | Boxes, tape, paper, bubble wrap and wardrobe boxes delivered to you |
| Unpacking | Boxes emptied onto surfaces or into cupboards, and packing debris removed |
Unpacking usually means placing items on counters and in cupboards. Arranging, organising and hanging pictures are often extra, so confirm the scope.
Materials Used
- Double-wall boxes in several sizes, with small boxes for books.
- Wardrobe boxes with hanging rails.
- Packing paper and bubble wrap for crockery and glass.
- Mattress covers and picture or mirror cartons.
- Strong tape and labels.
Fragile Goods and Labelling
- Plates packed on edge, glasses wrapped individually.
- TV and screens in original boxes or padded cartons.
- Each box labelled with the room and a short list of contents.
- Boxes marked fragile and this-way-up where needed.
- Essentials boxes marked to be opened first.
How It Works
- Survey. The company estimates boxes and packing hours.
- Pack. A packing team arrives before the removal crew.
- Move. Boxes are loaded with the furniture.
- Unpack. If booked, the team unpacks and removes the materials.
Packing and Unpacking Prices
| Service or material | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Partial packing service | From R1,000 |
| Full house packing service | From R2,000 |
| Packing labour, per box packed | R45 - R75 |
| Packing materials for a whole home | R600 - R2,000+ |
| Moving boxes, each | R12 - R35 |
| Bubble wrap roll, 1.2 m x 25 m | About R390 |
Ballpark figures, not quotations. Ranges compiled from price guides published by South African removal companies and quote websites, checked October 2026 and rounded where needed. They are not our prices and no company is bound by them. Published guides vary widely, so treat the ranges as a sanity check only, and confirm whether VAT is included on every quote.
Sources:
- The Handyman Johannesburg, moving services prices (2026)
- BuzzMove, moving cost guides (2026)
- Cape Furniture Movers, moving cost Cape Town 2026 (June 2026)
- Sirelo, moving boxes prices
- Boxman, bubble wrap (VAT inclusive)
What Affects the Price
- Number of rooms and how full the cupboards are.
- Amount of glass, crockery and ornaments.
- Materials used.
- Whether unpacking is included.
- Time available before moving day.
Preparing for the Packers
- Remove documents, cash, jewellery and medication first.
- Set aside anything that is not moving.
- Do laundry and wash dishes before packing day.
- Point out anything valuable or sentimental.
Questions to Ask the Provider
- Are boxes charged per box or included?
- Do you take back used boxes?
- Does professional packing change your liability for breakages?
- What does unpacking include?
Compare packing teams through Furniture Movers South Africa, or browse every service under Furniture Removals South Africa.
Packing and Unpacking Services FAQs
Is packing worth paying for?
It saves days of work and usually protects fragile items better. Many people pack books and clothes themselves and pay for the kitchen and glassware.
Are owner-packed boxes covered for breakage?
Often not, or only for visible external damage. Check the company's terms and the moving insurance guide.
How long does a full pack take?
A 3-bedroom house usually takes a team most of a day.
Can I buy boxes without the packing service?
Yes. Many companies sell or hire materials on their own.
Do packers take away the boxes?
Many collect used boxes after unpacking. Some charge for it or offer a buy-back.
Related Services
Furniture Movers South Africa is a free quote-comparison service. Moves are quoted and carried out by independent removal companies, and your agreement is with the company you appoint. Before you pay a deposit, ask each one for a written quote, what is and is not included, their liability and insurance terms, and the collection and delivery dates.
Packing and Unpacking Services. Describe what needs packing once and compare quotes.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Packing Quotes
Client Reviews
Powered by leaderr
