Do Moving Companies Offer Packing Services in NYC?

Professional NYC movers packing labeled cardboard boxes in a bright Manhattan apartment living room with the city skyline visible outside.

If you are planning a move, the short answer is yes, many moving companies do offer packing services, but it is not automatic, and the level of packing help can vary a lot from one mover to the next. Full-service moving companies typically provide professional packers, materials, and even unpacking options, while others only offer packing as an add-on, or not at all.

In New York City, companies like 5 Stars Movers NYC, a full-service moving company based at 347 E 104th St, New York, NY 10029, list packing, storing, loading, unloading, and moving labor help as core services, which means you can outsource as little or as much of the packing work as you want.

This guide explains what “packing services” actually mean, how they differ by mover, and what you can expect when you book packing with a NYC moving company like 5 Stars Movers NYC.

Overview: Moving Companies With Packing Services

Most full-service movers go beyond simply transporting boxes. They bring packing materials, wrap and box your belongings, label cartons, disassemble and protect furniture, then load, transport, unload, and sometimes unpack on the other end.

Key points:

  • Many movers offer packing as part of a full-service package.

  • Some movers only provide packing upon request or for specific items.

  • A few movers focus on transport only, leaving all packing to the customer.

5 Stars Movers NYC positions itself as a full-service NYC mover that offers local and long-distance moving, packing, storage, and labor help for residential and commercial clients across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and nearby neighborhoods.

Do Moving Companies Offer Packing Services?

Direct answer: yes, many professional moving companies offer packing services, especially those that market themselves as full-service movers. Crews of trained packers can wrap fragile items, box up closets and kitchens, label cartons, and prepare everything for safe loading and transport.

However, you need to pay attention to how each mover defines “packing services”, because there are several common models:

  • Full packing: the mover packs nearly everything in your home.

  • Partial packing: you pack some areas, they handle specific rooms or categories.

  • Fragile-only packing: they only pack breakables and specialty items.

  • No packing: some low-cost or labor-only movers only load boxes you packed yourself.

Many companies explicitly advertise packing and unpacking as separate services alongside moving and storage, so you can add them to a base move as needed.

Will Movers Pack Everything for Me?

Short answer: movers will pack everything only if you purchase full packing services and the items are allowed under their safety rules.

What “full packing” usually includes

Full packing services from a reputable mover typically include:

  • Room-by-room packing of belongings, including:

    • Kitchen dishes, glassware, small appliances, pantry items that are safe to move

    • Books, decor, electronics, lamps, framed photos

    • Clothing, bedding, towels, linens

    • Office items, toys, non-hazardous tools, and general household goods

  • Disassembly and wrapping of furniture where required

  • Labeling of boxes with room names and basic contents

  • Grouping items logically to simplify loading and unpacking

Full-service movers are set up to handle everything from fragile dishes to larger furniture, as long as items meet company guidelines and legal transport rules.
Infographic comparing full-service packing, partial packing, and fragile-only packing options offered by moving companies.

What movers will not pack

Even with full packing, most movers will not pack:

  • Hazardous or flammable materials (fuels, solvents, aerosols)

  • Certain chemicals and compressed gases

  • Some perishables, plants, and open food containers

  • Cash, jewelry, critical documents, and other items they advise you to carry yourself

5 Stars Movers NYC follows standard safety practices: they offer packing, storing, loading, unloading, and other moving services, but hazardous or prohibited items must be handled outside the move for regulatory and liability reasons.

Can Movers Pack Just My Fragile Items?

Short answer: yes. Many movers offer fragile-only or partial packing where crews focus on high-risk items and you pack everything else.

This option is popular because it:

  • Protects your most breakable or valuable items

  • Reduces your time pressure and risk of damage

  • Keeps overall costs lower than full packing

Examples of items typically included in fragile-only packing:

  • Glassware, dishes, and stemware

  • Artwork, mirrors, and framed pieces

  • TVs and some electronics (packed per manufacturer or mover recommendations)

  • Collectibles and decor

  • Delicate lamps and oddly shaped items

Professional packers use:

  • Double-wall dish cartons and specialty glass packs

  • Bubble wrap, foam, and tissue for individual wrapping

  • Structured layering and cushioning inside cartons

  • Clear “Fragile” and “This Side Up” labels for handling crews

With 5 Stars Movers NYC, you can request full packing, fragile-only, or custom partial packing, depending on your risk tolerance and budget. Their service mix includes packing, storing, moving labor help, loading, and unloading, so it is straightforward to create a hybrid plan that matches your situation.

Do Movers Provide Packing Materials?

Short answer: yes, full-service moving companies normally bring their own packing materials—boxes, paper, bubble wrap, tape, and labels—when you hire them for packing services.

What materials are typically included

Professional movers usually supply:

  • Cardboard boxes in multiple sizes

  • Heavy-duty tape and tape guns

  • Packing paper or newsprint alternatives

  • Bubble wrap and foam for fragile items

  • Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes

  • Dish packs, glass packs, and picture cartons for specialty items

Full-service movers like Atlas Van Lines and others highlight that they “bring all necessary packing materials” as a key part of their service, not something you have to source yourself.

How 5 Stars Movers NYC handles supplies

5 Stars Movers NYC promotes a full collection of moving boxes and packing supplies designed specifically for easier packing and loading, including boxes, tape, and bubble wrap for DIY customers, and professional-grade materials for their packing crews.

In your quote, you should see clearly whether:

  • Materials are bundled into the packing rate, or

  • Materials appear as separate line items (per box or per specialty carton)

If a packing quote looks surprisingly low, always confirm the material policy to avoid surprise charges on move day.

How Early Do Movers Start Packing Before Moving Day?

Short answer: for full or partial packing, movers usually come one day before your move or the morning of the move, depending on home size, scope, and building rules.

Typical NYC packing timelines

Industry practice for full-service moves looks roughly like this:

  • Small apartments (studio / 1 bedroom):

    • Packing can often be completed the same day as the move, starting early in the morning, then loading afterward.

  • 2–3 bedroom homes:

    • Crews may pack the day before and reserve move day primarily for loading, transport, and unloading.

  • Larger homes or complex inventories:

    • Packing often happens 1–2 days before the move.

In NYC, logistics add extra constraints:

  • Elevator reservation windows

  • Building move-in/move-out time limits

  • Street parking and truck access challenges

A full-service mover will plan packing around these limits so that everything is boxed and ready by the time your loading slot begins.

Scheduling with 5 Stars Movers NYC

Because 5 Stars Movers NYC handles residential and commercial moves of varying size, they typically:

  • Assess how many packers and hours your project needs

  • Coordinate with your building for preferred dates and windows

  • Propose a schedule where packing is completed before the first box leaves your home

During your estimate call, you can ask explicitly:

  • “Will packing be done the day before or same-day?”

  • “How many hours are you allocating for packing?”

  • “What happens if the packing takes longer than expected?”

Types of Packing Services You Can Choose

Most modern moving companies structure packing into several tiers so you can match service level to budget.

1. Full-service packing and moving

You hand over nearly everything:

  • Movers bring all materials

  • Pack, label, and load your entire home

  • Transport, unload, and sometimes unpack at the destination

This is the most expensive option in pure dollars but the lowest in time and stress.

2. Partial or room-focused packing

You split the work:

  • Movers pack complex rooms like kitchens, home offices, artwork, and decor

  • You pack simple items like clothing, books, and non-fragile storage

This model balances professional protection where it matters most with DIY savings.

3. Fragile-only packing

Crews focus exclusively on:

  • Glassware, dishes, and fragile kitchen items

  • Mirrors, framed art, and decor

  • Electronics and high-risk items

Everything else is packed by you.

5 Stars Movers NYC explicitly describes itself as providing packing, storing, moving labor help, loading, unloading, and other moving services, so it is well suited to all three tiers—full, partial, and fragile-only—depending on what you ask for in your quote.

How To Decide If You Should Add Packing Services

When you are comparing moving quotes, use these questions to decide whether to include packing:

  1. How much time do you realistically have?
    If you are working full time, caring for kids, or handling other logistics, it may be hard to find 20–40 hours for packing.

  2. How many fragile or high-value items do you own?
    The more breakables you have, the more you benefit from professional techniques and materials.

  3. How strict are your building rules?
    Tight elevator windows and limited move hours make last-minute DIY packing risky.

  4. What is your tolerance for physical work and stress?
    Packing and lifting for hours can be physically demanding.

  5. What is the price difference between move-only and move+packing?
    Ask for separate line items so you can see exactly what you are paying for.

You do not have to choose “all or nothing.” Many NYC customers get the best results with a hybrid: DIY simple areas and hire movers to pack the hardest rooms.

Packing Services With 5 Stars Movers NYC

5 Stars Movers NYC is a full-service moving company serving the greater NYC area, offering:

  • Local and long-distance moving

  • Packing and unpacking services

  • Moving labor help, loading, and unloading

  • Storage options and moving supplies

The company operates from:

  • Address: 347 E 104th St, New York, NY 10029

  • Phone: 212-372-7489

When you contact them for a packing quote, you can:

  1. Explain your home size, inventory, and timeline.

  2. Choose full packing, partial packing, or fragile-only coverage.

  3. Confirm whether materials are included or itemized.

  4. Set a packing schedule that works with your building rules.

Key Takeaways: Do Moving Companies Offer Packing Services?

  • Yes, many moving companies do offer packing services, but the scope varies from full home packing to fragile-only help.

  • Full-service movers provide crews, materials, and methods designed to protect your belongings, save time, and reduce stress.

  • Not every mover includes packing automatically, so you must ask what is included and read your quote carefully.

  • In NYC, 5 Stars Movers NYC is an example of a full-service mover that offers packing, storing, moving labor help, loading, and unloading for residential and commercial clients.

  • You can choose full, partial, or fragile-only packing to match your budget, risk level, and schedule.

If you are planning a move in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, or nearby areas and want to know exactly what packing help is available, requesting a detailed, written quote from a full-service mover like 5 Stars Movers NYC is the most reliable way to see what is included, what it costs, and how much work you can take off your plate.

Joseph Raphael

Joseph Raphael

Moving Company Expert

Joseph Raphael is a multifaceted professional who excels both in the literary world and the moving industry. As a writer, he has published numerous articles and essays in reputable publications, showcasing his unique style and thoughtful perspective. At the same time, he has been running his own moving company for over a decade, where he has honed his expertise in all aspects of the business. With a passion for excellence and a commitment to customer satisfaction, Joseph has established himself as a trusted authority in his field, while also pursuing his creative endeavors as a writer.