One of the most time-consuming aspects of moving is packing. Without a plan, it’s easy to underestimate how long packing will take, leaving you to feel rushed and stressed. Whether you’re relocating across town or the country, giving yourself enough time and using a systematic approach is essential to ensuring a smooth move.
In this blog, we’ll help you determine how long it might take to pack your house for a move so that you’re ready when moving day rolls around. We’ll also offer proven strategies to streamline the process and show how a professional moving company can make your move easier.
How to Calculate the Time Needed to Pack Your Home
Several factors influence how long it takes to pack a house for a move:
1. The Size of Your Home
- 1-bedroom apartment or studio: 1-2 days for a single person.
- 2-bedroom house/apartment: 2-3 days for two people.
- 3-bedroom house: 3-5 days for a family of 3-4.
- 4+ bedrooms: 1 week or more for a family.
2. The Volume of Belongings
- Minimalists can pack faster than those with more belongings.
- If you have years’ worth of accumulated items, add 1-2 extra days per bedroom.
3. How Long You’ve Lived There
- The longer you’ve lived in a space, the more time you’ll likely need to sort, declutter and pack.
4. Your Daily Time Commitment
- Full-time workers may only have evenings to pack, extending the process. If you can dedicate entire days, it will take less time overall.
The Formula for Estimating Packing Time
A simple way to estimate your packing time is:
(Number of Bedrooms x Average Time per Room) + Additional Time for Clutter and Sentimental Items. In this case, we estimate each room will take approximately 10 hours or about one day.
For example, a 3-bedroom house might look like this:
- 3 bedrooms x 10 hours each = 30 hours
- Add 10 hours for kitchen and living areas = 40 hours
- Add 10 more for decluttering = 50 total hours
The Reality
Most people don’t have the luxury of dedicating entire days to decluttering and packing, so you’ll need to spread it out. If you calculate that your home will take 50 hours to pack, but you can only do 2-3 hours/day, that means you actually need 18-25 days to prep for your move.
We can’t emphasize this enough: Start early. Give yourself at least one month to pack and prepare.
7 Packing Strategies to Streamline the Process
1. Declutter First
Go room by room and decide what to keep, donate or toss. Decluttering reduces the number of items you need to pack and speeds up the process.
2. Gather Supplies in Advance
Having your packing supplies ready saves time. Stock up on sturdy boxes, packing tape, markers, and packing paper or bubble wrap. Your Bekins agent can help facilitate this.
3. Start with Non-Essentials
Begin by packing items you won’t need until after the move, such as out-of-season clothes, decorations and rarely used items. Consider getting rid of items you no longer need.
4. Label Boxes Clearly
Label each box with its contents and the room it belongs in. This simplifies unpacking and saves you time on the other end.
5. Create a Packing Zone
Designate one area in each room for packed boxes. This keeps things organized and prevents clutter from spreading.
6. Use a Room-by-Room Approach
Complete one room before moving to the next. This prevents partial packing chaos. Once rooms have been completed, you can use them as storage areas.
7. Recruit Help
Get friends, neighbors and family members to help. A few pizzas and some good tunes could inspire the right crew and move you ahead of schedule.
How to Pace Your Packing
Packing doesn’t have to be done in a frenzy. Pacing yourself can make the process more manageable while still achieving visible gains:
- Set a Schedule: Assign specific days to each room or area of the house.
- Work in Small Blocks: Dedicate 2-4 hours daily to packing if you have other obligations.
- Teamwork: Set times when your partner, family or friends can work together to accomplish more.
- Take Breaks: Packing can be physically and mentally draining, so don’t forget to rest and recharge. You’ll be more productive in the long run.
Why Hire a Moving and Packing Company?
While DIY packing can save money, it’s not always the best choice. Professional movers can help:
- Save Time: Experienced movers pack faster and more efficiently.
- Protect Fragile Items: They use specialized materials to ensure your items are safely packed.
- Prepare Specialty Items: Professional movers are experienced in moving pianos, pool tables and other specialty items that may be otherwise difficult to prep.
- Reduce Stress: Letting professionals handle packing gives you peace of mind.
You can opt for:
- Full-Service Packing: Movers pack everything for you.
- Partial Packing: You handle easy items, and professionals tackle fragile or time-consuming areas like the kitchen or artwork.
The Value of Financing Your Moving Services
We understand that moving expenses can add up quickly, which is why Bekins offers flexible financing options through our partnership with Enhancify. Whether you need help with full packing services or want assistance with heavy or delicate items, we’re here to make it affordable. Don’t let budget constraints add stress to your move—our financing plans can be tailored to suit your needs. For full details and to calculate your monthly payment, see our financing page.
Make Bekins Your Full-Service Moving Company
At Bekins, we specialize in hassle-free moves. From planning and packing to transporting and unpacking, we offer end-to-end solutions for local moves and cross-country. We offer free quotes with no hidden fees, so you’ll know exactly how long it will take to pack and how much it will cost. Contact a local Bekins agent today and experience the difference professional packers and movers can make.
