How Many Packers Come and How Long Does Packing Take?

How Many Packers Come and How Long Does Packing Take?

Last updated: October 2026

It depends on the size of the home and how much there is to pack. We plan the crew and the timing when we estimate your move. Like every job, packing has a 2-hour minimum.

We'd love to give you a single number. But a studio apartment with a light kitchen and a four-bedroom house with a full basement aren't the same job, and neither are two homes of the same size where one is minimalist and the other has decades of collections. So we look at your home first, then plan the day around it.

What sets the crew size and the time

The size of the home. More rooms, more closets, more cabinets.

How much is in it. Square footage only tells part of the story. A full house takes longer than an empty one of the same size.

The kitchen. Kitchens are usually the slowest room to pack. Dishes, glasses, and small appliances all need wrapping.

Fragile and valuable things. Art, mirrors, china, and heirlooms take extra care. Oversized or high-value pieces may need a custom crate, which we build ourselves.

Your timeline. If the pack needs to happen in a single day, we plan for that.

How we plan it

We give estimates in person, online, or by phone if you prefer. During the estimate, we look at every room and how much is in it. From there, we decide how many packers to send and how long the pack should take. You'll know the plan before the crew shows up.

The more we see during the estimate, the more accurate the plan. Walk us through the closets, the basement, the garage, and any storage spaces people tend to forget.

Packing day and moving day

For many homes, packing happens on a separate day before the move. For others, the crew packs and moves on the same day. We'll recommend what fits your home. Read same crew for pack day and move day.

For full house moves, the moving crew is usually 3 or more movers, and larger homes of 3 or 4+ bedrooms usually need 4 or more.

What you can do to help

Decide what's not coming. Anything you're donating or tossing should be set aside before packing day.

Set aside what you need. Clothes, medications, chargers, and daily essentials. Read what to keep with you on moving day.

Point out the fragile things. Tell the crew what needs extra care.

Keep the path clear. So the crew can move between rooms easily.

How it's priced

Packing is hourly, with our standard 2-hour minimum, and materials are itemized separately. Read how much does full packing cost.

For a room-by-room look at how the crew works, read our room-by-room guide to full packing.

Packing crews and timing are covered on our full packing service page, under moving and storage and our moving services.

Call (773) 275-4100 or email info@wcmoving.com to plan your packing day.