Packing is the part of moving everyone puts off, and then regrets putting off. We pack homes across North York every week, so here’s how the pros do it, plus an honest look at when it makes sense to hire packers instead.
What You’ll Need
- Small boxes for books and heavy items, medium and large boxes for lighter things
- Good packing tape (cheap tape gives up halfway through the move)
- Packing paper and some bubble wrap for fragile items
- A thick marker for labels
- Wardrobe boxes or garbage bags for hanging clothes
Start With What You Use Least
Pack in this order: storage areas and the basement first, then books, decor and out-of-season clothes, then most of the kitchen, then bedrooms. Leave the essentials, like a few dishes, toiletries and bedding, for the last day.
How to Pack the Tricky Stuff
Dishes: wrap each plate in paper and stand them on their edge in the box, like records, not flat. Fill any gaps with crumpled paper so nothing shifts.
Glasses: wrap them one by one and use small boxes. Mark the box “FRAGILE – THIS SIDE UP”.
TVs: the original box is best. If you don’t have it, let us wrap the TV in moving blankets and carry it upright.
Clothes: keep hanging clothes on the hangers and pull a garbage bag over a bunch of them. It’s fast and keeps them clean.
Screws and small parts: put them in a zip bag and tape it to the furniture it belongs to.
Label Like a Mover
Write the destination room and a short description on two sides of every box, for example “Kitchen – pots and pans”. Your movers can then put every box in the right room without asking, which saves time on an hourly move.
Don’t Overpack
A box you can’t lift comfortably is too heavy. Heavy items go in small boxes, light items in big ones. Overstuffed boxes are the ones that split on the stairs.
When Is It Worth Hiring Packers?
Hiring packers makes sense if:
- You’re short on time, like a job, kids or a quick closing date
- You have a lot of fragile items, like china, art or glassware
- You’re moving from a condo with a tight elevator window and everything must be ready on time
- You’d rather spend the week before moving day on anything else
A crew of two or three packers can pack in a day what takes most families a week or more. Our packing and unpacking service is $120/hour, and you can choose full packing, just the kitchen, or fragile items only. We can unpack at your new place too, and take the empty boxes away.
What to Do With All Those Boxes After
Flatten them and give them to a friend who’s moving, or recycle them. The City of Toronto Waste Wizard tells you exactly what goes in the blue bin.
Planning the whole move? Read our guides on North York condo moving and moving costs in North York, or see all our North York moving services.
Need a hand with your North York move?
N&N Brothers Moving Company is based at 200 Gateway Blvd in North York. We are licensed and insured, open 7 days a week, and rated by 289+ customers on Google. Call 647-534-8479 or get a free quote online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do packing services cost in North York?
Our packing and unpacking service is $120/hour. Packing materials are quoted upfront.
How long does it take to pack a 2-bedroom home?
For a professional crew, usually a single day. Doing it yourself often takes a week or more of evenings.
Can you pack only my kitchen?
Yes. Many customers book us for the kitchen and fragile items only.
