Items We Do Not Pack
There are certain categories of items that we are not able to pack or transport as part of a standard moving job. These include:
-
Hazardous materials - paint, solvents, propane, gasoline, and similar flammable or toxic substances
-
Ammunition and firearms (firearms can be transported under specific conditions - ask us directly)
-
Live plants
-
Perishable food items
-
Medications and controlled substances
-
Irreplaceable personal documents - we recommend transporting these yourself
Unpacking Services in Houston
Most moving companies stop at delivery. Moving by Design offers full unpacking services so you can walk into a functioning home the same day your move is complete. Our unpacking crew opens every box, places items where you want them, removes all packing materials, and breaks down and disposes of boxes before leaving. You tell us where things go - we handle the rest.
Unpacking can be added to any packing and moving package or booked as a standalone service after your move is complete. Partial unpacking - covering specific rooms like the kitchen, master bedroom, or bathrooms first - is also available if you prefer to handle the rest yourself over time.
Why Houston Residents Choose Moving by Design for Packing
- All materials included: Boxes, tape, packing paper, bubble wrap, wardrobe boxes, dish packs - everything needed for a professional pack is included in your quote. No trip to a box store, no last-minute supply runs.
- Same crew, same move: When you book packing and moving together, the same team that packs your home loads and unloads the truck. Nothing gets lost in a handoff between separate companies.
- Proper packing means fewer claims: Damage during a move is almost always a packing problem. Professionally packed boxes arrive intact. Our crew knows how to pack a dish box, how much cushioning a mirror needs, and how to wrap a lamp so it survives the truck:
- Background-checked crew in your home: Packing requires our team to be in every room of your house. Every Moving by Design crew member is background checked before working a job.
- Flexible scheduling: We can pack the day before your move or the morning of. Unpacking can happen immediately after delivery or days later when you are ready.
Frequently Asked Questions - Packing Services Houston
For most people, yes. The time packing takes is consistently underestimated - a 3-bedroom home can take 20 to 30 hours to pack properly. Professional packers do it faster, use better materials, and pack in a way that significantly reduces the risk of damage in transit. If your time has value or your items have value, professional packing pays for itself.
For a full pack of a 2-bedroom home, most Houston jobs fall in the $400-$800 range with all materials included. A 3-bedroom full pack typically runs $700-$1,200. Partial packing or fragile-only packing is priced proportionally and is significantly less. We provide a written quote based on your specific home before anything is confirmed.
We do not pack hazardous materials, flammable substances, perishable food, live plants, medications, or irreplaceable personal documents. These should be transported by you directly. If you have questions about a specific item, ask us during the quoting process.
Yes. Partial packing is one of our most popular options. Many customers handle clothing, linens, and books themselves and ask us to cover the kitchen, fragile items, artwork, and electronics. We bring all materials for whatever we are covering. Just let us know the scope when you request your quote.
We bring everything. Boxes, tape, packing paper, bubble wrap, dish packs, wardrobe boxes, and any specialty materials needed for your items are all included in your packing quote. You do not need to source or purchase anything in advance.
Yes. For smaller homes or partial packing jobs, packing and moving on the same day is straightforward. For larger homes or full packing jobs, we typically recommend packing the day before the move so the moving day runs efficiently. We work with your timeline and will advise on the best approach for your specific situation.
Yes. We unpack boxes, place items where you want them, and remove all packing materials and boxes. Unpacking can be added to your moving package or scheduled as a separate service after your move is complete.
Standard packing uses boxes, paper, and bubble wrap and covers the vast majority of household items. Crating involves building a custom wooden crate around an item for maximum protection - typically used for high-value art, antiques, large mirrors, or unusually shaped pieces that standard boxes cannot properly protect. If you have items that may need crating, see our crating services page for details.