Six Details We Need to Scope the Packing
Packing quotes depend on how much work is involved rather than simply the size of the property. These details help define the actual packing requirement before the price is agreed.
Rooms
Tell us which rooms or areas need packing rather than assuming the whole property is included.
Packing Level
Confirm whether you need full packing, selected-room support or fragile-only packing.
Fragile Items
Identify glassware, pictures, mirrors, televisions and other belongings needing specific preparation.
Materials
Tell us whether you already have boxes and materials or need them included with the packing service.
Storage
Confirm whether packed belongings are moving directly to the destination or going into storage first.
Move Date
The move date and destination affect when the packing needs to be completed and how it fits the wider move plan.
What Should a Cardiff Packing Quote Show?
We tailor packing quotations to the actual workload. The written quote should make the labour basis, minimum booking, materials and packing level clear before you decide whether to add the service.
This is a broad independent 2026 UK budgeting figure, not an Intercity hourly rate. Your Intercity quotation should provide the actual price for the packing scope agreed for your move.
Part Packing
You pack most rooms yourself and ask us to quote for selected areas such as the kitchen and fragile contents.
Full Packing
The agreed contents of the property are professionally packed rather than leaving most of the work to you before moving day.
Fragile-Only Packing
You pack the standard household contents and ask us to focus on selected glassware, pictures, mirrors or similar items.
Four Things to Check Before Accepting the Price
Can I Pack My Own Boxes?
Yes. You can do most or all of the straightforward packing yourself and only request professional help for selected rooms or belongings.
If you are using your own cartons, use rigid, undamaged boxes that can close properly and are suitable for the weight and contents inside. Avoid overloaded, open-topped or damaged boxes that may not travel reliably.
If you are unsure whether your existing boxes are suitable, show or describe them when the packing or removal quote is prepared.
Responsibility for Self-Packed Items
You are responsible for deciding how the belongings you pack yourself are arranged inside each carton.
Do not rely on a closed box to communicate that something inside requires particular handling.
Room and content labels help identify where self-packed cartons should go at the destination.
Ask for the current terms applying to owner-packed items and how responsibility or cover differs from items packed by the removal team.
Materials Used for Different Types of Belongings
Different belongings need different preparation. Our current packing service uses purpose-made materials rather than treating every item as something that simply goes into a standard box.
Double-Thickness Cartons
Used with additional wrapping for china and glassware where this packing approach is appropriate.
Special Packing Paper
China and glassware can be individually wrapped in packing paper before being placed into cartons.
Bubble Wrap
Large glass items such as pictures, mirrors and televisions can be individually wrapped for transport.
Transit Blankets
Furniture can be protected with transit blankets as part of the physical moving and packing preparation.
Mattress Covers
Individual mattress covers are currently supplied free of charge as part of the published packing service.
Packing Materials Supply
Materials can also be supplied when you prefer to complete some or all of the packing yourself.
When Is Professional Packing Worth Paying For?
Paying for packing is not automatically the right choice for every move. If you have plenty of time, suitable boxes and are comfortable preparing the contents yourself, self-packing can reduce the amount of paid packing work.
Professional packing becomes more useful where time is limited, the property contains a large amount of belongings or there are fragile rooms and categories that you do not want to prepare yourself.
A Simple Way to Decide
If saving preparation time matters more than doing the packing yourself.
If you want to manage the straightforward rooms but leave difficult or time-consuming areas to the packing team.
If most of the move is easy to box but selected belongings need more careful preparation and suitable materials.
If you have enough time, suitable materials and are confident preparing the belongings for transport yourself.
How Different Fragile Items Are Prepared
Fragile packing should describe the preparation and materials rather than rely on a general promise that belongings receive extra care.
China and Glassware
Individual pieces can be wrapped in special packing paper and placed into double-thickness cartons.
Pictures and Mirrors
Large glass items can be individually wrapped with bubble wrap before physical transport.
Televisions
Televisions are among the large glass items currently identified for individual bubble-wrap preparation.
Furniture
Furniture can be protected with transit blankets where this is appropriate for the move.
Packing Before Items Go Into Storage
Packing can be planned as part of the wider storage process when belongings leave the property now but are not being delivered to the final destination immediately.
Labels can identify rooms, categories or destination areas, but they should not be presented as a formal inventory or tracking system unless a separate inventory process has been agreed.
View Storage SolutionsPlan the Whole Storage Sequence
Separate stored contents from anything travelling directly to the new destination.
Decide whether the stored items need full packing, selected packing or materials only.
Room and content labels can help identify boxes when they are eventually redelivered.
The packing should fit the wider collection, storage period and eventual delivery plan.
Packing for European and International Moves
Overseas packing should be planned around the belongings, transport method and destination requirements rather than described as export-grade unless a specific standard or crating specification has actually been agreed.
European Move Packing
Full, part or selected packing can be included before a European move, with the packing scope agreed alongside the route and transport plan.
Identify fragile, large or unusual belongings before the quotation so any additional preparation can be discussed rather than assumed on collection day.
View European RemovalsInternational Move Packing
International packing can be considered alongside the wider overseas removal plan where belongings may travel through a different transport process or remain in transit for longer.
If the move requires specialist crating, a particular export specification or another destination-specific packing method, make sure that requirement is written into the quotation.
View International RemovalsCheck the Insurance Terms for Overseas Packing
Ask which protection applies to professionally packed items, which terms apply to owner-packed cartons, whether any declared-value requirements apply and whether specialist items need separate documentation. Do not assume that every packing method automatically creates the same insurance position.
Office Packing Without Blurring the IT Boundary
Business packing can cover agreed furniture, files, boxed workplace contents and prepared equipment, but that does not make the packing team responsible for technical IT work or data security.
If computers or network equipment are involved, the packing scope should be coordinated with the client's internal IT team or appointed provider before physical packing and transport.
View Commercial RemovalsKeep the Responsibilities Clear
Responsible for backups, shutdown, technical disconnection, passwords, configuration and later reconnection.
Can work with agreed physical labels and prepare or pack equipment that has already been made ready for moving.
Do not assume a formal IT asset chain-of-custody service exists unless identification, handover and sign-off procedures are specifically agreed in writing.
Prepared equipment can be placed into the agreed destination areas ready for the client's IT team to reconnect and test.
How the Packing Service Works
The packing plan is agreed before the work begins so the team knows which rooms, belongings and materials are included and where the packed items are going afterwards.
Send the Details
Tell us the rooms, packing level, fragile items, materials required, move date and whether storage or overseas moving is involved.
Agree the Scope
Confirm what you will pack yourself and what the professional packing service needs to cover.
Pack and Label
The agreed belongings are prepared using the packing materials and room or content labels included in the plan.
Move, Store or Ship
Packed belongings then continue into the agreed home move, business move, storage plan or overseas relocation.
Questions About Packing Services in Cardiff
Practical answers about full packing, part packing, self-packing, materials, fragile belongings, storage and overseas moves.
Do you offer packing services in Cardiff?
Yes. We offer packing support for customers who need full packing, part packing or packing materials before a move.
Can I pack most of the move myself?
Yes. Part packing is designed for customers who want to pack most belongings themselves but need help with selected rooms or items.
What boxes should I use if I pack myself?
Use rigid, undamaged cartons that close properly and are suitable for the weight and contents inside. Avoid overloaded, damaged or open-topped boxes. If you are unsure whether existing boxes are suitable, ask before moving day.
Are packing materials included in the price?
Do not assume every material is included automatically. The quotation should state the packing labour and the cartons, paper, bubble wrap, covers or other materials included in your particular service.
How much does professional packing cost?
Intercity does not currently publish a standard hourly packing rate on this page. Independent UK budgeting guidance commonly places professional packing around £50 per packer per hour, but your actual Intercity price should be confirmed in the written quotation for the agreed packing scope.
Is there a minimum packing booking time?
No general minimum packing time is currently published on this page. Ask whether your quotation is fixed-price or subject to a minimum packing period before booking.
How do you pack glassware and fragile items?
Our current packing service states that china and glassware can be wrapped in special paper and packed into double-thickness cartons, while large glass items such as pictures, mirrors and televisions can be individually wrapped with bubble wrap.
Can packing be added before storage?
Yes. Packing can form part of the wider storage plan before collection. See our storage solutions for more information about collection, storage and later redelivery.
Do you pack for European and international moves?
Packing support can be included for European and international moves. If specialist crating or a particular export packing specification is required, make sure that requirement is confirmed in the quotation rather than assuming it is included automatically.
Does insurance differ if I pack my own boxes?
Ask for the current written terms applying to owner-packed items and professionally packed items before booking. The public packing page does not currently publish a separate detailed liability schedule for self-packed cartons.
When is paying for packing worthwhile?
Full packing can make sense when time is limited or there is a large amount to prepare. Part packing is often a useful middle ground when you want to pack most belongings yourself but leave selected rooms or fragile categories to the packing team.
Tell Us What You Want Packed and What You Plan to Do Yourself
Send us the rooms that need packing, the level of support you want, any fragile items, whether you need materials and whether the belongings are moving directly, going into storage or travelling overseas.
What to Send With Your Enquiry
