Every move comes with a decision: How much of the work do you want to tackle yourself, and what do you want to hand off to the pros? Before you make that decision, it’s important to understand exactly what full-service moving is.
You may be familiar with DIY moving — that is, renting a truck and calling a few friends, or maybe hiring labor-only movers for help with the heavy lifting. Full-service movers, on the other hand, take care of the entire process for you.
What exactly does that entail, and how can that help you with your move? This article defines what full-service moving really means, how it compares to other moving options, and answers the most common questions about all-inclusive moving services.
What Is Full-Service Moving?
What do full-service movers do? They are professionals that take care of nearly every detail of a move — loading, transporting, and unloading. There are also extra services you can add on as needed, such as furniture assembly and disassembly as well as packing and unpacking.
Put simply, full-service moving means professional movers handle nearly every part of your relocation.
Other types of moving services
How do moving companies work? It depends on the type of moving company — rental truck companies, moving container providers, and full-service movers all work differently.
If you’re considering hiring full-service moving professionals, it’s helpful to understand the pros and cons of other types of moving services to choose the best service for your situation.
Renting a truck
What it entails: You handle everything else yourself — packing, loading, driving, unloading, and unpacking. This is usually the cheapest option, as your primary costs are renting the truck and purchasing moving supplies (if you don’t borrow them or find free boxes).
The takeaway: While you’ll save money, be prepared to spend a significant amount of time and effort taking care of the move on your own.
Renting a moving container
What it entails: A container company drops off a portable storage unit at your home, you load it at your own pace, and the company picks it up and transports it to your new home. You also have the option to keep your unit in storage until your new home is ready for move-in.
The takeaway: Thanks to a less rigid timeline and built-in storage, moving containers give you more flexibility, and you don’t have to worry about driving. l However, you’re still responsible for all the packing and heavy lifting.
Hiring labor-only movers
What it entails: Labor-only movers do the muscle work involved in a move — as much or as little as you hire them for — whether that’s packing and loading the entire house or just taking care of the heavy furniture. With this option, you still rent and drive the truck yourself.
The takeaway: Hiring labor-only movers is a middle ground between DIY and full-service moving. Someone else takes care of the heavy lifting, but you’re still in charge of logistics and transportation.
What Do Full-Service Movers Do?
At the most basic level, full-service movers handle all the physical and logistical details of moving. They show up on moving day, load your belongings into the truck, secure everything for transport, drive the truck to your new home, and unload all your items once they arrive.
Depending on your needs and budget, you can add services like packing and unpacking, providing moving boxes and supplies, disassembling and reassembling furniture, and even short-term storage.
Some full-service movers also help move specialty items that require extra care, such as pianos or hot tubs.
Here’s a quick look at what movers may provide in addition to the basics:
Packing and unpacking services
Boxes, tape, and other moving supplies
Furniture disassembly and reassembly
Secure transportation for specialty items
Short- or long-term storage options
Vehicle shipping
In addition to the hands-off experience they offer, full-service movers through their professional packing and loading skills ensure a faster and more efficient move and can help reduce the risk of damage to your belongings. They’re also able to customize your moving based on your unique situation — adding in packing, moving supplies, or other services depending on your needs.
Full-Service Moving FAQs?
Full-service moving is designed to cover more than just getting your belongings from point A to point B.
Depending on the company, your needs, and your budget, professional movers can provide a wide range of add-on services that make the process smoother and less stressful. While these extras aren’t always included in the base rate, they can make a big difference in how much time and effort you spend on the logistics of your move.
Here’s a look at some of the common questions people have about full-service moving.
Do movers pack for you?
Many full-service movers offer professional packing and unpacking for an additional fee. Packing services is one of the most popular add-ons because packing is often the most time-consuming part of moving.
Professional movers can handle the entire process of wrapping, boxing, labeling, and later unpacking your belongings — and they can even supply all the boxes, tape, and other supplies.
Benefits of professional packing include:
Speed: Trained crews can pack a whole household in a fraction of the time it would take a homeowner.
Protection: Movers use padding, specialty boxes, and proper techniques to reduce the risk of damage.
Convenience: You avoid the stress and time of boxing up everything yourself.
Keep in mind that packing services are typically added on top of your base estimate, and cost varies depending on the size of your home and the amount of belongings. Some companies charge by the hour, while others provide flat-rate options based on household size.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to keep your moving costs down and you don’t mind taking care of the packing on your own, you can significantly reduce the cost of a full-service move by doing all the packing and unpacking yourself.
Do moving companies provide boxes?
Most full-service movers provide packing supplies. It’s a good idea to check whether the supplies are included in your package or they’re billed as an extra. Professional movers usually stock more than just standard cardboard boxes, including:
Small, medium, and large boxes
Wardrobe boxes for clothing
Specialty boxes for dishes, TVs, or artwork
Packing tape, paper, and bubble wrap
Buying supplies directly from the movers may cost more than sourcing your own, but the quality is often higher and designed to withstand transportation.
These high-quality supplies are a great solution for those who want to know how to avoid moving damage, especially for fragile or valuable items.
What items will full-service movers not move?
Even full-service moving has some restrictions. Professional movers typically won’t transport items that are hazardous, perishable, or legally restricted. These rules exist for safety, liability, and regulatory reasons.
Common items professional movers won’t transport include:
Flammable or hazardous materials (paint, propane tanks, aerosols, gasoline)
Perishable foods (frozen or refrigerated items)
Plants, especially for interstate moving
Valuables such as cash, jewelry, or important personal documents
It’s always best to ask your mover for a list of what’s not allowed well in advance of your move so you know what you’ll need to handle yourself. This step avoids surprises on moving day.
How much do you tip movers?
Tipping isn’t required, but it’s a common way to show appreciation for hard work and is usually expected.
A good rule of thumb is $10 per mover per hour, or 10–20% of the total move cost, split among the crew. The exact amount depends on the size of the move, the difficulty of the job (stairs, heavy furniture, long distances), and your overall satisfaction.
Beyond a tip, there are some other ways to show gratitude:
Offering cold water or snacks during the move
Providing lunch for longer jobs
Giving a positive review for the company afterward
Tipping should reflect the level of effort and professionalism you experienced. If the crew went above and beyond, a little extra goes a long way.
Choosing the Right Moving Support
Hiring professionals for full-service moving eases the burden of relocating by covering everything from packing and loading to transportation and unloading. Compared to DIY or partial moving services, full-service moving offers the most complete way to simplify a move.
If you’re ready to make your move easier, Colonial Van Lines has over 50 years in long-distance moving and completes more than 12,000 moves each year. Our movers are trained in-house to handle your belongings with care from start to finish. Start your planning with a free quote today!