You hired professional packers because you want the job done right, done fast, and done without the stress of doing it yourself. That is a great decision. But professional packing is a partnership, not a handoff. The crew brings the skill, the materials, and the speed. You bring the preparation, the priorities, and the information they need to pack your home exactly the way you want it packed. A homeowner who prepares properly can cut packing time by hours, prevent the wrong items from being packed, and ensure that the crew focuses their expertise on the things that matter most. A homeowner who does not prepare ends up with packers spending half the morning sorting through a junk drawer, packing items destined for the garbage, and guessing which fragile items need special attention.
Frank & Sons Moving and Storage has been providing professional packing services across Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, North Fort Myers, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, North Port, Englewood, and communities throughout Southwest Florida since 1982. Our packing crews have packed everything from studio apartments to 6,000-square-foot estates. This guide on how to prepare for professional packers is based on four decades of experience and will help you get the most from your packing service, whether you are booking a full pack, a partial pack, or kitchen-only packing.
40+Years of professional packing
1000sHomes packed professionally
Fullor partial packing available
FLMover IM-24, USDOT 1122554
Before Packing Day What to Do the Week Before
Purge before you pack - the single biggest waste of professional packing time is packing items you are going to throw away or donate. Go through every room the week before packing day and remove everything that is not coming to the new home. Old magazines, expired pantry items, clothes that no longer fit, broken appliances, kids' toys they have outgrown, and anything in the "I'll deal with it later" pile. Every item the crew does not have to pack saves time and saves you money on boxes, truck space, and unpacking at the other end
Separate what is NOT being packed - professional packers will pack everything they see unless you tell them otherwise. If items are staying in the home for the buyer, or if you have already donated or sold items that are being picked up later, move those items to a clearly designated area, like the garage, and label them "DO NOT PACK." If that is not possible, put sticky notes on items that should not be packed. The clearer you are, the less time the crew spends asking questions
Set aside personal and high-value items - medications, jewelry, important documents (passports, birth certificates, financial records, wills), car keys, house keys, wallets, purses, laptops, and any items you will need between packing day and when you unpack at the new home should be set aside in a designated area that the crew knows is off-limits. These items travel with you in your car, not on the truck
Empty and defrost the refrigerator - if the fridge is being moved, empty it the day before packing day, unplug it, and let it defrost overnight. A full refrigerator cannot be moved safely, and a fridge that has not been defrosted will leak water all over the truck and the new home. Dispose of perishables you cannot transport and pack non-perishable pantry items in a box for the crew
Disassemble what you can - if you are comfortable removing curtain rods, taking wall-mounted TVs off brackets, or disassembling a bed frame, doing this before the packers arrive saves them time and lets them focus on wrapping and boxing. If you are not comfortable, leave it for the crew. Frank & Sons handles disassembly as part of our moving service
The Purge Is the Most Valuable Thing You Can Do.
Every item you remove before packing day saves packing time, box cost, truck space, and unpacking time at the new home. Most families find that 20% to 30% of what they own does not need to come to the new house. That is 20% to 30% less for the crew to pack and 20% to 30% less for you to unpack.
The Morning of Packing Day Setting Up for Success
Be home and available when the crew arrives - the packing crew leader will do a walkthrough with you before the crew starts working. This is your opportunity to point out fragile items that need special attention, rooms or areas that should be packed first, items that are not being packed, and any concerns or priorities you have. Being available for this walkthrough sets the tone for the entire day
Clear the pathways - the crew will be moving between rooms with stacks of boxes, rolls of paper, and packing supplies. Clear hallways, doorways, and the areas around closets and cabinets so the crew can access every room without stepping over obstacles. Move shoes, pet bowls, rugs, and anything in the walkways
Open closets, cabinets, and drawers - the crew needs access to everything that is being packed. Open closet doors, pull out dresser drawers, and unlock any cabinets or storage areas. If there are locked areas that the crew should not access, keep them locked and let the crew leader know
Secure your pets - put dogs in a crate, a closed room, or at a friend's house. Put cats in a carrier or a closed room with a sign on the door. The crew will be opening and closing doors throughout the house, and a stressed pet with an open front door is an escaped pet. Let the crew leader know where your pets are so they avoid that room
Arrange childcare for young children - packing day involves sharp box cutters, tape guns, large stacks of boxes, and a crew moving quickly through the house. Toddlers and young children are safest with a babysitter, grandparent, or friend while the packing takes place
How to Communicate Your Priorities to the Crew
Point out fragile and high-value items - during the walkthrough, show the crew leader any items that need extra attention: antique china, crystal, artwork, mirrors, electronics, musical instruments, or anything emotionally irreplaceable. The crew will prioritize these items for extra wrapping, dish pack boxes, bubble wrap, and careful placement in the truck
Specify room-by-room packing order if it matters - if you need the kitchen packed first because you are donating appliances that afternoon, or if the kids' rooms should be packed last so they have a space to play until the end of the day, tell the crew leader during the walkthrough. Otherwise, the crew will follow their standard room-by-room process
Explain your labeling preferences - Frank & Sons labels every box with the room and a description of the contents. If you have a specific labeling system you want used, such as color-coded tape or numbered boxes matching an inventory sheet, let the crew leader know at the start. The crew will adapt to your system
Identify items that need to go in your car, not the truck - medications, valuables, essential documents, laptop, phone chargers, and anything you need immediate access to should be placed in a designated spot (your car, a specific room, a specific bag) and pointed out to the crew as off-limits. The crew will pack around these items
What to Expect on Packing Day
A professional packing crew works fast. That speed can feel overwhelming if you are not expecting it. A three-bedroom home can typically be fully packed in four to six hours by a crew of three to four experienced packers. They work room by room, systematically: one person wraps fragile items while another builds and fills boxes, and a third handles closets, drawers, and odd-shaped items. Boxes are labeled, sealed, and stacked as each room is completed. The house that was full of belongings in the morning is a house full of neatly labeled boxes by afternoon.
You do not need to hover over the crew or supervise every box. Stay available for questions, but let them work. The crew leader will find you if they need a decision about something, and they will ask before packing anything they are unsure about. The best thing you can do during packing day is stay accessible, answer questions when asked, and handle the tasks that only you can do: final decisions about what stays and goes, coordinating with your real estate agent, managing kids and pets, and making sure the crew has water and access to a bathroom.
Florida-Specific Packing Day Considerations
Keep the AC running all day - packing generates physical labor and heat, and the front door will be opening and closing as supplies are brought in. Keep the air conditioning running so the crew can work comfortably and efficiently. A hot house slows down the crew and makes the day harder for everyone
Have water and cold drinks available - professional packers working in Southwest Florida heat appreciate cold water, Gatorade, or any cold beverages. It is not required, but it is appreciated, and a hydrated crew works faster and better
Point out heat-sensitive items - let the crew know about candles, vinyl records, chocolate, cosmetics, medications, and anything that will melt or degrade in a hot truck. These items should be packed last, loaded last, unloaded first, or transported in your air-conditioned car instead of the truck
Mention any humidity-sensitive items - photo albums, important documents, leather goods, and musical instruments that are vulnerable to Florida humidity should be flagged so the crew can pack them in sealed plastic bins or with extra moisture protection rather than standard cardboard boxes
Full Pack vs Partial Pack Which Is Right for You
Full pack - the crew packs everything in the entire home, every room, every closet, every drawer, every cabinet. This is the best option when you have a tight timeline, a large home, or simply want the entire packing process handled professionally. A full pack is typically done the day before the move, and the crew arrives the next morning to load
Partial pack - you pack most of the house yourself and the crew handles specific rooms or categories. The most common partial pack requests are kitchen-only packing (the most fragile and time-consuming room), fragile items only (china, crystal, artwork, mirrors), or specific rooms that the homeowner does not have time to handle. Partial packing gives you the cost savings of doing most of the work yourself while getting professional protection on the items most likely to break
Kitchen-only packing - the kitchen is the room that takes the longest to pack, has the most fragile items, and requires the most specialized materials (dish pack boxes, cell dividers, bubble wrap). Having the professionals handle the kitchen while you pack bedrooms, bathrooms, and living areas is the most popular partial-pack option and provides the best balance of cost savings and damage prevention
Full Pack, Partial Pack, or Kitchen Only. Your Choice.
Frank & Sons provides all three options across Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, and all of Southwest Florida. We bring all materials, all boxes, and all the experience of four decades. Tell us what you need packed and we will give you a clear quote. Call
(239) 574-4151 for a free packing quote.
Professional packing is an investment in the safety of your belongings and the sanity of your moving day. Purge before the crew arrives. Separate what is not being packed. Set aside personal items and valuables. Clear the pathways. Open closets and cabinets. Secure pets and children. Walk through the house with the crew leader. Point out fragile items and priorities. Then step back and let the professionals work. Follow these steps to prepare for professional packers and you will get maximum value from the service, your belongings will be packed with expert care, and your moving day will go smoother than you thought possible. Frank & Sons Moving and Storage has been packing Southwest Florida homes since 1982. Licensed. Insured. Family-owned. And ready to pack your home the right way.
Ready for professional packing? Call (239) 574-4151 or fill out our contact form for a free packing and moving quote.
