Most Move Damage Happens During Packing, Not Transport
People often assume that if something breaks during a move, it happened on the truck. In practice, most damage originates in how items were packed before loading: insufficient cushioning in boxes, fragile items nested without separation, dishes stacked without dividers, or artwork wrapped in materials that do not absorb shock. Professional packing is not a luxury — it is the most effective way to reduce the risk of damage to your belongings.
Around Town Movers offers full and partial packing services across Northern Virginia, using trained crews and professional-grade materials. Here is what that actually involves.
What Professional Packing Covers
A full packing service means the crew arrives before your move day and systematically packs every room. Partial packing is also available if you prefer to pack most items yourself and have professionals handle only the most fragile or difficult categories.
- Kitchen: Dishes individually wrapped in packing paper, glassware in divided cells, small appliances padded and boxed.
- Art and mirrors: Corner protectors, mirror boxes with foam padding, and custom wrapping for framed pieces.
- Electronics: Original boxes are ideal, but professionals can pack flat screens and components in appropriate foam-fitted boxes.
- Clothing and linens: Wardrobe boxes preserve hanging garments; folded items are packed efficiently without wasted space.
- Specialty items: Antiques, collectibles, and high-value decorative pieces receive individual assessment and custom wrapping.
Packing Services and Liability
There is an important insurance implication to professional packing: when the moving company packs a box, they accept responsibility for its contents. When you pack a box yourself and it arrives damaged, most movers (under standard valuation terms) limit their liability because they did not pack it. If protecting your coverage matters, professional packing is worth considering for your most valuable items.
When Partial Packing Makes Sense
Not every household needs full packing service. A common approach is to handle your own clothes, books, and non-fragile household items while hiring Around Town Movers to pack the kitchen, living room, and any rooms with fragile or specialty items. This keeps costs manageable while protecting the items most likely to sustain damage.
Around Town Movers serves all of Northern Virginia with professional packing services bookable alongside your move or as a standalone service before move day.
