Do I have to pack fragile items in boxes?
Every fragile item has to be packed inside a box before it goes on the truck. That includes the obvious ones like glassware, and the ones people forget: lamps, lampshades, mirrors and TVs. Blankets protect furniture; they are not a substitute for a box around something breakable. Inside a truck, items are stacked and braced together, and only a closed carton keeps a delicate piece from taking weight it was never built to carry.
The longer answer
Three ways to get it done
| Option | Who packs | How you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | You | No packing labor; bring sturdy boxes |
| Crew packs on the day | Our team | Hourly time, supplies charged as used |
| Silver or Golden | Our team | Flat add-on per hour, chosen at the end |
Silver handles bulky fragile pieces like screens, mirrors and big frames. Golden packs every loose item in the home. Read more on our packing services page.
Commonly missed fragile items
- Table and floor lamps, with shades boxed separately.
- Vases, ceramics and decorative bowls.
- Wine glasses, stemware and anything with a thin stem.
- Picture frames with glass fronts.
- Small electronics such as speakers and monitors.
Packing them so they arrive whole
Plates and glasses do best in dish packs, sturdy double-wall cartons, with each piece wrapped in paper or bubble wrap. Fill gaps so nothing rattles when you lift the box, and do not overload; a heavy box of china is more likely to be dropped. Write "fragile" and the room name on the side. If you run out of time or materials, the crew has supplies on the truck. Our moving checklist covers timing, and packing and storage explains longer projects.
More questions people ask
Can a lamp ride without a box if I wrap it?
No. Lamps count as fragile and need to be boxed, with the shade packed separately so it does not crush.
Will the crew pack just my fragile pieces?
Yes. They can pack only what you choose, at the hourly rate with supplies billed as used.
Do you check my boxes before loading?
The crew looks for loose, unboxed fragile items and will ask you about anything that needs packing before it goes on the truck.