Don't want to deal with packing? Cal's Moving offers professional packing and unpacking services for Clackamas residents. Our crew brings all the materials — boxes, tape, paper, bubble wrap — and systematically packs your entire home or just the rooms you need help with. We also unpack at your new place so you can settle in faster. Call (503) 746-7319 to add packing to your move.

Professional Packing Makes All the Difference

Packing is the most time-consuming part of any move. A typical three-bedroom Clackamas home takes 20 to 40 hours to pack properly when you do it yourself — that's an entire week of evenings and a weekend or two, squeezed in between work, family obligations, and all the other things on your moving to-do list. And time isn't the only concern. Improper packing is the number one cause of damage during moves. Dishes packed without dividers crack. Glasses stacked without padding chip. Books packed in oversized boxes make the box too heavy to carry safely. Picture frames wrapped in newspaper get ink stains.

Cal's Moving eliminates both problems. Our professional packers work efficiently — typically completing a three-bedroom home in four to six hours — using materials and techniques designed to protect every item in transit. We bring everything needed: moving boxes in every size, packing paper, bubble wrap, dish-pack cells, wardrobe boxes, tape, markers, and specialty materials for fragile and oddly shaped items. When we're done, every box is sealed, labeled by room and contents, and ready for loading.

Our Packing Services

Full-home packing: This is our most popular packing option. Our crew arrives at your Clackamas home — typically the day before or the morning of your move — and packs everything in every room. We work systematically, starting with the rooms you use least and finishing with everyday essentials. Each box is packed using proven techniques: heavy items on the bottom, fragile items cushioned and separated, and every gap filled to prevent shifting. Every box is labeled with its destination room and a brief description of contents.

Partial packing: If you prefer to pack some items yourself but want professional help with the tricky stuff, partial packing is the answer. Most customers who choose this option have us pack the kitchen (by far the most complex room to pack, with its mix of fragile dishes, glasses, small appliances, and oddly shaped items) and any rooms with particularly delicate or valuable items. You handle the clothing, linens, books, and other straightforward items. This approach saves money while ensuring the items most at risk of damage get professional attention.

Fragile-only packing: Some customers are comfortable packing most of their belongings but want professional help with fragile items specifically — china, crystal, artwork, mirrors, collectibles, and electronics. Our fragile-only service focuses exclusively on these high-risk items, using specialized materials and techniques to ensure they survive the move intact.

Unpacking services: Unpacking is the part of moving that nobody looks forward to. After a long day of relocating, the last thing you want to do is spend the next week living out of boxes. Our unpacking crew can unpack your entire new home — placing items in cabinets and on shelves, setting up the kitchen, organizing closets, and breaking down all the empty boxes for recycling. Many Clackamas customers who initially skip unpacking services end up wishing they'd booked them, so consider it when planning your move.

How We Pack Different Items

Kitchen items: The kitchen is the most packing-intensive room in any home. Plates are wrapped individually in packing paper and stood on edge in dish-pack boxes (never stacked flat, which concentrates pressure on the bottom plates). Glasses and mugs get individual wrapping plus cell dividers that keep them separated. Small appliances are wrapped in packing paper or bubble wrap, with cords tucked neatly to avoid tangling. Pots and pans are nested with paper between each piece to prevent scratching. Knives go in blade guards or are wrapped and placed in a clearly marked box. Spices, oils, and condiments are packed upright with paper between each container to prevent leaking and breaking.

Artwork and mirrors: Framed artwork and mirrors are among the most fragile items in any home. We pack these using a combination of corner protectors, bubble wrap, and custom-sized picture boxes or mirror cartons. Each piece is wrapped face-to-face with another piece (glass to glass) with padding between them, which distributes any impact away from the glass surface. For particularly valuable or oversized pieces, we build custom cardboard crating on site.

Electronics: TVs, monitors, computers, and other electronics are wrapped in moving blankets or bubble wrap and transported in specially sized boxes when possible. We disconnect cables and bag them with labels so you can reconnect everything at the new home. For flat-screen TVs, we use TV-specific boxes that provide the snug fit and corner protection these fragile screens need.

Clothing and linens: Hanging clothing goes directly into wardrobe boxes — tall boxes with a built-in metal bar that lets you transfer clothes directly from your closet without folding or wrinkling them. Folded clothing, bedding, and linens are packed in large boxes or in dresser drawers (which can stay filled for transport if the dresser isn't too heavy). Clean linens can also serve as padding for fragile items, doing double duty in the packing process.

Books and heavy items: The cardinal rule of packing books: small boxes only. Books are deceptively heavy, and a large box filled with books can easily weigh 70 to 80 pounds — too heavy to carry safely. We pack books flat in small or medium boxes, filling any remaining space with lighter items or packing paper. The same principle applies to tools, weights, and other heavy items — small boxes, always.

Collectibles and valuables: Figurines, ornaments, sports memorabilia, coin collections, and other collectibles receive individual wrapping with multiple protective layers. We use bubble wrap, tissue paper, and custom padding to create a cocoon around each item. These boxes are clearly marked as fragile and positioned in the truck where they'll be protected from any shifting during transit.

Packing Materials We Provide

When you book our packing service, we bring all necessary materials — you don't need to buy or source anything. Our standard packing kit includes small boxes for heavy items like books and tools, medium boxes for kitchen items, toys, and general household goods, large boxes for lightweight bulky items like linens, pillows, and lampshades, dish-pack boxes with cell dividers for plates, glasses, and stemware, wardrobe boxes for hanging clothing, mirror and picture boxes for artwork and large frames, bubble wrap for fragile items and electronics, packing paper for wrapping dishes, glasses, and decorative items, packing tape and markers for sealing and labeling, and specialty materials as needed for unusual items.

All materials are included in your packing service cost — there are no separate charges for boxes, tape, or paper. We bring more than enough to handle your home, and we only use what's needed.

When to Book Packing Services

When you're short on time: If your job transfer, closing date, or lease end doesn't leave enough time for weeks of packing, professional packers compress the process into hours rather than days. We can pack a full Clackamas home in a single day, often the day before or the morning of the move.

When you have fragile or valuable items: If your home is filled with china, crystal, artwork, antiques, or collectibles, professional packing dramatically reduces the risk of damage. Our packers handle these items daily and know exactly how to protect them.

When physical limitations are a concern: Packing requires bending, lifting, reaching, and extended periods of physical activity. For seniors, individuals recovering from injury or surgery, or anyone with physical limitations, our packing crew takes this burden entirely off your hands.

When you want a stress-free move: Even if you have the time and physical ability to pack yourself, many Clackamas residents choose professional packing simply because it eliminates the most tedious and stressful part of moving. You focus on the big picture — new schools, new routes, saying goodbye to neighbors — while we handle the boxes.

Tips for Working With Professional Packers

Sort before we arrive. Packing goes faster when you've already decided what's going and what's not. Go through closets, cabinets, and storage areas before packing day and set aside items for donation, trash, or giveaway. Our crew packs what's there — so if it's in a cabinet when we arrive, it's getting packed and moved.

Point out valuables and fragile items. Walk through with our crew lead before packing begins and point out any items that need extra attention — grandmother's china, a signed first-edition book, an expensive vase. While we treat everything with care, knowing which items are most important to you helps us prioritize our attention.

Set aside don't-pack items. Place items you want to keep with you — medications, important documents, jewelry, laptop, phone chargers, a change of clothes — in a clearly designated area or take them to your car before packing begins. Let the crew know that specific area is off-limits.

Keep pets and children safe. A house full of open boxes, packing materials, and busy movers is not ideal for pets or small children. Arrange for them to be at a neighbor's house, in a secure room, or with a family member during packing.

Be available for questions. Our packers will occasionally need your input — should we pack this painting or leave it for you to transport? Is this box in the attic going to the new house or to donation? Being nearby to answer questions keeps the process moving efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does professional packing take?
A one-bedroom apartment typically takes two to three hours. A three-bedroom house takes four to six hours. A larger home with extensive belongings may take a full day. We'll estimate the time during your consultation so you can plan accordingly.

Do I need to provide any packing materials?
No. We bring everything — boxes in all sizes, packing paper, bubble wrap, tape, markers, wardrobe boxes, and specialty materials. All materials are included in your packing service cost with no separate charges.

Can you pack just one room?
Absolutely. Many customers have us pack only the kitchen, or only fragile items, while handling the rest themselves. We're happy to customize the service to match your needs and budget.

Do you also unpack at the new home?
Yes. Our unpacking service includes placing items in cabinets and on shelves, setting up the kitchen, organizing essentials, and breaking down and removing all empty boxes. This is a popular add-on that helps you settle into your new Clackamas home much faster.

What if I have items I don't want packed?
Just let us know. We'll designate a "no pack" area or mark specific items with tape or sticky notes. Medications, important documents, jewelry, and items you want to transport personally should be set aside before our crew arrives.