--- title: Full Packing vs Packing It Yourself: A Plain Comparison url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/full-service-vs-partial-packing/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - Full packing vs packing it yourself # Full packing vs packing it yourself O'Brien's packs in four ways: full packing, partial packing, box packing only and packing into boxes you provide. The right one depends on how much time you have, how fragile the load is, and how much of the work you want to keep. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) Packing is the longest part of a move for most households, and the choice is rarely all or nothing. This guide compares the four options so you can match each room to the right one. ## Full packing With full packing the crew wraps, boxes and labels the household. Dishes, closets, books, small items and fragile pieces are packed by people who do it for a living. It suits a busy family, a tight schedule or a move where lifting is a problem. The [full packing](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/full-packing/) page has the details. Ask the estimator to list the rooms and items covered. The estimate names the service, so nothing is a surprise on move day. ## Partial packing Partial packing is a split: the crew packs the hard rooms, typically the kitchen, the artwork and the fragile pieces, while you pack the rest. It saves your time where mistakes cost the most. See [partial packing](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/partial-packing/). A common pattern is to pack clothing, books and decor yourself with the free boxes, then have the crew handle glass, dishes and electronics. ## Box packing only and your own boxes Box packing only means the crew packs your goods into boxes and does not wrap furniture or take on other tasks. Packing into customer boxes means you bought or collected boxes, and the crew packs the contents into them. Both are options if you want the packing done but already have supplies. Boxes matter. Thin or reused cartons can collapse in a stack, so use sturdy boxes. The Sparks office sells supplies, and the free in-home estimate brings 10 free heavy-duty boxes. See [boxes and supplies](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/moving-boxes-and-supplies/). - Full: the crew packs the household. - Partial: the crew packs selected rooms or items. - Box packing only: the crew fills boxes with your goods. - Customer boxes: the crew packs into boxes you provide. ## How packing and protection connect Who packs a box can affect a claim, because the paperwork records whether the mover or the owner packed it. Ask how the estimate and the inventory record packed items, and read the [valuation coverage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/valuation-coverage/) page. The federal rules in 49 CFR Part 375 require an inventory on interstate moves, and the FMCSA booklet explains your rights in plain language. ## Choose by room Walk the house and give each room a label: pack myself, crew packs, or leave to the end. Start with the kitchen, the dining room and the home office, since they hold the breakables and electronics. Use the [packing calculator](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/packing-calculator/) to size the supplies, and the [room by room guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/packing-room-by-room/) to plan the order. Then call 775-359-6683 and ask the estimator to price the mix. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [eCFR, 49 CFR Part 375, Transportation of Household Goods in Interstate Commerce](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375) - [FMCSA, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2023-10/FMCSA_R%26R_Handbook_Web_v1.pdf) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Professional packing services](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/) - [Full packing service](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/full-packing/) - [Partial packing and box-packing-only service](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/packing/partial-packing/) - [Packing calculator: how many boxes you need](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/tools/packing-calculator/) Moving guides ## Read next - [Moving to Reno from another country](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-reno-from-abroad/) - [Moving to Canada from the US](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-canada-from-the-us/) - [Moving to Mexico from the US](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-mexico-from-the-us/) - [Moving overseas: how international household moves work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-overseas/) - [How much to tip movers](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-much-to-tip-movers/) - [How much do movers cost? What drives the price](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-much-do-movers-cost/) - [What goes into a long-distance moving cost (weight, distance, services)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/long-distance-moving-cost/) - [Binding, non-binding and not-to-exceed estimates](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/binding-vs-non-binding-estimates/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Can I mix full packing and packing myself? Yes. Partial packing is built for it, and the estimate lists which rooms the crew packs. ### What is box packing only? The crew packs your goods into boxes without taking on other services. ### Does O'Brien's pack into my boxes? Yes. Packing into customer boxes is one of the four packing options. ### Where can I buy boxes? The Sparks office sells boxes and supplies. The free in-home estimate includes 10 free heavy-duty boxes. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) R Robert B. June 22, 2026 The movers were very professional and took care of my stuff there were no worries and stress free amazing job. M Mark S. January 22, 2026 Great company and local. They take great care of your moving needs. They are very accommodating and quick to respond. Highly recommend them for your moving needs and storage needs. Thanks to the O'Brien team for doing a fantastic job. L Laurie I. September 28, 2025 The two employees showed up on time and were very polite and ready to work. Our quote was 8 hours and they finished in 5 hours. Office staff checked in prior to move and confirmed all details and check in after move to make sure everything was taken care of. Would use this company again for sure! ### Owner's reply Laurie, Thank you for the awesome review! We are glad to hear everything went smoothly, and you were satisfied with the service. We want to also thank you for your business we appreciate you! ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070