How to Buy Moving Boxes

If you're doing your own packing, you're going to want to invest in quality moving boxes.

Why? Because they're key to your move.

If you get cheap boxes, there's a decent chance they could come apart on you during the move. So spending a little money on quality boxes more than pays for itself if it prevents a lot of damage to your goods.

What to Look For

The corrugated boxes used for moving are not all the same quality and same materials -- they are not the common boxes you see in many retail stores.

Another difference with professional moving boxes is that they are designed specially for loading and transporting items on a moving van. The standard sizes boxes help the moving companies moving companies most efficiently plan their truck space, because the movers can determine how to best pack these boxes horizontally and vertically onto their moving trucks.

Using non-stand size boxes, the movers will have to try their best to try to make things fit properly, but they create a much bigger risk of dead weight on a truck.

Where and What to Buy

Figure out exactly how many you need – and then guess a little higher, because you'll often find that you need more than you planned for. You can also buy ready-made moving kits that offer the right amount of boxes and moving supplies for your relocation.

Moving-box makers have several types of boxes, specially designed for moving household goods. Normal moving box types and sizes include:

• Small – These are good for books and CD's, and heavy objects.
• Medium – These can be used for a number of common household items: collectibles, kitchenware and most of your other household items. They are best suited for a mix of some heavy goods combined with some light items Large – Be careful with heavy items in here – a lot of heavy items can quickly make a box hard to carry and unwieldy.
• Extra Large – These are best suited for light goods like bedding, drapes, towels and clothing that you do not put in a wardrobe box. Same goes for these boxes: don't put a lot of heavy stuff in here. Wardrobe – These have a metal bar for hangared clothes. You can put light items in the bottom, like shoes and bedding.
• Dishpack boxes – Double-walled to protect your glasses and dishes.
• Frame boxes – For pictures and mirrors.

Other Important Moving Supplies

Other important things to use, along with your quality moving boxes, include:

• Packing paper
• Bubble Wrap
• Labels
• Box Markers
• Furniture Pads
• Packing Tape