Moving boxes & supplies are important factors to get right when moving. They help you to be prepared and organized for your move. For your convenience, we deliver these tools to your doorstep on the move date.
Gather your moving tools ahead of time, makings you feel better equipped for the task of packing. For your convenience, you can order your moving supplies directly from Collegian Movers. Our moving professionals help you to determine the correct types and amounts of moving boxes you need for your upcoming move. These items are an important part of your move to get you prepared and to keep your belongings protected throughout the moving process.
Step 1: Use the size of your home, the number of people living in it, the belongings you have, plus any special requirements for packing fragile or valuable items to help determine the number of boxes you need to move.
Step 2: Calculate a quick estimate by multiplying the number of rooms in your home by 12.
The moving box calculation uses the assumption, that it takes 10 to 15 boxes to pack one room.
However, please note that this is a general guideline and may not apply to all situations. To provide a more accurate estimation, you can consider the specific size and layout of your rooms. Keep in mind that larger rooms may require more boxes, while smaller ones may need fewer. Additionally, if you have more belongings or if you prefer to pack items more securely, you might need more boxes than the average estimate suggests.
If you're wondering how many boxes to buy initially for your apartment or single-family home, let's break it down. For apartment dwellers, it's recommended to start with as few as 20 or 40 boxes. This initial number should be sufficient for most apartment-sized moving endeavors. However, if you reside in a single-family home, it's advisable to purchase at least 40 to 60 boxes before embarking on your packing journey. Keep in mind that every home is different, and you may require more boxes as you progress.
When it comes to residential moving a variety of boxes are needed, including small, medium, and large boxes. In order to properly pack your household, you will also need a variety of different shaped boxes such as dish packs, wardrobe boxes, and file boxes. Next, you should consider the types of items you are moving and the quantity of each item. For example, if you have more clothes or more dishes to pack than an average person, adjust your box order to fit your needs.
Box Guideline (Box Types for Residential Moves)
When moving companies refer to packing services, they mean the physical wrapping of a household and personal item, and the placing of it into a box. Who packs your boxes will depend upon which packing services choose.
When packing your belongings for a cross country move, consider hiring professional packers. They will assure you are using the proper packing supplies and moving boxes to minimize damage to your items. Transporting furniture and belongings across states lines requires more care and effort than moving to the other side of town. Your items often have to endure hours of bumpy roads. Items that are not packed properly may shift during transport. Our packing services help to keep your memories safe, so nothing gets accidentally damaged.
Collegian Movers has been moving Connecticut residences since 1989. As a guideline, we always ask our clients, “How long have you lived in your home?” We know that the number of boxes you need to move increases with the number of years you have lived in your home. As the late George Carlin said, most people accumulate lots of “Stuff” over time. So, don’t be surprised when you need more boxes, than the average move.
Have you lived in your home for over 10 years? If yes, you should increase the number of boxes to 12-15 per room, versus the 10 to 12 per average move. Please plan accordingly and note that you are not alone. Most people underestimate the number of boxes they need when planning a move.
Are you downsizing your home? If so, you should focus your efforts on minimizing what you are moving. Donate items, have a garage sale or give things away. The fewer items you have to move, the fewer number of boxes you need.
Most Connecticut Moving Companies recommend purchasing boxes in a variety of sizes. The items you are moving come in many different shapes, sizes, and weights. Each item will not fit in the same size box. As a general rule, when packing boxes heavy items should be packed in small boxes and light items should be packed in large boxes.
Moving boxes are specially designed and manufactured for moving. For example, a dish barrel box (China Box) is extremely sturdy because of its double-walled construction. In general, moving boxes are known to endure a greater load, than the boxes sold by the "big box" stores.
The moving boxes sold and used at Collegian Movers have a 32 Edge Crush Test (E.C.T.) rating or higher. The E.C.T. is a test method used to measure the durability and strength of a moving box. Moving boxes are worth the extra money because of their strength and durability and add extra protection for your items during transport.
Our boxes come in many sizes. However, the following types of boxes are the most commonly used by professional moving companies. If you want to be 100% safe with your choice of boxes, you'll want to stock up on some of these quality moving boxes.
Below is a guide for which boxes to use based on the item you are moving. Each box size has specific measurements. The description includes names, sizes, and basic uses. If you need further information on boxes, please contact our sales office. Standard moving boxes come in a variety of sizes: small (1.5 cubic feet), medium (3 cubic feet), large (4.5 cubic feet), extra-large (6 cubic feet), and specialty boxes like dish-packs (about 5.2 cubic feet), wardrobes (10.5 to 16 cubic feet), and mirror cartons (various sizes).
Small boxes are commonly used for papers, magazines, records, CDs, tools, canned goods, and other heavy items, etc. Our book carton boxes are small in size and are easy to handle.
Medium moving boxes are designed to hold the majority of household items. These boxes are durable. They are versatile and suitable for shoes, t-shirts, linens, kitchen items, and sporting goods. Large boxes are often used for bed pillows, comforters, sweaters, bulky holiday decorations, and plastic toys.
Large boxes are used for light items. Be sure to keep the weight of your boxes reasonable. You don’t want them to become too heavy to carry. Large boxes are used to move items such as speakers, pillows, blankets, bedding, curtains, linens, stuffed animals, and clothing.
These extra-large boxes are frequently used by movers, while dish-packs are ideal for breakable items like dishes, glassware, and small appliances. These corrugated cartons are commonly used for packing the kitchen and dining room. We suggest you also have bubble wrap and packing paper on hand for this job. By protecting your dishes in bubble wrap or with crushed paper you add an extra level of cushioning to your fragile items. It also helps to eliminate the shifting of items inside these heavy-duty moving boxes.
Our warehouse can be used to store business records, overflow inventory, seasonal items, files, unused furniture, and more.
It may not seem like common sense, but when packing a China box, it is a best practice to pack the dishes vertically. Dishes have more strength on their side than when stacked horizontally or flat. So, don’t stack them on top of one another, from the bottom of the box. Place your dishes in a vertical direction. This increases your chances for a smooth move without damage. In addition, for extra protection before placing dishes in the box, place a layer of balled up packing paper on the bottom of the box.
Wardrobe boxes are designed to move and store hanging clothing. In particular, they should be used for items that cannot be folded and packed into a large box. Each wardrobe carton includes a 24-inch bar to accommodate up to 2 linear feet of items. To calculate the number of wardrobe boxes you need, measure the total feet of the hanging bars you use. Every two feet is equal to one box. In addition to the bar, there is plenty of space at the bottom of each box for your shoes and belts or other lightweight items you store in your closet. Special considerations: For wardrobe boxes, it is advised to fasten hangers to the bar using twine or moving tape to prevent hangers from bouncing off during long-distance moves.
Safely transporting mirrors, pictures, glass tabletops, oversized breakable items, and televisions. Mirror carton boxes are ideal for this type of work. Mirror cartons should be loaded upright in the truck to prevent damage to flat, oversized, breakable items. These boxes come in 4 pieces. The overlapping pieces adjust to allow for a wide variety of sizes and uses. The pieces provide exceptional protection. Special considerations: When packing breakable items in mirror cartons it is recommended to wrap each item with packing paper or bubble wrap, a large paper pad, a moving blanket, or an old sheet before placing it in the box, for extra protection. This cushioning also limits movement during transport
At 8 hours a night, the average person sleeps for one- third of their life. So, it makes sense to protect your mattress during your move. Mattress boxes provide a layer of protection from anything that your bed may be exposed to during transportation. This type of box is available in king, queen, double, single (twin) bed sizes. We recommend you use one for each box spring and the mattress that you are moving.
When it comes to moving to a new home or storage unit, saving money and reducing clutter are two key goals. One way to achieve both is by downsizing your belongings. It's surprising how much we accumulate over time, and sorting through closets, attics, basements, or garages can unearth a multitude of items we no longer need or use.
Remember, when you move locally, you pay by the hour, which means you're paying to move every item from one location to the next. By decluttering before the move, you can significantly reduce the number of items you need to pack and transport. This not only saves you time but also cuts down on moving costs.
Consider donating outdated clothing, hosting a tag sale, giving away old toys, or even selling unwanted items online through platforms like eBay. By parting ways with these unnecessary belongings, you'll be lightening the load and ultimately spending less on moving boxes and supplies. The fewer boxes you fill, the greater savings you will experience.
In addition to downsizing, another practical strategy to save money and reduce clutter while packing is to buy your packing materials in stages. Instead of rushing to purchase boxes, paper, and packing tape all at once, start buying them gradually, ideally 4 to 6 weeks before your move. This approach allows you to better estimate the exact amount of materials you'll need, preventing overbuying and unnecessary expenses. Plus, buying in stages ensures that your home remains organized and clutter-free during the packing process.
So, while decluttering helps you cut down on the number of items to move, buying packing materials in stages allows you to optimize your spending and keep your space tidy. By combining these two strategies, you'll not only save money but also create a more seamless and efficient moving experience.
For additional ideas on how to save on your moving costs see our moving tips.
