When you know the number of moving boxes and supplies you need, it is easier to prepare for your move. You can gather your moving boxes and moving supplies ahead of time, making 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. We can also arrange for your moving supplies and boxes to be delivered right to your doorstep.
The moving box calculation is based on the assumption, that it takes 10 to 15 boxes to pack one room.
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.
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.
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 (ECT) rating or higher. The ECT is a test method used to measure the durability and strength of a moving box. Moving boxes are worth the extra money because their strength & durability adds 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.
Small moving boxes are great for moving books and other small heavy items such as records, tools, canned goods, 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 and can be used to move lampshades and other medium weight items.
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 boxes are well constructed for fragile items such as China, dishes, stemware, and crystal. 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 a crushed paper you add an extra level of cushioning to your fragile items. It also helps to eliminate shifting of items inside these heavy-duty moving boxes.
Our warehouse can be used to store business records, excess inventory, seasonal promotional items, product samples, files, 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 designed to move and store hanging items. In particular, they should be used for your 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.
Safely transporting mirrors, pictures, televisions and other wall-hangings is difficult. Mirror carton boxes are ideal for this type of work. 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. Additionally, we recommend wrapping your items with packing paper or bubble wrap 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.
It is a great idea to get rid of your excess items when you are moving to a new home or into a storage unit. Remember, when you move locally you pay by the hour. You are paying to move each item, from one location to the next. When you move fewer items, it takes a shorter amount of time to move. Therefore, it costs you less money to move.
It is common for people who are moving to have more than they realize. While sorting through closets, attics, basements, or overfilled garages focus on purging the items you don’t need or use. Also, consider donating outdated clothing, holding a tag sale, giving away old toys, or opening an eBay account to sell your unwanted items online. The fewer moving boxes you fill, the greater savings you will experience, as you will spend less on moving boxes and supplies.
For additional ideas on how to save on your moving costs see our moving tips.
When packing up a kitchen, you need to have many items of varying sizes. Therefore, you need to have boxes in varying sizes, as not all items fit into the same size box.
In general, the most common box for the kitchen is called China Box or Dish Barrel. The size of this box is 5.2 cubic feet.
China boxes are well constructed for fragile items such as China, dishes, stemware, and crystal. They are corrugated cartons and are commonly used for packing the kitchen and dining room.
In addition to varying size boxes, pick up the following must have packing supplies:
It is recommended when packing up your kitchenware to add two layers of bubble wrap or packing paper on the bottom of each the box. By protecting your dishes in bubble wrap or with a crushed paper you add an extra level of cushioning to your fragile items. It also helps to eliminate shifting of items inside the heavy-duty moving boxes.
Then, wrap each piece of dinnerware with a thin layer of packing paper and stack them one at a time in the box. Again, adding an extra layer of bubble wrap or paper in between every three dishes. It is best to stack the dishes vertically, on their edges, rather than one on top of another, as they are less likely to break this way.
For silverware, we recommend wrapping each similar type of silverware (knives with knives, spoons with spoons, etc.) with a rubber band. This keeps them together. Next, place all of the silverware into one smaller sized box, and finally tape it closed with packing tape.
Take care with your packing of kitchenware. Wrap each item and allow for cushioning in between items. This reduces your risk of finding broken dishes and shattered wine glasses when you open the boxes in your new location.
Lastly, using colored markers and stickers to label your moving boxes makes it easy to find your kitchenware items in your new home.
If you need more help packing your kitchen, our professional movers and packers are here to help.
We strongly recommend that you carry items of extraordinary value* with you. Items considered to be of extraordinary value are any article that is irreplaceable, sentimentally valuable to you, or expensive. These articles include jewelry, money, photographs, antiques and stamp collections. Additionally, we recommend that all important documents also be packed by you and not moved with the rest of your household goods.
However, extraordinary valued items can be included in your shipment, if you follow these simple steps.
To be assured that a claim involving items of extraordinary value is not limited to minimal liability, please complete and sign the Cargo Coverage Options form and choose and sign Option 2: Actual Cash Value (ACV), and declare your extraordinary valued items along with their current value.
If you do not wish to declare any articles of extraordinary value, please complete an sign the Cargo Coverage Options form and choose and sign Option 1. You must also complete and sign the Release of Liability form.
*In the moving industry, items of extraordinary value are considered to be an item worth over $5,000, or worth over $100.00 per pound.
Collegian Movers sells moving boxes, storage boxes and packing products. We have the moving products and services for all of your local pickup needs. We offer new and used boxes and other packing materials. Most importantly, our boxes are made for moving. They are sturdy and heavyweight. This is is important for moving your items safely. It adds an extra layer of security to your packed items.
We provide affordable packing services and unpacking services for your entire home or business. Additionally, we create custom crating or specialty packing for select items that you would rather entrust to our professionals. If you are in Connecticut, including the Fairfield and New Haven counties and don’t feel like packing, just let our movers and packers take care of it for you. We will help you pack and unpack all of the belongings that you are moving in record time.
Planning to move art, antiques, valuables on your own? Use these moving and packing tips to prevent damage or breakage during your move.