One of the first hurdles of moving is acquiring enough boxes. But what boxes you choose matters. Here’s why.
Bad Boxes = A Bad Move
Getting cheap or free boxes that have already been used can be a good way to save some cash on your move. But it’s not always a good idea.
If your boxes are in any way damaged — ripped, sunken in, water damaged, etc. — then they aren’t going to work properly. New boxes can withstand the weight of (most) things you put in them, but an old, beaten up box may tear or fall apart. Having the bottom of a box fall out as you’re carrying it is a full-on Day Ruiner, and the last thing you want to deal with when you’re moving.
Damaged boxes also won’t stack well, making loading a more difficult process and increasing the chances of boxes potentially falling during your drive.
Finally, used boxes are often already labeled. This isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, but it will add to the confusion on moving day when a box says both “kitchen” and “bathroom” on it!
Choosing the Right Boxes
When it comes to moving boxes, bigger is better, right? Not necessarily. What you want is the right box size for the items you’re planning to move. Shoving a bunch of tiny things into a giant box is going to increase the chances that they bump against each other and get damaged. Or if you overfill a box, the bottom could break open. (This is classic with books — never try putting as many books as you can into one big box!)
The best thing to do is to buy a variety of box sizes — but not all the boxes you think you will need. Start with a handful and begin packing. You’ll figure out what sizes you need more of throughout the process.
Buy your boxes new from a local distributor like a U-Haul store, UPS store, or a local moving company, like us! We sell boxes as well as moving supplies like bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and packing tape. Skip the impending disaster that comes with used boxes and contact us about getting sturdy, new boxes today!