How many moving boxes do I need to move house?

Not all moving boxes are created equal.

Avoid using cheap and flimsy boxes made of thin flat cardboard or second hand damaged boxes. The last thing you wont on moving day is your boxes falling apart when you go to lift them or when they are stacked on top of each other in the truck. 

Do your best to source double corrugated boxes that are designed for moving. Not only will they save all your household items from experiencing any damage, the boxes themselves will hold up far better to the task you will be able to keep them for future use or even sell them off once you’re done with them.  

What sizes are available & for what things?

You won’t just need one type of box, there are a number of different boxes made for particular household items you will be wrapping, packing and moving. 

• Tea Chest Moving Boxes - thing of these as your large boxes.
• Book/Wine Boxes - smaller boxes designed for carrying heavy items.
• Crystal Boxes - twin cushion boxes designed for fragile items.
• Art/Mirror Boxes - large and slim padded boxes for artworks and mirrors.
• Portable Wardrobe Boxes - Cardboard box used for hanging clothes.
• TV Box - twin cushion box with extra foam padding to protect your flat panel screen - these are available in a variety of sizes to suit your TV size.

How many moving boxes will I need?

Well how long is a piece of string? We’re sorry to tell you this question has no answer. Sure we could provide you with all sorts of calculators and formulas to help you figure out how many boxes you’ll need based on how many pairs of socks you have in each room and the size of your dinner plates... but the absolute truth is you never know until you’ve finished packing. 

Everybody’s house and contents are completely different, some people have many heavy or fragile items and some people have none. Some people are minimalists, some are the opposite.

The best way to approach this problem we recommend is you find a packing store that will allow you to return unused items, and then buy more than you think you need. The last thing you want on packing day is to rush off and try finding more boxes. Be prepared with 50 or so boxes and simply return what you don’t use.

And remember, you can always sell what you don't use, or even your used boxes on sites like Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace. 

Those sites are also a great way of finding boxes on a budget - but make sure you only purchase quality boxes. If you start your move with broken or flimsy boxes you’re in for a world of pain. 

How can you get free boxes?

If you book your move with Moveall we can provide up to 50 loan boxes, for your moving day. Boxes must come back in good condition otherwise you are charged per box. If you decide you’d like to use our loan boxes, please let us know after you book your move online and we will arrange these to be available for you to pick up before your moving date, or we may drop them off to you if we are going past at some stage before your packing day.

Preparing blankets and pillows - do you need a blanket box?

Yes you can box blankets and pillows but a great way to prepare blankets and pillows for moving is with vacuum seal bags.  You can shrink the size of your blankets, pillows and clothes by 50% or more which is great for packing and handling. It also speeds up the packing process for your removalists. 

You can pick these vacuum bags up at plenty of places like K-Mart or Bunnings.

What will I need to have ready (other than my boxes)

Make sure you’re prepared with plenty of;

• Bubble wrap
• Packing paper/butchers paper (avoid newspapers if you can as the ink can sometimes rub off onto your items)
• Packing tape

You’ll also want handy;

• Scissors
• Box cutters
• A few permanent markers - Make sure you dont just write the contents of the box (i.e Books) - write the destination room on the box so your removalists can deliver it to the right room too.

Getting started - make sure your boxes are strong & protective

Plenty of packing tape on the bottom of your box is the most important first step.

Make sure your box is strong so when the box is picked up, it doesn't all fall through onto the floor! 

Prepare your boxes with a soft base.

A good practice is to line the bottom with a bit of bubble wrap, packing paper or similar cushion so that your items are completely protected from anything moving around while on the road.

Heaviest stuff goes in-first.

It might go without saying, but the last thing you want is an anvil packed on top of your champagne flutes. The best and most careful way to pack is to start with the heaviest items in the bottom of the boxes, and lighter stuff on top. Finish the box with some packing paper or bubble wrap so that items are firmly packed and will experience minimal moving once the box is sealed up.

Be mindful you don’t overfill boxes. 

A moving box shouldn't be any heavier than 20kg, for both the health and safety of our team members and the safety of your items. Overfull boxes are far more prone to splitting and breaking, damaging other boxes they are stacked on, and in the end it actually slows down the packing and unpacking process.

Label your boxes with your removalists in mind. 

Don't just write the contents of the box (i.e Books), make sure you write the destination room on the box too so your movers can deliver it to the right room when they’re unpacking the truck.

If the contents are heavy - make sure you write HEAVY on top of the box.

Likewise if the contents are fragile - make sure you write FRAGILE.

This isn’t because your movers will be any less careful with your other boxes, it's just about the way things are packed and stacked. You don't want a heavy box of books stacked on top of a box of glasses. It saves a lot of time for movers when they can categorise, sort and pack boxes they know are either heavy or fragile.

Can someone just do it for me?

Well funny you should ask!

Moveall offers an optional Wrap & Pack Service with your removalist booking prior to your moving day. We wrap & pack all approved household items.

The Wrap & Pack day includes;

• Protective wrapping.
• Boxing.
• Bagging.
• Marking & stickering. 
• Record of inventory.
• All packing materials supplied.

If you would like to get a quote for Wrap & Pack Service as part of your move, click here to get your free online quote.