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Finding Free Moving Boxes
Moving from one place to another is an arduous and expensive process. The cost of moving varies based on the situation. Some of the factors that affect removalist costs are distance and the amount of stuff you are moving.
No matter how we try to minimise moving expenses, the cost almost always exceeds the estimated budget. If you think that moving house is heavy on your pocket and you want to cut some costs, the most convenient place to start is finding free boxes for moving.
You will need proper planning, a little creativity, and some basic help to get lightly used boxes for free. Here are just a few easy things you can do to find free boxes for packing.
Before The Moving & Packing Process
Moving years of possessions from one place to another is not an easy feat, leave alone relocating your whole life in general, but it can also be thrilling! Before filtering and grouping your belongings, you will need packing materials such as moving boxes, packing tapes, mark pens, etc., to facilitate the moving process.
Before you start the moving process, ensure that you have a detailed checklist of what is packed as it ensures that you are aware in the event that any of your possessions are lost as you are moving house.
Determine How Many Boxes You Need
You need to be proactive when you plan to shift to another house. If you decide to use boxes, find out how many will be enough for your needs. Begin with an estimate of the number of boxes you need to search for later. Investing your time in the organising phase will save you a lot of time and money in the end.
Create a home inventory. This will help determine the exact number of moving and packing boxes required, how many personal possessions to move with you, and what to give away. You will save yourself from some backache and headache by not moving useless stuff.
Create an inventory before you start the packing process. You might be confused about where to start and what things should be written in it. Simply start from any room of your choice. Take some paper and divide it into four columns, labelled as follows:
- Item
- Estimated value
- Condition
- Location
Closely look at every item found in each room and fill the information in the respective columns. You do not keep any items pending. If you think an item is not necessary, put it aside. Check what items can fit into a box. Measure their size correctly and assign a certain box number to them.
Start by estimating how many items can fit in a box to ensure you do not get fewer or extra boxes than required. If you plan to hire removalists, you might lose some of the important stuff. A detailed inventory is also a great way to keep track of all your worldly goods. Do not pack your checklist together with personal belongings because you will need it to sort out all the stuff later on.
Getting Free Moving Boxes
Moving house is a very tiring and costly process. But you can make the process a little less expensive by using some creativity. You might be thinking of buying some new boxes for packing your things. You can save yourself some money by finding free boxes.
The question here is, where can one find free boxes for packing? Below are a few creative ways to locate free boxes for your moving needs.
Find Free Moving Boxes Locally
You can find free moving boxes locally from various people. If you do not get enough boxes from your house, simply search for them locally in places where you would typically find used boxes such as those listed below:
Nearest office supplies store
An office supplies store is one typical place where you can find free boxes. Often, office supplies come in big and robust boxes because they have a lot of care in transit. Go to any store and ask to talk to the manager. They will inform you whether they have boxes to give out.
Specifically, be on the lookout for printers or copy paper boxes. They are spacious and can help you carry heavy household items, like kitchenware and books. Do some research and find out the schedule of shipments of the stores. You may have better luck at the end of the day when these stores receive their shipments.
Retail Stores
Sydney does not lack retail stores, and such places are the best to find free moving boxes. In particular, you can check out department stores, home improvement stores, liquor stores and you will get enough boxes for your needs.
It will also not hurt you if you check in your local hardware where you had forged a friendship with the manager.
Bookstores for sturdy boxes
You can find strong, sturdy, durable, and thick cardboard boxes at local bookstores. Most of the bookshops receive weekly shipments, so you can reach out to them at the end of the day when they have unloaded and unpacked their supplies. Besides bookstores, you can easily find spare boxes at hardware or electronic stores.
Grocery stores for wooden boxes
Larger boxes occupy more space. So, most stores want to get rid of them. You stand a good chance of finding wooden grocery boxes as well as cardboard boxes at grocery stores near you. All grocery chains have many sizeable boxes for grabs. The good news is that they are available regularly as they receive fresh produce daily or weekly. All you have to do is to inform them in advance to book the boxes.
Vegetable and fruits boxes are made of corrugated cardboard that is useful as they are solid. As long as the boxes are clean, they make terrific moving boxes. If they are not, line them with paper.
Avoid vegetable pallets because you would not be able to fit a lot of items into them. Find sturdy boxes to safely pack fragile items.
Bars and liquor stores
You can use liquor boxes to carry glassware and various other heavy yet fragile items. Always make sure that the boxes you use have proper lids. Local restaurants and pharmacies are also alternative places to find such boxes. Boxes used to pack liquor are perfect for moving as they are sturdy and durable. Each liquor store will have boxes of different sizes and shapes. All you need to do is to ask them to set some aside for you.
Fast-food restaurants for fry boxes
You can find some helpful fry boxes at your nearest fast-food restaurant. Fry boxes are beneficial in moving heavy items in small batches.
Boxes at chain coffee shops
Some coffee shops have regular shipments coming in daily or weekly. Talk to the manager and find out if they have boxes to spare from their last shipment. If they do not have any boxes to give right away, ask them when their next shipment comes in and whether they would be able to keep some for you.
Local recycling centre or post office
If your local retailers and stores do not have enough boxes for you, your next bet should be recycling centres. The only problem is that most of their boxes will be flattened and folded and you can miss damages. While you are not sure you will find boxes in sizes that will fit your belonging, it is still an excellent option to look into when moving houses. It is also possible to find empty and large boxes at recycling centres or post offices because people leave them there after discarding items or receiving their mail.
Used boxes at local schools
A local school is one of the best places to find boxes of various shapes and sizes. You can find food boxes in the cafeterias or supply boxes at administrative offices. When you ask for some for your own use, you are helping them get rid of the boxes.
Moving Companies
Sometimes you can kill two birds with one stone by using a moving company that offers storage services. Therefore, you will get moving boxes of various sizes as part of the package.
Reach Out To Your Social Circle
Your friends and family may also have boxes they are willing to give out. Start by looking for boxes at their houses. Almost all of us have empty boxes lying in our storerooms ready to be disposed of. The easiest way to look for moving pack boxes is by asking your family members living close by, neighbours or your circle of friends. You never know, they could have some lying around from shopping or from moving in the recent past. Additionally, if they do not have any, their families or friends could have some. Do the following to find boxes for your moving needs:
Ask your friends and family
Ask your friends and family for free wooden, plastic or cardboard boxes. Make sure that these boxes are large enough to fulfill your requirements. Otherwise, you will end up having a whole bunch of extra boxes in your new house. If calling each of them is a hassle to you, you can update your social media status and wait for their replies.
Ask your new neighbours
When you notice someone moving into any house nearby, offer them help to get rid of their used moving boxes. Let them know beforehand that you need their boxes, but give them at least two to three days to unpack all of their stuff.
Ask your boss for spare boxes
Most companies have deliveries nearly every day. Many of the deliveries come in boxes, so you can talk to your boss or co-workers and check if your office has some free boxes. You can also speak to the people who handle supply orders and ask them to keep a few boxes for you.
Check the garbage room of your apartment complex
It is common practice for people to leave unwanted boxes in the garbage room or next to trash containers. You can take advantage of this habit. Visit the nearest garbage area around your neighbourhood or apartment complex and check to see if you will find boxes.
Find Free Boxes Online
You can also find packing boxes online. Grab your computer and search. Within a few moments of searching, you can find the boxes you need. Various apps and websites offer packing and moving solutions. Many people want to get rid of extra boxes lying in their garages and storage rooms.
Others, like you, want empty boxes to pack and move their belongings. These websites and apps connect the various parties. So, technical platforms can be a great way to source free boxes. Check the following sites:
Gumtree
On your local Gumtree or Marketplace page, there is a heading marked "For Sale." Under this heading, there is a sub-heading that says "Free." This page has ads from people who just moved and are looking to give away their boxes.
Freecycle
The Freecycle Network is a free website that connects people who want to give away things they no longer have use for. Cardboard boxes are always present in their lists.
Community groups on Facebook
Online community groups are also helpful in pointing one in the direction of the item they need. Recent movers who are looking for someone to get their boxes can find you through ads and posts.
Types Of Moving Boxes
After taking an inventory of your belongings, you'll need to know the kind of boxes to use. But how do you know the correct box to use and how many of each you'll need? Here is a quick run-down of different types of moving boxes.
Small Cardboard Boxes
When moving, make sure you order plenty of small cardboard boxes. In fact, most of your boxes should be in this size. Why? Small boxes are easy to carry when moving. You can use them to pack books, pantry items, kitchenware, and appliances. Their length is between 12 to 14 inches.
Medium Cardboard Boxes
They measure between 14 to 18 inches long. They are ideal for packing clothing, pans, pots, vases, frames, toys, stuffed animals, and more. These packaging boxes are in a good size that is easy to carry and spacious enough to hold various items.
Large Cardboard Boxes
If you do not have many belongings, you only need a handful of these. Use these boxes to pack large, light items such as blankets, beddings, and pillows. Do not overload these boxes, as you will have trouble moving them to the truck. They typically measure between 18 to 24 inches.
Wardrobe Boxes
Do you have hanging clothes that you need to move? If you answered in the affirmative, then you will need a few of these. They provide an easy way to move your clothes without wrinkling them. They come with hanging bars to hang your clothes.
Telescope Boxes
If you have mirrors, artwork, TVs, or delicate items that you want to move, you should purchase telescope boxes. These boxes have a separate bottom and top that fit properly. All you need to do is to slide the small piece into the large one. They are the best for preventing damages to items prone to easily break.
Flat-Panel TV Boxes
For your LED and plasma screens, you should use flat panel TV boxes. They should have clear writing indicating 'this side up' to protect your screen when moving.
Plastic Boxes
Do you have belongings that you need to store after the move? Airtight plastic bins are the best for packing such items. You can also use these bins to pack fragile items and electrical items. Since they are clear, you can easily find specific items when unpacking. Their waterproof nature is also suitable for protecting your items from inclement weather.
Banker Boxes
Are you moving your office items? From papers, pens, binders to folders, you should pack them in bankers boxes. These boxes have handles, lift-off lids and can be stacked together for easy organisation in your office.
Dish and Glassware Boxes
How do you pack your wine glasses and expensive china? Pack these costly and fragile pieces in dish and glassware boxes. They contain a small box, a medium one and cardboard dividers that you fit in the box. The dividers maximise space in the box and act as protectors for your fragile items.
Lamp Boxes
Your floor lamps can be difficult to move. Not only are they large with a unique shape, but they are also easily broken. These lamp boxes are narrow and tall to allow you to pack your unique floor lamps while keeping the base secure.
Insulated Foam Containers
Do you need to move your freezer with its frozen items? Apart from a cooler, it would be best to get insulated foam containers to help you move it. These containers are designed to control the temperature during moving.
Wooden Crates
When moving sculptures, antiques or such artworks, you need a heavy wooden crate. Wooden crates are typically plywood fixed with steel clips. They have removable panels to help you load and unload your belongings.
Mattress Boxes
You may be clueless about how to move mattresses. If the mattress will be in a moving truck for long hours, you should invest in a mattress box. This boxed pack will always keep your mattress in good condition while in transit.
Tea Chests
A tea chest is a large box used for storing tea and can hold up to 58kgs. It is square in shape and lined with tin or sheet lead. Other than storing tea, people use it to put their belongings when moving.
Qualities To Look For In Moving Boxes
There are many challenges in moving in general, and the last thing you want is moving boxes that are not up to the task of moving bulky items safely. The following is a handy guide of the qualities to look out for when buying packaging boxes for moving:
Strength
During removal, you should avoid single-walled boxes because your belongings are a mix of different sizes and weights. For this reason, you need double-walled, strong double or tri walled boxes for extra safety.
Size
Your ideal box should not be too large or too small. Packing boxes that are too large are not easy to pack and carry and require more than one person to carry. The standard moving boxes are the best.
Price
Sometimes compromising on quality to save on cost can be a huge mistake. However, you can get quality used boxes for free or at a lower price.
Cannot Find What You Are Looking For?
With all these helpful tips on hand, it can seem unlikely that you won't be able to find free boxes for moving. However, there are some regards where you may not be able to locate free boxes, and your only alternative is to use a professional moving company.
A professional moving company offers their moving services along with providing you with enough boxes to move all your items. These trained professionals will pack and handle your goods with the utmost care to ensure that your most valued possessions get to where they need to go safely and in the same condition in which they were packed.
Moreover, they are trained and experienced in packing and unpacking thereby offering you the best of both worlds. Therefore if you are struggling to find what you are looking for, it may be time to give the professionals a call.
