How many moving boxes do I need?

Yazmina

So we finally exchanged contracts despite an 11th hour panic, and completion is on September 6th. :j:j:T:T

We are moving from a one bed flat to a three bed house and although I've been nagging my husband to buy some boxes we don't know how many or what size. How should I work it out? I've tried some online calculators but they seem to be attached to a commitment to signing up with a particular removal company. Hubby thinks that the removal companies that come round and do a survey, then supply the boxes will be too expensive.

Any ideas? Thanks.

pmlindyloo

Don't bother to work it out.

Do what most people do. Go round the supermarkets/shop and ask for their cardboard boxes and start packing a bit at a time.

Go for smallish boxes that you can carry once full. Big over heavy boxes are a pain for you and the removal men!

VintageHistorian

As pmlindyloo said about, ask supermarkets for their boxes.

I'd also recommend posting on your local Facebook group page, I saw someone do that recently and they were inundated with offers from people.

Could also try asking family and friends if they have any plastic storage boxes you can borrow as they'll stack pretty well.

Lauralou79

I moved from a flat to house but didn't use many boxes. The blue Ikea bags and material big shoppers type bags were used in packing.

Silence101

You'll need more than you think. We were lucky to have a good supply from the supermarket when we moved last, and I was surprised by the sheer number of boxes needed in the end. We're trying to buy a house so will need to collect boxes again... but As nothing is certain yet, (waiting for mortgage approval at the moment) I've only been decluttering in anticipation of the move.

And if you have books, the smaller the box the better. We still ended up with ridiculously heavy book boxes...

bouicca21

Boxes are also often available via Freecycle.

How many? Depends on how much clutter you have and in any case the answer is 'more than you think'.

getmore4less

plan how you are going to move them.

if cars make sure they fit the space in multiples across and high(probably 2/3 max) to reduce the number of runs

if van then stacking is the key so same size multiples.

not too heavy and different sizes smaller for heavy stuff like books and linen larger for the lighter stuff.

handles can be good.

If DIY invest in a sack truck or flatbed or combo

as has been said the bag route is an option and more uses once moved.

if the new place has a garden then something like GroundMaster 90/120L Garden Waste Bags can be good option.

I can get 4 in my boot 120ltr can get very heavy when full

enthusiasticsaver

We have always packed up a room at a time and got boxes from friends who have moved recently or supermarkets. Plastic crates, bags for life, anything really. If you only live in a one bed flat you can't have loads. Use the strongest for China/glass and books and only half full with heavy stuff and fill with bedding, towels etc to stop them breaking or being too heavy to carry. Run food stocks down as low as possible.

martindow

The problem with supermarket boxes is that some will be too weak and the mix of sizes makes packing a van difficult.

I'd second asking on Facebook or Freecycle for removals boxes. Removal companies often don't bother picking up their boxes after people have moved house. You should have no trouble getting boxes which will be strong and reasonable sized. 18x12x12 or 18 inch cube are standard sizes.

PasturesNew

Smaller are better - ones you can carry yourself without struggling... as that means you're able to move them about yourself.

There can be no answer to "how many" as everybody has different belongings, of differing levels of fragility.

For bedding/clothes I got the vacuum bags - they're great. There's even a GIANT one that took a whole double duvet and pillows in one go, just folding it into quarters. But you then don't want vacuum bags to rip - and other people might "grab" them and cause that, so some good "heavy duty" dustbin sacks I found the perfect solution to drop the vacuum bags into.

Kitchenware/crockery will be your biggest issue. That's where all the weight and fragility lies that'll take more boxes than you expect. Due to weight, go for smaller boxes for those.

Best thing to do is just to get "some boxes" and start.... then you'll see the size of your problem.

You will never be able to choose the right number/sort of boxes and will always be irritated when you have to unpack one, or wish you'd got another in a particular size..... but that's just how it is.

Modern Bags for Life (I like the Aldi & Lidl and CoOp ones so far) are a great size too for carrying some things that didn't need a box as such.

ACG

We had about 15 when we moved earlier in the year and it was not enough. My Mrs gave birth the day before moving so everything kind of went to pot with our move in the end.
I would say get 10 or so, fill them up over the next week or 2 and then see where you are at. You will still have 2-3 weeks to get boxes and pack.

DOnt leave it till the last minute. We were packing for about 3 weeks bit by bit as we knew there was a chance of the baby but even with a lot of it done, it still seemed to take a long time to finish off.