How many packing boxes do I need to move house? What size boxes? And how do I pack them?
These are common questions you face when moving house and, while there is no one-size-fits-all answer, we can give you a good idea of what you’ll need.
How many packing boxes do I need?
This is the ‘how long is a piece of string’ question, and the answer is going to differ depending on whether you’re more of a minimalist or a collector. However, here are some general rules of thumb based on the size of your house.
Note that you should pack as many of your possessions as possible in boxes. It will take your removalists much longer to pick up and secure loose items than it will if they’re in boxes, so plan to pack the majority of your items.
Small move – 1 to 2 bedroom home
- 10 – 20 small boxes
- 10 – 20 medium boxes
- 10 – 20 large boxes
Medium / Large move – 2 to 3 bedroom home
- 15 – 30 small boxes
- 20 – 30 medium boxes
- 15 – 25 large boxes
Large move – 5 + bedroom home
- 20 – 40 x small boxes
- 30 – 40 medium boxes
- 30 – 40 x large boxes
Plus don’t forget to also have on hand:
- A large roll of bubble wrap
- Sheets of packing paper (250 sheets for small move, 500 sheets for larger move)
- 4-8 rolls of packing tape
- A packing tape dispenser (recommended for larger moves)
At Pinder Tower Movers, we can provide you with all the high grade packing boxes in Melbourne you require. Discuss your requirements with us, and we’ll be able to let you know exactly what you’ll need.
What sort of packing boxes do I need?
You’ll need an assortment of moving box sizes. Heavy items, such as books and crockery, should be packed into smaller boxes, so that they don’t become too heavy to be safely lifted. Lighter items, such as bedding and clothing, can be packed in larger boxes. It’s good to also have a lot of medium sized boxes that are large enough to take odd-shaped items.
In addition to basic boxes, you may also need specialised packing crates such as archive boxes and picture/mirror moving boxes. It can also save a lot of time to use portable wardrobe boxes, which include a rack and enable you to keep all your clothes on their hangers during transit. You can then simply transfer them straight into your new wardrobe.
We highly recommend purchasing proper moving boxes, rather than collecting a random assortment of boxes. Why? Proper packing boxes are reinforced and built for purpose, so will be sturdy enough to hold items safely. With thinner, non-packing boxes, you run the risk of the bottom falling out. Also, while there is an initial outlay of money to purchase boxes, your removalist will be able to stack and move these uniform sized boxes far quicker, which will save you money during the move.
How to pack items safely
Place heavier items on the bottom of your boxes, and pack lighter items up top. Wrap all crockery, glassware and fragile items well. Stackable items such as dishes should have wrapping in between each layer, as well as around each bundle.
Be sure to fill in any gaps so things don’t move about. You can use tea towels, clothing and the like for this, as well as scrunched up packing paper or bubble wrap.
Make sure you tape your boxes securely, especially along the bottom seam. Once packed, tape the box shut and also tape around the whole box in a few places.
Talk to your removalist about packing artwork, computers, televisions and the like. They will give you some good tips and may be able to provide special boxes for the purpose, or else wrap items (such as televisions) in their own blankets on moving day.
And finally – don’t forget to label boxes clearly with both their destination room and contents. Also add ‘fragile’ for particularly vulnerable boxes that should not have other items stacked on them. Ideally, label on both top and sides for easy viewing.
If you’re moving house in Melbourne, Pinder Tower Movers can help you out by providing boxes and packing your belongings, as well as with the move itself. Contact Pinder Tower Movers for a quick quote.