If you’re moving house soon and you’re starting to think about where to get boxes for moving, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll talk you through what you need for the big day and explain where you can get the materials you need without breaking the bank.
Read on for everything you need to know about where to buy boxes for moving house.
Best materials for moving
Keep your belongings safe, secure and well-protected throughout the move by packing them in the right materials. These are some of the best materials for moving.
Cardboard boxes
For all types of moves, we usually recommend strong double-walled boxes for peace of mind, especially with delicate items like glass. More often than not, however, normal boxes will suffice for moving from property A to property B in a direct move.
When moving belongings into storage spaces, whether you’re heading to a rented space or your personal garage, we recommend boxes of the best possible quality. This will ensure the longer-term security of your personal items.
Bubble wrap
We’ve all got a few possessions that need extra protection during a move, so when it comes to packing these items up, bubble wrap is your friend. Pick up a few rolls of bubble wrap well in advance of your move to ensure that you have plenty of it. You don’t want to leave fragile items inadequately protected during their journey.
Packing paper
Packing paper is very affordable, easy to come by and brilliantly effective at protecting all kinds of items. We recommend wrapping delicate items in bubble wrap and then securing this with an additional layer of packing paper. This double-layer trick works wonders, protecting even the most fragile items as they go from A to B.
Packing tape
Packing tape is much stronger than the tape you’ll typically have lying around the house, and it’s well worth getting some before you start packing up your house. This robust tape is ideal for moving, as it helps to secure cardboard boxes and strengthen your packing materials. It’s also useful if you need to secure items within boxes to stop them from shifting around en route.
Removal crates
When it comes to choosing crates for moving house, the options really are endless. It’s a good idea to check the dimensions of the larger items you need to move before you start shopping for moving crates or exploring crate hire services. That way, you’ll know exactly how many crates you might need and what size crates would be best for your move.
Get in touch today, if you would like a quote for renting crates.
Where to get boxes and crates for moving
It often feels as if we’re awash with cardboard boxes until it comes time to start packing our belongings up in them! Unfortunately, come moving day, people usually struggle to find enough boxes to pack everything safely. If that sounds like you, we’ve got some tips on how to find boxes and crates for moving. And even some tips on how to find free moving boxes!
1. Social media like Facebook groups
Social media is an excellent place to connect with others, especially those in your local area. Many neighbourhoods have local Facebook groups where you can find people who live nearby… some of whom may well have spare boxes that you can use for your move. Just create a post asking for free packing boxes and see if anyone responds to your request. It really is that easy!
2. Friends and family
Don’t forget to ask friends and family if they have any spare cardboard boxes or packing materials lying around. Most of us have a few boxes stored away, so you may well be able to gather enough for your move just by asking those you know. Of course, if anyone you know has moved recently, it’s well worth starting by asking them if they kept their boxes!
3. Hire crates & packing boxes
4. Local recycling centres
Local recycling centres usually have plenty of cardboard boxes, as it’s often where people go to get rid of them. A word of warning, though – it’s best to inspect them carefully for signs of damage or infestation, as they could have been stored for a long period of time before making their way to the recycling centre.
5. Fast food restaurants
One of the best places to get boxes for home or office moves is via local fast-food restaurants. Fast food places, such as McDonald’s and KFC, get regular deliveries housed in large cardboard boxes. Simply ask if they can spare you a few. Most restaurants are more than happy to do so.
6. Gumtree
Gumtree is a hotspot for free stuff. It’s great for getting hold of free cardboard boxes for moving, and lidded crates, as those who have recently moved are always looking for help to get rid of the packing materials they no longer need.
Browse Gumtree to find free boxes in your local area. If you’re lucky, you may find someone with full house moving box packages you can have or a community group having a clearout. Remember to check for damage or wet spots, as these can make the boxes too weak to transport your belongings securely.
7. Check on Freecycle
Freecycle is a website where people get rid of their unwanted items for free. If you find someone with cardboard boxes, it’s best to ask how much these have been used, especially if this person has used them for transporting their items during a move. You need strong, sturdy boxes to place your belongings in otherwise you could end up with broken or damaged goods.
8. Ask your supermarket
Supermarkets receive many large deliveries on a daily basis, meaning they obtain many cardboard boxes. They will likely have a few packing boxes to spare. Additionally, these boxes have only been used to store groceries or other household items, so they’ll probably be in very good condition.
Make a point of heading to the supermarket either early in the morning between 7 am and 8 am or late at night after 10 pm, as these are key times when shelves are restocked and you’re going to be able to ask a member of staff who replenishes stock.
9. Check your local discount stores
Local discount stores, such as B&M, Poundland and Home Bargains stock an extensive collection of goods and receive them in large cardboard boxes. Other local discount stores also sell items in bulk so they’ll probably have packing boxes that you can make use of. They’ll be happy for you to take them. After all, it means there are fewer boxes for them to dispose of.
10. Ask your nearest schools
Schools receive lots of stationery, paper, books and food, all being shipped in packing boxes. If you have children in school, you can easily ask one of the teachers or assistant staff members if they have any spare boxes you can use. Alternatively, phone your local school first to see if they can assist you.
11. Ask your local print shop
Print shops take delivery of reams of paper and card, all being packed in strong cardboard boxes. Try ringing your local store to ask if they have any you can use. The bonus is that they’ll only have been used for paper and stationery type of items so you can expect to gain strong packing boxes in great condition.
12. Use the power of social media
Alongside Facebook groups, you can also make use of shoutouts on social media. Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat are great places to put a shoutout on. Your followers may know someone in your local area who has cardboard boxes for your move. Even if you are only able to get one or two boxes, you can always try other places on this list too.
13. Ask around local businesses
Greengrocers, bookshops, electrical stores, pharmacies, department stores, the list goes on. There is an abundance of local businesses that you can ask for free boxes from. Most of these stores will be able to offer good quality, clean packing boxes for your move. Bookshops, in particular, will have extra sturdy boxes to house your valuable or breakable items in.
14. Ask your local off-license
Off-license shops have alcohol delivered. As these are housed in glass bottles, they are packed in extremely sturdy cardboard boxes. These shops also tend to be smaller in size so they’re happy to give out their unneeded packing materials. After all, they’ll only be required to dispose of them elsewhere.
15. Check restaurants and bars in your area
Restaurants and bars may get deliveries of alcohol and food each week. While these may only be limited amounts, it’s still worth asking if they have any free packing boxes for moving house. Try heading to local areas where there are many bars and restaurants on one street. Going to popular areas means you can ask several places in one go, helping to save you time.
16. Ask coffee shops
Coffee, coffee cups and food are just a few items that are being delivered to your local coffee shops. Large, branded stores like Costa and Starbucks are more likely to receive regular deliveries as these are popular chains with many customers.
While these boxes may be smaller than other stores, both of these brands are committed to recycling and being environmentally friendly so there’s a good chance that they will be willing to give you their free cardboard boxes for moving. Additionally, Costa also accepts non-branded things for recycling so you can take your boxes back when you have used them.
17. Find local colleges or universities
If your removal or storage move is scheduled during autumn or spring, you may be able to get boxes from students who have moved into or out of local halls of residence. While this only really works for people who have colleges or universities close to them, if you’re willing to travel you may be able to find someone in your nearest city. Email or phone the college or hall of residence directly to see if they can help you.
18. Check DIY stores
A DIY store is filled with heavy, often large objects like paint, decorating supplies and tools, meaning strong boxes are used to deliver them. Ask an employee at your nearest DIY store. You’ve possibly got more chance of success at a smaller store rather than at a large brand, such as B&Q. Big chains tend to sell cardboard boxes for moving so they’ll be unwilling to give you them for free.
19. Look on Freegle
Freegle is similar to Freecycle in that people give away their unwanted items for free. Cardboard boxes regularly appear on this website so if you’re lucky you’ll find someone in your local area who is giving them away. Alternatively, you may have to travel.
20. Ask on Nextdoor
Nextdoor is where local communities come together. If a local Facebook group doesn’t bring you any joy on the free cardboard box hunt, then you may have better luck on here. It’s a local community group and it’s free to sign up to this site, plus all neighbours are verified which ensures you’re only collecting boxes from trusted people.
21. Check charity shops
Charity shops receive a lot of donations and some of these may be given in cardboard boxes. While these shops are probably happy to give you their boxes, they may not be in the best condition as they may have been used several times.
However, you may also come across packing boxes in excellent condition too. Just assess them for any damage and infestations. If they only have a few tears, you could use them for transporting items that are lighter in weight. Just make sure you tape them up securely.
22. Check behind shops in your town centre
Your local town centre shops may flatten their boxes and keep them at the back of their business property for collection. You’ll need to add tape to these to put them back into their correct shape. Furthermore, you’ll need to check them for damage.
If it’s been raining, they’re probably going to be in very poor condition and unusable. However, it’s worth looking here as you may be able to source several free boxes at a time.
23. Local warehouses
Local warehouses and distribution centres are a goldmine for packing boxes. As they are only going to be thrown away or recycled, you’ve got a great chance of acquiring them for free. Either phone them to ask or plan a quick visit to see if you get lucky.
Rent Robust Crates for the Duration of your Move
Whether you’re planning an upcoming house move or you have an exciting office move on the horizon, the Removals and Storage Experts are here to help. Based in London, the team provides full removals and storage services, with pickup and drop-off options available. What’s more, you can hire crates from us for the exact amount of items you will be moving. Get in touch to find out more.
