{"id":25695,"date":"2021-07-30T09:21:39","date_gmt":"2021-07-30T16:21:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=25695"},"modified":"2026-04-03T17:58:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T00:58:25","slug":"buyer-moving-boxes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/buyer-moving-boxes\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide to Finding Moving Boxes \u2014 No Matter Your Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"

Moving can be daunting, not to mention expensive. But making sure you have an ample supply of moving boxes<\/a> doesn\u2019t have to break the bank.<\/p>\n

Packing up your entire life into a truck and shipping it off to your new home sweet home is no easy feat. But have no fear. We\u2019re here with expert knowledge to help you learn some decluttering and packing tips, along with the best ways to source the right moving boxes and keep your budget intact.<\/p>\n

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Source: (\u015eahin Sezer Din\u00e7er \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ditch the clutter<\/h2>\n

The key to having a stress-free move is to prepare. We\u2019ve all seen the minimalist, Pinterest-perfect<\/a> homes online and on television, but chances are that is not your reality. Decluttering your belongings before the process begins is the perfect first step in your big move.<\/p>\n

Sandy Jamison<\/a>, a top HomeLight agent from San Jose, California, shares some advice: \u201cI tell my clients, if you haven\u2019t touched it [for] several years, maybe it\u2019s time to send it to charity or the dump.\u201d She continues to explain that often, moving costs are determined by weight, so don\u2019t bring what you don\u2019t need. It is important to consider if moving that old, heavy sofa is really worth the extra expense, when, instead, you can save that money and purchase something new on the other end of your move.<\/p>\n

Decluttering your belongings may be easier said than done. There is often sentimental attachment, or fear of purging something you may need in the future. These are valid concerns; however, it is recommended that you minimize the amount you will need to move. Check out these tips<\/a> for decluttering<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Start by not adding to the problem!<\/b> Don\u2019t purchase more things before your move and make the process even more painful.<\/p>\n

Give yourself plenty of time to downsize your items.<\/b> Rushed = stressed.<\/p>\n

Start small.<\/b> Focus on small sections of your home \u2014 rather than the entire house \u2014 to feel less overwhelmed.<\/p>\n

Track your progress with photos! <\/b>Seeing before-and-after images of your space will help motivate you to keep purging unnecessary items.<\/p>\n

Get rid of obvious trash first.<\/b> If you won\u2019t be hanging onto it, throw it out or donate it immediately.<\/p>\n

Determine your box budget<\/h2>\n

Now that you\u2019ve decluttered, it\u2019s time to determine your box budget<\/a> and how that fits into your overall moving budget. If you\u2019re hiring professional movers, you can expect to pay at least $1,000 for the move. The average household move<\/a> in the U.S. costs about $1,250, but this varies widely depending on the size of your home, the moving distance, and the amount of items that you\u2019re moving.<\/p>\n

Jamison recommends purchasing quality boxes rather than scouring for random, free boxes (if you can). \u201c[Investing in heavy-duty boxes is] absolutely worth the investment, especially if you\u2019re doing a long-distance move [because] they will withstand the bumpy roads and not collapse in on each other,\u201d she says. She also notes that it\u2019s helpful to use sturdy boxes that are the same size so they can withstand the weight, and you can easily stack them in your moving truck.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne mistake I see [clients] make is they go find any box they can, all in varying shapes, sizes, and quality. Then they stack the boxes, and [the boxes] inevitably collapse, causing damage to their belongings,\u201d Jamison says.<\/p>\n

A good place to start in determining your moving costs is to utilize an online moving calculator<\/a>.\u00a0 You simply answer some questions, providing information about whether you\u2019re moving from a house or an apartment and how many bedrooms you\u2019re packing up. You can also note what other rooms you have, such as your kitchen, dining room, basement, or garage. Then the calculator tallies roughly how many boxes you\u2019ll need and how much they will cost.<\/p>\n

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Source: (Kadarius Seegars \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Where to buy boxes<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s clear that not all moving boxes are created equally, but that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t shop around for what fits your budget. For example, you can find a 12 pack of bankers boxes<\/a> for $34.99, or a set of 30 assorted boxes<\/a> for $69.95. Another great idea is to look online at local storage facilities, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp<\/a>, and other local seller sites<\/a> for moving boxes. Look into purchasing moving box kits<\/a> for bundle deals that are tough to beat!<\/p>\n

Feeling like you have zero budget to spend on \u2026 let\u2019s be honest, cardboard? Don\u2019t worry! There are also plenty of places<\/a> to hunt down free moving boxes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Boxes to fit your move<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s important not only to determine a realistic moving budget and where to get your packing supplies, but also to think about what it is you are moving. Consider the items you need to move, and what size and strength boxes will be needed to execute it.<\/p>\n

Of course there are small, medium, and large box options, but consider specialty boxes like wardrobe boxes<\/a>, television boxes<\/a>, dish boxes<\/a>, and file boxes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Check out the industry standards for moving box strength below:<\/p>\n