Moving house is a huge upheaval and requires plenty of planning ahead. Whether you are packing a studio apartment or a five bedroom house, you will need to choose the right cartons or boxes for the job. Here are some of the options on the market and a brief look at the advantages of each.
Cardboard Packing Boxes
Traditional packing boxes and cartons come in various sizes and can be bought at your local self-storage centre. Because you are purchasing the boxes outright, there is no time pressure for returning them. If you are renting temporarily whilst house-hunting, or need to keep some boxes packed up while renovating your new place, this is ideal. If you keep the boxes in reasonable condition, you can sell them back to the storage centre once you've finished unpacking, to recoup some of the initial outlay.
Secondhand Cardboard Boxes
Storage companies will also sell pre-used boxes at a reduced rate. This is a great option if you are on a budget. However, bear in mind that some companies will be reluctant to buy the boxes back again if they have clearly been used more than once. Try using removable sticky labels instead of writing on the cartons and ask the removal company to treat them carefully if you are trying to save money. Alternatively, you could pass them on to a friend who needs moving boxes or save a few for your next garage sale clear-out.
Plastic Moving Crates
A recent addition to the moving market, these environmentally-friendly crates are made from recycled plastic. Their strength and consistent size make them perfect for stacking in the moving truck. Hiring the crates is more expensive than buying cardboard boxes, but the time saved on removal day itself will compensate you partially for the greater cost. The crates can be reused hundreds of times, no sticky tape is needed for sealing boxes and no cardboard ends up as waste, so this is easily the greenest option.
Other Options
Vacuum storage bags are perfect for bedding and cushions. The space saved by compressing bulky soft items translates into saved money by freeing up space in the truck. Suitcases have to be moved to your new home too, so don't leave them empty, pack your essential clothes and toiletries in there. This way they will be easily accessible and you won't be rummaging through 6 different boxes looking for them.
Choose the right packing materials and you have taken the first big step towards a smoother move. For more information, contact Australian Moving Logistics.
Share19 March 2015
After my parents passed away I inherited a lot of bulky furniture items that have been in my family for many generations. My current inner city flat is nowhere near big enough for it so I rented out a storage unit. Sometimes I head out to the storage lot just to look through it and remember them. Luckily the furniture has stayed in great condition and one day when I finally get a big family home, I'll be able to have it all on display. I spent a lot of time researching the best way to store vintage furniture long term, and it's all on my site. Enjoy!