6 Cost-Effective Packing Tips for Your Upcoming Move

Setting up housekeeping in a new home can be expensive. First, you’ll want a professional mover to ensure your goods are moved safely, but professional services cost money. Closing costs and deposits also add to the price of a new home.

You can save money on packing your goods without affecting quality, however. Here are a few tips.

1. Don’t Pack What You Don’t Need

Purge any items you haven’t used for a long time or clothes that no longer fit. Ridding yourself of extra items means saving time and money on packing. You’ll also save money on the move because you’ll have less to move.

2. Pack Some Items Yourself

You can save money by packing non-fragile items, such as clothes and many kitchen items yourself. However, you’ll probably want professional movers to pack your most precious items to prevent damage.

3. Obtain Free Boxes

Often, you can find suitable moving boxes for free without having to buy them. Check with relatives and friends, especially those who shop a lot online. They may have plenty of sturdy boxes they’d like to get rid of. Also, check with friends who have recently moved.

Some movers will provide free used boxes. You might also find someone giving away boxes on Freecycle or Craig’s List, or local retailers, including liquor stores.

If you have to buy boxes, stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s typically have inexpensive ones. You may also find used boxes for sale on BoxCycle.

After your move, you may be able to recoup some of your investment by selling the boxes online through BoxCycle.

4. Use What You Already Have

You may also be able to save on boxes by strategically using items you already have at home and want to move anyway. Examples include:

  • Backpacks
  • Suitcases
  • Baskets and hampers
  • Heavy-duty plastic bags
  • Bins
  • Large pots

Moving cartons are not the only things you’ll need to pack; you’ll also need packing supplies such as bubble wrap, packing peanuts, foam padding, and packing paper. While professional protective materials are often ideal, there may be some alternatives you can use. Consider the following

  • Use soft towels or clothes instead of bubble wrap for fragile or easily scratched items;
  • Pack glasses and other small breakables in socks instead of packing paper;
  • Put old towels, sweaters, pajamas, or other soft clothing in the bottom of your packing containers instead of packing paper;
  • Rather than packing peanuts or crumpled packing paper, rip and ball up old newspapers;
  • Make use of your home blankets instead of moving blankets.

5. Leave Non-Breakable Items in Drawers

Furniture drawers are generally sturdy and can save you money and time on packing. However, for heavy pieces of furniture, you’ll still need to take the drawers out to keep them light enough for the movers. In this case, just cover the dresser drawers with moving blankets and then with plastic wrap to keep the contents safe. Check with your mover to see how they like to handle this.

6. Pack Strategically

Develop a packing plan rather than just tossing items into boxes. For example, think about ways to nest some items inside others so you need fewer boxes. Needing fewer boxes will not only save on box costs but also on overall moving costs.

We can provide you with additional packing tips to help make your move go more smoothly. Contact us for a quote.

 

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