Packing Tips to Save Time & Money on Your Move
Packing is the most time-consuming part of any move — and one of the biggest opportunities to save money. Whether you're doing it all yourself or just packing the non-fragile items, these strategies from professional movers will help you pack smarter, not harder.
Packing Supplies: What You Need & What It Costs
| Item | Quantity (2BR home) | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small boxes (1.5 cu ft) | 15-20 | $15-$25 |
| Medium boxes (3.0 cu ft) | 15-20 | $25-$40 |
| Large boxes (4.5 cu ft) | 8-12 | $20-$35 |
| Wardrobe boxes | 3-5 | $30-$50 |
| Packing tape (6 rolls) | 6 | $15-$20 |
| Bubble wrap (175 ft roll) | 1-2 | $25-$40 |
| Packing paper (10 lbs) | 1-2 | $15-$25 |
| Mattress bags | 2-3 | $10-$20 |
| Stretch wrap (for furniture) | 1 roll | $15-$25 |
| Markers & labels | 1 set | $8-$12 |
| Total Supplies (buy new) | $178-$292 | |
| Total with free sources | $60-$120 |
Where to Get Free or Cheap Packing Supplies
🍷 Liquor stores
Wine and liquor boxes are sturdy and have built-in dividers — perfect for glassware and small fragile items. Most stores are happy to give them away for free.
📚 Bookstores & office supply stores
Small-to-medium boxes with lids. Book boxes are especially sturdy. Ask if they have shipments arriving — that's when they have the most empties.
🏪 Grocery stores
Banana boxes and egg boxes are excellent. Apple boxes are particularly strong. Ask the produce manager — they usually have dozens in the back.
📱 Nextdoor, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist
People who just moved are desperate to get rid of boxes. Search "free moving boxes" — you'll often find entire moves' worth of boxes with packing paper included.
🛏️ Use what you already have
Towels, blankets, sheets, and clothing make excellent padding for fragile items. Suitcases and duffel bags can transport heavy items (books) better than boxes. Laundry baskets are perfect for lamps and oddly-shaped items.
Room-by-Room Packing Strategy
Kitchen (2-3 days)
Start here — the kitchen has the most breakable items and takes the longest. Pack plates vertically (like records), not stacked. Use packing paper between each plate, not newspaper (ink transfers). Wrap glasses individually. Leave out essentials for the final week.
Bedrooms & closets (1-2 days)
Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes — much faster than folding. Pack off-season items first. Shoes can go in the bottom of larger boxes as filler. Leave jewelry, medications, and valuables for your personal travel bag — never pack them on the truck.
Living room & entertainment (1 day)
Take photos of cable connections before unplugging. Wrap electronics in blankets (anti-static bags for hard drives). Remote controls, cables, and manuals go in a labeled zip-lock bag. Flat-screen TVs should be in their original box or a specialty TV box.
Bathroom & linens (half day)
Use linens as padding filler. Seal liquids in zip-lock bags (shampoo bottles leak under pressure). Dispose of or use up cleaning supplies — movers won't transport hazardous materials.
Garage, basement & storage (1 day)
Dispose of paint, propane, and chemicals (movers won't take them). Tools go in small sturdy boxes — not large ones that become too heavy. Disassemble shelving units last; label hardware in labeled bags.
Professional Packing Tips That Save Money
- Don't pack air. Fill boxes completely — empty space causes crushing. Use towels, blankets, and clothing as filler instead of buying extra packing paper.
- Heavy items in small boxes. Books go in small (1.5 cu ft) boxes. Large boxes filled with books weigh 70+ lbs and will break — or injure someone.
- Label by room, not by contents. Write "KITCHEN" on 3-4 sides, not what's inside. Mark "FRAGILE" and "THIS SIDE UP" prominently. Use colored tape or stickers for quick visual sorting.
- Pack an "open first" box. Include: toilet paper, shower curtain, basic tools, phone chargers, snacks, coffee maker, paper plates/cups, trash bags, and a change of clothes. Label it prominently and keep it in your car.
- Don't overpack. A box that's bulging or requires tape reinforcement is overpacked. The top should close flat. Overpacked boxes collapse when stacked.
- Photograph valuables before packing. If you need to file an insurance claim, "before" photos are essential evidence. Include serial numbers of electronics.
- Disassemble furniture smartly. Put hardware in labeled zip-lock bags and tape the bags to the furniture they belong to. Take photos of complex assemblies before disassembling.
Timeline: When to Start Packing
- 6-8 weeks out: Declutter. Sell, donate, or discard anything you don't want to move. Gather free boxes and supplies.
- 4-6 weeks out: Pack off-season items, storage rooms, garage, basement. Book moving company.
- 2-3 weeks out: Pack kitchen (leave essentials), books, decor, guest rooms.
- 1 week out: Pack remaining rooms. Prep the "open first" box.
- 1-2 days before: Pack final items. Defrost and dry refrigerator. Charge devices. Confirm mover arrival time.
- Moving day: Walk through every room and closet one final time before the truck leaves. Take photos of the empty home for your records.
Want to estimate your total moving budget including packing costs? Use our Moving Cost Calculator — select your packing service level to see how it affects your total.