From bubble wrap and tape to packing peanuts and markers, the cost of moving can add up if you have a lot of things to haul. The cost of boxes, in particular, tends to add up quickly, with small sizes costing an average of $1 and large costing double that. For a studio apartment, this could mean an average cost of $35-$50 for boxes alone, while a 2-bedroom home would cost around $100. If this expense isn’t in your budget or you just want to make an effort to save, the good news is there are many places where you can get boxes at no cost to you.
1. Ask Your Community
There are always people moving in and out of neighborhoods, which means boxes can be easy to find. Start by asking your neighbors if they know anyone who has moving boxes to give away. Most people will be happy to have you pick these up, especially because they can be difficult to break down and recycle. If you aren’t comfortable with this, then use online community pages to search for boxes in the area. Facebook, Craigslist, and Nextdoor are all websites where you can search specifically for boxes that locals are giving away.
2. Visit Grocery Stores and Warehouses
Grocery stores and warehouse stores normally have an abundance of boxes from unpacking large trucks. Almost all stores will be glad to give you as many boxes as you need, as long as you can haul them away. However, make sure to look for those that are in good shape, as some boxes with heavier items can get pretty damaged. Go to as many stores as you can, and you shouldn’t have to buy a single box for moving.
3. Talk to Local Moving Companies
Every moving company will have some great information about where you can get free boxes. In fact, most of these companies will readily give you theirs just to get them out of their warehouses and save them some time on recycling. If you find a company that tries to charge you, simply thank them and move on. There are so many free options for boxes, that it doesn’t make sense to pay for them.
4. Join the U-Haul Box Exchange
U-Haul has made an effort to encourage recycling by connecting individuals who are looking to give away and take boxes. All you have to do to join this network is to go online and search within your area. From there, you’ll be able to see who is giving away boxes for free.
Tip: U-Haul also has “take a box leave a box” facilities at certain locations. These make it easy to grab boxes when you need them.
How Many Boxes Do You Need?
You’ll want to make sure you have enough packing boxes to accommodate your move, which means planning ahead of time. In general, a studio apartment will require 30 boxes, a 1-bedroom apartment will require 45 boxes, and a 2-bedroom will require 55 boxes. Make sure you also have a range of different sizes, from small to large and even extra large, so all of your things have a place to go.
Saving Money for Other Needs
With so many expenses related to moving, why spend money on boxes? The suggestions above are great places to find boxes that won’t cost you anything more than some gas.