There is no doubt that when packing for moving, you will pack most of your items in boxes – durable, convenient, and highly efficient, boxes are the perfect moving containers.
Yet, you may have some items that don’t fit well in boxes. Or you may not have enough boxes for all your belongings. Or you may be moving a lot of things that can be used as packing containers (suitcases, bags, hampers, etc.) and it may be a waste of space and money to move them empty. So, you may want to pack some of your goods in improvised moving containers that are not boxes – or you may want to leave some of your items loose.
If you’re moving yourself, you will, of course, be able to do as you wish. If you have hired professional movers to transport your belongings to your new home, however, you may be concerned whether they will move things not in boxes.
So, does everything have to be in boxes for movers? Will the pros agree to move loose items or things packed in bags, baskets, buckets, or other alternative packing containers?
It depends, but, generally, moving companies require their customers’ items to be packed in labeled boxes.
Why do movers want everything to be packed in boxes?
Packing in boxes is the safest and most efficient way to pack household items for moving – and it makes the moving process safer and more efficient too.
1. Moving boxes are easy to use
Packing a moving box is a very simple and straightforward process – it takes very little time and doesn’t require any special skills or techniques.
All you need to do is prepare the box (fold it, reinforce its bottom with packing tape, and line it with protective materials), arrange your items inside, add cushioning (so your belongings are well padded and don’t shift inside the box during transit), seal the carton (close it and tape it securely), and label it with its contents and any necessary handling instructions – the box will be ready to go within a few minutes.
See also: How to tape moving boxes; How to pack boxes for moving; How to label boxes for moving
2. Moving boxes provide good protection to the items packed in them
Moving boxes provide a protective shell around the items in them and keep them safe during the move:
- Boxes are strong and sturdy, so they protect the packed items from shocks and impact;
- Boxes enclose their contents, so no dust or dirt can get to the items in them;
- Boxes allow for proper cushioning and immobilization – they can be filled with cushioning materials that absorb shocks and vibrations and keep the items in the box from shifting and coming in contact with one another during the move, thus effectively protecting the boxed items from damage.
3. Moving boxes are easy to stack
Due to their uniform size, moving boxes can be easily and securely stacked one over the other:
- Boxes can be safely stacked on a dolly – It will save you and your movers a lot of time and effort when taking your packed items out of your home and to the moving truck (or from the moving truck to your new home upon arrival);
- Boxes can be neatly stacked in the moving truck – It allows movers to maximize the space in the truck and ensure a tight load, so nothing shifts or topples over during transportation (which further reduces the risk of damage to the packed items during the move).
4. Boxed items are easier to load and unload
One box holds a lot of items – so when taking a box out of the home and loading it on the moving truck, movers load all these items at once. Besides, as already mentioned above, boxes can be easily stacked on a moving dolly, so several boxes can be wheeled to the moving truck in one go.
This saves a lot of time when loading and makes the process much faster and much easier. The same applies to unloading.
See also: How long does it take movers to load a truck?
All in all, packing in boxes will ensure the safety of your items and will make your move easier and more efficient – and since movers strive for safety and efficiency, they want everything to be packed in boxes.
Good to know: Packing in boxes can save you money on your move
1) When your items are packed in boxes, loading and unloading take less time (as explained above) – so, if you’re charged by the hour (as is the case when moving locally), your moving costs will be lower.
See also: How much do movers charge per hour?
2) When everything is in boxes, it will be easy to optimize the space in the moving truck:
- Your items will fit in a smaller van, so if you’re renting a moving vehicle for your move, you will be able to rent a smaller truck and the rental fee will, therefore, be smaller. (See also: What size moving truck do you need?);
- Your shipment will take up less space in a large truck, so if you’re sharing moving truck space with other people (as is often the case when moving across the country), your moving costs will be lower as they will be based on the amount of space your items occupy in the truck. (See also: Should you share moving truck space?)
3) Boxed items are much less likely to get damaged during the move (for the reasons detailed above) – so, you’re less likely to spend money on repairs or replacements after the relocation.
What items to pack in boxes?
As a rule of thumb, if an item fits in a box, you should box it.
Glasses, plates, cups, bowls, pots, pans, kitchen utensils, small kitchen appliances, electronics, lamps, pictures, mirrors, books, magazines, office supplies, toys, clothes, shoes, linens, and everything else that is not too big or too awkwardly shaped to fit in a box should go in a box.
This means that you’re going to need a lot of boxes for your move.
As inexpensive as moving boxes may be, if you buy several dozens of them, the cost won’t be negligible. Fortunately, you don’t need to use brand new boxes for all your belongings. Non-fragile items and items that aren’t very valuable will be fine in used boxes – and you can easily find second hand boxes for free. (Must-read: How to get free moving boxes?)
Good to know:
1) Whether it’s new moving boxes or used boxes, make sure you have a few extra boxes at hand on moving day – you may have forgotten to pack some of your items, may be asked to repack some boxes for safety reasons, or may decide to take something you didn’t intend to in the last minute. If your movers require everything to be packed in boxes and you don’t have spare boxes, you will have to buy some from them or pay them to pack (or repack) your items for you – it will cost you a pretty penny.
Related: How many boxes do you need for a move?
2) It’s crucial that fragile items are packed in boxes (after they’ve been safely wrapped in packing paper, bubble wrap, or other adequate protective materials) – Fragile items are easily vulnerable to damage, so they need the best possible protection during the move – and, as detailed above, boxed items are better protected than items that are simply wrapped in protective coverings. So, you need to make sure that all your breakables are safely packed in sturdy moving boxes.
See also: How to pack fragile items for moving?
If you have very large or irregularly shaped fragile items that don’t fit in a box, you should consider custom crating. Professional movers can build a wooden crate to the specific dimensions of an item – the sturdy crate will provide excellent protection from damage and will be a custom fit, so it will be perfect for the item, regardless of its shape and size. Custom crating is not cheap but it is your best bet when moving fragile valuables.
See also: Do you need custom crating services?
3) Movers are only liable for damaged items in boxes they have packed themselves.
See also: Do you need moving insurance?
Will movers move things not in boxes?
No matter how beneficial it may be to pack in boxes, there are items that simply cannot be boxed up – furniture, large kitchen appliances, etc. Your movers will, of course, move such items – they will wrap them in moving blankets, bubble wrap, or other adequate protective materials to keep them safe during the move and will carefully secure them in the moving truck, so they don’t shift or topple over during transit.
When it comes to unpacked smaller items, however, or things packed in bags, suitcases, hampers, or other improvised packing containers, the pros may or may not agree to take them.
Every company has its own policy, so you need to discuss the matter with your chosen mover – and it’s best to get their box policy in writing to avoid misunderstandings.
Generally, movers require everything that can be packed in a box to be boxed up – especially when moving long distance. Under certain circumstances, though, they may agree to move things not in boxes:
- In the event of a local move – When moving short distance, your goods won’t be on the road for a long time, so the risk of damages will be smaller;
- When the non-boxed items are not easily vulnerable to damage, not very valuable, and unlikely to cause damage to other items in the moving truck.
Keep in mind that there are non-allowable items your movers won’t move, no matter whether they’re packed in boxes or not.
So, does everything have to be in boxes for movers? Not necessarily, but it is definitely recommended.
See also: Should you hire professional packers?
