Moving Box Question:

Is there anything special about moving boxes vs. any other kind of boxes?

Moving Box Answer:

Yes. There are two main differences between moving boxes and many other boxes:

1. Moving boxes are designed and manufacturerd to be much sturdier than an ordinary cardboard box. Cardboard boxes are usually measured using two different scales: one is called the ECT, or Edge Crush Test, and the other is called the Burst Strength test. The ECT is a score of strength that can measure how well boxes can be stacked and how well they can hold their form. The BST, or Burst Strength test, is a measurement displayed in pounds, and identifies how well a box can hold together under stress. Moving boxes usually carry a higher score on the ECT scale (meaning a score of 32 or higher) and the Burst Strength Test (a value of 200 pounds or higher), demonstrating that they are better alternatives for the demands of a household move. This allows moving boxes to withstand more weight while resisting tearing or crushing.

2. Moving boxes come in specific designs to help solve specific problems associated with moving:

· Wardrobe boxes. These tall, deep boxes with built-in bars for hangers are ideal for transporting clothes from closets without causing damage or wrinkling. They are also extremely easy to use. This unique construction allows you to lift clothes straight from your closet hanger bar directly onto the hanger bar of the wardrobe box. Tip: You can use the bottom section of wardrobe boxes to transport shoes, which will cut down on the total number of boxes you’ll need. Recommendation: We recommend these boxes.

· Dish packs. Sometimes called "cell boxes," these units separate and protect dishes and glassware with internal dividers. They play an important role of keeping things for the kitchen organized. Tip: Dishes should be packed on their edges, as if they were in a dish drying rack, and stemware should be packed standing up, not on its sides. Recommendation: These boxes are very helpful, but not absolutely necessary.

· File boxes. Designed specifically for transporting papers in file folders, these boxes often come with interlocking tops. Tip: You might wonder why you would need file boxes if you already have your files neatly stored in your file cabinets. The main reason is that files are incredibly heavy, and that file cabinets were never designed to be moved with files inside them. This creates a disaster waiting to happen, where file cabinets can spill their contents and/or break apart. Even if the files and the cabinets arrive intact, the people who move them can end up with serious injuries. Recommendation: We strongly recommend file boxes.

· Picture frame boxes. As the name implies, theses boxes are designed to protect and transport large pictures and mirrors during your move,. And other than trying to flatten other boxes and tape them together, they are one of very few options available. Tip: It’s tempting to try to put multiple pictures together in the same box; however, they often get scratched or damaged if your do. Recommendation: We recommend picture frame boxes.

These two differences separate moving boxes from most other boxes. All boxes should be checked for strength (see the stamps on the box bottoms), and you should watch for the specialty moving boxes. This should prepare you well for your move.

For more FREE moving tips, articles and advice, please visit the following resources:

• Moving checklist: The Ultimate Free Moving Checklist
• Tips on moving: 101 Best Moving Tips
• Finding great movers and moving companies

Most people pack up and move very infrequently, so they never really become skilled at organizing and packing. Here are few simple things that you can do to make your move easier.

Don’t Procrastinate

A common mistake for somebody who is moving is that they don’t pack early enough The logic used to defer packing is, “ I need to use all my things so I can’t start packing yet.” The reality is that most people only use a tiny fraction of their possessions. Start packing the vast “rarely used” majority. An example would be to organize your sweaters, winter-wear, and holiday decorations first if you are moving in the Summer. Save yourself the time consuming task of searching for cheap moving boxes by shopping on-line. MovingDayBoxes.com delivers to most addresses in the country in one to two business days, and offers free shipping on all orders of moving supplies, inlcuding wardrobe boxes. Browsing the web for moving boxes will shave two or more hours from your move time.

Take More Time and Don’t Rush
You’ll likely need far more time than you think. There are hundreds of little things that pop up that you won’t anticipate. If you are short on time, little things popping up will be frustrating and quickly put you behind schedule and stress you out. Moving is stressful, adding to the stress by not allocating enough time will make the experience very unpleasant.

My Mover Quoted Me a Really Low Price
There are a lot of dishonest people in the moving business, if a quote on a move is very low compared to several others that is a red flag, not a deal. Investigate if your prospective mover is a memeber in good standing with the American Moving and Storage Association, and check their record on the Better Business Bureau web site

people in the United States tend to move from their homes and apartments much more frequently than people in other parts of the globe. This is because most Americans crave new experiences, such as doing new things or exploring new areas. Some people even like to live in close proximity to all the Orlando theme parks, which probably keeps moving companies in Orlando pretty busy.

If you retain a moving company, moving probably won’t actually be all that hard, but it can absolutely be stressful and anxiety-inducing to organize the loading of your furniture and the boxing of all your prized possessions. People who more concerned with their social appearance are more likely to buy moving containers than those whose financial restrictions cause them to look for free alternatives from local grocery stores. Some smart people have even figured out how to get new cartons for free. If you plan on using the US Postal Service for some or all of your move, free flat-rate boxes or priority mail boxes are available at the post office. If you are using the USPS as a method for moving some of your belongings, you can lower your overall moving cost by using the no-cost boxes. Even if you get free moving boxes, you’ll still probably need to buy packing and shipping materials, like tape, paper, bubble wrap and more. If you want to move in style, then you can always go online and purchase various styles and sizes of new moving boxes. You can use moving kits to help you move your special files, clothes and kitchen items. Some companies will not just offer free cardboard moving boxes with their moving kits, they will sometimes give you special shipping and handling considerations for certain end destinations. Another potential way to lower your moving costs would be to ship your auto and pets.

Be sure to contrast the various features and benefits of each company you interview before you decide to spend your hard earned money on them. One thing to consider when deciding between moving services is how many years they have operated and in how many different locations. For example, you might see an online listing that reads “Miami moving company” and you wouldn’t know if they just service that area or if they’re nationwide. It pays to check, because you’ll want to make sure they service the area you’re moving to. If you can get the information, you should look online to see if there are any customer reviews of the moving companies you are considering. There are many ways to keep moving costs down.