What are the best stores to get moving boxes from?
Walmart and Amazon are great sites to shop because of their wide selection of brands and affordable prices. Head to The Home Depot or Lowe's for quality store brand moving box collections. You can purchase large cardboard boxes for under $3 each from any retailer above or moving box kits containing up to 48 boxes for $162 at The Home Depot.
You may be able to find free boxes in a few places:
Boxgiver.com allows people to give away moving boxes and even packing supplies to others in the community who could reuse them.
U-Haul’s Customer Connect (an online bulletin board) matches people who have boxes to give away with people who need them.
Good cartons make all the difference. You can buy the cartons and moving materials you will need from us. We can help you choose the sizes and quantities that are right for your move. You will save valuable time compared to tracking down suitable cartons at supermarkets. If you get cartons on your own, they need to be clean and sturdy to safely protect your goods. Liquor stores have boxes with dividers that are great for stemware or other fragile glass.
All cartons need to have a top on them for safe moving. Closing the carton will help protect your goods as the driver builds your load. Always fold the flaps together from opposite sides of the carton, ending with the last two flaps creating one seam across the carton. Use good quality carton tape to seal your boxes, taping across the seam and 1/2 way up the side of the box. It’s the tape along the side of the box that provides the strength to keep the carton closed and secure for transportation.
Proper marking helps you unpack faster. Mark every carton with your name, your MiniMoves order number and the room name on the top of the carton. Make notes about the contents of the carton on the side of the box. If you do, the delivery crew can get them placed in the right room and you will be able to read the contents-information when the boxes are all stacked up at delivery.
Wrap fragile articles the same way the professionals do. Use two or three layers of unprinted newsprint per glass, dish or figurine. Wrap firmly, but loose enough to provide a cushioning effect. Unprinted newsprint helps to keep you and your china, crystal and figurines clean while packing.
All cartons need to have a top on them for safe moving. Closing the carton will help protect your goods as the driver builds your load. Always fold the flaps together from opposite sides of the carton, ending with the last two flaps creating one seam across the carton. Use good quality carton tape to seal your boxes, taping across the seam and 1/2 way up the side of the box. It’s the tape along the side of the box that provides the strength to keep the carton closed and secure for transportation.
Pack glassware and dishes on end. These items are much stronger and less likely to be damaged when packed on end. Wrap plates into bundles making sure to layer two or three sheets of paper between each plate. Crumpled paper between layers provides cushioning. Bowls, saucers and serving plates are to be packed on their edge too.
Pack heavy items in small cartons and lighter things in big boxes. Books, hand tools, canned goods, and files should be packed into a box no larger than our 1.5 cu. ft. carton (12”X12”X18”). A small box full of books can weigh 50 pounds or more! Pots and pans, shoes and clothing, and many other items in your house can be safely packed in a medium size carton. Pillows, lamp shades, comforters and board games go into large cartons.
When packing for moving, make sure you pack like items together. Gather breakable items to put into a dish pack: a sturdy double wall carton that is designed to protect fragile items. Two or more table lamp bases can be padded and placed in a dish pack too.
Pack an “Open Me First” carton of things you are likely to need on the day you move into your home. Light bulbs, hand tools, paper towels and toilet paper, soap, trash bags and a first aid kit are just some of the things that would be good to have in one place on the day you move in.
Wardrobe cartons save wrinkles. Equipped with a bar for hanging clothes or draperies, this box is the best way to pack items on hangers. You will need one for every 24” of closet space. Wardrobe cartons are great for packing tall or unusually large items like silk plants and sports equipment.
What size boxes are best for moving?
Standard moving boxes are the go-to for packing most of the items around your house. They come in four sizes to meet a wide variety of packing needs. As mall moving box can hold up to 65 pounds worth of household items, like books, canned food, small appliances, vinyl records, and more (16-3/8" x 12-5/8" x 12-5/8"). Check out our packing matrix below-
Moving Industry Experience since 1980
MiniMoves® Employee since January 2013
Scott Ferree brings more than four decades of experience in the moving and relocation industry to his role as Chief Marketing Officer at MiniMoves. A third-generation mover, Scott began his career in 1980 and went on to serve as president of three moving companies over a 35-year period, developing extensive expertise in sales, marketing, housing relocation and the evolving needs of customers and corporate relocation professionals.
Since joining MiniMoves in 2013, Scott has led the company’s marketing and corporate sales efforts, helping shape the MiniMoves brand, strengthen industry partnerships and expand awareness of the company’s innovative approach to moving and relocation services.
An active member of the moving industry throughout his career, Scott served for 10 years as chair of the North American Movers Association Marketing Council. His combination of hands-on moving experience, business leadership and marketing expertise provides a unique perspective on the changing relocation landscape.
Scott holds an accounting degree from South Bend College and resides in Tucson, Arizona.
Michael Clarner
Senior Vice President, Strategy & Business Development
Moving Experience since 1987 MiniMoves® Employee since January 2022
Michael heads our Partnership Program Division for MiniMoves® and brings thirty-five years of executive-level experience in sales, business development, and strategic partnerships.
Ask him to jump. He says, “How high?”
Michael brings experience in many business verticals and has focused on the moving & storage industry over the past ten years including VP & Executive Director at Move HQ Engagement.
He was born in White Plains, NY, and lived in Westchester County most of his life until he recently moved to New Canaan, CT. He studied at Iona College with a B.A. in Business Management and played Division 1 Baseball as a pitcher. During his thirty-year career, he has been a principal in a financial advisory firm and Head of Business Development for two start-up companies (one of which went public) with results that yielded three different products/service lines and added over 800 accounts nationwide combined over the past eight years.
He is a dedicated, single dad to his daughter, and in his spare time, enjoys sports (football, baseball, and basketball), hiking, working out, fine foods, and traveling.
FUN FACT – MiniMoves was a customer for many years using several products/services he has represented!
Kristen Rodriguez
Senior Vice President, Administration
Moving Experience since 1994 MiniMoves® Employee since 1994
Kristen Rodriguez wears many hats at MiniMoves® and is a specialist with decade years of successful experience in billing and employee management. A strong believer in the power of positive thinking in the workplace, Kristen regularly has fun events, team outings, bi-monthly lunches, and more to bring employees a positive experience in the office. Kristen enjoys a good Netflix binge but can also be found on the golf course, constantly practicing her swing!
Jeff Sides
CFO and Vice President of IT
Moving Experience since 1987 MiniMoves® Employee since January 2017
With over 30 years of experience in the transportation industry and held a variety of management positions including IT, finance, billing, revenue distribution, agent relations and claims Jeff knows how to juggle many tasks.
He has a BA from Western Illinois University and an MBA from North Central College.
Jeff is the go-to whenever an IT concern occurs. Regardless of the question, he welcomes it with a smile.
In his free time, he loves spending time with family.
John Alianello
President & COO
Moving Experience since 1972 MiniMoves® Employee since March 2012
John has been in the household goods industry for over 35 years. He has held various positions starting from Manager of Fleet Services, Director of Fleet Development, & Safety, VP of Quality and Services, VP Agency Development to Executive Vice President and now President & COO of MiniMoves Inc.
His management experience with Bekins Van Lines and imove.com included working with over 300 agents in the moving & storage transportation business, has brought him recognitions in AMSA Safety from 1995-99 and an Agency Service Award in 2005 and 2006.
As President and COO, his primary focus is to support the company’s strategic growth and a direct responsibility for all day-to-day company departmental functions.
Industry associations include, Board Member of the American Trucking Association Moving and Storage Conference ATA-MSC. Council for California Moving & Storage Association CMSA, and International Association of Movers IAM.
John is a graduate of Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Law and now resides in Oakbrook, IL. He is a sports enthusiast and marathon runner. He enjoys boating with family and is an avid racquetball player. Fun fact, John was the 1991 Dupage County Racquet Club Champion. His creative decisive and innovative thinking also earned him a registered patten year in 2000 with imove.com!