Best Moving Supplies for a Smooth Relocation Company

The right moving supplies can make or break your move. Quality boxes, proper tape, and good padding protect your stuff and save you money. Most moves fail because people use cheap supplies that break or don't pack things right.

This guide covers all the supplies you need for a safe, smooth move. We'll show you which boxes work best, how to save money, and what tools make moving easier.

Essential Moving Boxes: Your First Line of Defense

Small Boxes (16" x 12" x 12")

Small boxes are perfect for heavy items. Books, dishes, and canned goods fit great in these. Small boxes cost about $1 to $3 each and can hold 30-50 pounds safely. Don't make them too heavy or they'll break.

Best uses:

• Books and magazines
• Dishes and glassware
• Small kitchen items
• Tools and hardware

Medium Boxes (18" x 14" x 12")

Medium boxes work for most household items. They're great for kitchenware, toys, and small appliances. These boxes cost $1.60 to $3.50 each and give you the best value.

Perfect for:

• Clothes and linens
• Small appliances
• Toys and games
• Bathroom items

Large Boxes (20" x 20" x 15")

Large boxes are for light, bulky stuff only. Use them for pillows, blankets, and lightweight clothing. They cost $2 to $6 each but break easily if overpacked.

Great for:

• Pillows and comforters
• Lampshades
• Stuffed animals
• Seasonal decorations

Specialty Boxes That Save Time

Wardrobe Boxes Wardrobe boxes have a hanging bar so you can move clothes without folding them. They cost more but keep your nice clothes wrinkle-free.

Dish Boxes These have thick walls and come with dividers. Dish boxes and dividers are essential for keeping dishes and glassware safe during transit. Worth the extra cost for fragile items.

TV and Mirror Boxes For safely transporting TVs, framed pictures or mirrors, use a TV moving box. They're adjustable and have extra padding.

Packing Materials: Protect Your Belongings

Bubble Wrap vs. Packing Paper

Bubble Wrap Bubble wrap works well for wrapping up larger or oddly shaped breakables. It costs more but gives better protection for fragile items.

Packing Paper Use packing paper sheets to protect fragile items like dishes. Make sure it's ink-free so nothing rubs off. It's cheaper than bubble wrap and works great for most items.

Moving Blankets and Furniture Pads

Moving blankets are thick pads used to cover large items during your move. You can rent them for $10-$20 per dozen instead of buying them.

Money-saving tip: Use your own blankets if you don't mind them getting dirty. Just know they might not survive the move.

Stretch Wrap and Plastic Covers

Stretch wrap helps secure items together and prevents drawers from opening during transport. It also protects furniture from scratches.

Plastic covers slide over furniture to protect it from dust and surface damage. Get mattress bags and couch covers at minimum.

Tools and Equipment for Safe Moving

Dollies and Hand Trucks

Rent dollies and hand trucks for less than $20 rather than buying them. Different types work for different jobs:

• Standard dolly: Good for boxes and small items
• Furniture dolly: Has four wheels, great for heavy furniture
• Appliance dolly: Has straps to secure washers and fridges

Moving Straps and Lifting Aids

If you have to move items up and down stairs, consider wearable moving straps instead of a dolly. They help you and a friend carry heavy stuff safely.

Moving straps make it easier to move heavy items and odd-shaped objects that are hard to grip. Always read the instructions to avoid injury.

Basic Tools You'll Need

Keep these tools handy:

• Screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead)
• Wrench set
• Utility knife for opening boxes
• Hammer
• Measuring tape

You might need to dismantle furniture when trying to fit everything in the moving truck.

Taping and Sealing: Don't Go Cheap

Quality Packing Tape

Don't get the cheapest packing tape. Cheap tape is too thin and doesn't stick well. Good tape costs a few dollars more but won't let you down.

Types of tape:

• Packing tape: Standard for sealing boxes
• Shipping tape: Good substitute for packing tape
• Duct tape: For heavy-duty repairs

Tape Dispensers and Guns

Use a tape gun to dispense tape quickly and buy packing tape in bulk rolls to save money. A tape gun lays seams straight and keeps your fingers from getting sticky.

How Much Tape Do You Need?

You'll use more tape than you expect. Buy at least 6-8 rolls for a 2-bedroom apartment, 10-12 rolls for a 3-bedroom house.

Labeling and Organization Systems

Labeling Materials

Label boxes on multiple sides so you can see them from any angle. Use:

• Permanent markers (black works best)
• Colored stickers for room coding
• Pre-made moving labels

Smart Labeling Tips

Write the room AND what's inside each box. Mark any boxes with fragile contents clearly so movers know to be extra careful.

Example good labels:

• "Kitchen - Dishes (FRAGILE)"
• "Master Bedroom - Clothes"
• "Living Room - Books (HEAVY)"

Inventory Lists

Keep a notebook or spreadsheet with box numbers and contents. This is especially important for expensive items.

Small Items That Make a Big Difference

Plastic Bags and Containers

Put screws, bolts, and washers in small plastic bags when you take furniture apart. Label each bag. Use sandwich bags for hardware and gallon bags for cords.

Utility Knives and Box Cutters

A utility knife makes opening boxes easy, but be careful not to cut your belongings. Box cutters slice through boxes like butter and are great for breaking down boxes after your move.

Work Gloves

Invest in work gloves to protect from scrapes, cuts, and punctures. Your hands will thank you after a long day of moving.

Padlocks

Your moving truck holds almost all your stuff. Protect it with a sturdy padlock. Don't buy a cheap one from the supermarket.

Moving Day Essentials

Cleaning Supplies

Pack basic cleaning supplies in an easy-to-reach box:

• All-purpose cleaner
• Paper towels
• Broom and dustpan
• Vacuum cleaner
• Toilet paper
• 
  

First Aid Kit

Keep a first-aid kit handy for minor injuries during unpacking. Moving is hard work and accidents happen.

Survival Kit

Pack a clear plastic bin with things you'll need right away:

• Phone chargers
• Snacks and water
• Basic tools
• Toilet paper
• Hand soap
• Prescription medications
• 
  

How to Save Money on Moving Supplies

Free Box Sources

Find free boxes at grocery stores, recycling centers, and office supply companies. Ask grocery store managers about good boxes on delivery days.

Best places for free boxes:

• Grocery stores (produce boxes are sturdy)
• Liquor stores (small, strong boxes)
• Office supply stores
• Bookstores
• Friend's recent moves

What to Rent vs. Buy

Rent these items:

• Dollies and hand trucks
• Moving blankets
• Specialty tools

Buy these items:

• Boxes (if you can't find free ones)
• Tape and labels
• Bubble wrap and packing paper
• Plastic bags

Budget Breakdown

Small boxes cost $1-$3, medium boxes $1.60-$3.50, and large boxes $2-$6 each. If you find free boxes, you might spend as little as $50. If you buy everything, expect to spend up to $500.

Recent industry data shows that the moving supplies market has grown steadily, with Americans spending billions on packing materials annually.

Typical costs for a 2-bedroom apartment:

• Boxes: $50-$150
• Tape and labels: $20-$40
• Bubble wrap/packing paper: $30-$60
• Rental equipment: $40-$80
• Total: $140-$330

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Box Problems

Using wrong box sizes: Using significantly larger boxes for small items causes them to rattle around and get damaged.

Overpacking boxes: Boxes can hold 30-150 pounds depending on size, but don't max them out.

Not enough padding: Not using cushioning material increases the chances of damage.

Packing Errors

Poor labeling: Not writing on multiple sides makes boxes hard to identify.

Mixing heavy and light: Keep heavy items in small boxes, light items in large boxes.

Ignoring fragile items: Research from packaging industry studies shows that proper packaging prevents 81% of product damage during shipping. Bubble wrap items individually and use kraft paper to prevent multiple items from damaging each other.

Eco-Friendly Moving Options

Reusable Containers

Plastic moving boxes cost $10-$30 each but can be reused many times. Some companies rent them for $1.50-$3 per box.

Sustainable Practices

• Use clothes and linens as padding
• Keep boxes for future moves
• Donate or sell supplies after moving
• Choose biodegradable packing materials

Green Alternatives

Instead of bubble wrap, try:

• Newspaper (for non-fragile items)
• Towels and blankets
• Foam padding from old packages
• Air-filled bags

Timeline: When to Get Your Supplies

8 Weeks Before Moving

• Start collecting free boxes
• Research rental companies
• Create your supply list

4 Weeks Before Moving

• Order specialty boxes
• Buy tape, labels, and packing materials
• Reserve dollies and equipment

2 Weeks Before Moving

• Get final supplies
• Pack non-essential items
• Test your packing system

Moving Week

• Pack everything except essentials
• Prepare your moving day kit
• Do final supply check

How Many Boxes Do You Need?

A typical three-bedroom house needs 70-150 boxes depending on your packing style and how full your rooms are. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the average American moves 11.7 times in their lifetime, making proper supply planning crucial for most people.

General guidelines:

• Studio apartment: 10-25 boxes
• 1-bedroom: 20-40 boxes
• 2-bedroom: 40-80 boxes
• 3-bedroom: 70-150 boxes
• 4-bedroom: 100-200 boxes

Box size breakdown for 2-bedroom apartment:

• Small boxes: 15-20
• Medium boxes: 20-30
• Large boxes: 10-15
• Specialty boxes: 3-5

Working with Professional Movers

What They Usually Provide

Professional moving companies like Last Stop Moving often include:

• Moving blankets
• Stretch wrap
• Basic tools
• Dollies and equipment

What You Should Handle

• Personal packing supplies
• Boxes for your belongings
• Specialty containers
• Cleaning supplies

Questions to Ask Your Movers

• What supplies do you provide?
• Can I rent additional equipment?
• Do you sell packing materials?
• What's not covered in your service?

Final Thoughts

The right moving supplies make your move safer, easier, and cheaper. Start with quality boxes in the right sizes, get good tape and packing materials, and don't skip the tools that help you move heavy items safely.

Remember these key points:

• Small boxes for heavy items, large boxes for light items
• Don't buy the cheapest tape - it will let you down
• Rent expensive equipment instead of buying it
• Label boxes on multiple sides for easy identification

Planning ahead and using the right supplies protects your belongings and saves money in the long run. Whether you're doing a local move or need long-distance moving services, having the right supplies makes everything go smoother.

For professional help with your move in Edmonton and Alberta, contact Last Stop Moving for a free estimate. Our team provides packing services and can help you get the supplies you need for a successful move.

Ready to start your move? Check out our moving checklist to stay organized and ensure nothing gets forgotten during your relocation.