Triangle Moving Service

How to Have an Effective Move

2011-11-07T15:20:00.000-05:00

If you are planning to move, there are a number of things you can do to control your moving costs. Organization is the key to an economically successful move. Conversely, no organization will ensure that your move progresses slowly, and that you will pay top dollar for your relocation.

IMPROPER PACKING

Packing all goods into used liquor cartons is a mistake. They are small, oddly sized, and difficult to load in the truck. They will slow down your mover’s progress. The rule of thumb is that if they are too heavy for YOU to lift, they are probably over packed. Under packed cartons waste space and cartons should always be packed tight to prevent damages.

Another grave error shippers sometimes make is to not tape and label cartons adequately. Cartons with folded tops are hard for movers to work with; the loose corners tend to snag. Worse, some shippers fold the bottom of the box, load it full of goods, and tape the top. This is a recipe for disaster. When the mover picks up the carton, the contents invariably spill out on the floor. Proper labeling will insure the movers handle the property properly and get it to the correct location at destination.

PROPER PREPARATION

Another thing that will slow the movers down is to pack cartons on move day. Movers are most effective when all YOUR work is done before they arrive. The more you are prepared for your move, the faster the crew can complete the job.

Make sure the movers have a clear path in the house and outside as well. If movers have to move things out of their way, or clear off furniture prior to moving it time will be lost. Also, make sure the path is clear for the truck to park as close to the residence as possible. More distance to the truck results in more time expended on the job and more cost for you. In addition, if your children are present during the move, you should make sure they are not in the way of the movers or playing around the truck. A truck ramp is not a safe place for child play.

You should be sure to be at the origin location when the crew arrives, or have a representative available if you cannot be present. There is paperwork that must be signed prior to commencing the job, and your presence at the beginning of the job will ensure the movers understand how the move should progress. You should also be present at the offload, especially if you want to have your goods placed where you want them.

Have a plan, and share it with the movers. When the movers arrive, you should complete a walk through and show them the complete scope of the move. Movers make a plan and load the truck according to the volume they see. Adding items (or roomfuls) can wreak havoc with the plan and be costly for you, the client. At destination know where you want your goods placed, and make it understandable for the crew. Color coding is great, but names work equally well. Tag the rooms, then tag the furniture and mark the boxes to match. A floor plan is great for each room to expedite handling.

COMMON MISTAKES

When you are moving there so much to be done! Often clients assume it would be a great idea to have other services rendered -- painting completed, appliances delivered, cable hookups completed and such -- during the course of the move, since they will be home at that time. Actually, that is a mistake that can be expensive, because the different service technicians will invariably disrupt each other and the movers.

Make sure the facilities are on at both locations. It is hard, and sometimes impossible for a move to be completed efficiently with no electricity. It can be tortuous for movers to have no access to restroom facilities.

Be sure to remain sober during the move. Excessive drinking can result in a bad move or worse, a bad accident.

In summary, the key to a successful move is organization. Each of the points illustrated here have been violated in our many years in the moving business -- seldom with good consequences. The more YOU do things right, the better and more effective your move will be.

Moving Rental Trucks

2011-05-03T14:29:00.001-04:00

Often when moving, it is useful to utilize a rental moving truck to complete a do it yourself local move. Some people prefer a combination professional and do it yourself, where they move the small easier items and leave the big heavy stuff for the professionals. In other instances they may choose to use a rental truck for a long distance within the state or even to another state. In any of these instances, or for any other reason you might want to use a rental, it is good be informed about what is available and the differences between the rental truck companies.

There are even times when professional movers use rental trucks. Having experienced all of these issues and more in my 22 years as a moving company manager, I have learned quite a bit about the do's and don'ts of rental trucks that I would like to share.

Currently there are three major national moving truck companies, and each one seems to have a slightly different focus and niche in the market. There are also some smaller, more local oriented truck rental companies should you be looking for a truck that you would return to the same location that you picked it up.

We gave a comparison overview on our blog for the three big players offering local and one way truck rentals: Uhaul, Budget, and Penske.

Deciding on what type of truck to use can also be an overwhelming decision. We covered the differences between professional moving trucks, freight trucks, and rental movers trucks on our blog here.

If you want to rent a truck, how do you decide what to select? There are a number of factors to consider and we visit those factors in-depth to give you all of the information you need: here.

When Moving Companies Use Rental Trucks

2011-05-03T14:13:00.000-04:00

Even for a moving company, there are times when a rental truck is useful or needed. Some times that come to mind are:

1) in very busy times when all the company owned trucks are already in service
2) when there is an unexpected breakdown
3) when a customer has an unexpected issue such as trouble at the closing and needs to store items in the truck for a day or three
4) when providing service for a long distance move where all of the items will not fit in a single truck.

How to Select a Rented Movers Truck

2011-05-03T14:11:00.000-04:00

If you want to rent a truck, how do you decide what to select? There are a number of factors to consider.

If you are making a local move the decision is easy to make. The things to consider are price, availability, distance to the dealer, and ease of loading and unloading. On a local move, the size of the truck is not a huge issue because if it won’t all fit the first load, you simply make a second trip.

Selecting a truck for a one way move a long distance away should be considered carefully. It is wise to spend time ponder all of the options. The things to consider are price, fuel mileage, dependability, truck size, comfort, and distance to the dealer at each end of the trip

Pricing for long distance one way truck rentals is based on a number of factors not always proportional to the real cost of driving the truck. If a rental company has an influx of trucks to a certain area, they have a tendency to discount trucks leaving the area, especially if the client is driving the truck to an area that has a shortage of trucks. As an extreme example, a few years back, we had trucks moving in and out of the greater New York area frequently. When I checked on the price of renting a truck to bring back to North Carolina, the rental company wanted $2300 for the truck alone, excluding pads, insurance, and fuel – while a truck leaving North Carolina and heading to the New York area was running less than $400.00. It always pays to shop all the companies to find out who is offering the best deal.

Diesel trucks will burn about one third less fuel than gas trucks, but with diesel fuel about 5-10% higher than gas, the difference becomes nominal. However, diesel trucks tend to be more dependable and are more powerful than gas.

Truck size is a major concern, because if you fail to get all the goods in, a second load is not a good option. It is better to have a truck that is too big, rather than one that is too small. If you cannot get all your goods into the biggest truck, what are the options? Most obvious is a second truck, which effectively doubles the cost of the rental. Another option is a trailer. Rental truck companies will not allow you to tow a trailer from another rental company behind their trucks. They will, however, allow you to pull your own trailer, should you happen to have one.

If you decide to use a rental truck, each of the rental truck companies has their truck specs listed on their web sites. You can look at truck sizes and available cube space, weight limits, fuel mileage, and amenities –along with a plethora of additional information. Each company will list the reasons that you should choose them. The final decision is yours.

Comparing Professional Moving Trucks, Freight Trucks and Rental Movers Trucks

2011-05-03T14:10:00.001-04:00

There are some major differences between freight trucks, professional mover's trucks and rental mover's trucks. Since most freight is moved from dock to dock, and standard dock height is 4', freight truck bed height is set at 4' as well. This is not as well suited to moving household goods because 4' is a lot of rise for carrying heavy articles by hand, or even with a dolly. Many freight trucks have no means for getting items from the bed to the ground, although some have lift gates or ramps. Lift gates are manageable for moving furniture, but not ideal because they are very slow. Freight trucks generally have one door at the rear of the bed that is a roll up door. This is ideal for freight because the driver can open the bed door from the loading dock. With swing out doors the driver would need to exit the truck, open the doors, and then enter the truck and back it to the dock.

Although many smaller moving companies will use freight trucks, professional mover’s trucks are designed differently. They are usually much lower than a freight truck making them more efficient to load. They have three sets of swing out doors, one on each side, and one in the rear. Side doors are desirable because often it is much easier to load or offload on the side due to accessibility. Swing out doors is preferred because roll up doors take up part of the load space where the door pulls into the truck. Mover's trucks have e-rails and use logistic straps to hold the goods, which are packed in tiers, in place. Some movers trucks have pull out bumpers, which allow some goods to be loaded outside the truck, should the load be too large to all fit inside. Mover's trucks tend to be low, yet tall, allowing for plenty of space for loading.

Rental trucks, on the other hand, tend to be a bit of a hybrid. Because they are driven by the general public who often lack the experience of professional drivers, they are designed to be lower at the top of the bed. This reduces the likelihood of collision with low branches, overhangs, or bridges, but results in less available loading space within the truck. Rental trucks have roll up doors on the rear, but no side doors. Most rental trucks have tie loops and/or rub rails, along interior sides of the box for securing items to the walls. Rental truck companies will rent pads to use for your move, but in general they do not compare with professional movers pads; they are usually smaller and thinner than what the professionals use.

Comparing One Way Truck Rental Companies: Budget

2011-05-03T14:07:00.002-04:00

Budget was the next company to enter the market in 1958. In 1998 they acquired Ryder TRS, the division of Ryder which specialized in rental trucks for do it your self household movers. Their trucks are semi low profile, such that the can work for either freight or moving. Budget also specializes in local and one way truck rentals, offers moving tool rental and sells moving supplies. Budget offers moving trucks in three sizes, 10', 16', and 24'. The also offer cargo van rentals, and car carrier trailers. Budget trucks are burn gasoline, except for the 24’ ones, which are diesel.

Comparing One Way Truck Rental Companies: Penske

2011-05-03T14:05:00.001-04:00

Penske is the third company, entering the business in 1969. Penske has grown dramatically since that time. In 1983 they joined Hertz to become Hertz Penske. In later years Penske dropped away from Hertz, and went international with the acquisition of other truck renting and leasing companies here and abroad. Their focus is much broader. The provide rental trucks for local and one way moves, but they also rent and lease straight trucks and tractor trailers to corporations. Penske trucks are set up to use either as freight trucks or as moving trucks. They also rent moving tools and car tow dollies and sell moving supplies.

Penske has full service repair shops for their own equipment at many of their locations, and also seek business from outside corporate accounts. Penske has an superior maintenance program.

Penske has moving trucks in lengths of 12', 16', 22' and 26'. They also offer cargo vans and car carrier trailers. Penske also has a fleet of freight trucks used for local rentals that can also be used for moving. The freight trucks are 26’ trucks with a lift gate rather than a ramp. Penske trucks burn gas, except for the 26’, which are diesel.

Comparing One Way Truck Rental Companies: U-Haul

2011-05-03T14:04:00.000-04:00

Uhaul was first to enter the market in 1945 as a trailer rental company, and has grown to a multi billion operation offering truck and trailer rentals, moving tool rentals, storage, cartons and moving supplies, propane sales, and portable storage containers. They specialize in one way rental trucks trailers, and tow dollies for the general public.

Uhaul offers a great variety of different equipment. They offer pick up trucks and cargo vans, moving trucks measuring 10', 14', 17', 24' and 26'. Uhaul trucks have what they call a mom's attic, or overhang over the cab which make them sound longer than they actually are because the attic space in included in the length measurement. Their trucks are low profile for easy loading and offloading.

They also offer trailers which can be pulled behind their trucks or by standard automobiles. The trailers range from 6-12' and include enclosed cargo trailers and open utility trailers. They also offer car tow dollies and car carrier trailers. Uhaul is the only national company offering one way trailer rentals. All Uhaul trucks burn gasoline.

Valuation Coverage on Intrastate North Carolina Moves

2011-04-04T15:00:00.000-04:00

Understanding valuation coverage when moving is one of the most important challenges facing many clients. Valuation coverage though similar, is not identical on intra and interstate moves. Here we will be referring to local or long distance intrastate moving in North Carolina.

The first thing a client should know is that valuation coverage technically is not the same as insurance, though many refer to it as such. Only licensed insurance companies or brokers are permitted to sell insurance, and for this reason, any damage protection against property being moved by a moving company will be referred to as valuation coverage. This coverage is generally backed by the moving company's cargo and liability insurance coverage, should a serious claim be rendered.

Valuation coverage is very often misunderstood by moving company clients for many reasons. Some mistakenly assume that since a moving company is moving the property, they should be fully responsible for what happens to it during the relocation. Unfortunately, this is not the case and they often do not truly learn about valuation coverage until they put forth a claim and expect full reimbursement for a damaged article, even though they chose not to purchase any coverage beyond basic value protection.

From an economic standpoint let's ask the following: Should a moving company cover all property moved with full value protection for free, that would mean that any damage caused during the move -- for any reason -- would mean a pay out either by the moving company or its insurance company? This would incur additional expense to the moving company and would result in higher prices for everybody, across the board. So for those clients who do not need more coverage, for a variety of reasons, the price of their move would still be higher. This would put a burden on those shippers needing a low cost move.

Valuation options give the consumer a better way to control the cost of their move. If they need additional coverage, it is an available option. In other words, basic value protection allows the shipper to accept a lesser level of coverage in return for a reduced price on the move.

Valuation coverage for residential moving in North Carolina is regulated by the NC Utilities Commission, as are all residential moves in transit in moving company operated trucks across state highways. This means that all legal moving companies operating in NC are required to offer the same three types of coverage. These are basic value protection, which is included in the cost of the move -- and also depreciated value protection and full value protection -- which are both fee based coverage.

With basic value protection, should an item that is being moved be damaged or destroyed, the weight of that article is determined and that weight is multiplied by 60¢ for a total claim value. This coverage is based solely and the weight of the article, and not on its value. If a repair to the damaged item should cost less than the total claim value, the moving company is only liable for the lesser amount.

With depreciated value protection, should an item that is being moved be damaged or destroyed, the price and age of that article would be determined, and the moving company would be responsible for the depreciated value of the claim. If a repair to the damaged item should cost less than the total claim value, the moving company is only liable for the lesser amount.

And with full value protection, or replacement valuation, should an item being moved be damaged or destroyed, the price of that article would be determined and the moving company would be responsible for replacement, whether it be a cash payout or actual replacement article. If a repair to the damaged item should cost less than the total claim value, the moving company is only liable for the lesser amount.

Notice that in all three coverages, it is always the carrier’s option to repair a damaged article. At Triangle Moving Service, we use the AMSA Joint Military/Industry Table of Weights and Depreciation Guide to determine item weights and depreciation values.

Another avenue to explore for coverage is home owners or renters insurance. In many cases, this coverage will be adequate to cover the property in transit, and the client need not expend the extra dollars for additional coverage. It is always wise for the homeowner to check with their local agent, since not all policies are written the same way and some exclude transit damage. If there should be a claim in many cases the basic value protection the moving company provides will be adequate to cover the deductible of the homeowners claim, leaving little or no payout from the insured. However, some clients prefer to purchase the additional coverage rather than chance a claim against their homeowner’s policy which may result in higher homeowner’s insurance rates in the future.

Lastly, here are a few other points about valuation coverage. The shipper must inform the carrier in writing on the carriers documents about any items exceeding a value of $100.00 per pound. Without this declaration, the carrier is liable for no more that $100 per pound for any of these lost or damaged articles. In addition, most carriers will require you to sign a limitation of liability for particle board, which limits the carrier to coverage of 60¢ per pound per article regardless of what coverage applies. This is because particle board is inherently weak and prone to deteriorate without fault of the carrier. Also, should a damaged article be part of a set, such as a dining room table and chairs, and one item is damaged, the carrier is responsible only for the damaged article, not the whole set. Most moving companies will decline claims for items that were packed by the shipper, unless mishandling of the box is witnessed or evident by the condition of the carton. At the close of your move it would be wise to inspect all cartons for visible damage before your mover departs and inspect the contents if exterior damage is evident.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Mover

2011-03-28T15:00:00.000-04:00

Planning a move is an exhausting endeavor that takes plenty of thoughtful planning. One of the most important aspects of planning is selecting the best mover for your situation. There are multitudes of companies available to select from. Most folks move infrequently, and consequently know very little about the business or its intricacies.

One very important thing to remember is that you mover will be in possession and responsible for almost the entire contents of your home in most instances. For this reason, it is critical to select a company that is trustworthy, and that has employees that are trustworthy. Not only is trustworthiness critical, but the level skill that your company provides you can prevent damages to your home and contents. Securing this information can be arduous and time consuming.

It is wise to know that in theory it is simple to get into the moving business. All you really need is a truck, some dollies, a few pads and a couple of strong backs. There are many companies starting in such a fashion every year, and they come and go like clockwork. In fact, to operate a professional moving company you need all of the above, but you also need highly trained and skilled employees. You also need to obtain authority to operate, and minimum levels of insurance which include worker's comp, liability, and cargo. Finally, you must understand and comply with the rules and regulations governing the business on the state and federal levels, including producing and maintaining the proper paperwork and documents. And it is useful to be able to produce accurate estimates of weight, packing, and time taken to produce moves. As we see, there is much more to the moving business than at first meets the eye.

It is easy to assume that all moving companies are equal, and that the best mover is the cheapest. This can be a devastating mistake. While there may be some people who legitimately do not really care if their goods are scratched or dented. However, it also important to understand that should a company send employees not covered by workers compensation, the client can be held financially liable for injuries sustained on the job.

It is easy to see how a company can be cheap if they are cutting corners on legally required expenditures. In addition, they can cut corners by using inadequate, under maintained equipment and by utilizing untrained and unskilled employees as cost cutting techniques. Of course, cost is an important factor in selecting a mover, and once you have established that the companies you are considering are reputable it makes sense to consider economics.

So how do you figure out where to start? The first thing to consider is whether the company is licensed by the appropriate agency regulating the type of move you are making. In North Carolina, there are two agencies governing residential moves. For in state moves The North Carolina Utilities Commission has jurisdiction over movers. You can check this link for a list of licensed movers http://www.ncuc.net/consumer/carriers.pdf. In addition, movers operating legally under North Carolina Public Utilities authority must display their license number on both cab doors and on the rear cargo door of the trucks they operate.

For moves leaving or entering North Carolina or traveling amongst other states, the governing agency is The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. You can check this site to confirm that the mover has interstate operating authority: https://www.protectyourmove.gov/. Movers providing interstate service are required to display both a DOT and an MC number on both cab doors.
Once you have determined that the companies you are considering are legal, the next step is to find out if they are actually reputable. It is possible to be completely legal, and still be less than stellar. There are ways to figure it out. One good gauge of a company's quality is its ability to survive in a competitive market. Most moving companies providing inferior service do not survive long. Find out how long the company has been in business, and whether operated by the same management. Longer service is usually better in the moving business.

But how do you begin the process of choosing a mover? One very reliable method is by referral. Ask around. Ask friends, acquaintances, co-workers, club members. It is likely that you will hear the same companies talked about by multiple sources, especially if they have been around for a while. Many people look to the yellow pages for movers, and many reputable companies advertise there. However, be aware that the producers of the yellow pages are not required to verify the licensing of their advertisers. Legal companies are required to post their DOT, MC, and NCUC numbers on all of their advertising, so that is a good thing to watch.

One other resource you can use is the Better Business Bureau. They keep records of length of service, ownership, contact persons, and recent complaint activity. An inordinate number of complaints may indicate a need for caution.

Today the internet is a favorite for those searching for services, and the moving business is no exception. Many moving companies advertise in several different ways on the internet. First, they will have their own web site, and it is reasonable to examine these for information. In addition, there are companies offering to provide the consumer with multiple moving quotes from different companies. Movers pay a fee for those leads. Many of these quote providers prescreen the movers they use, but there are some that do not. The advantage to the consumer is that they can fill out the form one time for multiple quotes, rather than one for each company.

Although you may easily find a great moving company on the web, please beware. The anonymity of the web offers safe haven to many corrupt companies. If you choose to select from the internet, it is wise to be diligent with your research and make sure you are considering a legitimate company. Make sure they have a verifiable address and not just a PO Box.

Another thing to consider when selecting a mover is the niche that the company fills. Many companies will provide any moving service that you need, but excel in certain areas. Some companies focus on interstate moving, and while they may provide local service, you may pay them more than is necessary for a local move. Other companies may be more focused on office or commercial moving, and while they may provide residential service, you may have a better move with a company focusing on residential.

Finding Good Moving Boxes and What to Do With Them When the Moving Is Over

2011-03-22T18:59:00.000-04:00

In order to make ready for a move, many items will need to be put into cartons or otherwise packaged to be moved safely and without damages. If you choose you may elect to have your moving company take care of the packing; most moving companies will provide that fee based service. However, many people are unwilling or unable to bear the cost of that service, and elect to take care of packing themselves.

This is a great idea, especially when one understands the basic principles of moving boxes and how to procure the proper materials. Mover's boxes are available from a variety of sources. Moving companies are a great place to obtain them, but they are also available at rental truck facilities, packaging store locations, office supply stores, big box stores, and corrugated outlets. Used movers boxes are acceptable and provide financial savings as well as help us stay green.

Many do-it-yourselfers go to retail stores, the liquor store or the grocery store for used boxes. The boxes obtained in this manner are seldom as useful or usable as mover's boxes. When movers pack a truck properly, they load the goods in tiers laterally across the truck. These tiers are usually either 18" or 24" wide, with an occasional double tier being 36" or 48" wide. Mover's boxes are cut to fit these dimensions and are built to withstand the weight which they are expected to transport, provided they are packed properly.

Boxes from retail stores and the liquor store are seldom sized properly. They are usually small and inconsistently sized, which make it difficult for the movers to pack a truck efficiently. Grocery store boxes again are inconsistently sized and usually less able to sustain the loads as well as mover's boxes. In addition, since some grocery store boxes have had food in them, there is a possibility of contamination by insect or other vermin.

One good used box which is not a mover's box is the cartons used to ship copy or printer paper, the ones with the slip on lid. These boxes are strong, durable, and sized properly and can help making packing a truck fast and efficient.

When your move is complete, you will have to dispose of your boxes. If you have space, and you think you might move again, you could store them for future use. Simply flatten them out by slicing the tape. It is possible, but time consuming, to reuse old newsprint as well.

If you choose not to store your cartons, there are a couple of other options. If you flatten the cartons, it is fairly easy to have a moving company come by and remove the old cartons. They will only be interested in the mover's boxes, so don't mix in other cartons.

Some folks sell them, others give them away. Either way, it is better than discarding them. Finally, if all else fails, you can recycle them. Some cities will pick up cardboard for recycling, while in other places you must deliver it out yourself. There are also companies that will purchase used cardboard for recycling, although the price is very low.

Getting to Know Specialty Mover's Boxes

2011-03-11T09:25:00.000-05:00

Mover's boxes come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Most people are familiar with the normal everyday box sizes such as small, medium, large, and extra large. These boxes are used for the majority of household good such as books, records, tapes, weights, toys, packaged foods, clothes, shoes, and many general household items and tools. However there are specialty boxes designed for specific items that most moving companies carry and use and we are going to shed some light on what they are and what they are used for.

There are a lot of common specialty mover's boxes such as: dish packs, picture cartons, lamp cartons, wardrobes, and mattress cartons. There are also the more unusual specialty cartons such as grandfather clock cartons, office file cartons or totes, electronics boxes, TV boxes, and couch boxes.

On the top of the common specialty box list is the Dish Barrel, or Dish Pack. The name barrel refers to the "old" days, when actual wooden barrels were used to transport dishes and such. These cartons are usually cut to 18" x18" x 27" for a total space of 5 cu ft. They are designed to hold china or kitchen glassware -- plates, saucers, platters, coffee cups, stemware, and any other glassware or fragile items you wish to pack in them. They are double walled boxes for extra protection. You may also purchase cell dividers which will allow you to compartmentalize items for greater protection.

Wardrobes are another specialty box. These generally come in two sizes, 20" x 18" x 48" or 24" x 20 x 48, and have a hanger bar for hanging clothes. These are like a portable closet. The can also be for shipping drapes and curtains, and also are great for consolidating hand tools. Lay down wardrobes are occasionally used, especially for international shipments. These wardrobes have no bar, and the clothes are just laid flat in them. This is a space saver.

Mattress cartons generally come in two sizes, single or queen/king. The single is one piece, and the mattresses just slide right in, while the king/queen is two pieces and they slide over each end and are taped together.

And of course let's not forget the picture cartons. Some picture cartons are one piece and sized to fit specific cartons. Others come in adjustable parts that slip down over the picture and then are secured together with tape. These are the most versatile, since they can be adjusted to fit most any picture.

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Mover's Boxes - Why You Should Use Them and Where to Find Them

2011-03-01T11:56:00.000-05:00

Most moving companies will encourage you to use mover's boxes. This is not merely a way for the movers to increase sales. When movers pack a truck properly, they load the goods in tiers laterally across the truck. These tiers are usually either 18" or 24" wide, with an occasional double tier being 36" or 48" wide. It just so happens that mover's boxes are cut to fit these dimensions and thus make packing the goods in tightly a breeze. In addition, mover's boxes are built to withstand the weight which they are expected to transport, provided they are packed properly.

Mover's boxes are produced by many different manufacturers, so they are not all cut exactly the same, but they are all very similar.

A small box usually will have dimensions of 16" x 12.75" x 12.75" for a total space of 1.5 cubic feet. This box is best used for books, records, tapes, CDs, canned goods, weights, or other particularly heavy items.

Medium boxes are the real work horse for residential moves. The dimensions for a medium box are usually 18" x 16" x 18" for a total space of 3.0 cu ft. These boxes are generally used for moderately heavy items -- clothes, shoes, non glass kitchenware, packaged foods, bric-a-brac, small pictures, and generally all medium weight items found in a home.

Large boxes are usually 24" x 18" x 18" for a total space of 4.5 cu ft. These cartons are used for larger light items such as light clothes, linens, baskets, toys and games, and other light items.
Extra large boxes are usually cut to 23" x 20" x 23" for a total space of 6.1 cu ft and are used for very light bulky items such as pillows, comforters bulky children's toys and other light items.

Mover's boxes are available from a variety of sources. Moving companies are a great place to obtain them, but they are also available at rental truck facilities, packaging store locations, office supply stores, big box stores, and corrugated outlets. Used movers boxes are acceptable and provide financial savings as well as help us stay green.

Most movers stock used boxes. Some companies, notably the large van lines, will provide free used boxes with the move. Other companies sell used boxes at a discounted rate. Many folks are able to obtain either free or cheap used boxes from sites such as craigslist, or by asking the neighborhood. Often a new resident will have used boxes to discard.