Moving boxes seem simple until you're standing in Home Depot's aisle, overwhelmed by sizes, prices, and quantities. Buy too many, waste money. Buy too few, make panic runs mid-packing. Wrong sizes mean crushed belongings or wasted space. The average LA move needs 60-80 boxes costing $150-300, but smart shoppers cut that in half through free sources and strategic purchasing. SOS Moving offers boxes at $4-6 each with our services, but this guide helps whether you're buying, finding free, or combining both approaches.
Box Sizes and Their Uses
Small boxes (1.5 cubic feet, 16"×12"×12"):Perfect for books (never larger!). Heavy items like tools. Canned goods and pantry items. Electronics and cables. Small appliances. Dense items preventing overweight. SOS Moving price: $4 each.
Medium boxes (3.0 cubic feet, 18"×18"×16"):Most versatile size needed most. Kitchen items and dishes. Toys and games. Office supplies. Clothes and shoes. Everything else basically. SOS Moving price: $5 each.
Large boxes (4.5 cubic feet, 18"×18"×24"):Lightweight bulky items only. Pillows and comforters. Lampshades (nothing heavy!). Stuffed animals. Coats and jackets. Artificial plants. SOS Moving price: $6 each.
Specialty boxes worth buying:
Wardrobe boxes (24"×24"×40"):Hanging clothes stay wrinkle-free. $12-20 each to buy. SOS Moving provides free (must return). Holds 2 feet of closet. Worth it for good clothes.
Dish pack boxes (18"×18"×28"):Double-walled for protection. Cell dividers included sometimes. $7-12 each typically. Essential for china/glassware. Prevents most breakage.
Mirror/picture boxes (adjustable):Telescope for custom fit. Protect flat items. $8-15 each usually. TVs fit sometimes. Artwork stays safe.
How Many Boxes You Need
By apartment/house size:
Studio (400-600 sq ft):
- 10-15 small boxes
- 10-15 medium boxes
- 3-5 large boxes
- 1-2 wardrobe boxes
- Total: 25-35 boxes
1-Bedroom (700-900 sq ft):
- 15-20 small boxes
- 15-25 medium boxes
- 5-8 large boxes
- 2-3 wardrobe boxes
- Total: 35-55 boxes
2-Bedroom (1,000-1,400 sq ft):
- 20-30 small boxes
- 25-35 medium boxes
- 8-12 large boxes
- 3-4 wardrobe boxes
- Total: 55-80 boxes
3-Bedroom house (1,500-2,500 sq ft):
- 30-40 small boxes
- 35-50 medium boxes
- 12-18 large boxes
- 4-6 wardrobe boxes
- Total: 80-115 boxes
Factor in extras for:Garage adds 10-20 boxes. Attic/basement adds 10-15. Home office adds 10-15. Collectibles/hobbies vary wildly. Kids' rooms need more.
Where to Buy New Boxes in LA
Home improvement stores:
Home Depot:Full selection always stocked. Medium prices ($1.50-3 each). Buy-back program sometimes. Open early/late convenient. Multiple LA locations everywhere.
Lowe's:Similar to Home Depot. Slightly different sizes. Competitive pricing throughout. Good bundle deals. Less crowded usually.
Moving/shipping stores:
U-Haul locations:Best selection anywhere. Box buy-back program. Bundle deals available. Expensive individually. Everywhere in LA.
The UPS Store:Professional quality boxes. Very expensive prices. Convenient locations. Last-minute availability. Custom box making.
Storage facilities:Public Storage, Extra Space, etc. Convenient if using storage. Marked up 20-30%. Limited selection usually. Emergency supplies available.
Wholesale/discount options:
Costco Business Center (Commerce):Bulk quantities only. Best per-unit prices. Need membership ($60/year). Worth it for large moves.
Uline (online/catalog):Professional moving supplies. Minimum orders required. Next-day LA delivery. Excellent quality throughout.
Free Box Sources in LA
Liquor stores (BEST SOURCE):Call mornings before noon. Strong boxes with dividers. Perfect small size. BevMo, Total Wine golden. Ralph's liquor section great.
Grocery stores timing:Best days: Tuesday-Thursday morningsAsk: Produce department directlyTop sources: Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, SproutsGet: Banana, apple, egg boxes
Restaurant boxes:Morning before 11 AM crucial. Fry oil boxes strongest. McDonald's surprisingly helpful. Ask kitchen directly. Call ahead better.
Office buildings:Copy paper boxes perfect size. Check with maintenance. Downtown/Century City best. End of month clearing. Fridays often good.
Online free sources:
Craigslist:Search "moving boxes" in Free section. Post "wanted" ad. Act immediately when posted. Quality varies significantly.
Facebook Marketplace:Search "free moving boxes". Join local Buy Nothing groups. Check community pages. Moving groups helpful.
NextDoor app:Neighbors finishing moves. Community goodwill strong. Quick local pickup. Build relationships.
Timing for free boxes:Saturday/Sunday: People unpacking. First of month: Completed moves. After weekends: Boxes available. Morning pickup best.
Box Alternatives
Suitcases you own:Perfect for heavy items. Wheels and handles included. Protected interiors. Stack well. Already paid for.
Plastic bins:Reusable after move. Stackable and strong. See-through helpful. Waterproof protection. More expensive initially.
Laundry baskets:Odd-shaped items fit. Easy carrying built-in. No packing/unpacking. Immediately useful.
Garbage bags:Last resort only. Clothes and linens. Easily torn/punctured. Hard to stack. Confusing to label.
Original packaging:Electronics and appliances. Perfect protection guaranteed. Maintains warranty sometimes. Resale value preserved.
Smart Box Strategy
Buy new for:Kitchen dishes/glassware. Electronics and valuables. Heavy items (books). Bottom stack boxes. Important documents.
Use free for:Garage items. Linens and towels. Toys and games. Non-fragile everything. Donation items.
Specialty splurges:Wardrobe for interview suits. Dish packs for china. Picture boxes for art. TV boxes for large screens.
Box Preparation Tips
Reinforcement essentials:Tape bottom seam twice. Cross-pattern for heavy. Reinforce corners. Double-box fragile. Never exceed 50 pounds.
Labeling system:Room name large/clear. Contents list helpful. "Fragile" when applicable. "This side up" arrows. Number boxes sequentially.
Color coding:Assign room colors. Use colored markers/tape. Speeds unloading significantly. Everyone understands quickly.
Cost Comparisons
All new boxes:Studio: $75-150. 1-bedroom: $125-250. 2-bedroom: $200-350. 3-bedroom: $300-500.
Mix new/free:Studio: $25-50. 1-bedroom: $50-100. 2-bedroom: $75-150. 3-bedroom: $100-200.
With SOS packing service:Boxes included in price. Professional packing labor. Perfect box selection. No shopping required. Often cheaper overall.
When to Get Boxes
4 weeks before:Start collecting free boxes. Research prices/sources. Buy specialty boxes.
2 weeks before:Purchase 80% of boxes. Begin packing immediately. Keep receipts for returns.
1 week before:Final box purchases. Emergency supplies ready. Focus on packing.
After Moving: Box Disposal
Responsible disposal:Break down immediately. Offer on Craigslist/Facebook. Recycle properly. Pay it forward.
LA recycling options:Blue bins if flattened. S.A.F.E. centers for bulk. Some U-Hauls buy back. Storage for others.
Professional Perspective
Boxes protect thousands in belongings for under $300 investment. Quality boxes prevent damage better than careful handling. Right sizes speed packing/moving significantly. Time finding free boxes versus buying depends on your hourly value.
SOS Moving sees daily how box quality affects moves. Cheap boxes collapse, wrong sizes cause problems, insufficient quantities create panic. Invest appropriately in protection.
Need boxes with your move? Call SOS Moving at 909-443-0004. We provide boxes at $4-6 each, wardrobe boxes free (returnable), and professional packing services with materials included. From studios to large homes, we have the right boxes and expertise. Get your free quote including box costs today!
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