Why waste money on single-use cardboard boxes when you can rent reusable moving boxes?
There are many upsides to choosing reusable boxes for moving instead of cardboard boxes. And you might not know it, but there are plenty of companies that will rent out used moving boxes for cheap.
Let’s explore all the reasons that make plastic moving boxes the clear choice and where you can get your hands on them before the big day.
What Are Reusable Moving Boxes?
As the name implies, reusable moving boxes are containers designed for reusability. Most are made from plastic though eco-friendly alternatives do exist.
You can buy them directly from online retailers or home improvement stores. But some companies will let you rent them for days, weeks, or even months.
Why Choose Reusable Plastic Moving Boxes?
Below are some of the things you need to know about reusable plastic moving crates.
Benefits of Using Plastic Over Traditional Cardboard Boxes
Do you want to know why so many choose to rent moving boxes made from plastic and not even give your typical cardboard box a thought?
Here are just some of the benefits of plastic moving crates.
- Durability: Plastic moving boxes are tougher so they’re less prone to damage. Your belongings will reach their new location in one piece.
- Eco-Friendly: Renting plastic moving crates results in zero waste. Moving companies can reuse them for years before needing replacement. It’s better for the planet in the long run.
- Convenience: No assembly required. Pack all your stuff and have the plastic moving boxes ready for pick up. Helps you save time and tape (along with other moving supplies).
- Stackability: Stacking extra large boxes isn’t a great idea, especially when they’re made from cardboard. But that’s not the case with plastic moving boxes. They’re way easier to pack and transport.
Types of Reusable Moving Boxes
There are several types of plastic moving boxes available that you could rent. What to choose will depend on the type of supplies you need to move.
- Standard Plastic Moving Boxes: These are heavy-duty, multi-purpose bins that come in different sizes. In most cases, these are more than enough for your next move.
- Wardrobe Boxes: When moving a lot of clothes, you might want to consider renting wardrobe moving boxes. These will enable you to hang clothes and store accessories in specific compartments to keep them protected while in transit.
- Specialty Boxes: You can also rent specialty boxes, containers that are purposefully built to transport fragile items like electronics, cookware, glassware, and furniture.
Top Places to Rent Reusable Plastic Moving Boxes
You are spoiled for choice if you’re looking for a business to deliver plastic moving crates. Let’s break them down to find out which reusable box service makes the most sense for you.
National Providers
These are big-name brands that cover almost the entirety of the United States, including the likes of U-Haul Ready-to-Go Boxes and Rentacrate.
The great thing about national providers is that they offer a wide range of services and add-ons on top of renting moving boxes. It also helps that they tend to have excellent track records in the field.
What sort of add-ons do these companies provide?
In the case of Rentacrate, you can also rent dollies and carts that’ll make it easier for you or your crew to move things around. You can also have them do electronic recycling, shredding, and purging before you move out.
Most rentals include the delivery of the moving boxes to and from their facility. Once they deliver plastic moving crates to your place, you’ll have access to them throughout the rental period.
Booking is simple as these companies offer many ways to get in touch. You can book their services online or give them a call if you prefer to do things over the phone.
Pricing varies depending on the provider. However, you should keep in mind that national providers are B2B by nature. That means they’re more suited for businesses moving to new offices — and that’s reflected in their pricing.
In Rentacrate’s case, their rent bundles cost anywhere between $550 and $1,930 (as of this writing) for the first week.
Regional Providers
Regional providers work the same way as national brands. The main difference is that the former only operates within (or close to) cities where their headquarters are located.
For example, BungoBox will rent moving boxes to businesses or individuals in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Redi-Box will gladly deliver their reusable moving boxes to your door if you’re in the Chicago area. The same goes for Bin It for those in New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia.
Looking to rent moving boxes in Orange County, Los Angeles, or San Diego? Try PiggyBoxes.
Unlike national providers, regional companies are less expensive. Plans are based on how many bedrooms you have in your home. Both Redi-Box and Bin It offer a Studio plan that gives you access to 20 boxes for two weeks. Additional weeks will mean paying extra — in this case, $15 per week.
Someone with 4 bedrooms will have to pay $269 for 75 bins. All plans include free delivery and pickup.
If you’d rather have moving experts do all the packing for you, get in touch with us to get a free quote.
Local Providers
You can also try smaller companies if you want to work with locally owned and operated suppliers.
Not only can you build a relationship with these businesses, but they can also offer personalized services that you might not get from a bigger brand. Some offer free consultations to explain the process and address questions. They may even provide packing labels for your empty boxes.
Find one that offers free next-day delivery to get your money’s worth.
To find local providers in your area, Google your city + reusable moving boxes. Review sites like Yelp not only show you the most popular providers in your area but also user reviews.
Factors to Consider When Renting
When renting moving supplies, consider the following points.
- Pricing: Look at all the factors that affect pricing such as how many boxes you’re getting and how much each one costs. Pay close attention to additional fees you might incur. Make sure you’re not paying more than you have to.
- Rental Duration: Most rentals only cover the first one or two weeks. You’ll have to pay more if you plan on keeping your moving supplies for longer.
- Availability: Try to make your reservations ahead of time to make sure you’re all set on the day of. This is even more important if you plan to move during peak moving seasons.
- Delivery and Pickup Options: The more pick-up and delivery options a provider has, the better.
- Box Sizes: Rental companies offer different sizes of bins and boxes. Make sure they have what you need.
- Additional Services: Go to your new location and figure out what additional services you might need. What kind of help will you need for your next move? Dollies? Packing supplies? Be ready for anything.
Tips for Renting Reusable Moving Boxes
There are things you can do before renting reusable plastic moving boxes to make sure you’re not overpaying for stuff you don’t need.
Measuring the square footage of your home and making an inventory of your belongings will help you sign up for the right plan. It’ll increase your chances of getting the correct amount of boxes.
You might also want to declutter your space before doing all of this to exclude items you won’t be bringing with you.
When packing with reusable boxes, place heavier items in smaller boxes to distribute the weight more evenly and increase stability as you stack. Don’t be shy when labeling boxes as they make unpacking less stressful.
When renting, keep in mind that it’ll take just as long to pack items. Make sure you have enough time before you move. Booking in advance should be enough but if you think you’ll need more, look for providers with two-week rent terms.
Need help moving out? Get your free quote from Oz Moving & Storage.
