This moving supplies guide lists what to buy before you pack, what to skip, and how much you need. It links to the boxes, tape, and tools our crews trust, plus six short guides for each stage of a move. LiteMovers has packed and moved Philadelphia-area homes since 2007. This is the list we give friends.
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What Is in This Moving Supplies Guide?
Packing is the part of a move most people do themselves. It is also where most damage happens. The right supplies fix that. Each guide below covers one job, tells you what to buy, and shows how much you need.
- ✓Moving Supplies Buying Checklist — the full list, what to skip, and how much to order.
- ✓Moving Box Calculator by Home Size — box counts from a studio to a four-bedroom house.
- ✓Packing Supplies by Room — kitchen, bedroom, living room, and fragile items.
- ✓Furniture and Floor Protection Supplies — blankets, felt pads, sliders, and wrap.
- ✓Storage Prep Checklist — how to pack for a storage unit or vault.
- ✓Post-Move Home Setup Checklist — TV mounts, hangers, shelving, cords, and first-night gear.
The Short List: Supplies Every Move Needs
If you buy nothing else, buy these. They cover a studio or a five-bedroom house. Only the counts change.
Need packing help or a full-service move? Request a LiteMovers estimate or call (610) 755-5535.
Core packing supplies
Prefer U-Haul brand where it exists. The boxes are double-wall on the sizes that carry weight, and the tape is real paper tape.
- ✓U-Haul Box Variety Pack, 25 boxes — one pack covers a bedroom; small boxes for books, large for bedding.
- ✓U-Haul Paper Box Tape, 3 rolls — paper tape tears by hand and sticks to cardboard better than clear tape.
- ✓U-Haul Packing Paper, 500 sheets — wrap dishes, glasses, and frames; 500 sheets packs an average kitchen.
- ✓U-Haul Large Bubble Roll, 100 ft — large bubble for TVs, art, and lamps; the box dispenser keeps it tidy.
- ✓U-Haul Shorty Wardrobe Boxes, 3-pack — clothes stay on hangers; one box holds about two feet of closet rod.
- ✓U-Haul Dish Packing Kit — cell dividers stop plates and glasses from touching.
Rather skip the shopping? Request a LiteMovers estimate or call (610) 755-5535.
What to Skip
Some products look useful in the store and fail on moving day. Our crews see these every week.
- ✓Plastic totes for heavy items. The lids pop and the sides split when stacked in a truck.
- ✓Garbage bags for clothes. They tear, slide, and cannot be stacked. Use wardrobe boxes or suitcases.
- ✓Newspaper. Ink rubs onto dishes and light fabrics. Use clean newsprint.
- ✓Thin clear tape. It peels off cardboard in the heat. Paper tape holds.
- ✓Extra-large boxes for books. A box that weighs more than 50 pounds hurts backs and bottoms out.
How Much Should I Buy?
A one-bedroom home needs 20 to 30 boxes. A three-bedroom house needs 60 to 80. Our box calculator breaks that down by size and room. Order a few extra. Unused boxes return easily, but a shortage on the last night does not.
Where LiteMovers Fits In
Every LiteMovers move includes blankets, straps, floor runners, and door jamb pads at no extra step. If you would rather not pack at all, our packing services cover one room or the whole house. For a full list of what we do, see packing and storage.
Read our room-by-room packing guide and what not to pack before you start. Then keep a first-night box in your own car.
Frequently Asked Questions
What moving supplies do I need for a local move?
Most local moves need boxes in three sizes, paper tape, packing paper, bubble wrap, a marker, and moving blankets. Add a wardrobe box per closet and a dish kit for the kitchen.
Should I buy moving boxes or get free ones?
Buy boxes for anything heavy or fragile. Free boxes are fine for linens, toys, and lampshades. Used boxes lose strength, and a bottom that fails on the stairs is a bad trade for a new box.
Do movers bring their own supplies?
Yes. LiteMovers crews arrive with blankets, straps, dollies, floor runners, and door protection. If you book packing service, we bring the boxes and paper too.
When should I buy packing supplies?
Order supplies three to four weeks before moving day. That leaves time to pack a few boxes each evening and to reorder if you run short.
Can LiteMovers pack for me instead?
Yes. We offer full and partial packing across the Main Line and the Philadelphia suburbs. Many families pack the bedrooms and let us handle the kitchen and fragile items.
Planning a move in Philadelphia, the Main Line, or beyond?
LiteMovers packs, moves, and stores for families across the Philadelphia suburbs. Get a real estimate from a real local mover.
Call (610) 755-5535 · Toll-free 1-877-798-8989
LiteMovers LLC · 307 East Church Rd, Suites 1 & 2, King of Prussia, PA 19406 · PA PUC A-8916211 · USDOT 2173383 · MC-888055
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