Are you moving from one state to another? My name is Laura, and I am a real estate expert. I work in multiple states and find that many of my clients don't know that each state has different laws about moving. For example, some states require you to get a new drivers license and car registration immediately while others give you a significant grace period. Some states require you to pay a fee for property you register while others do not. I will provide a checklist of things you need to consider before moving from one state to another. I hope you will learn a lot that can make your move easier.
If you're packing up to move to another state, you are no doubt trying to figure out how many boxes you need and what the best way to pack them is. You may also have already dealt with boxes ripping or accidentally being crushed when something fell over, or maybe the packing tape you used isn't sticking well. In that case, you might want to look into using plastic storage bins instead of cardboard boxes. While there are a few disadvantages, there are a number of advantages to the bins that could make them worth using.
They're Reusable
Technically, cardboard boxes are reusable. But they can deteriorate quickly, especially if you end up ripping up the end flaps when you remove tape. Plastic storage bins don't deteriorate that easily. They can crack if treated badly, but you can't rip layers of plastic off when you remove tape.
The bins are also usually clear -- and many brands of bins have clear lids as well -- so you can reuse these to hold items in your home after you unpack. Using cardboard boxes for this isn't very helpful because you can't see exactly what's in the box without opening it and unpacking it.
They're Often Tougher When Stacked
When stacking plastic bins, there's less of a tendency for the sides of the lower bins to bend and bow from the weight of the bins on top of it. It can certainly happen, but good-quality bins won't do that unless you're stacking extremely heavy items on top of each other.
They're Easier to Carry
The bins have built-in handles, so lifting one -- assuming you can lift the weight -- is simple. The bins' lids and upper rim also extend a bit past the sides of the bin, so if you start to drop the bin, you can try to catch the rim on something like a table or another bin, to prevent the bin you're carrying from falling.
They Are Subject to Tape Residue
Of course, bins have their disadvantages; for example, you have to tape the lids onto the boxes, and that means you risk having tape residue left on the box. You can use alcohol wipes to clean that off, but that's an extra step you don't have to take with cardboard.
They Are Less Efficient to Stack in a Truck
Because the rims and lids of the bins stick out past the sides, you can't push the bins up against each other snugly in a truck. That means you'll have to take that extra space in between the bins into account when planning what size truck you'll need.
If you'd like to talk to an inter-state moving company about the possibility of using plastic bins instead of cardboard, call the movers as soon as you can. They can help you plan out how much more truck space you'll need as well as give you tips on packing the bins safely.
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