When you’re in the middle of the moving process, the last thing you want to do is sit down and come up with a comparison of moving boxes so you can make the best decision before packing up your things. Chances are, you will be throwing your belongings into whatever boxes you have on hand just to get some of your stuff out of the way. However, by doing this, you could be making a huge mistake. It actually pays off, in the long run, to compare boxes and decide which ones you actually need for your move before you start packing.

For example, you want boxes that are not damaged in any way. So, if you are using used boxes, you need to inspect them carefully before placing your belongings in them. If you are unsure about whether the boxes are going to be sturdy enough, it is much better to be safe than sorry and purchase new boxes from your movers, big-box store, or office supply store.

Do not pack your boxes to weigh more than 50 pounds. This means you shouldn’t get huge boxes with the goal of having fewer boxes to move. Huge boxes will hold many things, but the more things inside a box, the heavier it will be. One of the most common mistakes people make when packing is to over-stuff their boxes. Then, on moving day, they discover they can’t lift them or they have to pay their movers more because their move just turned into a more difficult situation.

For this reason, it is recommended that you forego buying medium and large boxes altogether and just purchase small ones. You will probably need to move your boxes at times during the move, so if you can lift them, you can be sure your movers will be able to lift them too. It is less likely that you will over-fill a small box and make it so heavy that no one can lift it, so rather than take that chance, just buy small boxes and call it good.

You can buy some specialty boxes for items like electronics, artwork, your wardrobe, chandeliers, and dishes, which will make the packing and loading process easier, but remember that these boxes can get rather pricey. If you can avoid using specialty boxes altogether, you will probably save yourself some much-needed money for other parts of your move or unexpected expenses.