Everything You Need for a Smooth Move

Pricing varies by supplier, quality, and quantity, but here is a realistic guide to what you will pay across the UK in 2026.

Single small boxes from DIY retailers and removal companies typically cost between £1.50 and £3.00 each.

Medium boxes run from £2.00 to £4.00. Large boxes sit at £3.00 to £5.50. Wardrobe boxes, because of the metal hanging rail, cost between £8.00 and £14.00 each.

Bundles bring the per-unit price down significantly.

A starter kit for a one-bedroom flat (around 20 small, 20 medium, 5 large) from a professional supplier usually costs between £35 and £65. For a three-bedroom house you can expect to pay between £80 and £150 for a comprehensive pack, including tape, tissue paper, and bubble wrap.

Buying from Giant Van means you get double-wall boxes at competitive prices with delivery included across most of London and the surrounding areas.

Call to get a quote tailored to the size of your move.

Some customers try to cut costs by collecting free boxes from supermarkets and off-licence shops.

This can work for very small moves, but the inconsistency in size makes stacking in the van inefficient, and single-wall boxes offer poor protection for fragile items. For anyone moving more than a few bags' worth of possessions, professional removal packing boxes pay for themselves in saved time and avoided breakages.

Hiring boxes is another option growing in popularity.

Reusable plastic crates are rented for the duration of your move and collected afterwards. Costs are broadly similar to cardboard, but plastic crates are heavier, which matters if you are doing the carrying yourself.

The UK removal market has specific norms that are worth understanding before you buy packing materials.

British Standard BS EN 13427 covers corrugated board packaging and defines the testing standards for removal boxes used commercially.

When a supplier describes their boxes as "heavy duty double wall," it should mean the board meets these compression and edge-crush standards. Ask your supplier if you are unsure.

Eco-friendly options have grown significantly in the UK market.

Recycled corrugated board is now widely available and performs comparably to virgin board for most household moves. Some suppliers also offer FSC-certified board if sustainability is a priority.

The average UK house move involves approximately 40 to 50 boxes for a two-bedroom property and 70 to 90 boxes for a four-bedroom house.

These estimates assume professional packing. If you are doing your own packing, you will typically need 10 to 20 per cent more because fewer items fit per box when packing skills are still developing.

Most UK removal companies, including Giant Van, are happy to buy back unused boxes in good condition.

If you order 10 boxes too many, you can usually return them for a partial refund or credit. This is preferable to overestimating your needs and wasting materials.

Royal Mail and courier services have their own box size restrictions if you intend to ship items separately to your new address.

However, for a standard house move using a removal van, no such limits apply and you can use any size box that fits safely in the vehicle.

London moves, in particular, often have access restrictions.

Congestion Charge zones, parking permit requirements, and narrow Victorian terraces all affect how your van can be loaded and unloaded. Giant Van handles these logistics as a standard part of every London booking.