Moving supplies add up faster than most people expect: boxes, tape, paper, bubble wrap and markers can cost a surprising amount before you pack a single dish. The good news is that you can get what you need for less if you know what to buy, where to buy it and what to skip. This guide covers the supplies you actually need, the best places to buy them around Richmond, and when it is worth paying for better boxes. If you want to find boxes for free, see our guide to free moving boxes in Richmond.
Updated November 2026.
The Moving Supplies Checklist
- Boxes in three sizes: small for books and heavy items, medium for kitchen and household goods, and large for light items such as linens and pillows.
- Specialty boxes: wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes, dish packs for plates and glasses, and TV or picture boxes for flat items.
- Packing tape: buy a few rolls and a dispenser. Cheap tape fails.
- Packing paper: plain, unprinted paper to wrap dishes and fill gaps.
- Bubble wrap: for fragile and high-value items.
- Stretch wrap: to hold drawers shut and keep furniture pads in place.
- Markers and labels: to label every box by room.
- Furniture pads or blankets: to protect furniture and floors.
- Mattress bags: to keep mattresses clean.
Where to Buy Cheap Moving Supplies in Richmond
Home Improvement and Big-Box Stores
Stores such as Home Depot, Lowe’s and Walmart sell boxes, tape and basic packing supplies, often in bundles. Buying a bundle can be cheaper per box than buying one at a time, but check the sizes and quantities before you commit. These stores are convenient for last-minute top-ups.
U-Haul
U-Haul sells a wide range of boxes and specialty supplies, including wardrobe boxes, dish packs and mattress bags. Its locations also have a Take a Box, Leave a Box station, and you can buy kits sized by the number of rooms. Check the location’s stock before you go.
Office Supply Stores
Office supply stores carry tape, markers, labels and some boxes, and they are good for stocking up on smaller supplies.
Online Retailers
Online retailers sell bundles of boxes and supplies and deliver to your door, which is useful if you do not have a vehicle. Compare the price per box and the shipping, because both can change the total.
Cavalier Moving
If you would rather not shop around, we can provide moving boxes, stretch and bubble wrap, packing tape, specialty boxes and permanent markers. See our loading and packing help.
When Free Boxes Are Fine, and When to Buy
Free boxes work well for books, clothes, linens and general household items. They are not ideal for everything:
- Buy specialty boxes for dishes, glassware, TVs, mirrors and artwork. See packing dishes and glasses, packing a TV and moving a large mirror.
- Buy a wardrobe box or two for formal clothes. See how to pack clothes for moving.
- Buy good tape: It is the one supply you should not skimp on.
- Use free boxes for everything else, and inspect them for strength, moisture and pests.
Cheaper Alternatives to Buying Everything
- Use what you already own: suitcases, duffel bags, laundry baskets and plastic bins hold a lot.
- Pad with towels, blankets and clothes instead of buying extra bubble wrap.
- Use plain packing paper or unprinted newsprint to wrap dishes. Print can transfer ink.
- Rent reusable bins if a local company offers them, and compare the cost with buying boxes.
- Pass your boxes on when you are done. Someone else will be glad to have them.
How to Avoid Buying Too Much
- Declutter first: Fewer belongings means fewer boxes. See how to organize and declutter before moving and what to do with stuff you can’t take when moving.
- Pack one room first, and count how many boxes it takes. Use that to estimate the rest.
- Buy in stages: Start with a starter bundle and top up as you go, so you do not end up with leftovers.
- Keep boxes you unpack: Flatten and store them, or pass them on.
- Know what not to pack: Read what not to pack when moving.
Packing Tips to Make Supplies Last
- Keep boxes at a manageable weight: small boxes for heavy items. See the dos and don’ts of packing.
- Tape the bottoms of every box in an H pattern.
- Fill empty space so contents do not shift.
- Label boxes on the top and sides with the room and a note on the contents.
Let Us Handle the Packing
Packing is time-consuming, and the time you spend counts in a move billed by the hour. We can pack a few rooms or the whole home, and bring the supplies. See what Richmond moves cost, and labor-only movers in Richmond if you just need help with the heavy lifting.
Ready for a straight answer on your move? Call Cavalier Moving at (804) 404-8048 or request a free estimate. We are open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy cheap moving boxes in Richmond, VA?
Home improvement and big-box stores, U-Haul, office supply stores and online retailers all sell boxes and supplies. Compare the price per box in bundles.
What moving supplies do I need?
Boxes in small, medium and large sizes, specialty boxes for dishes, TVs and clothes, packing tape, packing paper, bubble wrap, stretch wrap, markers and furniture pads.
Is it cheaper to buy a moving kit or individual boxes?
A kit can be cheaper per box, but only if it matches what you need. Count your rooms and compare the contents before you buy.
Can I use free boxes for everything?
For most items, yes. Use specialty boxes for dishes, glassware, TVs and mirrors, and check free boxes for strength and pests.
What should I not skimp on?
Tape and boxes for fragile items. Weak tape and thin boxes cause most packing failures.
Does Cavalier Moving provide packing supplies?
Yes. We can provide boxes, wrap, tape, specialty boxes and markers, and we can pack for you.