Real Cost and Labor Savings for Moving Companies
Many moving companies assume cardboard boxes are the cheapest option because they have a low upfront price. However, when you consider replacement costs, labor time, and operational efficiency, reusable moving crate systems often produce significant savings.
A moving system built around XL Totes and XL Dollies or Deluxe Crates and Deluxe Skates can reduce both material costs and labor expenses.
Below is a practical cost comparison.
Cost of Cardboard Boxes for a Typical Move
A standard residential move often requires 60–80 cardboard boxes.
Typical box prices:
Small boxes: $1.50–$2.00
Medium boxes: $2.00–$3.00
Large boxes: $3.00–$4.00
Average cost per move for boxes:
70 boxes × $2.50 average = $175
Additional materials:
Packing tape = $10–$20
Replacement damaged boxes = $10
Estimated total per move:
$195 per move
If a moving company performs 200 moves per year:
$195 × 200 moves = $39,000 annually
This does not include the labor inefficiencies associated with handling individual boxes.
Cost of Reusable Moving Crates
Reusable plastic moving crates typically last hundreds of uses.
Example system:
48 XL Totes
12 XL Dollies
Example investment:
XL Totes (20 × $45) = $900
XL Dollies (4 × $120) = $480
Total system investment:
$3,100
If the system is used for 200 moves per year, the cost per move becomes extremely low.
Example over 3 years:
200 moves × 3 years = 600 uses
$3,100 ÷ 600 moves = about $5 per move
Compared to cardboard:
Cardboard cost per move ≈ $195
Reusable crate system ≈ $5 per move
Estimated savings per move:
$190
Annual Packaging Savings
For a moving company completing 200 moves per year:
$190 savings × 200 moves = $38,000 per year
Even if the company performs fewer moves, the savings remain significant.
Labor Savings with Crate Dollies
Labor efficiency is often the largest source of savings.
Cardboard boxes must be carried individually. Movers may make dozens of trips between the truck and building.
With crate systems, movers can stack containers and move several at once using XL Dollies and Deluxe Skates.
Example:
Cardboard boxes:
- 70 boxes carried individually
- many trips between truck and house
Crate system:
- 4–6 stacked crates moved per trip
- fewer trips required
If the crate system reduces moving time by 20 minutes per job, the labor savings add up quickly.
Example labor cost:
Crew cost: $90/hour
Time saved: 20 minutes (1/3 hour)
Savings per move:
$30
Annual labor savings:
200 moves × $30 = $6,000
Combined Annual Savings
Example moving company performing 200 jobs per year:
Packaging savings:
$38,000
Labor savings:
$6,000
Total estimated savings:
$44,000 per year
Additional Financial Benefits
Reusable moving crate systems also produce indirect savings:
- fewer damaged items
- fewer insurance claims
- improved crew productivity
- more professional moving operations
Because crates stack evenly and protect contents better than cardboard boxes, damage rates often decrease.
Long-Term ROI
Because plastic crates can last hundreds of moves, the initial investment is quickly recovered.
Example ROI:
Initial system investment:
$3,100
Annual savings:
$44,000
Return on investment can occur within just a few months of use.
Equipment That Drives the Savings
The moving system responsible for these savings typically includes two key components:
XL Tote
Large reusable storage container designed for heavy loads.
XL Dolly
Wheeled platform for transporting stacked crates quickly.
or
Deluxe Crate
Heavy-duty stackable moving crate for professional movers.
Deluxe Skate
Heavy-duty platform for moving stacked containers smoothly.
Together, these tools create an efficient moving system that improves both speed and profitability.
Conclusion
While cardboard boxes may appear inexpensive at first, their recurring costs and labor inefficiencies can make them far more expensive over time.
Reusable crate systems built around XL Totes, Deluxe Crates, XL Dollies, and Deluxe Skates provide a strong return on investment by reducing packaging costs, improving labor efficiency, and protecting items during transport.
For moving companies and warehouses looking to increase efficiency and reduce operational expenses, plastic moving crates and dolly systems offer a clear financial advantage.
