Crate Hire vs Cardboard Boxes — What's Cheaper on the Gold Coast?
A real cost comparison for a typical 3-bedroom Gold Coast move.
When you're moving house on the Gold Coast, one of the first things you need to sort out is what you're going to pack everything into. The two options most people consider are buying cardboard boxes or hiring reusable plastic crates.
Let's break down the real cost of each — including the hidden costs most people forget.
The Cardboard Box Route
For a typical 3-bedroom Gold Coast house, you'll need roughly 30–40 cardboard boxes in various sizes. Here's what that costs:
- 30 medium boxes (from Bunnings or a removalist supplier): ~$120–$150
- 10 large boxes: ~$50–$70
- Packing tape (3–4 rolls): ~$15–$20
- Marker pens for labelling: ~$5
- Time spent assembling and taping boxes: 1–2 hours
- Time spent breaking down and disposing: 1+ hours
- Trip to recycling / tip: fuel + time
Total estimated cost: $190–$245 + your time
The Plastic Crate Hire Route
With Coastal Packing Hire, the same 3-bedroom move looks like this:
- House Pack — 40 heavy-duty 80L crates (2-week hire): $269
- Delivery to your Gold Coast door: included
- Pickup when you're done: included
- Tape: $0 (lids fold shut)
- Assembly time: 0 minutes
- Disposal: nothing to dispose of
Total cost: $269 — and hours of your time saved.
The Hidden Advantages
Beyond the straight dollar comparison, plastic crates have practical advantages that cardboard can't match:
- Waterproof. Gold Coast humidity and sudden rain won't ruin your belongings.
- Stackable. Flat lids and uniform sizing mean they stack perfectly in a car, van, or trailer — no wobbling towers of mismatched boxes.
- Stronger. Heavy items like books and kitchenware don't risk punching through the bottom.
- Cleaner. No cardboard dust, no old box smell, no risk of insects hitching a ride from second-hand boxes.
- Zero waste. We collect the empties — nothing goes to landfill or recycling.
The Verdict
For a typical Gold Coast move, plastic crate hire costs about the same as cardboard — and saves you hours of assembly, taping, breaking down, and disposal time. Factor in the convenience of free delivery and pickup, and it's an easy choice.
Ready to skip the cardboard? Get a free quote from Coastal Packing Hire and get your crates delivered to your Gold Coast door.