Giga
The short answer
Renting plastic crates in London averages £40 to £120+ per week depending on move size
The price comes down to three things: the weekly rate per crate, delivery and collection, and how long you keep them. A standard 80-litre lidded crate costs about £1.20 to £1.80 a week. A full 2-bedroom package averages £60 to £90 a week including delivery.
- Standard lidded crates (LC3) cost between £1.20 and £1.80 per week to rent.
- A typical 1-bedroom flat package costs around £45–£65 per week.
- Delivery and collection usually costs £15 to £35 in total.
- Crates mean no packing tape and no cardboard to get rid of.
- Plan for 1 to 2 weeks’ hire so you have time to unpack.
Crate Hire Rate Breakdown
Crates are hired per item, per week. The total depends on the type and size you need. Typical 2026 rates:
1. Standard Lidded Crate (LC3 / 80-Litre)
The standard LC3 crate is the most popular choice for home and office moves. It costs £1.20 to £1.80 per week. Use it for files, books, kitchenware, clothes and food cupboard items.
2. Large Lidded Crate (LC6 / 138-Litre)
Made for bulky, light things like towels, pillows, winter clothes and big toys. These cost £1.80 to £2.50 per week. Don’t fill them with heavy items, or they become hard to lift safely.
3. IT / Computer Crate (160-Litre)
Built for office moves, these hold monitors, keyboards, computers and power supplies securely. They cost £2.50 to £3.50 per week and have extra padding.
Delivery and Collection Fees
Crates are rigid and bulky, so they won’t fit in a normal car. Hire companies drop off empty crates by van and collect them when you are done.
Delivery and collection usually costs £15 to £35 in total, depending on how far you are from the depot. Some providers deliver free above a certain order value (typically £100+). Include this in your budget.
Related reading: Moving Crates London: The Complete Guide to Hiring Crates and Is a Professional Packing Service Worth It When Moving in London?
Cost Comparison: Crates vs. Cardboard Boxes
To see whether crates suit your budget, compare the full cost of cardboard, not just the price per box.
The Hidden Cost of Cardboard
A box may cost only £1.50 to £2.50, but you also need strong tape (about £2.50 a roll) and bubble wrap. Boxes can buckle or split under weight and damage what is inside. And getting rid of 40 boxes after the move can mean paying for extra recycling or council collection.
The True Value of Plastic Crates
Crates need no tape, because the lids lock shut. They don’t crush, which protects your things from damage. And once you have unpacked, they are collected from your door, leaving nothing to clear up.
Estimating Crate Costs for Your Property
Typical packages by property size, with weekly costs including delivery.
1. 1-Bedroom Flat Package
Includes 20–30 Standard Crates, 50 moving labels, and security seals. Hire costs about £40–£60 per week. Suits a single person or a small flat.
2. 2-Bedroom Flat or House Package
Includes 40–50 Standard Crates, 100 moving labels, and security seals. Hire averages £60–£90 per week. This is the most common home package.
3. 3-Bedroom Family House Package
Includes 60–80 Standard Crates, 150 moving labels, security seals and 2 crate dollies. Hire costs about £90–£130 per week.
Crate Pricing
Crate hire packages and pricing estimates (2026)
| Package Size | Crate Count | Ideal For | Est. Weekly Cost | Est. Delivery & Collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small / Starter | 20 Crates | 1-Bed Flat / Student | £35 - £45 | £20 - £30 |
| Medium / Standard | 40 Crates | 2-Bed Flat / House | £60 - £75 | £20 - £30 |
| Large / Family | 60 Crates | 3-Bed House | £85 - £105 | £20 - £30 |
| Extra Large | 80+ Crates | 4+ Bed House | £110 - £140+ | FREE / Included |
| IT Relocation | 10 IT Crates | Office Relocations | £30 - £40 | £20 - £30 |
Clear answers
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can buy crates, but for a one-off move renting usually works out cheaper. Heavy-duty lidded crates cost roughly £15 to £25 each to buy, so a 2-bedroom move needing around 40 crates could cost £600–£1,000 upfront. A hire package for the same move is typically £60–£90, the crates are delivered and collected for you, and you are not left storing forty empty boxes afterwards. Buying only makes sense if you move often.
Usually, yes. Most crate hire services let you move the delivery or collection date if you give around 24 to 48 hours' notice, which helps when a completion date slips. Before booking, check the hire terms for late-change or cancellation fees and ask whether the hire period restarts or simply extends. If your completion is uncertain, tell the provider at the start so they can book a date that is easy to adjust later.
Most standard crate hire packages include self-adhesive room labels and numbered plastic security seals, so you can see which crate goes where and whether it has been opened. Many providers also rent crate dollies, sometimes called skates, which let you wheel several stacked crates at once instead of carrying each one. Wardrobe boxes, IT crates and bubble wrap are usually extras, so confirm exactly what the package contains before comparing prices between companies.
Yes, it is usually sensible to order a slightly larger package than your first estimate. Having five or ten empty crates left over costs very little, while running out halfway through packing means a second delivery, a possible top-up fee and lost time close to moving day. Kitchens, books and children's rooms tend to need more crates than people expect, so count cupboards and shelves room by room before choosing a package size.
