Whether it’s a one-bedroom apartment or a large four-bedroom home, moving house can be stressful. And having to do it all by yourself makes it even worse.Â
Many people are wary of employing the services of removalist companies because they’re unsure of the moving costs involved.Â
If you’re moving house and you’re contemplating whether to use removalists or not, we’ve detailed the average removalist costs to give you a basic idea of what to expect and – hopefully – make your decision easier.Â
Plus, there are a few ways to cut down on moving expenses and save money – but still benefit from the convenience of using professionals. We’ll share those tips, and everything else you need to know about moving house.
Why You Should Know the Average Moving Costs
Different removalist companies charge different rates and provide different services.Â
This is why market research is essential, because it can give you information about different companies’ services as well as the average prices that you can expect. This will allow you to detect overcharging – or the opposite: suspiciously low prices that can indicate poor quality.
Some removalists offer all-inclusive packages, which is very convenient and prevents you from having to liaise with multiple companies. But this can be a more expensive route. Therefore, you’ll need to decide whether your priority is convenience or saving money.Â
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How Removal Companies Calculate Their Prices
The cost of moving house differs between removalists because companies charge for services differently.Â
Removals can be charged according to:Â
- Hourly ratesÂ
- Half-hour ratesÂ
- A fixed price (including the number of bedrooms and travel distance)
When a removalist company bases its hourly cost on how many bedrooms there are in your house or apartment, it’s because they will need enough movers for the space.Â
In Sydney, the average moving cost, including public liability insurance, is calculated the following way:
- 1-2-bedroom apartments require 2 movers. This will amount to $125 per hour.
- 3-bedroom apartments require 3 movers. This will amount to $175 per hour.
- 3-bedroom houses require 4 movers. This will amount to $245 per hour.
- 4-bedroom houses or more require 5 movers. This will amount to $315 per hour.
Same City or Interstate Moving Costs
The average costs of moving house locally are usually between $100-$1000. A longer distance move spanning over 20 kilometres can be over $1000.
Interstate moves are usually charged by the kilometre rather than by the hour.
The average cost of removalist service for a three-bedroom family home moving interstate is:
- From Adelaide to Sunshine Coast: $6,000-$7,500
- From Brisbane to Perth: $7,150-$8,825
- From Brisbane to Sydney: $2,600-$3,640
- From Melbourne to the Gold Coast: $3,250-$4,550
- From Sydney to Canberra: $2,125-$2,950
How To Minimise Removalist Prices
The more complex it is for a removal company to move all your belongings, the longer it will take and the more expensive it will be.
Unfortunately, some things outside of your control can complicate a job, such as:
- Lifts
- Stairways
- Small doorways
- Narrow hallways
Many companies in the industry charge based on the weight of the object. Heavy or bulky items, like large couches, a king-sized bed, a double-door refrigerator, or a piano, may incur extra costs of $50-$140. How much the items weigh will dictate the number of movers needed to carry them. This will influence the actual cost.
Some ways to reduce other costs include:Â
- Avoid moving on a Sunday or a holiday because many removalists may charge extra on those days.Â
- Try and schedule your move during off-peak times because trying to move during traffic congestion will take longer and therefore cost more.
- Do as much as you can yourself, such as sourcing your own packing materials and packing and unpacking yourself.
Extra Removalist Services You Can Add On
The removalist services that are always included in the total cost are:
- Dismantling furniture
- Carrying and loading furniture and belongings onto the moving truck
- Getting the items to the new house safely
- Delivering the items to the appropriate rooms
- Assembling the furniture again
Most companies offer extra services to make moving house easier and more streamlined, though these will likely come at an additional cost.
Packing and Unpacking
Packing services ensure the contents of your house are quickly and efficiently boxed up in a strategic and efficient manner. Packing up your entire home by yourself can be a huge job. Professional packers have been trained to be meticulous and orderly.
Packing services will:
- Wrap fragile items carefully in bubble wrap to ensure their safety.
- Label the various packing boxes so the movers know which room to deliver them to.
- Make a list of what’s in each box so that they can easily be located after the move.Â
Unpacking is therefore a simple process when you hire professional packers, whether you choose to unpack yourself or hire them to do it for you.
An hourly rate for a professional packer averages $80. Companies may have a minimum time requirement, so keep this in mind if you have a very small apartment.
Packing Materials
Most companies that offer packing materials will provide:Â
- Bubble wrap
- Packing tape
- Butcher’s paperÂ
- Cardboard boxes
- Plastic crates
These essential materials are usually around $100, but look out for specials, which can save you a bit of money.
Storage Services
People are sometimes required to move out of their home before their new one becomes available. Alternatively, they may be downsizing from a large home to an apartment but are hesitant to sell their belongings.
For these reasons, some removalists provide storage and can help with short- or long-term storage solutions.
Mobile storage is a popular option because of its convenience:
- The truck arrives to collect your belongings with the storage at the back.
- Your boxes and furniture are packed into the storage unit directly.
- The truck transports the storage unit to the warehouse, where it’s stored until you are ready for your belongings.
- The mobile storage unit is then loaded back onto the truck and delivered to the required location.
Pricing for storage differs depending on whether it’s short-term or long-term. Daily rates are around $2, and storage for a month can be around $120.
ABC Removalists is a moving company that provides value-for-money service for your interstate or local move.
We encourage you to compare prices on what different removalists charge, but we guarantee no hidden costs or unwelcome surprises.
Our pricing model is transparent, and we encourage you to contact our friendly team to discuss any questions or concerns you might have.Â
Disclaimer:Â
Take note that all figures presented are averages from various removal companies in Sydney. For a quote tailored to your needs, please contact ABC Removalists directly.
Key Takeaways
ABC Removalists is a moving company that provides value-for-money service for your interstate or local move.
We encourage you to compare prices on what different removalists charge, but we guarantee no hidden costs or unwelcome surprises.
Our pricing model is transparent, and we encourage you to contact our friendly team to discuss any questions or concerns you might have.Â
Disclaimer:Â
Take note that all figures presented are averages from various removal companies in Sydney. For a quote tailored to your needs, please contact ABC Removalists directly.