How much do removalists cost?
According to Australian trade services website, hipages, you can expect to pay:
- Between $300 and $3,500 for same-state moves
- Between $2,000 and $6,000 for interstate moves
Removalist costs can vary based on the size of your home and how much stuff you have – the more complex the task, the more you are likely to pay.
How are removalist costs calculated?
Removalists may charge by the hour, half-hour, or in 15-minute increments. Some may also charge a flat fee for the entire job based on details you provide when requesting a quote. To get a quote, they will often ask you questions to gauge the time it will take them.
What factors can influence the cost?
The size of your home
Most removal companies will ask you about the size of the property you’re moving from when determining your quote (which typically indicates the volume of items that may need moving).
A one-bedroom apartment removal job may cost less than a four-bedroom house because the house with more rooms is likely to hold more furniture and belongings than the smaller apartment.
A larger house may also mean the job needs a bigger truck, more labour, and more time to get done. The cost of these extra resources is then passed on to the customer.
Hipages provided the following breakdown of how much you may expect to pay when relocating in the same city:
- $125 an hour for a one-bedroom apartment
- $175 an hour for a small three-bedroom apartment
- $245 an hour for a large three-bedroom home
- $315 an hour for a large family home with four or more bedrooms
It’s also worth noting that moving stuff between larger houses tends to take longer than between smaller homes, and may require additional removalists.
Note: These prices are for a Sydney-based removalist who is fully insured and requires a minimum hourly usage.
The distance of the move
Removalist costs will also vary depending on how far a company is required to travel to transport your items to your new address. Typically, the further the distance between your old and new address, the more you’ll pay.
For instance, those booking an interstate removalist job can expect to pay higher prices compared with those booking a move within the same city, as the distance from address-to-address is further.
Difficulty of the move
Your removalist may add to the cost of your job to account for any difficulties they may face during the move, such as stairs, narrow hallways or door frames, lifts, limited parking, or large furniture.
Level of service required
You’ll likely have to pay an extra fee if you add extra services to your removal job that don’t come as standard (like packing and unpacking, storage facilities, insurance, or pet transport)
For example, according to removalist company Moving24, packing your belongings comes at an additional charge of between $150 and $400.
Time of the move
When you’re moving house may also affect moving costs. Removalist jobs on weekends and peak months, like November, December, January, March, tend to be more expensive, according to Airtasker. You might also want to schedule your move during non-peak hours, as traffic congestion could add to your cost if you are paying by the hour.
What are some ways you can reduce removalist costs?
1. Packing your own items and sourcing your own packing materials
Removalists usually charge extra for packing and unpacking services as well as for providing packing materials, such as boxes, padding, and tape.
Packing your own boxes and shopping around to buy or source your own packing materials may help to save you money.
Consider asking your friends and family if they have any spare cardboard boxes or check with local supermarkets or other retailers to see if they are willing to give you their recycled cardboard boxes.
2. Reducing the amount of work by moving smaller items yourself and decluttering
If you move smaller items such as kitchenware and bedding yourself, you could cut down on the size of the truck and number of workers needed for your move.
You can also reduce the number of things to move by decluttering your home. Any unwanted items could be sold or donated, which can bring in extra money and reduce your time packing and unpacking.
3. Preparing large appliances and labelling your boxes
If you’re paying your removalist by the hour, you could help lower costs and speed up the process of moving large appliances by emptying, disconnecting, and cleaning them before the move.
Also consider labelling your boxes with the room they belong in at your new property. This can help removalists quickly unload and position items correctly at the other end.
4. Reserving a parking spot close to your home
By reserving a space close to your home for the removal truck to park, you can shorten the distance to travel when lugging your belongings from your property to the vehicle.
The quicker you and the removalists can get through the process, the cheaper it will likely be (if you’re paying by the hour).
5. Arranging your move during off-peak periods
Removal companies may raise their prices to match high demand during peak moving periods, like the summer school holidays and months when more properties tend to go to market (like October and November and February and March). You may be able to save by booking your move outside of these times.
6. Collecting and comparing quotes from different companies
Obtain several quotes from removalists in your area. From there you can get a general range, learn more about differences in services offered, and be more likely to find a good deal.
Also read reviews of the company and ask any specific questions related to your move, as these could mean extra costs are involved.
Can I insure my items while they are being moved?
Yes, but it’s possible that damage to your belongings may not be covered by your contents insurance or the removalist’s own cover. However, some specialised moving and storage providers do offer transit or moving insurance.
The price of these policies will depend on a range of factors including:
- The value of your belongings
- Your preferred level of coverage.
Tips on hiring a removalist
If you decide to hire a removalist, research your options carefully and seek out recommendations.
Reading online reviews from independent websites may help you learn more about the standard of service on offer from particular companies.
You might also look to use a company accredited by AFRA. Removalists with this accreditation have met certain equipment, premises, and staff training standards and must carry public liability insurance.
When requesting a quote, make sure to include enough detail about the job and ask the removalist company if they will provide the following details in writing:
- The estimated total cost for the job including GST
- What is included
- How they charge – time-based or flat fee
- How long the move will take
- Whether your belongings will fit in one truck and moved in one load
- How many movers will there be
- What insurance options are available
- If there are any extra costs (like fuel costs)
- Their ABN or industry accreditation
