How much do removalists cost?

Whether you’re moving out of the family home, downsizing for retirement, or preparing for that sea change, moving all your worldly possessions to a new location can be a mammoth task. While some people may be fortunate enough to get help from friends and family, another option is to hire a removalist to do the heavy lifting for you.

Before you book the services of a removalist there are a few things to consider. We look at the costs and the insurance to cover your belongings.

How much do removalists cost?

According to Australian trade services website hipages, you can expect a total cost of anywhere from $300 to $3,500 if you are moving within the same state, or $2,000 – $6,000 if you are moving interstate. Removalist costs can also vary based on the size of your home and the amount of belongings you have, and the more belongings you have and 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 the 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 the home you’re moving from

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). For example, a one-bedroom apartment removal job may cost less than a four-bedroom house. This may be because the house with more rooms is likely to hold more furniture and belongings than the smaller apartment, and may mean that a bigger truck and more people or time is required to get the job done. The cost of providing these extra resources is then passed on to the customer.

Hipages provided the following breakdown of the removalist costs you may expect to pay as per the size of the move when relocating in the same city:

• $125/hr for a one-bedroom apartment, using two movers
• $175/hr for a small three-bedroom apartment, using three movers
• $245/hr for a large three-bedroom home, using four movers
• $315/hr, for a large family home of four or more bedrooms, using five movers

Note: These prices are for a Sydney-based removalist, who are fully insured and require 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, 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 often further.

Difficulty of the move

Your removalist may add to the cost of your job to account for any difficulties they may come across during the move; such as stairs, narrow hallways or door frames, lifts, limited parking or large furniture.

Level of service required

If you choose to add extra services or products to your removal job that do not come as standard (like packing and unpacking, storage facilities, insurance or pet transport) you’ll likely have to pay an extra fee for this. For example, according to removalist company Moving24, packing your belongings comes at an additional charge of between $150 and $400.

Time of the move

The day and time of your move may also affect costs. Removalist jobs at the start or end of the month tend to be more expensive, so book your move for mid-month if you can. We also suggest scheduling your move during non-peak hours, as traffic congestion could add to your cost if you are paying by the hour.

What if I’m moving overseas?

Moving internationally will be completely different to a local or interstate move. It will also likely cost you more, depending on what you plan to take overseas with you. You may expect your quote for an international move to be based on:

• where you are moving to
• what type and amount of belongings you plan to ship to your new address
• if you are using a “door-to-door” or “door-to-port” service
• local customs charges and duties.

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. If this is the case, 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 some of their cardboard boxes.

2. Reducing the amount of work – moving smaller items yourself and decluttering

If you move smaller items such as kitchenware and bedding yourself, and leave only the heavier items for the removalists, you could potentially cut down on the size of the truck and number of workers you need for your move. This could save you some dollars.

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 some extra money, give your items a new life and also reduce your time packing and unpacking.

3. Preparing large appliances and labelling your boxes

If you are paying your removalist based on time (e.g. by the hour or half-hour), you could help speed up the process of moving large appliances, such as your fridge or washing machine, by emptying, disconnecting and cleaning them prior to the move. Consider also labelling your boxes with what room they will be going to at your new property, so that you can help removalists to quickly unload and position them correctly at the other end.

4. Reserving a parking spot close to your home

By finding and 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 the price may be if you are paying by the hour.

5. Arranging your move during off-peak periods

According to the Australian Furniture Removers Association (AFRA), a high percentage of removals occur during the last week of the month, in summer and holidays periods. Removal companies may raise their prices to match the high demand during these periods, so if you book your move outside of these times you may be able to save on costs.

6. Collecting and comparing quotes from different companies

To help get a sense of the reasonable cost of your move, consider obtaining several quotes from removalists in your area, either over the phone or online. 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 questions you have specific to your move, including whether there could be extra costs involved.

Can I insure my items while they are being moved?

Whilst most removalists take care with your possessions when moving them, accidents do happen, so consider your insurance options for your belongings. It’s possible that damage to your belongings may not be covered by your contents insurance or the removalist’s own cover.

→Relevant article: What is contents insurance and what does it cover?

If this is the case, then there are some specialised moving and storage providers that do offer transit or moving insurance. The price of these will depend on a range of factors including the value you place on your belongings and what circumstances you would like covered.

Before buying one of these policies, it is important to check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or contact the provider directly to get a full understanding of the cover.

What services do removalists offer?

Most professional removal companies will offer these standard services for a basic removal job:

• Safely loading your belongings into their truck
• Transporting your belongings to a new address
• Unloading your belongings off the truck
• Placing your belongings in your new home

Some companies may also offer some extra services you can request, depending on your needs. These extra services, below, may come at an additional cost.

• Providing packing materials
• Packing and unpacking
• Setting up furniture or appliances
• Storing your belongings for short or long term
• Move your belongings interstate
• Clean the home you are vacating

Tips on hiring a removalist

If you decide to hire a removalist, research your options carefully and ask family and friends if they have recommendations. Reading online customer reviews from independent websites may also help you to learn more about the standard of service on offer from particular companies.

It may also be a good idea to use a company that is accredited by AFRA. Removalists who have this accreditation are guaranteed to meet certain equipment, premises and staff training standards, and must carry public liability insurance.

When requesting a quote, it can be a good idea to 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 (e.g. fuel)
• Their ABN or industry accreditation

In order to receive the most accurate quote, it’s also important to include as much information about your moving job as possible when contacting a removalist company.

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Cover image source: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock.com