A complete guide to the cost of removals in Australia

This article will demystify the costs of Removals in Australia and give you great insight into what to expect to pay and how to save some money when moving home. After all, as a specialist removals quote website, we know a thing or two about the cost of removals.

So how much does moving home cost in Australia?

How much will it cost sounds like a simple question, but there is no simple answer. Furniture removalists charge by the hour, although that hourly charge will vary based on:

1. The size of the truck
2. The men needed
3. The travel time to and from the job
4. The insurance cover you have
5. The day of the week you move on
6. The equipment used in the move
7. The professionalism of the removals crew you use

As you can see, loads of factors can cause that hourly price to vary from supplier to supplier. The hourly rate is not the only thing to consider either, as although you may get a cheaper rate from a supplier, they may take twice as long to do the job. The time taken to perform a removals job can vary considerably based on factors such as:

• Having to navigate stairs or an elevator to get the goods in or out
• How many men are performing the job
• Are there hills or tricky access that slows things down
• Do items need to be disassembled and assembled
• Are there items unpacked and lose that the removalist will need to pack into boxes
• Traffic and weather conditions can also cause delays
• The size of the property

When you factor all these elements in, the cost of moving is difficult to determine, so in this guide, we have provided a low end, mid-range and high-end cost based on the size of the property.

Low-Cost Movers

When we provide the low-end price, this price is usually from an unprofessional moving service—usually, someone who has truck access and looking to make a few dollars. While their cost per hour will be the cheapest, they will never have the required insurance and equipment to ensure a safe move.

Professional removals companies will have three types of insurance which cover the following:

• Property Insurance covers your goods while being moved inside the property and covers accidental property damage that happens during the moving process, such as a broken window or door.
• Transport Insurance covers your goods while they are in transport inside of the truck or van.
• Removals Insurance covers your goods in the process of moving items from the property to the truck.

The three types of insurance provide full cover for any accident that could happen when moving. Low-cost movers offer an hourly rate so low that they cannot possibly cover full cover insurance costs. So beware of a low hourly rate and ask about insurance if the price seems too good.

Removalists Hourly Rate

The hourly rate for removalists will come down to the size of the truck and the removalist required. Small jobs will typically use two men with a small truck (3 to 6 tonne truck), where moving a larger property will require 3-4 men and a large truck (12 to 16 tonne). Check this with your removalist because paying a higher hourly rate but having more movers can be far more cost-effective for more significant moves.

The cost of removalists for a one-bedroom apartment

The most significant factor when moving from an apartment is stair and lift access. Not having a key to the lift will massively increase the cost of the move, so make sure you organise good priority lift access. If you are on the tenth floor of an apartment building, get organised, box up as much as you can, and take it to the lobby, it will save several elevator trips and a few hundred dollars.

Removalists Needed:

Two removalists are ideal for a one-bedroom apartment.

Truck Needed

To move a three-bedroom house will typically require a 3-5 tonne truck.

Low-End Cost Estimate

When well organised with good access to the truck and lift, the price should fall between $250 and $400.

High-End Estimate

If you are disorganised with poor access to the truck and lift, the cost could blow out to $600 - $900.

Removals hourly rate for a one-bedroom apartment

• A low-end rate with no insurance cover could be as low as $70-$90
• A high-end rate could be as much as $160 per hour

Most professional removals companies for two men and a 3-5 tonne truck will charge $100 to $130.

The cost of removalists for a two-bedroom apartment

Like the one-bedroom apartment, the most significant factor will be stair and lift access. Not having a key to the lift will massively increase the cost of the move, so make sure you organise good priority lift access.

Removalists Needed:

Two removalists are ideal for a two-bedroom apartment.

Truck Needed

To move a three-bedroom house will typically require a 5-6 tonne truck.

Low-End Cost Estimate

When well organised with good access to the truck and lift, the price should fall between $450 and $600.

High-End Estimate

If you are disorganised with poor access to the truck and lift, the cost could blow out to $800+.

Removals hourly rate for a two-bedroom apartment

• A low-end rate with no insurance cover could be as low as $100-$110
• A high-end rate could be as much as $180 per hour

Most professional removals companies for two men and a 5-6 tonne truck will charge $125 to $140.

The cost of removalists for a three-bedroom house

The cost to move a house will be affected by ease of access to the property and how well organised you are. If you require the removalist to pack your items on the day or unassemble any items, the sots will go up. Have your items boxed and in a good access point to minimise costs.

Removalists Needed:

Two removalists are ideal for a three-bedroom house.

Truck Needed

To move a three-bedroom house will typically require an 8-tonne truck.

Low-End Cost Estimate

When well organised with good access to the truck and lift, the price should fall between $550 and $750.

High-End Estimate

If you are disorganised with poor access to the truck and lift, the cost could blow out to $1,000+.

Removals hourly rate for a three-bedroom house

• A low-end rate with no insurance cover could be as low as $110-$120
• A high-end rate could be as much as $170-$200 per hour

Most professional removals companies for two men and an 8-tonne truck will charge $130 to $140.

The cost of removalists for a four-bedroom house

The cost to move a house will be affected by ease of access to the property and how well organised you are. If you require the removalist to pack your items on the day or unassemble any items, the sots will go up. Have your items boxed and in a good access point to minimise costs.

Removalists Needed:

Two removalists can move a four-bedroom house, but taking an extra removalist should be considered.

Truck Needed

To move a four-bedroom house will typically require a 10 to 12-tonne truck.

Low-End Cost Estimate

When well organised with good access to the truck and lift, the price should fall between $700 and $1,000.

High-End Estimate

If you are disorganised with poor access to the truck and lift, the cost could blow out to $1,000+.

Removals hourly rate for a four-bedroom house

• A low-end rate with no insurance cover could be as low as $120-$130
• A high-end rate could be as much as $180-$220 per hour

Most professional removals companies for two men and a 10 to 12-tonne truck will charge $140 to $160.

The cost of removalists for a five-bedroom house

Five-bedroom houses or large properties are hard to estimate as they can vary considerably in size and scope. With removals, stairs and access will play a big part in the final cost and how organised you are before moving.

Removalists Needed:

Two removalists can move a five-bedroom house, but taking an extra one or two removalists should be considered.

Truck Needed

To move a five-bedroom house will typically require a 16-tonne truck.

Low-End Cost Estimate

When well organised with good access to the truck and lift, the price should fall between $900 and $1,200.

High-End Estimate

If you are disorganised with poor access to the truck and lift, the cost could blow out to $1,200+.

Removals hourly rate for a four-bedroom house

• A low-end rate with no insurance cover could be as low as $135-$150
• A high-end rate could be as much as $190-$230 per hour

Most professional removals companies for two men and a 10 to 12-tonne truck will charge $150 to $170.

We hope this removals price guide has helped to clarify expected costs around removals services in Australia. Always be sure to check on the insurance cover you will receive and the type of truck, equipment, and movers used on the job. Make sure you are well packed on the day with easy access to your items, and the move should go smoothly, and the costs kept down.