You’ve decided it’s time for a change, and you’re packing your bags, eager to move into your new home.

But how much will you have to pay to have your furniture and belongings moved?  How much do removalists cost?

This article will give you more information on this and other removalist-related questions you might have as we break down the removalist checklist whether you’re buying your first house, your next house, or interested in investing in property.

What Services Do Removalists Provide?

Before you book your removalists, you should know the different kinds of services they offer:

Why Hire Removalists?

There are several advantages to choosing a removalist company over DIYing your move:

Basic services:

  • Loading and unloading your belongingsTransporting themCarrying furniture, belongings, and appliances to rooms of your choosing

Full-service (paid extra):

  • Providing packing material (tape, foam, bubble wrap, cardboard boxes)Packing and unpacking your belongingsSetting up your furniture and appliancesStoring your belongings for a short period of timeMoving between states.

  • Smaller riskSaves a lot of timeLess stressProfessional packing of belongings and appliancesProfessional disassembling and assembling of your belongings.

How Much Does It Cost to Move a House?

On average, removalists charge $75-$300 per hour, and the total cost can be somewhere from $300 up to $3,500. It all depends on several factors, including:

  • House size – the bigger the house, the bigger the costs.

  • Distance – local moves are a lot cheaper than interstate ones. Removalists’ costs are based on the hours of transportation, and local moves are in the same town. They hardly cost over 5,000$, with all the services included.

  • The difficulty of moving – when naming a price for moving your belongings, removalists also consider what floor you’re moving to, and if there are any stairs, narrow halls, lifts, and large pieces of furniture. If you’re living on a higher floor, removalist costs will instantly go up.

  • Preparation time – removalists prepare your personal belongings for safe transportation to the final destination. If you haven’t done this yourself, it’ll be charged extra.

How Much Do Removalists Cost in Different Parts of Australia?

Depending on the part of the country you’re living in or want to move to, you can expect different hourly rates for hiring removalists.

How much do removalists cost in Perth?

According to the table below, you can expect removalists in Perth will cost you somewhere between $140-$160 per hour:

How much do removalists Cost in Melbourne?

According to the table below, Melbourne removalists’ average hourly rate starts from around $140.

Note: The prices shown above, both for Perth and Melbourne, are estimates and not exact amounts.

How to Reduce Removalist Costs?

There are plenty of ways to reduce the removalist costs:

  • Pack your belongings personally – if you are willing to do the work yourself, you can save a lot of money.Prepare your own packing material – removalists charge extra if they have to provide packing material.Disassemble and assemble furniture and appliances yourself – it’s not as difficult as you might think (you just need basic tools, and a bit of time and patience).Declutter before moving – this will make the packing process much easier, and you’ll have fewer belongings to move. Bring belongings near the front door – this can lower the total removal cost, as removalists will load your belongings faster (however, with larger and pricier items you might break while carrying, it’s best to leave the moving to professionals).Secure nearby parking space – if the moving truck is parked too far from the building/house, this could prolong the moving process and increase the total cost. If you’re parked closer, the loading, unloading, and carrying process will be much faster.

Tips on Hiring Removalists

If you want to hire removalists but aren’t sure they are reliable or if their services are too expensive, we’ve got a few tips for you:

  • Check out multiple removalist companies – compare the hourly rates, reviews, and services offered to figure out which removalist company suits you best.Ask for the final cost beforehand – you don’t want to be surprised and unprepared when it’s time to pay the removalists.Mark the boxes – to avoid losing or misplacing your items, or to prevent the removalists from carrying your items into the wrong rooms, it’s best to clearly state what is packed in which box and what goes where. Also, unmarked boxes usually prolong the total moving time (which ultimately means you’ll pay removalists more).Make sure your items are insured – insurance will cost extra (usually around 4% of the total removal cost), but will guarantee a refund should any belongings get damaged.

Removals Insurance

When moving, it’s important to know your items aren’t insured by default. Instead, you have to request removals insurance.

If the moving company makes a mistake and your belongings end up broken or damaged, under the Australian Consumer Law, the company should repay you. Otherwise, it would be best to have insurance. 

What does the insurance cover?

The insurance will make sure you’re compensated for the damage done to your furniture, appliances, and personal belongings. This includes:

  • Damage to the goods while packing or unpackingDamage to the goods while being loaded or unloaded from the truckDamage during transportDamage while in storageDamage because of mishandling

Depending on the insurance, you can be compensated for damage done during both local and interstate removals.

Can you get insurance even if you packed the belongings yourself?

You can get insurance at any time. However, you cannot be guaranteed a refund if you packed the things yourself. If you’re not certain about your packing skills, leave that to the professionals.

Bottom Line

So, how much do removalists cost? The answer is— this depends on several factors. However, by researching and comparing different removalist companies, you can find the solution that suits you best.

Don’t wait until the last minute—start researching today to be all set for a smooth transition when the time comes!

1. What is considered a long-distance move?

A long-distance move is usually an interstate move or any move with a distance of over 400 miles.

2. Can I insure my items while they are being moved?

Yes, you can. However, it’s advisable to insure your belongings before moving. And if you want to know how much do removalists cost with insurance included, removalist companies usually charge 4% of the total move cost for insurance.