Removalist Cost: Your Ultimate Guide
If you want to learn about removalist prices before you request quotes from removalists, this guide will outline everything you need to know.
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Removal Costs and Prices in Australia
During your lifetime, moving homes is likely to be one of the most stressful yet exciting events you’ll ever experience. You could also find yourself going through the same experience more than once.
In fact, in a study conducted by the Australian Government’s Centre for Population, it was found that almost 40% of Australians relocate every five years. The paper also reports that ‘the average Australian moves 13 times during their lifetime’. So, if you find yourself moving to a different home more than once, it’s not at all unusual.
Of course, people relocate for a number of reasons. They might move house for a job, familial reasons or simply because their lease ended, or they need to move to a bigger (or smaller) house, or they purchased a new home.
Whatever the reason, one of the biggest concerns of anyone moving are removalist costs. Why? Because the costs of removal tend to be substantial.
If you’re planning to move elsewhere soon and are considering how much you need to allocate for removal costs, then this guide is for you.
In this post, we’ll discuss all the possible factors that can affect your removalist costs, including how much it takes (on average) to relocate in some major Australian cities.
How Much Do Removalists Cost?
As someone interested in relocation expenses, the foremost question on your mind is surely: How much do removals cost or how much do movers cost on average?
Removalist prices vary based on the household size, volume of belongings to be moved, the distance between the old and new address, and other factors. According to the Australian Institute of Family Studies, the average number of people per household in Australia is 2.6.
Meanwhile, the most common household size in the country is the 3-bedroom dwelling.
The average cost of moving house in Australia ranges from $800 to $1,050 for a 3-bedroom home (excluding GST), although these figures can still go up or down. This means that predicting the average removalist cost for any move is not so cut-and-dried.
If you include additional fees for other services like professional cleaning, storage (for one month), packing services and packing materials, disassembly and reassembly, the aforementioned quote can balloon up to around $1,500 to $2,200 or more.
You may also need to budget for extra expenses for an interstate move, such as temporary housing, safe and secure pet transportation for the protection of your dogs or other fur friends during house removal, moving insurance and so on.
To get more reliable or precise removal quotes, it’s best to provide all the details required by the removalist. Make sure to include very specific information about your move when you use online removal quote calculators. The same applies when you ask for removalist fee estimates over the phone or in person because the more detailed you are, the more accurate the quote will be.
Once you have all the details of your move ready, it’s time to get a quote from your prospective removalists.
Moving Cost Calculation – Price Considerations
Remember, every move is unique because what applies to one person’s situation won’t be exactly the same for another. Therefore, it’s crucial to factor in your specific needs in your removalist cost calculations.
That being said, the different variables you need to take into account in estimating removal costs include the following.
Most moving costs calculators available online in Australia typically include the aforementioned factors. Of course, you can verify the online estimates you get by actually asking your prospective removalist for their own quote.
Once you take the above items into consideration, you’ll have a more accurate estimate of your moving expenses. However, note that the amount you'll spend can also be affected by unexpected fees. Furthermore, because each move is distinct, extra costs must be added as they crop up.
Staying on top of every expense you identify and designating a miscellaneous budget are critical to cover any unexpected costs.
Moving Cost by Number of Bedrooms
As mentioned earlier, the household size or number of bedrooms is a major determinant of removalist prices.
Below are average removal costs based on the number of bedrooms for moves from one suburb to another within Perth metro. All prices quoted below do not include the goods and services (GST).
When moving homes within Perth, the average moving cost for a 1-bedroom dwelling falls somewhere between $400 and $450.
A house move involving a two-bedroom dwelling from one Perth suburb to another can cost about $500 to $550.
The average removal costs for a 3-bedroom house in Perth to another area inside the city could range from $775 to $830.
The average cost to move 4-bedroom house contents in a Perth metro address to a different suburb or location in the city is $900 to $950.
Moving the contents of a 5-bedroom Perth home to another suburb in the metropolis can cost around $1,200 to $1,300.
Moving Costs in Different Cities
While individual house moves within your locality will vary in terms of removalist costs, the same can be said for moving expenses in some of the country’s most popular cities.
Check out the average cost range per move and hourly removalist rates in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Note that the prices quoted below apply to 3-bedroom homes.
Perth removalist prices are the lowest in this set.
If you’re moving the contents of a 3-bedroom home within Perth metro, you may need to shell out between $600 and $1,000 for the service. Typical Perth removalists hourly rates are set at about $130-$160 per hour (including GST).
As one of the most expensive cities in Australia, average removalist costs in Sydney are predictably higher than those in Melbourne and Perth.
Moving from a 3-bedroom apartment or house that can take anywhere from 5-8 hours and requires three movers plus a moving truck would cost between $1,090 and $1,790 or around $220 per hour (includes GST).
Remember, in order to find an affordable Sydney removalist at best price, it's worth getting at least 3-4 quotes. Besides price, also check out their reviews and Google rating.
House removal costs in Melbourne are priced somewhat lower compared to those in Sydney.
Depending on the removalist, a move from a typical 3-bedroom home that usually takes 5-8 hours and includes three movers and a truck can cost anywhere from $850 and $1,360 or about $180 an hour (includes GST).
→ Learn more about the cost of removalists in Melbourne
How Much Do Removalists Charge Per Hour?
The average cost of movers per hour during weekdays can range from $150 to $200 and typically includes 2 men plus a dedicated moving truck. On weekends, hourly removalist rates can be between $180 to $220.
Hourly rates largely depend on the required size of moving truck as well as how many men are required to do the job:
- Average hourly rate for 1-bedroom home: $150-200 (includes 1-2 men)
- Average hourly rate for 2-bedroom home: $150-200 (includes 1-2 men)
- Average hourly rate for 3-bedroom home: $200-250 (includes 2-3 men)
- Average hourly rate for 4-bedroom home: $250-300 (includes 3-4 men)
- Average hourly rate for 5-bedroom home: $300-350 (includes 4-5 men)
Bear in mind that these rates do not include fees for additional services such as packing, cleaning, disassembly and reassembly, etc.
How Long Does an Average Move Take?
Here at WA Removals, you’ll be happy to know we’re committed to living up to our name.
We provide quick quotes as well as economical and safe yet fast turnaround times.
So, how long does an average move take?
Below are average moving times for local removals based on household size:
- Studio or 1-bedroom unit: 2-4 hours
- 2-bedroom home: 5-6 hours
- 3-bedroom home: 6-8 hours
- 4-bedroom home: 8-10 hours
- 5-bedroom home: 9-12 hours
At WA Removals, we tend to perform at the lower end of the moving time spectrum – meaning we make sure to move your belongings in the fastest, most efficient way possible.
And considering our basic $180 hourly rate, you’re not only saving on time but also money.
That’s more bang for your buck, only here at WA Removals.
Average Cost for Optional Moving Services
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to ask for additional moving services.
As expected, these are variables that can affect removal costs.
Additional Moving Costs for Heavy or Bulky Items
As pointed out earlier, keep in mind that if you bring large, bulky, or expensive items with you during your move, you may be charged an extra fee. Below are some examples:
- Piano
- Spa
- Massive or fragile works of art
- Garden furniture
- Television
The cost of relocating a piano, for example, is determined by the distance travelled as well as any physical barriers (such as stairs or tight passageways) that can make the move more complicated or challenging. A local piano move typically costs below $500.
How Much Do Interstate Removals Cost?
How much does it cost to move interstate?
The cost of moving house interstate is considerably more expensive than moving locally, typically costing several thousands of dollars.
For example, the interstate moving cost for a one-bedroom home from Perth to Melbourne can cost anywhere between $1,800 and $2,000 (excluding GST).
Aside from the distance, volume of belongings and so on, you may also need to purchase tickets and arrange for temporary accommodation during an interstate move – all of which can increase removal costs substantially.
How Much Does It Cost to Move Office?
Just like in a house move, office moving costs are determined by a variety of factors, including the distance between the two locations, the size of both office spaces, and the volume of equipment, furniture, and files that need to be transferred.
Full-service office removal charges vary greatly depending on the size of the space.
- $1,200-$6,800 (approx. 150 sq.m.)
- $2,500-$13,000 (approx. 300 sq.m.)
- $7,500-$44,000 (approx. a thousand square metres)
The final office relocation cost will be determined by your needs and specifications. Here are some of the few factors to consider for your office relocation to make your move seamless.
Office relocation service providers usually provide a fixed pricing for comprehensive office removals while small firms may charge hourly rates if they just have a few goods to transport.
Top 5 Tips on How to Save Money When Moving
Making smart decisions is crucial if you want to save money during your move.
To maximise spending and ensure you stay within your budget, consider the following:
- Move during the week rather than the weekend. Most people move during weekends and holidays. Timing your move on a weekday can mean getting a better deal from your removalist.
- Book your removalist early. Rush, last-minute moves are always expensive. If you can, book your removalist months ahead of your move to get a better price.
- Avoid the peak season. As much as possible, don’t schedule your house move during the peak season (from May 15th to August 31st) when removalists are in great demand. Insisting on moving during the peak season usually means paying higher removalist prices.
- Get at least three quotes from different removalists. Basing your decision on the quotes provided by one or two removalists may not be the wisest move. To ensure you’re getting good offers, try to get at least three quotes or more, and then compare them.
- Declutter and sell unwanted items. Decluttering not only helps reduce the volume of belongings to be moved. It’s also an opportunity to find out what items you can sell or give away. Whatever proceeds you get from a garage sale, for example, can be put to good use during your move.
The Pitfalls of Choosing the Cheapest Removalists
Similar to certain shopping or business decisions, the cheapest options when it comes to removals may not cut it. You’re getting a great bargain – or are you, really?
Remember, it’s crucial to balance affordability with the quality of service, so you need to consider:
- How long the removalist has been in the same industry
- Customer feedback regarding the kind of service they provide
- What’s included in the removalist cost provided
- Reliability, expertise and trustworthiness
Why Choose WA Removals for Your Move?
WA Removals is all about top-notch, professional service delivery.
If you require removalists in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane, you can depend on us to provide fast, efficient, safe and reliable removals services every single time.
TRUSTED REMOVALISTS
Our 20 years of industry expertise attests to the trust and goodwill we’ve cultivated with all our clients through the years. We want to continue providing our brand of service to more customers in the coming years as we continue to deliver on our promises.
SECURE & SAFE REMOVALS
We treat all of your belongings and valuable possessions as if they were our own. You can count on us to not only handle your goods with care but also to deliver them safely and securely to your destination.
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
Our wholehearted commitment to ensuring 100% customer satisfaction in all dealings ensures our success and longevity in the removals industry. This is why we have devoted customers who wholeheartedly recommend us to their social and professional networks.
FAST & RELIABLE
Dependability, speed and punctuality are our trademarks at WA Removals. We remain committed to providing prompt, safe and fast removals services, so our clients know they can rely on us all the way.