If you’re soon to be moving house then the thought of hiring removalists has probably crossed your mind. Taking the weight off your shoulders, expert removalists can pack and relocate your belongings, saving you plenty of time and hassle. Although a valuable addition to any moving process, what can often deter people is the unforeseen cost of hiring removalists. Therefore, knowing how much your move will cost is essential for planning and budgeting. From understanding what to look for in a removalist to knowing the variants that can affect cost, here is your fully covered feature of how much it costs to hire a removalist in 2024.
What Do Removalists Do?
To fully grasp what you’re paying for, firstly, you need to know what the job of a removalist is. The knights in shining armour of moving house, removalists are there to make the moving process much easier for you. On a basic level, their job is to transfer your belongings from one place to another, with some covering both residential and commercial moves. Depending on the removal company, removalists also cover the packing and unpacking of your belongings and can assist with every aspect of the move from relocating your antiques collection to storing your items in the process.
How much does a removalist cost?
Of course, there is no one answer to this question. With so many variables to consider such as the size of the house, how many removalists are required and the distance of the journey, the cost of hiring a removals company is not a case of one shoe fits all. However, for smaller units or places with two or fewer rooms, hiring removalists can cost anywhere between $180/hr for two movers to $270/hr for three movers, plus extras for packing services which come in at roughly $160/hr.
Alternatively, for those who are relocating to larger homes (three bedrooms plus) a fixed price can be set upon inspection. Once the company has assessed your space and belongings, they can gauge the time and manpower that will be needed to complete your move and from this give you a set price to complete the move. This is particularly useful when moving larger properties as it can help you to allocate budget, keeping you on track with costs.
What affects the cost of a house move?
Many varying factors contribute to the final cost of your removalist booking, which is why removalists will often charge by the hour for small to medium sized moves. Some of the main factors that affect cost are:
Time Cost
One of the most obvious components accounted for in a removalist's pricing is cost of labour. As previously stated, there are two ways for a relocation cost to be quoted, either by the hour or a fixed price. Although different approaches, both of these options will account for the time taken to complete the job.
A good removalist company, whether operating locally or interstate, will always offer transparent pricing. Whether they charge by hourly rates or fixed price quotes, the best movers prioritise clear, upfront communication about their costs. Pricing transparency and effective communication are hallmarks of a reliable removal service.
Road/Home Access
Depending on where you live, access to your home can be particularly difficult. If the move is complicated and requires a ferry vehicle to transfer your belongings from the truck to your new home or vice versa because access is limited via truck, additional costs will be incurred. Similarly, for those who live in apartment blocks, if your apartment is on the top floor of a complex without any lift, the cost will also be higher than that of a bottom-floor unit with easy access to it.
Item Sizes
Another factor that has a direct impact on the cost of your move is the size of the items that need relocating. For particularly large items, such as a piano or a large bookcase, additional costs will be added due to the complexity of moving such items. Not only do large items result in the need for a bigger truck, but they also require more manpower to transition those belongings. Consequently, the more expert removalists that are required to complete your move, the more expensive it will be.
Additional Services
The best removalists will offer a range of services outside of simply moving your belongings. If you choose a team of experts to pack and wrap your items, this will cost between $160-$180/hr.
Additionally, for anyone requiring storage solutions, an inventory calculator can be used to determine how much room/storage you will need. If you think you might need storage, make sure to discuss this with your removalist specialist before booking in.
A Cheap Move is Not Always a Good Move
Whilst it can be tempting to try and cut corners when hiring a removalist and opt for the cheapest one available, it's important to note that in most cases you get what you pay for. When looking for a removalist, before comparing prices, it’s a good idea to filter out any companies that are not AFRA-accredited. Being the only regulator for removalists in Australia, AFRA accreditation means that you are choosing a company that is committed to professionalism and excellent ethical conduct. On top of that, AFRA-accredited businesses are also always required to provide insurance coverage, so that your items are protected no matter what.
Ways To Keep Costs Down
Although it’s risky to select a mover based solely on price, there are other ways to help reduce the cost when it comes to relocating. For one, decluttering your home before moving is a great way to lower costs as there’s no point paying to move belongings that you do not wish to keep. Additionally, you could even sell your unwanted items on marketplace platforms to make some extra money back.
Being proactive and organising ahead will also help reduce costs as it saves the removalist time on the day. Things like unassembling beds and DIY furnishings, as well as packing your own boxes will all help to reduce the cost of moving.
So, are removalist's worth the money?
With expert knowledge and a comprehensive understanding of how the removal process works, a professional removalist company is one of the biggest investments you can make when moving house. Although it is an exciting time, moving can also be very stressful. What many are not aware of until undergoing the process is the amount of time that it takes to move house without professional assistance. Without the experts there, it's important to know how to do everything from wrapping large furniture items to stacking a van so that nothing is damaged. On top of that, you will also need to consider the cost of hiring a truck, paying for all the equipment and sorting insurance, which all add to the price.
Choosing professional moving services offers the peace of mind of knowing that the job is taken care of by people with the right equipment and the best practices to get the job done smoothly and efficiently. That makes them worth every penny.
To get a free removalist quote today for your next move simply click here or call 0285034444
Pricing is subject to change. For any moving quote, always make sure to speak with a Removalists Expert before committing to booking.
