There are a few things in the world that no one enjoys doing, but none are more tedious, stressful and reliant on time than moving a house.
So, you’ve bought a new place, you’re ready to relocate, or you’re moving from one rental to another. You hop on google and you quickly type “how long does it take to move a house?” into the search bar only to be met with an outcome that’s somewhere between 6-10 weeks.
Don’t worry it will take time but it won’t take that long. Here's a clear breakdown of each stage so you know exactly what you're up against.
Before moving day: getting your house in order
There are so many things to take care of when organising a relocation that need to be dealt with before the big day to ensure it runs smoothly.
Moving house is the act of moving all your belongings from one location to another, there’s a lot to do before you get to that point so before you jump the gun and worry about the big day, you’ve got a few things to get in order first.
Sorting and decluttering your belongings
Moving house is a great opportunity to clear out your cupboards, downsize your wardrobe, and become the minimalist you always wanted to be.
Give yourself at least a week to go through everything you own and decide what's coming with you.
If you are looking to sell your unwanted goods for a bit of extra coin, prepare for this to take several weeks, if not months.
Some easier and quicker options are to donate your things to a local charity, give them away to family, friends and neighbours, or organise a council pickup. Sydney residents can book a council pick up, often for free.
Packing up your home
Packing is the most time-consuming part of the move. How long is takes depends on how much you're taking, how many people are helping, and whether you have fragile items like art, pianos, pool tables, and aquariums that need more time to plan for and pack.
One person packing alone can manage roughly 5 tea chest boxes per hour. Here's how long it might take you to pack depending on the size of your home:
| Propert type | Total hours (self-packing) |
|---|---|
| Studio or 1-bedroom apartment | 8–12 hours |
| 2-bedroom apartment | 12–24 hours |
| 3-bedroom apartment or house | 24–32 hours |
| 4-bedroom house | 32–40 hours |
If you use a professional packing service, those numbers drop significantly:
| Property | No. of packers | Packing | Unpacking | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio or 1-bedroom apartment | 2 | 2-3 hrs | 2-3 hrs | 4–6 hrs |
| 2-bedroom apartment | 3 | 3-6 hrs | 3-6 hrs | 6–12 hrs |
| 3-bedroom apartment or house | 4 | 6-8 hrs | 6-8 hrs | 12–16 hrs |
| 4-bedroom house | 5-6 | 8-10 hrs | 8-10 hrs | 16–20 hrs |
How long does it take to move homes?
No matter how organised and efficient you are, moving house will challenge your time management skills. So let’s get to the big question that has brought you here and find out how long it’s going to take.
Estimated move times by property size
| Property type | No. of movers | Estimated time |
|---|---|---|
| Studio or 1-bedroom apartment | 2 | 2–4 hours |
| 2-bedroom apartment | 2 | 4–6 hours |
| 3-bedroom apartment or house | 3-4 | 6–8 hours |
| 4-bedroom house | 4 | 8–10 hours |
These are only averages. A fourth-floor apartment with no lift, or a large home with a tight driveway, will take longer. If your home doesn't have straightforward access, these times may vary.
What the removalists need to hnow
Before your furniture movers arrive, it helps to have a few things ready for them:
- Rough number of the boxes they'll load onto the moving truck
- List of furniture pieces and household appliances you want moved
- Specialty items that need extra care or handling
- Details about the stairs or lifts at both properties
- How close the truck can park to each front door.
After the move: settling In
Once everything is unloaded, you're nearly there. Unloading and placing items in your new home typically takes a few hours depending on the size of the move. You can also ask your removalists to reassemble furniture, connect appliances, or unpack essentials. All of this can be done within the same day.
How Holloway can help
If all of this sounds like a lot to coordinate, that's because it is. Holloway's pre-packing and moving services take the bulk of it off your hands, so moving day feels a lot less like a sprint against the clock.
To get a quote or book a pre-packing and moving service, contact our team today. Find out how we can save you time on your next move!
