How Much Does It Cost To Move In Sydney?

If you’re thinking about moving, one of the first things that will come to mind is how much it will all cost. Whether you’re buying, selling, leasing or even just looking, Sydney removalist costs will play a large part in what you ultimately decide to do.

But, knowing how much it costs to move in Sydney is not as simple as you’d think – it might be just a few hundred bucks, or, it might go into the thousands. There are many factors that could increase or decrease the overall cost.

So, if you’re completely in the dark about what to expect, here’s a guide on how much your move might end up costing, and why.

Things That Will Affect the Price

Because there are so many variables, such as traffic, toll roads, and restricted parking in the inner city (unless you’re moving to the suburbs), getting a definite quotation for a local move in Sydney is not as easy as you’d think. This is why, if you’re attempting to save money, knowing what elements may affect your price is even more important so you can avoid overcharging.

Here are a few things to ask yourself when figuring out your moving costs in Sydney:

 Am I moving any large or heavy items?

Bulky items that must be transported up or downstairs will be subject to additional costs, and large or heavy items will naturally cost more as well.

For instance, it will be more expensive to move a boiler, piano, large sofa, or fridge than a suitcase. These items will need particular handling, equipment and experience to avoid injury and safe transport. Make sure you provide all these facts when requesting a quote.

Do I really need to move everything?

Generally, the volume of items that you move will affect your price as well, so if there’s anything you can do to reduce the load, it’ll only help.

Things like old clothes, books, DVD’s and other small items can add up in weight and can be easily sold. The same goes for old furniture that you were thinking of getting rid of as well.

Be upfront about the access to your home

This is one of the most important factors to consider, and any respectable Sydney removalist will use Google Maps to double-check your property’s accessibility to ensure they can complete your relocation.

For local Sydney removals, there are a variety of different street and property types, and some movers specialize in transfers with limited access. If you have a tricky entrance or there’s no parking nearby, this will affect your quote.

Timing

Consider whether you should hire movers who are in your local area for your pick-up and drop-off sites. This will help you save time and money by reducing the amount of time they spend caught in traffic that you pay for by the hour.

In Australia, relocation costs can range from $75 to $300 per hour. With things like penalty time, however, this may rapidly mount up, thus the key to keeping costs low is to keep the overall operation as streamlined as possible.

Remember that your moving time includes time spent driving to and from your new home as well as time spent loading and unloading the van. Your movers will pack and unpack your van according to procedure to ensure the safety of your items while in transit. They may be able to speed up loading and unloading with trolleys and lifts, but the goal for removalists is always to lift and move products safely.

Sydney Moving Costs Per House Size

The overall size and number of objects you intend to move will impact other aspects of your relocation, such as the size of the vehicle and the time it takes to load and unload.

The cost of relocating is often determined by the size of the residence. A four-bedroom house, for example, will cost more to move than a studio apartment. The table below gives an estimate of relocation costs in Sydney.

• 1-bedroom house – $125 per hour, with two movers

• 2-bedroom house – $175 per hour, with three movers

• 3-bedroom house – $245 per hour, with four movers

• 4-bedroom house (or more) – $315 per hour, with five movers

Packing Services, Materials and Assembly

Your Sydney moving costs may or may not include packing and materials, including boxes and padding or bubble wrap.

Many Sydney removalist prices include a full packing service to ensure materials arrive safely and unbroken, but this is something to check first and to work into your overall moving costs if required.

How to Keep Moving Costs Down

• Spending the time to deconstruct (and reassemble) your furniture before the removalists arrive will save you money. By doing it yourself, you’ll save time and space, and you’ll be able to fit more items on the truck.
• Moving as many things as possible from upstairs or downstairs to a ground-level access area saves time. This not only speeds up the day but also guarantees that the job doesn’t become bogged down because the removalists are tired of climbing up and downstairs
• It’s a good idea to know where you want things in your new home ahead of time so that the removalists can take it straight through. Otherwise, you’ll waste time figuring it out on the spot.
• If you can move some smaller and more easily handled items yourself ahead of time, go ahead and do so – leaving removalists to handle the trickier objects.

Other Moving Costs

When it comes to moving costs in Sydney and other cities, there’s a lot to keep in mind. From liaisons with lawyers to compulsory taxes and fees, buying and selling a house has a few non-negotiable costs.

To make your moving costs clear, we’ve outlined the top expenses when buying and selling a home.

Stamp Duty

Stamp duty is a tax charged by the government on the sale of the property. It is designed to cover the cost of the legal documents for the transaction.

Factors that stamp duty:

• Location of the property
• Whether the property is the main residence
• Whether you are a first home buyer

Valuations and surveys

Your mortgage broker will most likely arrange for an appraisal. The purpose of this approach is to figure out how much the property you want to buy is worth before agreeing to a loan. The cost of a mortgage valuation is determined by the size of the home and whether your lender offers one for free.

While this happens, a study for a home you’re purchasing ensures there aren’t any severe issues that might cause the property’s worth to decrease. The cost of your survey is dependent by how detailed you want it to be, but the general amount would be around $415.

Legal fees (conveyancing)

You’ll need to hire a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer to handle your home sale or purchase. On average, a standard conveyance costs between $500 and $1,400. The rates of complex transactions may be greater. It’s typically a good idea to shop around and obtain a couple of different estimates.

There are two expenses that purchasers and sellers must pay in addition to the conveyancing fees (known as disbursements):

Search fees – your lawyer will conduct a search of the local authorities for any planning licenses that may affect the property.

Land registry costs – The cost of having your solicitor amend the formal land register records is determined by the property value.

Estate agent fees

When selling a home, you’ll almost probably engage an estate agent to function as a liaison between you and potential buyers. Because each estate agent sets their own fees, the expenses may vary depending on the agency you select.

A typical high-street estate agency will take 2% to 3% of the final property price, however, some internet estate firms will offer a flat fee.

Deposit, mortgage costs and broker fees

Deposits are usually 10% of the purchase price and are paid to the solicitor on the day of contract exchange.

The lender you choose, the mortgage rate you get, and other contract conditions all influence the cost of a mortgage (including repayment periods and fixed rates). The current average 3-year fixed mortgage rate is 2.93 percent, but this might change at any time.

You might also hire a mortgage expert to help you figure out which mortgage program is right for you. There will very certainly be other costs, such as mortgage broker fees, advisor fees, and arrangement fees.

Other Great Sydney Guides

• Facts about Sydney
• Graduates Moving Guide to Sydney
• Moving to Sydney Guide

Choose A Trustworthy Sydney Removalist

There are many moving companies out there, but not all of them may be giving you the best rates. We recommend that you check a range of Sydney removalist prices as part of your moving research.

At ZOOM Removalists Sydney, we know how much it costs to move in Sydney and do everything we can to keep your costs down through smart planning, effective equipment, and a helpful attitude.

Plus, we offer free moving boxes (as many as you need) which can further save you money.

Our quotes are as accurate as possible, meaning that you can effectively budget things a little better – with every cost itemized and transparent.