Moving Costs in Australia: A Comprehensive Guide

How Much Do Removalists Cost In Australia?

If you’re planning to move locally or long-distance in Australia, the choices you make will naturally be centred around removalist costs. Relocating is already an expensive undertaking, and once you realise how many little (and big) practicalities it takes to safely get your belongings from A to B, you’ll be paying a lot more attention to your budget.

In this whitepaper, we’re going to take a deeper look at moving costs in Australia, how they vary per region, how much the industry is worth, what choices impact the overall price, and how you can get yourself a move that doesn’t hit your wallet where it hurts.

1. What Are Removalists?

Before getting into the details, let’s just take a quick moment to understand what removalists are, and what they do. Removalists are professionals who help people move their belongings from one place to another.

They are also known as ‘movers’ or ‘moving experts’ and typically use specialised equipment and moving trucks to transport belongings safely and efficiently for families and moving professionals. There are many benefits to using removalists such as:

• Through their experience they can help save you time and hassle on your move.
• They use specialist equipment to help you avoid injuries while moving heavy items.
• They can transport your belongings quickly and safely in their moving trucks.
• They also provide additional services to help you with your move.

What Services Do Removalists Offer?

Full-service removalists offer various levels of assistance, including:

• Packing and unpacking: If asked, removalists pack your items in boxes, crates, or containers, and label them – and will also unpack your items at your new location and arrange them as needed.
• Loading and unloading: In most cases, people ask their removalists to do the heavy lifting to load cargo onto trucks, vans, or trailers, and secure them with straps, blankets, or pads.
• Transporting and delivering: Professional removalists will safely transport cargo between locations, using the most efficient routes, and vehicles fitted with appropriate equipment.
• Storing and insuring:  If customers need some extra space or time before or after a move, removalists can store items in warehouses or storage facilities. They can also insure items against any damages or losses that may occur during the move.
• Cleaning and disposing: Removalists can arrange cleaning of both/either the old or new locations. They can also dispose of any unwanted items, rubbish, or waste following a move.

For more information on what ZOOM Removals offer, review our moving services page.

Why Are Removalist Costs Important To Consider?

Removalist costs are very important to consider, as they can have a significant impact on your moving budget. Each removalist company will offer different prices based on several factors such as the distance of your move, the size and weight of your belongings and the types of belongings that you are moving to your new destination.

Some of the key reasons why it’s important to consider removalist costs include the following:

Ensuring You Have Enough Budget For Your Move: Moving can be a costly endeavour and as a result, it’s important to factor in all of the services you are going to be using with your removalist in advance, to avoid any financial surprises on moving day.

To Avoid Overpaying: There are hundreds of different removalist companies available and with so much choice, it’s difficult to tell which companies are overcharging. As a result, it’s recommended to compare quotes from multiple removalist companies before making a final decision on which one you’re going to use for the best possible deal.

To Get The Right Service For Your Moving Needs: Not every removalist company will offer the services that you need. You might need a company that specialises in moving your belongings interstate not every company may offer this. With this in mind, it’s important to decide on a company that offers the services that you need at a good price.

2. Removalist Cost Stats And Facts

According to the data from IBISWorld, here’s what the removalist industry in Australia looks like at the writing of this whitepaper.

• There are approximately 14,000 removalist companies in Australia
• The Australian removalist industry is worth S2 billion annually
• The biggest expense within moving companies can be attributed to wages ($1.2b AUD of $2b AUD)
• Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 4.8% over the past five years

2.1. Total estimated value and annual change from 2010-2028.

https://www.ibisworld.com/au/industry/removalists/5003/#IndustryStatisticsAndTrends

2.2. Products & Services Segmentation

Industry revenue broken down by key product and service lines.

Interstate and long-distance transport ($786.2m)
42.6%

Local moving ($581.3m)
31.5%

Warehousing and storage ($258.4m)
14.0%

Other services ($219.6m)
1.9%

https://www.ibisworld.com/au/industry/removalists/5003/#IndustryStatisticsAndTrends

3. Factors Influencing Removalist Costs

One of the most common questions that people have when planning to move is how much does a removalist cost.

The answer is not simple, as many factors can affect the price of moving services.

Here are some of them:

• What’s being moved?
  The quantity, size, weight, and shape of the cargo will determine how much space they will need in the removalist truck, and the time that the job takes. The more items there are, the bigger the truck and team, and therefore, the higher the cost.
• Where it’s going?
  The property type affects removalist costs. High-rise apartments may require extra fees for elevator access, and houses with stairs or difficult access will also impact the price.
• How far it needs to go?
  The distance between the old and new locations will affect costs because of the additional fuel, tolls, and labour time. If the job is interstate, the team may also need food and accommodation.
• Extras requested?
  Many people opt for additional services from their removalist company, such as packing, unpacking, insurance, storage, cleaning, and other practicalities. While these add to the bottom line, they do save a lot of hassle.
• When does the move need to happen?
  The date and time of the move can influence the cost of hiring removalists. For example, moving on weekends, public holidays, or peak seasons will be more expensive than moving on weekdays or off-peak periods.
• Any special cargo?
  If there are special requirements or requests such as disassembling or reassembling furniture, moving heavy or bulky items, moving pets, plants, pianos, and so on, customers will typically need to pay extra.
• Additional insurance?
  Moving insurance is vital when hiring removalists, covering damages like accidents or theft. Check your removalist’s coverage, and consider extra protection for valuable items. Costs depend on item value and coverage level.

3.1. Hourly Rates Or Fixed Charge?

There are two broad ways in which removalists charge for their services. Here are the pros and cons of each:

Hourly rates:

Fixed Price Quotes

3.2. Which One Should You Choose?

The best type of quote for you will depend on your individual circumstances and preferences. If you’re on a tight budget, an hourly rate may be the best option as you can save money on included extras you don’t need. But, if you do want extra services and more certainty about the cost, a fixed price quote may be a better choice.

For example:

• A small local move may be better for an hourly rate quote, as the cost is likely to be relatively low, and the job can be finished quickly.
• A long-distance move is more suited by a fixed price quote, as the cost is likely to be higher with more uncertainty about the duration of the move.
• A job that involves fragile, heavy, or expensive items is better off with a fixed price quote, as there are many variables in terms of job complexity.

3.3. How To Compare Removal Quotes From Multiple Removalist Services

• Get quotes from at least three different removalists following a Google research.
• Be sure to compare all of the costs, including the hourly rate, the fixed price, and any additional fees.
• Ask about the removalists’ experience and insurance coverage.
• Get everything in writing, including the quote, the terms and conditions, and the cancellation policy.

4. How Much Do Removalists Cost? Average Costs

4.1. By Home Size And Distance

Please note that these are just average removalist cost and the actual price of your move may vary depending

4.2. Extra Services

The following removalist costs are broad estimates and are best used as an indication – the individual needs, circumstances, and company will affect the final price.

4.3. Average Cost Of Removalists By Location: Different Australian States

4.4. Removalist Costs By Service

4.5. Specialised Moves And Their Costs

Moving often involves more than books, clothes, pots and pans: sometimes there are speciality items which need a little extra care and equipment to safely relocate.

Assuming that the size, weight, protective packaging, and required distance of the item will scale with price, here’s what they might cost:

• Artwork:  A small framed painting could cost around $100 to move, while a large oil painting could cost $1000 or more.
• Electronics: Speakers, DJ decks, computers…we have a lot of tech at home. A small TV could cost around $50 to move, while a large TV may cost $100 to $500 for a local move, and up to $1,000 for a long-distance move
• Musical instruments:  A small guitar could cost around $50 to move, while a large drum set could cost $300 or more.
• Pets: The cost of moving pets will vary depending on the size and type of pet., but to give you an idea, you might pay $500 for a cat, and more than $5000 for a horse.
• Plants: A small potted plant could cost around $50 to move, while a tree could cost several thousand dollars. But, small plants can still be expensive – such as valuable Bonsai trees, which will need very specific conditions.

5. Ways To Save Money On Moving

As there are so many aspects that go into a move, it is possible to save on your budget in certain areas. Here’s what you can do:

Pack your own cargo

• You can ask friends and family for boxes, or even go to supermarkets and other retailers to see if they have empties.
• Use items you already have around the house as alternative packing materials, such as towels or bed sheets as padding for delicate belongings.

Move some bits yourself

• If you’re doing a local move, you can move smaller and easier items yourself, such as clothing, kitchenware, and bedding, leaving the heavy cargo and furniture for the removalists.
• This is also a good chance to declutter your home and get rid of any unwanted items, reducing the overall amount of cargo that needs to be packed and moved.

Disassemble what you can

• If you’re paying by the hour, go ahead and prepare all of your appliances and furniture as best you can.

Have a good parking spot ready

• Removalists may charge extra if they have to move boxes over larger distances from door to truck. And, if they charge by the hour, costs can quickly go up.

Move off-peak

• Avoid moving during the last week of the month, summer, and holiday periods.

Shop around

• Comparing quotes is a smart way to get perspective on prices, and to see which companies are too expensive – or even too cheap. You can then use your knowledge to negotiate.

Important! Hiring reputable is crucial to avoid scams and damages. Some companies may charge hidden fees, cancel bookings at the last minute, damage or lose your items, or even steal your belongings. To avoid these risks, always check reviews, ratings, credentials (such as AFRA accreditation), and insurance coverage of the removalist company before you hire them. You should also insist on a contract that clearly states the terms and conditions of the service and the total cost of the move.

5.1. Is It Worth Moving On Your Own?

There’s no doubt about it: moving can be a stressful and expensive process to the point where you wonder if you’re better off handling it by yourself. There are pros and cons of doing this – all of which depend on your individual circumstances.

Here’s a general idea of when one option is better than the other:

6. Summing Up

We’ve covered a lot in this whitepaper, so here’s everything we’ve looked at.

• Professional removalists help people and businesses move their belongings.
• They can also help with packing, cleaning, storage, and special requests.
• Factors that affect the cost include the type of cargo, the distance, the season, and extra insurance.
• There are many different types of moving services, from basic to specialist.
• Start planning early.
• You can choose from hourly rates or fixed charges.
• It’s important to compare removal quotes from multiple companies.
• Some removalists may offer discounts for booking in advance or for moving during the off-season.
• Make sure to understand your quote, and how to spot hidden charges.
• Removalists can help with specialist items such as artwork, appliances, electronics, musical instruments, and pets.
• You can save money on your move, depending on the effort you want to put in.

6.1 Resources and tools

Ultimate Moving Checklist: Get an easy-to-follow guide on how to pack smart.

Removalist Cost Calculator: Put together estimated costs for your home removal

Interstate Moving Cost Calculator Australia: Going interstate? There’s a calculator for that too.

Moving Trends Statistics Sydney: Find out about moving trends, the most expensive suburbs, and more.

https://www.zoomremovals.com.au/blog/: The ZOOM removals blog – is regularly updated with tips that get you moving with ease.

https://afra.com.au/: The Australian Furniture Removers Association – where you can find reputable and regulated companies.

Let’s get moving

We hope that this whitepaper on moving costs in Australia has been helpful.

At ZOOM, we know everything there is to know about moving, and whether you want a full-service relocation service, or just help with particular aspects, get in touch with us at ZOOM Removals.

We are AFRA-accredited, top-rated Sydney removalists, and have helped thousands of people move across the country, or just down the road.

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