The process of moving can be costly, especially if you move in one of the major cities of Australia like Sydney, Perth or Brisbane. Yet, the hiring of professionals for your move doesn’t have to be expensive.
With some preliminary preparation and the proper choice of moving services, you can cut out unnecessary expenses.
This article tells how to save money when hiring removalists in Sydney, Perth & Brisbane, what influences moving cost and what methods you can use in order to pay less for your removalists.
What Makes Removalist Cost Differ?
There is no universal price for hiring removalists.
Moving cost depends on:
- Volume of furniture and boxes
- Number of movers needed
- Distance of relocation
- Size of the truck
- Date of moving
- Access to the property
- Stairs and elevators
- Packing services
- Storage
- Fragile or special items
- Travel time
- Additional services
A move of a small apartment in a suburb will cost quite differently from an interstate relocation of a huge amount of goods.
That is why getting a custom quotation is always better than making an estimate online.
- Declutter before Moving Day
One of the most simple ways to decrease moving costs is to move less.
Prior to starting the packing, go through each room and determine how many things you really want to move.
Make four lists:
- To keep
- To sell
- To donate
- To throw away
In particular, pay attention to:
- Old furniture
- Clothes
- Books
- Kitchen appliances
- Children’s things
- Garage contents
- Unused electronics
- Decorative things
If you haven’t used a certain thing for years, it doesn’t make any sense to transport it for hundreds of kilometres.
Less belongings make the process of packing, loading and moving simpler.
- Compare Removalist Prices
Not necessarily the first company that you contact offers the best quotation.
Request quotes from several removalists and compare what they offer.
See:
| Cost Item | Items to Consider |
| Labour | Amount of labour force required and estimated hours |
| Truck | Size and type of truck |
| Travel | Charges for travel |
| Packing | Packing materials and labour required |
| Unpacking | Is unpacking included in the cost or is it an addition? |
| Storage | Daily, weekly or monthly charge |
| Furniture | Dismantling and putting back together of furniture |
| Access | Extra costs for stairs or difficult access |
| Insurance | Protection provided |
| Additional Costs | Other extra fees that may apply |
While the quote may appear inexpensive, the services quoted can make it expensive when more services are not included.
- Understand Hourly Versus Fixed Pricing
Removalists may offer quotes using different methods of pricing.
Hourly Price Quotes
Hourly price quotes are common especially for some local moves.
For example:
$150 per hour × 6 hours = $900
But in the end, the cost may vary depending on how long the move lasts.
Fixed or Quotation Price Quote
Other moves may be offered at a fixed quotation price which depends on volume, distance and services among other things.
This is helpful in planning since you know the cost estimate beforehand.
It is important always to ask about what is included in the price before accepting any type of quote.
- Choosing the Appropriate Truck Size
Using a larger truck means paying extra for capacity that is not used while using a smaller truck means having extra charges due to extra trips to make and poor loading.
Inform the removalist of the following information:
- Sofas
- Beds
- Tables
- Wardrobes
- Appliances
- Boxes
- Outdoor furniture
- Unusual furniture
A good removalist will advise you on what truck size will suit your move based on the above information.
- Packing Your Possessions Where Possible
Packing of possessions by professionals can be helpful but it increases the cost of the move.
Packing your possessions saves labor costs where you can do it.
Start by packing the non-essentials like:
- Books
- Decorations
- Seasonal clothes
- Spare kitchenware
- Guest room items
Use the right box and packaging materials, especially for delicate items.
When Packing Professionally Makes Sense
Packing professionally may help you in situations where:
- Your house is big
- You don’t have enough time
- You have delicate valuable items
- Moving interstate
- Need specialized packing
- Reduce your workload
The most economical choice may not always be the best one if improper packaging leads to damages.
- Pack Prior to the Arrival of the Movers
If you pay your movers per hour, do not wait until they arrive to begin packing.
Everything being packed can facilitate a more efficient load.
Before moving day:
- Seal boxes
- Label boxes
- Take apart suitable furniture
- Clear hallways
- Prepare fragile items
- Get rid of unnecessary belongings
Ideally, your removalists would be able to start loading instead of waiting for you to pack everything.
- Move at Less Busy Times
Moving demand can depend on the season, the day of the week, and the availability of removalists.
If your moving day is flexible, inquire if any alternative dates might be more available or cheaper.
Ask about:
- Weekday moves
- Off-peak times
- Flexible delivery days
- Alternative pick-up days
Do not make assumptions as not all removalists follow the same pricing system. Always ask for clarification when quoting.
- Make Preparation for Your Property Prior to Moving Day
Hard access can increase the time needed for a move.
Prior to the arrival of your removalists, check:
- Parking
- Driveway access
- Building entrances
- Lift access
- Stairs
- Hallways
- Loading zones
In case of an apartment, contact the building management to arrange lift or loading space reservations.
The easier access to movers will be, the more efficient they might work.
- Arrange Parking in Advance
Parking can become a problem in crowded areas of Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane.
When the removal van is unable to park close to your place, movers will have to carry things further.
This will increase the time required for loading and unloading.
If possible:
- Check local parking rules
- Reserve loading spaces where applicable
- Contact building management
- Keep entrances clear
Talk about access arrangements with your removalist prior to moving day.
- Dismantle Suitable Furniture Yourself
If you feel confident enough, take apart appropriate furniture before the movers come.
This includes:
- Bed frames
- Shelving
- Desks
- Tables
- Flat-pack furniture
Pack all screws and fittings in properly labeled bags.
But do not take apart valuable or difficult furniture unless you are sure that you can do it safely.
Inquire from your removalist about furniture taking apart and assembling if professional help is needed.
- Do Not Transport Items Which Can be Replaced Cheaply
There may be some things which will cost you more to transport than their worth.
For instance, think whether it is worth moving:
- very old furniture,
- cheap shelving,
- broken appliances,
- inexpensive storage cabinets,
- broken equipment.
Calculate the cost of transportation and the cost of replacement.
This applies especially for long-distance or interstate relocation.
- Sell Things You Don’t Need before Relocation
Selling things can bring some money back to your relocation budget.
Sell the following things:
- furniture,
- appliances,
- electronics,
- books,
- clothes,
- sports equipment,
- garden equipment.
And use the money you get from selling for covering your relocation expenses.
In case some of the items cannot be sold, you should donate or recycle them instead of paying for transporting them.
- Inquire about Storage Options before Booking
Sometimes storage may be needed, especially in case of interstate relocation.
But storage costs will add up to your total relocation expenses quite substantially if your belongings stay in storage for some time.
Inquire:
- Whether storage is available?
- What is the shortest storage period?
- How storage is paid for?
- Does it include transportation?
- Are there any additional handling costs?
- How much notice you should give to get your belongings out of storage?
Do not pay for storing your belongings if you do not need it even if it is an additional option provided by your removalists.
- Provide Accurate Information about Your Relocation Needs
Provide your removalist with accurate information at once.
Inform your removalist:
- how many rooms in the house,
- how many boxes,
- large furniture,
- stairs,
- lifts,
- narrow access,
- long carrying distance,
- fragile items,
- special equipment,
- storage needs.
Inaccurate inventory may lead to choosing unsuitable truck, shortage of manpower or additional charges.
Your honesty will help your removalist make appropriate quotation.
- Ask for Flexible Relocation Dates
If your relocation does not have strict deadlines connected to settlement or lease date, ask about the other days of your relocation.
This flexibility will give you more options for comparison. Instead of saying:
“I need to move on Saturday.”
You might also ask:
“I can move on any day between Monday and Friday. What would be the best option?”
It might help the removalist choose a schedule better.
- Save Money When Moving in Sydney
The challenges for Sydney can include traffic problems, restrictions at apartment buildings, and parking issues.
In order to keep moving costs under control:
- Arrange parking spaces;
- Book a lift if it is needed;
- Pack before movers come;
- Declutter your stuff a lot;
- Check the access to the building;
- Avoid unnecessary trips;
- Provide inventory details.
When you are moving in between Sydney suburbs, find out what pricing model the removalist uses – hourly rate or fixed price, etc.
When you need to relocate from Sydney to another Australian state, ask for a detailed quotation including information about transport and delivery.
- Save Money When Moving in Perth
Perth spans a large territory so the distance between houses can play a role in logistics of your move.
To make the process easier:
- Make sure you provide correct details of the pickup and delivery location;
- Clarify access information;
- Minimize your shipment size;
- Prepare boxes before moving;
- Ask about truck requirements;
- Compare local and interstate moving services;
- Arrange for storage services if it is really needed.
If you plan to move from Perth to another Australian state, make sure the removalist has experience in long-distance shipping.
Agarwal Packers and Movers Australia offers residential, commercial, interstate and international relocation services in Perth, packing and storage services. (agarwalpackers.com.au)
- Save Money When Moving in Brisbane
Moving in Brisbane might bring challenges like access problems, restrictions at apartment buildings and longer distances depending on suburbs.
Before the moving day:
- Arrange parking;
- Clarify the access restrictions;
- Declutter;
- Start packing ahead of time;
- Compare quotations;
- Inform the removalist about stairs and lifts;
- Avoid unnecessary storage;
- Clarify the truck requirements.
For Brisbane-to-Sydney or Brisbane-to-Melbourne relocation, compare interstate removalist quotations.
Costs of Moving Locally vs Interstate
The nature of move can greatly impact your costs.
| Nature of Move | Common Issues That Influence Costs |
| Local apartment move | Labour, time, truck and access |
| Local house move | Volume, labour, truck and moving time |
| Large family move | More labour and truck capacity |
| Interstate move | Distance, volume, transportation and delivery |
| Interstate move with storage | Transportation and storage |
| Specialist move | Additional handling and equipment |
No universal cost is possible since each move varies from one another.
A detailed quotation would be the most helpful.
Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring Removals People
Before you hire someone to move, ask the following:
- How is the price of your moving service determined?
- Is your quotation fixed or hourly?
- What do you include in your service?
- Are there any travel expenses?
- Is packing offered by you?
- Do you provide packing materials?
- Do you have storage services?
- What about stairs and lifts?
- How many movers do you assign to a move?
- What kind of trucks do you use for moves?
- What insurance and protection do you use?
- Do you accept fragile and specialist goods?
- What happens if the move becomes longer?
- Can you cancel or reschedule your move?
- Do you issue a written quotation?
By asking these questions, you will be able to compare companies more effectively.
The Simple Checklist to Save Money on Moving
Before Booking a Move
- [ ] Get rid of clutter
- [ ] Make a list of what is there
- [ ] Compare several quotations
- [ ] Ask about pricing structures
- [ ] Look at services included in quotation
- [ ] Check the dates of moving
- [ ] Review companies’ reputations and experience
Before Moving Day
- [ ] Box non-essential things
- [ ] Label your boxes
- [ ] Disassemble furniture when needed
- [ ] Arrange parking space
- [ ] Confirm that there is access via lift
- [ ] Clear the way
- [ ] Confirm removalist’s booking
- [ ] Keep valuable stuff separate
On Moving Day
- [ ] Take your essential documents with you
- [ ] Double-check rooms before leaving
- [ ] Verify the destination address
- [ ] Have your contact information handy
- [ ] Check everything during unpacking
Why Choose Agarwal Packers and Movers?
Agarwal Packers and Movers Pty. Ltd. offer moving and relocation services throughout Australia in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane.
Services offered by Agarwal Packers and Movers in Australia include residential and commercial relocations, interstate moving, international relocation, packing, unpacking, storage and specialty moves. (agarwalpackers.com.au)
According to Agarwal Packers and Movers, the company has been offering moving services since 1987. (agarwalpackers.com.au)
For people who wish to control the cost of their moving, the most effective way would be to give accurate details about their relocation and ask for a quotation.
Comparing the total cost, services offered, experience and moving arrangement instead of picking the company based on the price they advertise will be more beneficial.
Contact Agarwal Packers and Movers
Are you planning on relocating to Sydney, Perth or Brisbane?
Contact Agarwal Packers and Movers Pty. Ltd. to discuss your moving requirements and ask for a quotation.
Phone: (+61)-341-089656 Email: [email protected] ABN: 50 666 699 396
Request a Quote: Agarwal Packers and Movers
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I minimize removalist costs?
De-clutter before you move, compare quotations, do your own packing ahead of time, prepare your furniture where necessary, plan for parking and pick an appropriate date to move.
- Is it less expensive to move on weekdays?
Yes, depending on your removalists and availability, it might be. Ask whether weekday or any other dates have different prices before booking.
- Should I do my own packing?
Doing your own packing can help you cut labor costs if you have time and the capacity to pack your belongings.
- Will the number of furniture increase the removalist cost?
Yes. The amount of your belongings will influence how many trucks and labor you’ll need.
- How can I prevent removalist charges?
Ask for a written quotation and ask for the charges regarding travel, packing, stairs, lifts, storage, waiting time and any other additional costs.
- Does a local move cost less than an interstate move?
Generally yes, however, an interstate move will generally include more distance transportation whereas a big or complex local move could end up being expensive.
- Do I need to hire professional packers?
Using professionals to pack can make the process easier and allows specialist handling. If you have enough time and adequate packaging material, you can pack standard items yourself to lower labor costs.
- Do I save money if I move less belongings?
Definitely! The decluttering process will result in a reduction in the number of belongings which needs to be packed, loaded and transported.
- Do the removalists offer storage services?
Many removalists do. You should inquire about pricing, minimum duration of the storage period, access and transportations.
- How do I get an accurate quotation?
It is important to give the pickup and delivery addresses, types of properties, items list, loading conditions, the date and any special requirements.
Final Thoughts
The process of learning how to save money when hiring removalists in Sydney, Perth & Brisbane is about understanding what you pay for.
Decluttering, requesting detailed quotations, packing early, property preparation and right choice of the company will help you control the costs.
However, the main thing is not to select the company only based on the lowest price. It is best to have a transparent quotation, qualified movers, proper equipment and reliable company’s service.
Agarwal Packers and Movers Australia offers residential, commercial and interstate relocation services throughout Australia, as well as such special services as packing/unpacking, storage and specialist removals.
Are you ready to start planning your move? Contact Agarwal Packers and Movers to discuss your requirements and get a personalized quotation.