How Much Does It Cost To Move House?

When it comes to costs in real estate, a lot of the focus tends to be on the price of the new home in question, and rightfully so.

Moving costs tend to fall under the radar but shouldn’t be a fund that falls by the wayside when calculating the total cost of buying/selling a home. Even when electing to move house yourself or with friends and family and cutting out the middle man of removalist services, prices can raise even the thinnest of eyebrows!

Here’s a list of everything that should be considered when summing up how much it costs to move house.

If you’re interested in finding out the general cost of living in Australia, check out our cost of living in Australia article here. Alternatively, you can head to our Melbourne & Sydney cost of living articles in the links below.

• Melbourne Cost of Living: A Complete Breakdown
• Sydney Cost of Living: A Complete Breakdown

Removalist Costs

Trying to factor in every expense there is when it comes to moving house can prove to be difficult, as there are a number of things that can influence the overall spending of moving. These factors include but are not limited to the following:

• The distance travelled
• Size of the new house
• Cost of packing materials
• Expected duration of the move
• The overall fee per item packed

Removalist companies charge hourly rates that consider the level of difficulty of the move, with fees ranging from $35 to $50 per hour per person. Additional costs may be incurred, such as transportation expenses, contents insurance, and other fees, which are not included in the hourly rate.

It’s important to ask for a comprehensive breakdown of the moving costs to avoid any surprises. Removalists charge in 15-minute increments, which means you’ll only be charged for the exact amount of time the job takes, even if it’s less than a full hour.

If you’re not moving too far from your old house, you may pay:

Thankfully, utilising removalists often comes with their efficiency, as a 4-5 hour job for a local move might only take 2-3 compared to doing it yourself. Pending on the size of the home, a 3-bedroom house could take up to 8 hours of work, with the 4-bedroom option going an hour or two longer.

Using these rates, moving just across the town can add to the sum of the following:

The average cost of using a moving company interstate will depend on the states in question, as a trip from Melbourne to Brisbane may cost more than Sydney to Melbourne.

Below are some examples of the average reported interstate moving costs, thanks to Oneflare:

Moving Utility Costs

At MyConnect, we understand how vital it is to have your phone, internet, water, electricity, and gas set up when you’re moving into a new location. The cost of these services can vary depending on your provider, which is why we recommend contacting us at least two weeks before moving day so that we can arrange utility connections for you either the day before or the day of your house move.

There are plenty of utility retailers in the electricity market to choose from, and it’s important to find the right fit for you and your family. Luckily, MyConnect can help with a stress-free move. If you need help switching over and connecting to a new electricity plan, give us a call at 1300 854 478 or use the Get Connected form here!

Need more info on how a utility connection company can help you make the switch? Check out this post here.

Additional Costs

While the bulk of your costs will come from utilising a removalist company or simply hiring a moving truck, there are extra costs that will add to the total tally of fees.

These costs can include:

• Professional Cleaners
• Hotel Accommodation
• Transportation & Fuel
• Pet Care
• Child Care
• Rubbish Removal
• Packing Items (Cardboard Boxes & Bubble Wrap)

When moving out of your previous rental property, it’s crucial to have it cleaned as per your lease agreement. Not only will a thorough cleaning make the property more appealing to the next tenant, but it’s also essential to ensure you get your bond back.

You’ll likely need to hire professional cleaners to do a deep clean, and the cost can vary depending on the company you choose. Typically, the cost ranges from $100 to $300 depending on how big of a clean the job is! Additionally, it’s important to remember to include cleaning materials for your new home in your budget, such as cleaning cloths, spray and wipes, and paper towels.

Money Saving Tips

If you’re opting to save a pretty penny and try your hand at a more DIY approach, then these quick tips are right up your alley.

• Sort out and get rid of any unwanted items before the move.
• Opt to do the packing yourself instead of paying for a full-service move.
• Consider enlisting friends or family to help with moving home, if it’s practical and safe.
• Look for secondhand cardboard boxes or free boxes in good condition from grocers or hardware stores.
• Plan to move on a weekday to avoid higher rates on weekends and public holidays.
• Have everything packed and ready to go, including disassembled furniture, before the removalists arrive.
• Ensure a clear and easily accessible path is available for removalists at both locations.
• Provide the removalist company with a realistic estimate of the number of items to be moved, so they can allocate the appropriate vehicle size and workers.
• Transport small valuables and fragile items yourself to minimize the risk of damage or loss.

Joshua Chadwick

SEM COORDINATOR