Whilst it may seem that the requirements for every move are the same, there are various factors that may affect how your move is priced. Whether the price on your quote is too high or too low, it is important that you check the inclusions of the quote to make sure that you are not being charged for services or materials that you won’t be needing. If you’re thinking about hiring professional removalists to help you with your move, it will be advantageous to know a few things about how your move is priced.
Every house move has its own unique requirements. Hence, many professional removalists offer to visit the home to determine the specific requirements of the move. Once they're done gathering information, they can come up with a quote tailored to your needs. Most of the time, the quotation given to a friend or colleague will not be the same as yours.
When a moving expert visits your home, they will assess your needs and the price of your move using certain metrics that will determine the duration, equipment, and labour required for the move.
Here are some of the most common factors that movers look into to determine the price of their move:
Move size and distance
The number of rooms to be packed and the distance travelled to take your belongings from one point to another are the biggest factors in calculating the price of your move. The size of the moving vehicle needed for your move is often determined by how many items you will be taking with you during the move. For example, a fridge often measures one cubic metre (cbm) and a small one-bedroom apartment can hold about 10cbm of belongings.
Packing/Crating (a special type of packing)
Whilst it is possible for you, the homeowner, to pack everything on your own, There may be instances when you will require assistance in packing and dismantling bulky and heavy furniture and household items. If some of your belongings need special packing, it may incur an additional cost, especially if your items require customised crates to keep them safe during the move. Customised crates are usually created for expensive paintings, artworks, and other bulky items that require special handling.
Poor Access
If your current or future home is located in an area that can't accommodate a large truck, your hired removalists will have to find a workaround that will allow them to complete the uplift and delivery. This might require additional charges, since removalists may have to use a smaller vehicle or equipment to take your belongings to and from the truck.
Stairs or long-distance walk
There will be additional costs to your moving quote if the location of your home would require removalists to carry your belongings through long or several flights of stairs. In some cases where the distance between the residence and the moving truck exceeds 50 feet, removalists may ask you to pay the long-carry fee.
Storage
The storage fee for your belongings is one of the most common factors that may increase the cost of your move. If your new home can't accommodate all your belongings or it is not yet ready to be occupied, you may need to leave your belongings in storage and pay the additional fee to make sure they are safe while you wait.
Seasonality
In Australia, school holidays, home sales, job relocations, and business moves are usually during spring and summer. Hence, the demand for moving peaks during this and moving companies have to strain their resources to meet the specific requirements of every move. If you're moving during this season, note that the price of moving may increase by at least 10%.
