Last updated: 21st May 2019
Cost of Hiring a Furniture Removalist
Furniture removalists charge an average rate of $90/hr for their services. However, you can find professional removalists with rates as low as $80/hr (for example, Asky Moves in Victoria) or as high as $100/hr.
Where do these prices come from?
Andersen of CNW International Removalists says that a local furniture removal service including one driver and one van or truck can cost $80/hr. If you need two men and a truck for local removals, prepare to shell out $100/hr – $120/hr.
Interstate furniture removals, on the other hand, can cost $2,000 – $3,000. This price range is for Brisbane and Melbourne only; furniture removal jobs for other states have different costs depending on the distance.
All the rates mentioned above includes labour, truck, blanket wrapping, petrol, and public liability insurance. Factors that can affect the costs are the size and weight of the items, floor level, distance, and total working hours.
Furniture removal prices from real customers
Job details: Removal of a lounge suite, kitchen tables and six chairs, kitchen wall unit, washing machine, and fridge and freezer from a unit in Cammeray to a house in Warabrook
Quote details: Overall price includes a driver and a truck
TOTAL COST: $600
Job details: Transferring a partition wall with a small desk behind it and several boxes from a storage unit in St Kilda South, Vic to a storage unit in Brompton, SA
TOTAL COST: $450
Job details: Moving a single armchair and two 2-seater sofa from Officer to Kew
Quote details: Includes two men and a 3-tonne truck
TOTAL COST: $150
Job details: Moving a 2.5 metre-long but not too heavy sofa within the same property; property has two flights of stairs
Quote details: Includes two men
TOTAL COST: $70
Job details: Removal of 2 queen-sized beds, 1 three-seater sofa, 1 two-seater sofa, 1 tallboy, 1 IKEA small dining table with plastic chairs, 1 washing machine, 1 fridge, 1 TV, 1 TV stand, and 20 boxes from a 2-bedroom unit in North Strathfield, NSW to a house in Point Cook, VIC
Quote details: Price covers 2 men, a truck, and Goods In Transit insurance
TOTAL COST: $1,625
Four factors that “move” costs up or down
As mentioned earlier, the size and type of work to be done can affect the total cost of furniture removal services. But there are other things that can influence the price of your job as well.
1. How many removalists do you need?
If you’re moving large items, you’ll need two or more removalists to perform the task. Of course, getting two or more persons will cost more than just hiring one. However, if you have a big job and you only get one person to do it, the work may take more time to finish, which means you’ll need to pay more as well.
2. How many rooms does your house have?
Houses come in all shapes and sizes — from studio apartments to mansions with multiple rooms. More rooms in the home means more furniture to be moved. This will require extra work for the removalists and will therefore add to your total expenses.
3. What type of vehicle do you need?
Hiring a small ute doesn’t mean lesser costs. Assess the quantity of items that will be moved and figure out which type of vehicle has the capacity to carry your belongings. If you’re moving lots of large furniture, you may end up paying more if you use a small vehicle as there will be more trips required to move all of your items.
4. Will there be an additional cost for transit insurance?
Some businesses don’t include the cost of transit insurance in their quotes, so make sure to clarify any additional fees that may be incurred. Transit insurance may raise your expenses, but this can save you from unexpected costs in case your items break during the move.
Photo from: BPE Removals Pty Ltd
Why it pays to know “where” you hire your removalist
In Western Australia, the average cost of furniture removals is $110/hr. Meanwhile, furniture removal businesses in Queensland charge an average price of $95/hr.
If you’re in New South Wales, removalists typically charge around $90/hr for a standard job. Victoria residents, on the other hand, are paying roughly $86/hr for furniture removal services.
ServiceSeeking.com.au has tons of furniture removalists who can do your job in the most efficient way. Feel free to check the list of the best businesses on the site.
Pricing information correct as at 1 July 2018.
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