Moving Interstate Costs Explained

As mentioned above, calculating the cost of moving house interstate depends on several variables.

Aside from the volume of belongings, household size, travel distance and mode of transport, there are certain factors that can affect the outcome whether you use an interstate moving cost calculator or make manual estimates.

You’ll need to take into consideration the fact that the rate will vary based on the types of furniture that need to be moved. For example, if you have a lounge suite, king-size bed, grand piano or some other big-ticket items that you want to take with you, then you also need to prepare for the additional costs that come with moving these.

Other additional expenses you’ll need to watch out for include:

• Moving insurance: While there are companies that provide insurance to cover damages to your possessions during the move, you need to verify if all your belongings are adequately covered. Remember, coverage varies depending on the policy. If you find your items are not sufficiently covered, then you can purchase moving insurance – which is crucial if you own antiques, family heirlooms, art and other irreplaceable items. Removal transit insurance premiums usually start from around $100.

• Packing services: This is an additional service a removalist usually offers to customers who engage them to pack delicate, high-value or big-ticket items included in the move. When you budget for packing services, you should also specify the materials to be included in the service (including specialised cartons, custom crates, packing tape, bubble wrap, etc.) to ensure the damage-free transport of your valuable possessions. While a local move may entail an extra $60 per hour for the packing service, you may need to spend an additional $500 to $4,000 for packing during a long-distance move.

• Storage: When you don’t want to have all your items taken to your new home directly, chances are you’ll need to store your belongings somewhere secure and safe first. Depending on the state and the size of the space you need, a storage facility can charge between $200 and $400 a month. Here, you also have the option to get insurance for your peace of mind.

• Flights and temporary accommodation: Although travel by road and rail is something you could do when moving interstate; it could mean hours or even days spent in transit. Of course, you also have the option to travel by air so you can save time and effort. Depending on the distance you’ll be travelling and the airline, your air fare can cost you anywhere from $150 to $500. Also, if you need to stay at a hotel or a temporary accommodation upon arrival at your destination, this would be an additional expense you’ll have to consider.

• Cleaning: Aside from performing standard removalist tasks, some companies offer a comprehensive house cleaning service. This includes a number of items, and you can pick or choose which ones you want done, including carpet vacuuming, mopping floors, cleaning ledges and skirting boards, dusting, washing bedroom wardrobes, sanitising all toilets and sinks, unpacking, furniture arrangement, setting up wall hangings and organising the rooms.

• Rubbish removal: You may want to consider hiring skip bins when clearing your old home to get rid of items you don’t use or need. The skip bin rate varies depending on the location, although a two-cubic-metre skip bin costs $180 on average. Dumping the rubbish yourself can reduce the cost of your move as well.

• Pet transportation: Your fur babies or pets are, of course, coming with you. However, you need to arrange for their safe transfer to your new address yourself or through your removalist. You can ask your interstate removalist if they offer pet transport as a service of if they can coordinate it as a part of your move. In any case, pet transportation may cost you between $200 and $400.
  
   ➜ Learn more about Pet Transport Prices

• Fuel levy: In general, all removals services come with a minimum 5 per cent fuel levy, but this varies depending on the distance travelled. For example, moves that exceed 40 kilometres may come with a 10 per cent fuel levy and there could be extra charges if the destination runs through a toll road or highway – which is something to be expected in an interstate move.

Interstate moving cost calculation in Australia may not be the simplest exercise, depending on how much and how far you’ll be moving.

Aside from the above, there could be other unforeseen costs you’ll have to prepare for, although these items cover the majority of all possible expenses you can expect during an interstate move.