Moving Interstate Costs Explained

When it comes to figuring out and calculating the cost of moving house interstate, think of it like guessing the weather or trying to define a unique fingerprint - each situation is distinct! Several variables play a critical role, whether you're using an interstate moving cost calculator or making manual estimates.

The key factors influencing the cost include the distance of your move and the volume of items you need to transport. It's crucial to consider the types of furniture involved. For example, moving larger items like a lounge suite, king-size bed, or a grand piano introduces additional costs. The choice of mover, whether it's a big-name interstate company, a local mover, or a DIY move, also impacts the price.

Moreover, the required truck size, duration of the move, and the number of helping hands needed are significant factors. Don't overlook the extras like packing materials, which can add up quickly. Season and location can also influence the final cost, just as they would with changing weather patterns.

Ultimately, every home and move is unique, and the costs can vary widely. So, it's essential to consider all these aspects to prepare effectively for the financial aspect of your interstate relocation.

Factors to consider when calculating moving costs:

• Moving Distance: When you're moving within your neighbourhood, it's usually a pocket-friendly deal. Short distances mean less fuss and fewer hours packing and unpacking. But hold up—even a move within a big city can surprise you with some extra expenses. Now, for those long hauls, think cross-country. That's where the long-distance movers shine. They're like the wizards of moving, armed with the skills and gear for a safe ride across state lines. But let's be honest, those long trips? They eat up time, especially for the driver, which might cost more. For those shorter moves, quick as a wink if you're prepped and packed, but those long-distance treks? They can stretch, especially if you hit rush hour traffic. So, use those trusty online maps to get an idea, but always factor in traffic jams!

• Home Size: When you're gearing up for a move, those moving pros will quiz you about where you're leaving. They're not being nosy, promise! They just want to get a handle on what's going where. They'll probably ask about the number of rooms and what kind of rooms you've got. Think about it - family rooms often pack hefty stuff like chunky furniture and those oh-so-fragile TVs. Then there's the garage and attic, treasure troves of boxes and hidden gems. Bedrooms? Heavy-duty furniture is central! All these details help them paint a picture and tailor the perfect moving plan for you. They're all about the specifics to ensure your stuff gets where it needs to be, safe and sound.

• Moving Vehicle Size and Type: Whether going pro or taking the DIY route, you'll need wheels to haul your stuff. Luckily, there's a moving truck for every size out there. Say you've got a cosy spot with just a few bits of furniture—a small moving trailer might do the trick. Got a bit more space? A 26-foot truck can handle about four bedrooms’ worth of stuff. But if you're living large, like really large, you might need the full monty - a whopping 52-foot semi truck to cart it all, usually hooked up by the pros at licensed moving companies.

• Labour: The price of hiring movers isn't set in stone. They usually have a fixed fee based on the number of rooms you're moving. But, hey, that cost can change depending on a few things. Imagine you've got a ton of heavyweight stuff - more hands might be needed, which could mean more cash out of your pocket. Plus, if you've got a boatload of delicate items, it'll likely bump up your bill with extra packing supplies and handling fees.

• 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. 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.

• Moving Supplies: Moving interstate costs can pile up, especially with all the supplies needed to pack and keep your stuff safe. You're looking at basics like boxes, lots of tape, bubble wrap or packing paper, and maybe even special containers for fragile things like your fancy dishes. Finding free boxes can save a penny or two, but that might not always work if time's tight. Sometimes, moving companies sell these supplies, and they tack that onto the total cost of your 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.

• Day of Month and Time of Year: Choosing to move during the spring or summer can bump up the costs because everyone's trying to move around that time. Weekends, the go-to for many, usually come with higher rates since folks want to skip taking off work. If you can swing a midweek move, you'll likely snag lower prices and more open slots. And try to dodge moving near holidays—those times often mean extra charges sneaking into your moving bill.

• Costs of Redecorating: Failing to consider redecorating expenses can be a hassle, leaving your new place bare for a while and holding up your move-in plans. Redecorating costs into your budget is vital when tallying up the average expenses for an interstate move.

• Transit Protection: While there are companies that provide transit protection 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 transit protection – which is crucial if you own antiques, family heirlooms, art and other irreplaceable items. Removal transit protection premiums usually start from around $100.

• 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 transit protection 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.

• Feeding Costs During the Move: When planning an interstate move that stretches over a day or longer, it's crucial to budget for meals during and right after the relocation. This includes considering flight costs, accommodations, and daily meals throughout the moving process.

• 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.