If you’ve asked a few removalists for a quote and gotten a few different answers, you’re not imagining things — and it doesn’t mean anyone is trying to overcharge you. Moving costs vary from job to job because every move really is different. This guide explains exactly what goes into a moving quote, so you know what to expect and can feel confident about the number you’re given.
Why we don’t publish a fixed price list
It might seem simpler if every removalist just published a flat rate. In practice, a fixed price list almost always works against the customer — either it’s priced high enough to cover the biggest, hardest jobs (so small, easy moves pay more than they should), or it’s priced low and the “surprises” show up on the day in the form of extra fees. Neither is fair.
Instead, we build every quote around the details of your specific move. It takes a few extra minutes up front, but it means you’re only ever paying for the crew, truck and time your move actually needs — not a one-size-fits-all rate.
What actually affects your moving quote
Six things drive the cost of almost every move. Once you understand them, it’s easy to see why two “3-bedroom house” quotes can look different — the homes themselves rarely are.
1. Crew size
A studio apartment might only need two movers. A four-bedroom family home usually needs three or four. More hands means the job gets done faster, but it also means more people on the clock — so crew size is matched to the size of your move, not set as a default.
2. Truck size
We run a range of trucks, from smaller vans for compact moves up to large pantechs for bigger homes. The right size means everything fits in one trip (or the fewest trips possible) — sending a truck that’s too big, or too small and needing a second run, both waste money.
3. Size of the move
How much furniture and how many boxes you’re moving is the single biggest factor. A one-bedroom unit and a five-bedroom house are simply different jobs, and the quote reflects that.
4. Access
Stairs, narrow driveways, long walks from the truck to the front door, lift bookings in apartment buildings, strata rules about move-in times — all of these change how long a move takes, even if the amount of furniture is identical. This is one of the most common reasons two similar-looking homes end up with different quotes.
5. Distance
Moving across the same suburb is a different job to moving across Sydney, or interstate. Travel time and distance are factored in so you’re not paying a flat rate regardless of how far the truck actually has to go.
6. Extra services
Packing, furniture disassembly and reassembly, and other add-on services are optional — you only pay for what you actually ask for. If you’re happy to pack your own boxes and just need the heavy lifting handled, your quote reflects that.
A quick reference guide
As a general guide, here’s how crew and truck size typically scale with the size of your move — your exact quote will still depend on access, distance and any extra services.
| Move size | Typical crew | Typical truck |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 2 movers | Small to medium van |
| 2–3 bedroom home | 2–3 movers | Medium pantech |
| 4+ bedroom home | 3–4 movers | Large or extended pantech |
| Office / commercial | Scoped per site | Scoped per site |
How we put together your quote
When you reach out, we ask a handful of questions about your move — where you’re moving from and to, roughly how much you’re moving, and anything unusual about access at either end. From there we can put together an accurate, obligation-free quote, usually within an hour during business hours.
There are no hidden fees added on moving day. If anything changes between your quote and the day itself — extra items, a different access situation — we’ll always talk it through with you before doing anything that affects the price.
Ready to get your quote?
Tell us a bit about your move and we’ll get back to you with a clear, no-surprises quote — no generic price list required.
