Moving is an expense, even if you’re doing a lot of the work yourself. Nobody wants an unexpected and unpleasant surprise with their moving costs. So what determines moving prices? In this article, we’ll show you how a reputable moving company determines moving prices and how they give you certainty about costs and help you move without unnecessary expenses.
How do you find the right moving company?
In our country, you’re justified in feeling overwhelmed by the number of moving companies out there. And while we all essentially have the same offering, to move you from A to B, the service and the prices aren’t the same. There are many reputable, ethical and experienced companies, and there are others that aren’t.
It’s important to check the credentials of each moving company. At the least, look for companies that are members of the Australian Furniture Removers Association (AFRA) and the Australian International Movers Association (AIMA).
AFRA is an official body of removals experts who regulate the Australian removals industry. They offer protection and guidance for people using moving companies and guidance and training for member companies.
What determines moving costs?
Volume and distance
The primary cost is determined by how much you’re moving and how far you’re moving. This is why we always recommend decluttering. Why pay to move items you don’t need?
Packing and disassembling
At a basic level, you’re paying for time. There is a cost in packing materials, but the larger percentage is the time it takes for movers to pack and disassemble furniture. If you need to save money, packing yourself and disassembling furniture will reduce costs. If you’re time poor, packing services are a great time saver.
Access to your property
Again, you’re paying for the mover’s time. If there’s poor access to the property or the movers have to carry items over longer distances, it extends the time taken to load the truck. You’ll want to arrange to get the truck parked as close to your property as possible. If you have difficult access, your mover may need to bring a smaller vehicle. Remember, this works at both ends, not only at pickup.
Stairs, apartments and multi-level properties
All these factors also add time to clearing a property or delivering your boxes and furniture. Stairs, in particular, make moving large items difficult. It takes time to arrange to move items safely to avoid accidents, injuries or damage to the property.
Storage
If you need short or long-term storage as part of your move, it will add to the cost. Long distance moves, especially interstate, will often require storage. If you can’t take possession of your new property immediately, you’ll also need storage.
Additional services
Many companies offer additional services. For example, we offer pet transport, moving insurance, money transfer and other services to make moving easier. Find out what each company offers and compare services to price. They aren’t necessarily the same.
Always get a quote
A quote is a fixed price for moving services. Estimates often end up costing you more. We always recommend getting a quote for the assurance that your move will cost the stated price.
Reputation matters
Moving companies develop a good reputation by offering moving services at a fair price, acting with honesty and integrity, and delivering on promises. We don’t take moving you from one house to another lightly. We know it’s a difficult and often stressful process, which is why we aim to take as much of that stress away as possible.
If you want more information about pricing, please feel free to contact us.