How Much Does It Cost to Move House in Melbourne

Moving house is a major undertaking, and it can be an expensive one as well. The cost of moving to Melbourne will depend on a range of factors, including the size of your home, the distance of the move, the amount of stuff you have, and the level of service you require. In this article, we will break down the various costs involved in moving house in Melbourne and give you an idea of what you can expect to pay.

Moving Company Fees

The first cost to consider is the fees charged by moving companies. The cost of hiring a moving company in Melbourne will depend on the level of service you require. If you just need a truck and some help loading and unloading, you can expect to pay around $100 per hour for two men and a truck. However, if you need a full-service move, where the movers pack, load, transport, and unpack your belongings, you can expect to pay significantly more.

The cost of a full-service move can range from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the size of your home and the distance of the move. For example, moving a small apartment within the same suburb might cost around $1,000, while moving a large family home interstate could cost upwards of $10,000.

It's important to get quotes from multiple moving companies to compare prices and ensure you get a fair deal.

Packing Materials

If you're packing your belongings yourself, you must purchase packing materials such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and packing paper. The cost of these materials can add up quickly, especially if you have many items to pack.

Here's an estimate of the cost of packing materials for a typical 3-bedroom house:

• 20-30 large moving boxes ($5-$10 per box): $100-$300

• 30-40 medium moving boxes ($3-$5 per box): $90-$200

• 10-15 small moving boxes ($2-$3 per box): $20-$45

• Bubble wrap and packing paper: $50-$100

• Tape: $10-$20

Total: $270-$665

Remember that these are rough estimates and the actual cost will depend on the size of your home and the number of items you need to pack.

Cleaning

You'll likely need to do a thorough clean of your old home before you move out, as well as a clean of your new home before you move in. If you're hiring a professional cleaning service, the cost will depend on the size of your home and the level of cleaning required.

Here are some estimates for professional cleaning services in Melbourne:

• Standard end-of-lease clean for a 3-bedroom house: $300-$500

• Deep clean for a 3-bedroom house: $500-$800

• Regular cleaning service (weekly or fortnightly): $60-$100 per hour

If you're doing the cleaning yourself, you'll need to factor in the cost of cleaning supplies such as cleaning products, vacuum cleaner bags, and mop heads.

Storage

If you're downsizing or your new home isn't ready yet, you may need to store some of your belongings in a storage unit. The cost of storage units in Melbourne will depend on the size of the unit and the location.

Here are some estimates of the cost of storage units in Melbourne:

• Small unit (3m x 3m): $100-$150 per month

• Medium unit (3m x 6m): $150-$250 per month

• Large unit (6m x 6m): $250-$400 per month

Insurance

It's important to insure your belongings during the move to protect against loss or damage. Most moving companies offer basic insurance coverage, but it's a good idea to consider additional insurance if you have valuable or fragile items.

The cost of insurance will depend on the value of your belongings and the level of coverage you require. As a rough estimate, you can expect to pay around $1-$2 per $100 worth of goods.

Utility Connections

When you move into a new home, you'll need to connect your utilities such as gas, electricity, and water. The cost of connecting utilities will depend on the provider and the location.

Here are some estimates of the cost of connecting utilities in Melbourne:

• Electricity connection fee: $20-$50

• Gas connection fee: $30-$60

• Water connection fee: $50-$100

You'll also need to factor in the ongoing cost of utilities, which will vary depending on usage and provider.

Council Fees

When you move, you may need to pay council fees such as a bin service fee or a hard waste collection fee. The cost of these fees will depend on your local council and the services provided.

Here are some estimates of council fees in Melbourne:

• Bin service fee: $200-$400 per year

• Hard waste collection fee: $20-$30 per item

• Landfill levy: $20-$30 per cubic meter

Miscellaneous Costs

Finally, there may be some miscellaneous costs associated with moving that you haven't considered. These could include things like:

• Pet transport: $200-$500

• Car transport: $500-$1,000

• Removal of bulky items (e.g. piano, pool table): $500-$1,000

• Accommodation if you need to stay in a hotel during the move: $100-$300 per night

Total Cost of Moving to Melbourne

When you add up all of the costs involved in moving, it's clear that it can be an expensive undertaking. To give you an idea of the total cost of moving in Melbourne, here's a rough estimate for a typical 3-bedroom house:

• Moving company fees: $1,000-$5,000

• Packing materials: $270-$665

• Cleaning: $300-$800

• Storage: $100-$400 per month

• Insurance: $100-$200

• Utility connections: $100-$200

• Council fees: $200-$500

• Miscellaneous costs: $500-$2,000

Total: $2,570-$9,765

Of course, these are just estimates and the actual cost of moving will depend on your specific circumstances. To get a more accurate idea of the cost of your move, it's best to get quotes from multiple moving companies and factor in all of the associated costs.

Tips to Save Money on Your Move

Moving can be expensive, but there are some tips and tricks you can use to help save money on your move:

• Do some of the work yourself: If you're willing to do some of the work yourself, such as packing and cleaning, you can save money on moving costs.

• Compare quotes from multiple moving companies: Don't just go with the first moving company you find. Compare the prices and services supplied by different firms after requesting estimates from them.

• Move during off-peak times: Moving during peak times, such as weekends and holidays, can be more expensive. To save money, try to move during off-peak hours.

• Use free packing materials: Instead of buying new packing boxes materials, try to find free boxes and packing materials from friends, family, or local businesses.

• Donate or sell unnecessary items: Moving will be less expensive the less you have to transport. Items you no longer need might be donated or sold.

• Pack efficiently: Make sure to pack your belongings efficiently to save space and avoid having to rent a larger moving truck.

• Negotiate with the moving company: If you're not happy with the cost of the moving company, don't be afraid to negotiate. You might be able to negotiate a lower cost.

Conclusion:

Moving can be a stressful and expensive experience, but with proper planning and research, you can save money and make the process smoother. Be sure to factor in all of the costs involved in moving, including packing materials, cleaning, storage, insurance, utility connections, council fees, and miscellaneous costs. And don't forget to consider tips for saving money on your move, such as doing some of the work yourself, comparing quotes, moving during off-peak times, and packing efficiently. Good luck with your move!