Moving house should be as simple as packing your items in boxes, loading it into a truck and then unloading it at the other end. However, there are a lot of unexpected costs involved in moving house that you may not be aware of. That's why we put together a bit of a checklist to assist you in calculating your moving budget and knowing what the costs of moving house can be.

Of course, every family will be different but below is a general guideline to what costs are involved in moving house, especially if you are moving interstate or moving long distance. 

Remember to consider using Best Rated Transport's comparison services when looking into house movers. We offer free comparison quotes from trusted removalists and you can compare self-pack vs full-service moves in the same place. It's completely free to compare moving quotes so get started today. 

Preparation Costs

Packing equipment (boxes, tape, hand trolley) 

Packing equipment can add up, especially boxes. 

• Boxes: anywhere from $50 to $500

• Butcher’s Paper - approx. $10 - $13 for 2.5kgs

• Packing Tape - $2 - $5

• Tape Dispenser Guns - $8 - $13 each

• Pens/markers and stickers - $5

• Bubble Wrap - $2 per roll

• Tissue Paper for delicate items - $5 to $10

• Trolley Hire - $15 for four hours

• Moving Blankets - $10 - $20 per blanket

To cut down on the costs of packing equipment, take a look at your local Buy, Sell, Swap and see if there are any free/secondhand items you may be able to use. 

Bond cleaner or house move cleaner

• Anywhere from $100 to $1,000

Yard maintenance

Yard maintenance will depend on what you need done. A basic mow is generally around $60 but for a full garden cleanup, power wash, yard trim, etc, you could be looking at around $500-$1000. 

Tip Fees (If throwing away items during the packing process)

Check with your local council. $11 is the going rate for regional areas for a small ute load but this can go up to $24 or more depending on where you live. 

Disconnection fees

• Electricity: $20 to $100 for disconnection, $20 to $100 for reconnection.

• Gas: $20 to 100 for disconnection, $20 to $100 for reconnection.

• Water: $20 to $50 for disconnection, $20 to $50 for reconnection.

Storage units

• Small storage sheds (around 1-2 square metres): $50 to $100 per month.

• Medium-sized sheds (around 5-10 square metres): $150 to $300 per month.

• Large sheds (over 10 square metres): $300 to $500 per month.

Transport Costs 

Transport moving costs will depend on what avenue you decide to go down, whether hiring your own truck and paying for fuel, or using a removalist or booking container transport. You may also need to consider transporting your car, boat or caravan to your new location. 

For interstate removals through a removalists, you can expect:

• 10m3 - $1,200 to $2,500

• 20m3 - $2,400 to $5,000

• 30m3 - $3,600 to $7,500

• 40m3 - $4,800 to $10,000

Have a look at our House Moving Calculator for more information on calculating your cubic metres. 

For local removals through a local moving company, you can expect:

• Small apartment (3 hours) - $240 to $720

• 2 bedroom house (5 hours) - $400 to $1,200

• 3 bedroom house (6 hours) - $480 to $1,440

• 4 bedroom house (8 hours) - $640 to $1,920

Travel Expenses While on the Move

Moving interstate can be your perfect opportunity to take a road trip and enjoy a holiday while you travel to your new home. However, with any holidays comes costs. You may need to consider: 

• Meals/snacks on the road

• Hotels and accommodation

• Flights

• Fuel costs

• Pet care and transport

New Home Costs

The costs don’t end when you arrive, sadly. You may need to book a storage facility or you may opt for a meal prep service for a few days until you’re more organised. You will also need to consider reconnection fees for your new property. 

Yes, it can be quite daunting when you consider all the costs involved in moving. We have a handy moving costs spreadsheet that can help you keep track of your budget. Simply print it out (below) and fill in what applies to your moving costs. 

Ready to Make a Move?

Start comparing house movers with Best Rated Transport. It’s completely free to do so and you don’t need a credit card or even a log in to compare house movers. Get an idea of what kind of moving costs you’re looking at and compare self-moves and full-service movers.