There are a lot of costs to factor in when moving house, many costs you may not have thought of. I mean, how much could it really cost to move a bunch of stuff from A to B? 

Unfortunately, moving isn’t cheap and it’s also something that many people don’t budget for which is one of the reasons it can be so stressful for families to move.

How much your move will cost depends on several factors including the distance, the time of move and how much you are moving.

Best Rated Transport’s moving cost calculators can help you find an estimate and budget for your move ahead.

House Move Costs

Moving Interstate Calculator

When using a removalist to move interstate, you will be quoted on cost per cubic metre. Cubic metre is the volume of a metre-long cube and is the main unit of measurement in the moving industry. Essentially, it means how much space your contents will take up in the truck.

Cubic Metre Calculator 

To calculate cubic metres (CBM), multiply the length, width, and height of an object or space (measured in metres) to obtain the total volume. CBM = length (m) × width (m) × height (m). 

For example, a small office desk measures 1.2 metre, or 120cm (length), 50cm (width) and 1 metre, or 100cm (height). 

This means the cubic metre of this desk is: 1.2 x .5 x 1 = 0.6

It’s important to get your total cubic metre as close as possible as this will ensure you are not paying for more space than you need or that you aren’t underestimating the amount of space you’ll need. This can become a problem if you have booked 20m3 but you actually need 25m3 or 30m3. 

How Can I Be Sure?

Your best bet is to use Best Rated Transport’s Inventory Guide which automatically calculates your cubic metres based on the items you select that you need moved. This is all part of the instant quote process.

If you are unsure, you can also schedule a Free Video Call with one of our moving coordinators. This takes about 15 minutes and can ensure you are accurately estimating how much space you’ll need. 

We also have a basic guideline on what the cubic metres are of common household items: 

BEDROOMS:

King-sized bed: 2.5 to 3 cubic metres.

Single bed: 1 to 1.5 cubic metres.  

Tall boy: 0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

Cot: Up to 1.5 cubic metres.

Change table: Up to 1 cubic metre.

Single wardrobe: 1 to 1.5 cubic metres.

Larger wardrobes or wardrobes with mirrors: Up to 2 cubic metres.

Standard bedside table: 0.1 to 0.2 cubic metres.

LIVING AREAS:

Coffee table: 0.2 to 0.3 cubic metres. 

Television: 0.2 to 0.3 cubic metres, depending on the size and packaging. 

Small couch (2-seater): 1 to 1.5 cubic metres. 

Large couch (3-seater): 1.5 to 2 cubic metres. 

Dining table: About 0.5 to 1 cubic metre, depending on the size and shape.

Desk (standard):0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

Executive desk or larger desks with drawers: Up to 1.5 cubic metres, depending on size and design.

Small to medium bookcase: 0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

Larger or multi-shelf bookcases: Up to 1.5 cubic metres.

Standard TV stand: 0.3 to 0.5 cubic metres.

Larger entertainment unit: Up to 1 cubic metre.

Standard armchair: About 0.5 to 1 cubic metre. 

Larger or reclining armchairs: Up to 1.5 cubic metres.

Upright piano: 2 to 3 cubic metres.

Grand piano: Up to 5 cubic metres, depending on size.

Single cupboard: Around 0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

Larger or multi-door cupboards: Up to 2 cubic metres.

Standard size picture frame: About 0.1 to 0.2 cubic metres.

Larger or ornate frames: Up to 0.3 cubic metres.

Standard mirror: Around 0.1 to 0.2 cubic metres.

Larger or full-length mirrors: Up to 0.3 cubic metres.

LAUNDRY AND APPLIANCES:

Portable clothes rack: Around 0.1 to 0.2 cubic metres.

Front-loading or top-loading washing machine: Approximately 0.5 to 1 cubic metre, depending on size.

Commercial-grade washing machines: Up to 1.5 cubic metres.

Standard dryer: 0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

Standard fridge (single door): 0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

Larger double-door or side-by-side fridges: Up to 1.5 cubic metres.

Chest freezer: Around 0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

Larger upright freezers: Up to 1.5 cubic metres.

Dishwasher: Approximately 0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT:

Small to medium trampoline: Approximately 1 to 2 cubic metres.

Larger or professional-grade trampolines: Up to 3 cubic metres.

Standard outdoor setting: 1 to 2 cubic metres.

Larger or elaborate outdoor settings: Up to 3 cubic metres.

Standard BBQ: 0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

Larger or built-in BBQs: Up to 1.5 cubic metres.

Standard swing set: Around 1 to 2 cubic metres.

Larger or multi-seat swings: Up to 3 cubic metres.

Push mower: 0.2 to 0.3 cubic metres.

Ride-on mower: Up to 1 cubic metre.

Kennel: 0.5 to 1 cubic metre.

Calculating Boxes

In addition to furniture you will also need to factor in the number of boxes you will be moving. As a general rule, here are what we estimate: 

Studio - 15 boxes 

1 - 2 Bedroom: 25 - 35 boxes

3-4 Bedroom: 35 - 70  boxes

5-7 Bedroom: 70 - 100 boxes

An average of 8 boxes take up 1 cubic metre, so if you are moving 40 boxes, you will need to add 4 cubic metres to your inventory. 

Average Cubic Metres by Size of House

Remember, this is only a general guideline. It’s important to do an inventory of your entire house, including your outdoor items, to determine your average cubic metres. 

Studio apartment - 10m3

One bedroom apartment - 12m3 to 17m

2 bedroom house or apartment - 20m3

3 bedroom home - 25m3 to 40m3 

4 bedroom house - 41m3 to 65m3

Interstate Removals Calculator

As a rough guide, you can expect to pay anywhere from $120 to $250 per cubic metre when moving interstate in Australia. 

This is the only cost you will pay - there is no hourly rate to load and unload your items. The loading, uploading, fuel and insurance is all included in the cost per cubic metre price.

Best Rated Transport's removalists costs include 2 men, the truck, the fuel, the protective wear and insurance so basically you only need to worry about one cost. 

Typical Interstate Removals Costs:

• 10m3 - $1,200 to $2,500

• 20m3 - $2,400 to $5,000

• 30m3 - $3,600 to $7,500

• 40m3 - $4,800 to $10,000

Local Move Cost Calculator

If moving locally, you will typically be charged by the hour. The hourly rate will include movers as well as the truck. How much you pay per hour depends on a few things, including where you live and how many movers you require. Hiring three movers means the job will take less time than if you hire two movers, but the hourly rate will also increase. 

The typical hourly rate for hiring local removalists is anywhere from $80 an hour to $240 an hour.

Typical Local Moving Costs:

• 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

Additional charges:

Additional charges may apply for travel to and from the depot in peak traffic times, and for travel over long distances.

Container Transport Calculator

Self-pack or budget moves are another option and involve using a shipping container to transport your goods. You will be responsible for packing the container yourself but transport, including fuel and insurance is included in your price. 

How much you pay will depend on several things including whether you hire a container or own (buy) one and where you are moving to/from. Containers can hold A LOT of stuff which is why they are ideal for larger moves. 

A standard 40-foot container has an internal cubic capacity of around 67 cubic metres while a standard 20-foot container has an internal cubic capacity of around 33 cubic metres. 

The great thing about Best Rated Transport is that you can compare both full service moving quotes AND container transport quotes at the same place. Check the difference in price to see which one is best for you.