Most people think they will spend around $800 for their move. When they get the final bill it says $1,340. This big difference does not usually happen because someone is trying to cheat them. It happens because the simple estimates you find online do not think about the problems of moving. When you move your things across Melbourne's southeast, there are things that can affect the cost. These are things that a simple online calculator will not think about. The only way to protect your money and avoid a surprise on moving day is to understand how these costs add up before the truck arrives.

How Removalist Pricing Actually Works

Moving companies in Melbourne charge by the hour. They use a system that depends on the size of the truck and the number of men they need. A small truck with two men is okay for an apartment.. A big house with three or four bedrooms needs a bigger truck and more men. This way they do not have to make trips.

Many people make a mistake by not thinking about the " call-out" clause. Most companies will charge you for at least three hours even if the move only takes one and a half hours. Also the quotes they give you might not include the cost of traveling from their depot to your house. This means they start charging you from the moment the truck leaves their depot, not when it arrives at your house. If a quote seems affordable it is probably because they did not include these costs. They will add them to the bill later.

The Southeast Melbourne Distance Factor

Where you live in Melbourne's southeast can greatly affect the cost of your move. If you live in a place like Clyde North, Cranbourne East or Pakenham and you hire a moving company from the city you will pay more. This is because they have to travel a way to get to your house. They will charge you for the time they spend in traffic on the Monash Freeway or the South Gippsland Highway.

When you are looking for quotes you should ask the company where their truck depot's. If their depot is far from your house you will pay more for travel fees. If their depot is close to your house you will pay less.

For example, if a random moving company charges $120 per hour from the city and it takes them one and a half hours to get to the house. The movers will cost more than a company that charges $150 per hour but only takes 15 minutes to get to your house. It is better to hire a company that knows the roads and can avoid traffic.

Hidden Costs Most People Miss

The initial quote you get from a moving company assumes that everything will be easy. They think you live in a house with a driveway and a straight path to the truck. If things are not that easy the cost will go up.

Stairs and Long-Carries: There are things that can increase the cost. If your new apartment is on a floor and there is no lift you will have to pay extra for the stairs. If the truck cannot get close to your house and the men have to carry your things a long way you will have to pay extra for that too.

Heavy Item Surcharge: If you have heavy things like a piano or a pool table you will have to pay extra for special equipment and more men to carry them.

Packing Material Markups: If you buy packing materials from the moving company on the day of the move you will pay more than if you bought them elsewhere.

Fuel Levies: Some companies also add a fuel levy to the cost, which can be a percentage of the bill.

Weekend and Holiday Rates: If you move on a weekend or a public holiday you will pay more because the men get wages on those days.

How to Compare Quotes Properly

To find the cost of a move you have to look at more than just the hourly rate. You have to think about all the things that can affect the cost.

You should ask the company for a copy of their insurance policy. A cheap quote might mean they do not have insurance. You want a policy that covers your things while they are being moved.

You should also ask about their cancellation and rescheduling policy. If your move is delayed you want to know if they will charge you extra.

You should read reviews from customers who have moved to the southeast suburbs to see how the company handles long-distance moves.

Before you book a moving company you should ask them these questions:

"Does this hourly rate include fuel, GST and transit insurance?"
"Are there charges for stairs, lifts or walking distances over 20 meters?"
"Is the travel fee calculated from your depot or is it a fixed call-out fee?"

Closing

If you know about all these things you can avoid surprises on moving day. You can spot a quote that's too good to be true. If you take a minute to ask the right questions you can make sure your move goes smoothly and you do not spend more than you expected.

To get an honest quote with no hidden surprises you can visit the Ring a Mover Quote Page and book your move, with confidence.