Whether you're downsizing, moving into your first or forever home, relocating for school or work, or perhaps making a sea change, there's no denying that moving house is a big job. Packing up all your belongings and getting them from A to B can be stressful –  emotionally, mentally and physically. Our guide aims to lighten the load, with some tips, advice and checklists. 

We'll cover everything from choosing a removalist and whether you need insurance, to packing and moving appliances, as well as how to deal with things like your internet and utilities.

On this page:

• Do you need a removalist and how do you choose one?
• How much does it cost to move house?
• Do you need extra insurance for moving home?
• Your consumer rights when using a removal service 
• How to move large appliances safely
• Moving your electricity, gas and internet accounts
• Tips for packing for a house move 

Do you need a removalist and how do you choose one?

While moving all your belongings yourself is the most cost-effective option, many people choose to engage a professional removalist company to assist with the process. The additional cost might be worth it to reduce stress, as well as the time and physical effort required for a move.

Professionals are experienced in loading and unloading items while minimising the risk of damage, and also have access to specialised equipment (such as dollies and, hopefully, a large truck!) needed to move large items and appliances. Some also offer additional services such as packing, unpacking and furniture assembly.

However, costs can vary significantly, so get at least three written, itemised quotes to compare. Make sure you give the removalist enough information for them to provide an accurate quote. An inventory of every item you wish to have them handle will help (and will ensure there is no dispute about which items the removalist will be responsible for moving and those you will take care of yourself). Some removalist companies will also come to your home to do an inspection and quote.

Check reviews and independent testimonies and ask friends and family for recommendations. You can also check whether a removalist is accredited by the Australian Furniture Removers Association, which indicates that they meet certain professional standards relating to things like equipment, vehicles and training.

How much does it cost to move house?

The cost of moving your house depends on many factors, including the size of the property you are moving (and how many belongings you have) as well as your location and the travel distance between your old house and new house, and the travel time from the removalist's depot to your house. 

Access to each property and available parking for a removal van can also increase the amount of time it takes to move, which can further impact costs. Many removal companies will charge by the hour and give you an estimate of costs in the form of a written quote. 

Large, fragile or heavy items, such as a piano, pool table or medical equipment, could require a specialist removalist

Large, fragile or heavy items, such as a piano, pool table or medical equipment, could require a specialist removalist, which will also affect costs. 

We obtained three separate quotes based on the scenario of moving an average, moderately furnished three-bedroom house from a location in metro Sydney to another location approximately 30 minutes away. Prices ranged from $150 per hour up to $175 per hour for two movers and a van, with a minimum charge of two hours. One removalist estimated the job could take anywhere from around 4–6.5 hours, meaning the final cost could range from $700 up to over $1000. 

Some removalist services can assist with packing, but if you are doing it yourself, ensure you have all the materials you need to hand.

If you're looking for certainty on the overall cost of a move, it's best to ask for a fixed price rather than an hourly rate, says Simone Hill, executive director of the Australian Furniture Removers Association (AFRA).

"Keep in mind that a quote for an hourly rate is a quote on the rate you will be charged per hour, and is not a quote for the number of hours the move takes. "Unless your property has been inspected by the removals company, or you've provided a detailed video or inventory of both the items to be moved and the pick-up and delivery locations, the number of hours the move takes may be significantly more than that first estimated," says Hill.

There are also law-mandated breaks for staff you may have to pay depending on how long your move takes

"For example, there could be the need for a ferry vehicle (where a large removals truck cannot fit close to [the] residence, a second, smaller vehicle like a ute may 'ferry' between the residence and the truck), or if the contents of your home were not estimated by you correctly." There are also law-mandated breaks for staff you may have to pay depending on how long your move takes.

Questions to ask when obtaining quotes from a removalist

Always insist on an itemised written quote and ask the following questions:

• What is the total cost of the move?
• What exactly is included in the cost? Do they charge by the hour or is it a flat rate? Is there a minimum charge?
• Is there a call-out fee?
• Are there any additional costs you may need to factor in?
• Is a deposit required? 
• How long will the move take? Do you need to provide details on access to your property that could impact the time taken for the move?
• What happens in the event of bad weather?
• If there are any delays on the day, is there an extra cost involved for storage?

How to save money on moving costs

If you're using a removalist company, the best way to ensure you stick to your budget is to ensure both you and the removalist have accurately estimated the size of the job. Here are some tips to help keep costs down and ensure efficiency on the day of the move and in the lead up:

• Ensure you have accounted for extra items that might not be reasonably included within the moving quote, such as outdoor furniture, sports equipment or pot plants. Assess whether there are items you can easily move yourself, or on a different date.
• If you are doing the move yourself, compare prices on rental trucks or vans to ensure you're getting the best deal. 
• Source your own packing boxes and materials from community pay-it-forward groups.
• Declutter and sell unwanted items so you have less stuff to move.
• Ensure your home is packed and ready to go when removalists arrive.
• Label boxes with the room it needs to go in so removalists can place them efficiently.

Do you need extra insurance for moving home?

Taking out removalist insurance can be a good idea, especially if it's a big move and everything you own, including expensive and breakable items, is on the line. First, check to see what you may be covered for under your existing home and contents insurance policy if you have one (see information on this below). 

Removalists don't have to provide insurance for your worldly possessions during a move, and may only have insurance that covers their vehicle in case of an accident. As removalists offer a service, you are covered under certain legislative guarantees under Australian Consumer Law (see more on this below).

Most people assume if something is damaged due to negligence they will get a new replacement or the value of that item if they were to go out and buy it again new. This is not the case

Simone Hill, AFRA executive director

If the removalist is accredited by AFRA, they may be authorised to provide transit insurance for everything in the truck. Transit cover insures your goods while they are being packed and moved by removalists or stored in the course of the move, but you will have to pay for it. If your goods need to be stored beyond the course of the move and you want to extend the insurance, you'll have to pay an extra premium. 

Hill specifies that you may like to consider taking out a ''new for old'' insurance policy. "Most people assume if something is damaged due to negligence they will get a new replacement or the value of that item if they were to go out and buy it again new. This is not the case. The duty of the removalist is to the value of the item at the time of the move, and for most second-hand items this is negligible."

Home and contents insurance

If you have home and contents insurance check see what cover you might already have. Almost all the insurers in our most recent home and contents insurance review offer some cover for contents in transit, but many don't cover accidental damage during the move. 

While you're in the process of moving, most insurers will cover your contents at both addresses, usually for 14 days, but up to 60 days for some insurers. You can view which policies offer 'overlapping cover at a new house' and ''cover for contents while moving house' in our home and contents insurance review.

In any case, it's important to notify your current insurer of your change in address. 

CHOICE home insurance expert Daniel Graham says: "Keep in mind that cover for your possessions while moving house often comes with a range of limits (there might be a dollar amount or a percentage of your contents sum insured).

Keep in mind that cover for your possessions while moving house often comes with a range of limits

CHOICE insurance expert, Daniel Graham

"It is also frequently event-limited: you might only get cover for fire, theft of (not from) the removal vehicle, or in the case of an accident or collision of your removal van. One or two insurers specify that the removal van must be a professional removalist service that you have engaged for the job, so you won't be covered if you hire a van and do the move yourself."

Your consumer rights when using a removal service 

Your consumer rights under Australian Consumer Law, which ensures the service you purchase will work or do what you asked for, include removalist services. If, after a move, you have an issue and can't resolve the matter with your removalist, you can lodge a complaint with the fair trading agency in your state. 

Who's liable for damage during a house move?

Some removalists insure themselves against damage to your things. If this is the case, make sure you understand what the removalist covers and doesn't cover, and in which circumstances the insurance applies.

If you pack or unpack yourself and something is damaged, the removalist generally won't accept liability.

If you are using a removalist accredited by AFRA, they can help you resolve any issues that may arise.

"In the event that a dispute or damage occurs during a move, and this cannot be resolved immediately with the removalist, a moving client may bring that dispute to AFRA free of charge if they are using an accredited mover," says Hill.

"AFRA works with the parties to reach a negotiated settlement, and where appropriate, can place a binding order on the removalist to settle." 

You may like to take out transit cover to ensure your goods are protected during a move.

How to move large appliances safely

If you are moving your house yourself without calling in the professionals, there are some appliances you'll need to take particular care with. Fridges and freezers can be easily damaged in transit and need to be thoroughly cleaned, turned off and disconnected. Read our guide on how to move a fridge and freezer safely.

To move other large appliances, such as washing machines or ovens, you'll need equipment such as dollies, trolleys and moving straps (all of which can be hired to save on costs), plus a few extra hands to help you. (Follow our step-by-step guide to moving a washing machine).

Appliances should be disconnected and thoroughly cleaned and dried before moving, and any loose parts or shelves secured with tape. 

Ensure you have gloves, tape to fasten doors or secure handles and knobs, and materials such as blankets or bubble wrap to both protect the appliance and avoid damage to doorways, walls and balustrades.

Moving your electricity, gas and internet accounts

Gas and electricity

At least a couple of weeks before your moving date, you should contact your current gas and electricity provider to arrange disconnection for the day after you move out (this can take up to a week so ensure you allow ample time).

You will then have to arrange for connections at your new property if you are the owner. If you're renting, it's likely that the utilities will already be connected and you just need to transfer the account into your name.

Do a meter reading at your old place before you leave, and at the new place to ensure you won't be charged for power you haven't used. Depending on where you live, you may need to ensure your meters at your old property are easily accessible so your provider can send someone to read them. 

Do a meter reading at your old place before you leave, and at the new place to ensure you won't be charged for power you haven't used

Moving house is the perfect time to assess whether you're getting the best energy deal and take advantage of any new customer offers that might be about. 

CHOICE has partnered with Bill Hero to help make it easy for people to get a better deal on their energy. Bill Hero guarantees it will find annualised savings on your first bill, and that you'll save more than the price of your annual subscription. If not, you can cancel immediately for a full refund.

Exactly how much you'll save will depend on a lot of factors, but Bill Hero says the average first-switch savings for its customers is $350. 

A Bill Hero annual subscription will cost you between $49 and $79, depending on whether you're looking for a better deal on your electricity, gas or both. So all up, you'll be looking at savings of between $271 and $300. You may also like to look into bundling your energy and internet with the same provider to take advantage of discounts.

Internet and NBN

As with your gas and electricity, contact your current phone and internet service provider (ISP) to let them know the date you'll be leaving your property to organise disconnection and to check their moving process. They will usually have a form to fill in to book a date to have the move take place. 

• Find out if you will have to pay any exit fees (many providers offer no lock-in contracts, which can be beneficial if you're a renter or not sure how long you will be at your next address).
• If you are not sure which connection type/technology is available at your new address, visit NBN Co's website to find out. If you can, ensure the required equipment, such as the NBN connection device, has been left at the new property and not taken by the previous tenants or owners. Let your ISP know if there is anything missing. 
• Check the CHOICE shortlist of best NBN plans available right now, ranked by how they measure up to their claimed plan speeds.

If you have NBN, any supplied equipment such as the NBN box should remain at the old address, i.e. stay with the property.

Tips for packing for a house move 

Potentially, the most arduous task is going to be packing up all your worldly belongings. Our unofficial advice (taken from a few CHOICE staff members who have moved house recently), is, however long you think it's going to take or how many boxes you think you need, double or even triple it! 

Here are some tips to make the packing process easier:

• Before you do anything, declutter! The less you own, the less you have to pack. Hold a garage sale, join local pay-it-forward groups, donate good-quality items to charity or sell pre-loved items on online marketplaces. 
• Decluttering applies to your fridge, freezer and pantry too – try to consume all perishable items before you move and plan meals to use up pantry items like tinned food. If there are non-perishable items you don''t want to take with you, consider donating to a local food pantry, charity or community group. 
• Some removalists provide packing materials, such as bubble wrap, storage boxes or cardboard moving cartons, at an additional cost, but you can also source these yourself from storage warehouses, hardware stores and stationery stores. For a more sustainable option, companies such as Good2Go and Boomerang Box offer reusable, stackable storage boxes for hire, and they may also provide a trolley. 
• Remember, you'll need lots of cushioning material for delicate items – start collecting paper, old towels and bubble wrap you can use to wrap items before transport to prevent breakages. 
• Allow yourself enough time to pack, and start well in advance of your move date. You don't want to be throwing items indiscriminately into boxes in a hurry when your movers are knocking on the door. 
• Allow time for disassembling furniture such as beds or bookcases. Unless your removalists have included this in your quote, they will not do this for you. 
• Allocate boxes to each room in your house and label them carefully with the room they are going to and what's inside, so movers know where to take them in your new place.
• Take photos of the back of electronic items if you need to remember how they were hooked up, and label electronic cords and chargers so you know what goes with what. 
• Don't forget about your outdoor area – do you have items such as pot plants, a compost bin, pet-related items or outdoor furniture you need to transport?
• Pack a box of items you'll need as soon as you arrive at the new house and label it clearly – things like the kettle and tea bags for a well-deserved cup of tea at your new abode, or your bedding for the first night's sleep.
• Don't accidentally pack all your cleaning supplies – keep a box in your car so they are on hand for both the old place and the new place when you arrive. Need to know which products will help you get your old place clean for the new owners? Check out our cleaning product reviews.

Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.

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