Every removalist in Brisbane gets asked the same first question: "what's it going to cost?" The honest answer is "it depends", but that's not much use when you're budgeting. So here's how pricing actually works, what the typical ranges look like, and what makes a move more expensive than it needs to be.
How Brisbane removalists charge
Most local moves are charged by the hour, usually with a two or three hour minimum, and the rate depends on how many people and what size truck. A two-person crew with a truck is the standard setup for apartments and smaller homes. Larger homes get a three-person crew or a bigger truck.
Some companies quote a fixed price for the whole job. That's great if the quote is based on a proper inventory. If it's a number pulled from the air over the phone, expect "extras" on the day.
Watch for the add-ons that turn a cheap hourly rate into an expensive move:
- Fuel levies and travel time charged both ways
- Call-out fees
- Stair fees per flight
- Heavy item surcharges for fridges, pianos and pool tables
- Card payment surcharges
We don't charge any of those. What we quote is what you pay.
Typical price ranges in Brisbane
These are ballpark figures for moves within Greater Brisbane, based on what we see week to week. Your quote will depend on access and how well packed you are.
| Move size | Typical time | Typical cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Single item (sofa, fridge, Marketplace pickup) | 1 to 2 hours | $100 to $250 |
| Studio or 1 bedroom apartment | 2 to 4 hours | $300 to $600 |
| 2 bedroom apartment or unit | 3 to 5 hours | $450 to $800 |
| 3 bedroom house | 5 to 7 hours | $750 to $1,200 |
| 4+ bedroom house | 7 to 10 hours | $1,100 to $1,800 |
Interstate moves, packing services and storage are priced separately.
What makes a move cost more
Access. This is the big one. A ground-floor house with a driveway is fast. A fourth-floor walk-up in New Farm or a Queenslander on a steep block in Paddington takes longer because every item has to go up or down stairs. Tell your removalist about stairs, lifts and parking so they bring the right crew.
Packing. If boxes are packed, sealed and labelled when we arrive, we load and go. Loose items, open boxes and "can you just grab the stuff in that cupboard" add hours.
Distance. Moving from Wynnum to Kenmore is a longer drive than moving within Toowong. Most of the cost is still in loading and unloading though, so distance matters less than people think.
Timing. Saturdays, end of month and the week before Christmas are peak. If you can move on a weekday mid-month you'll find it easier to book and sometimes cheaper.
Big and awkward items. Pianos, pool tables, large fridges, gym equipment and heavy outdoor furniture need extra hands and sometimes extra equipment. Mention them upfront.
How to get an accurate quote
- List the big items (beds, sofas, fridge, washing machine, wardrobes, tables) and roughly how many boxes.
- Describe access at both ends: stairs, lift, driveway, street parking.
- Give your preferred date and a backup.
- Ask whether the price includes travel, fuel and GST, and what happens if the job runs over.
A good removalist will give you a clear price and tell you honestly if something won't fit in a day.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Declutter first. Fewer items, faster move. We can take unwanted furniture away with our junk removal service.
- Pack properly and label by destination room.
- Disassemble beds and flat-pack furniture beforehand.
- Book the lift and loading dock if you're in an apartment, so the crew isn't waiting.
- Move on a weekday if you can.
Want a number for your move? Call or text us or send the quote form. It takes two minutes and there's no obligation.