Choosing a removalist
What should a removalist quote include?
By the Outer Space Removals teamUpdated November 2026 5 min read
Two quotes with the same hourly rate can end up hundreds of dollars apart, because of what each one leaves out. Here’s what a clear removalist quote should spell out, the extras that turn up on the day, and how to compare quotes fairly.
In this guide
The quote checklist
- The crew and truck: how many movers, and the truck size.
- The rate for your day, and whether it includes GST.
- The minimum booking, and how time is counted after it.
- Travel: depot to depot, a call-out fee, or travel included up to a limit.
- What’s included: blankets, wrapping, taking apart and rebuilding furniture.
- Extras: packing, boxes, stairs, extra stops, parking, tolls.
- Insurance: public liability and goods in transit.
- The deposit, cancellation terms and how to pay.
What to tell the removalist
A quote is only as good as what the removalist knows. Tell them:
- Your home size and the big items: beds, sofas, fridge, washing machine, outdoor furniture.
- Anything heavy or delicate: art, mirrors, glass tables, a safe, stone tops.
- The access at both homes: floor, stairs or lift, and how far the truck can park from the door.
- Whether you’ll be fully packed, or need packing too.
- Any extra stops, like a storage unit.
Want your exact price?
From $154/hr, GST included Not happy? You only pay cost price
Comparing hourly quotes
Work out the total for your move, not just the rate. Take a realistic number of hours for your home, add travel or the call-out fee, add GST if it isn’t included, and add boxes and any extras. The cheapest rate isn’t always the cheapest move.
| Home | Typical time | At $154/hr (GST incl.) |
|---|---|---|
| A Few Items or Studio | 2–4 hours | $308–$616 |
| 1-Bedroom Apartment | 3–6 hours | $462–$924 |
| 2-Bedroom Apartment | 5–9 hours | $770–$1,386 |
| 3+ Bedroom Home | 8–11+ hours | $1,232–$1,694+ |
What a fixed-price quote should add
- The list of items it covers, and the access at both homes it’s based on.
- What isn’t included: parking fees, permits and tolls are often extra.
- What can change the price: items added on the day, stairs or a lift that wasn’t mentioned, long waits for keys.
- How to update it if your plans change before the move.
Helpful next steps
Get a free quote for your move
From $154/hr, GST included, or one fixed price. No obligation.
