How Much Do Removalists Cost in Melbourne? (2026 Guide)

A transparent guide to removalist hourly rates in Melbourne, what affects the hours, and what an upfront written quote should include.

What Removalists Cost in Melbourne

Most Melbourne removalists charge by the hour. Hourly rates and what is included in them vary, which is why two quotes for the same move can look very different. The figure most people want is simple: what will the whole job cost?

This guide publishes Smart Shift’s hourly rates plainly, explains what affects the hours, and shows you what an upfront written quote should include so you can compare quotes fairly. Two years moving Melbourne homes and offices.

Smart Shift's Published Rates

Truck

Hourly rate

Suits

Smart Shift charges by the hour. Petrol is not included in the hourly rate. Petrol is estimated and itemised on your written quote before moving day, so the figure on the page is the figure you plan around.

Typical Hours by Move Size (Educational Guide Only)

Use the ranges below as planning guides only. The honest figure for your move is the one on your written quote, based on your actual home, access and distance.

Move size

Typical scope

Typical hours

Truck

These ranges are educational. The estimated hours on your written quote will be more accurate because they factor in your actual access, stairs and distance.

What Affects the Price

Several factors push the estimated hours up or down:

Access at both ends

Stairs, lift waits, long carries from the truck to the door, and tight driveways all add time. Ground-floor pickups with parking at the door are the fastest.

Distance between addresses.

Drive time between the pickup and drop-off is part of the job. A cross-town move takes longer than a same-suburb move

Volume of your belongings

More rooms and more furniture mean more carrying, loading and placing.

Packing assistance

Adding a partial or full pack adds labour and materials. It also makes moving day itself faster.

Specialty items

Pianos, pool tables, large safes and oversized glass need extra people and careful handling, which adds time.

Day of the week

With Smart Shift, day of the week does not change the hourly rate. We are open 7 days, 7am to 7pm, with no weekend surcharge.

What an Upfront Written Quote Should Include

A good written quote should be specific and itemised. Look for these elements:

With Smart Shift, every quote shows all of the above. If the move runs longer than estimated, the crew pauses and tells you before any extra charge is applied. Never after.

When a Small Truck vs Big Truck Is Right

The small truck at $120 per hour suits studio and one-bedroom moves, partial moves, single-item furniture jobs and most packing-only bookings. It is also a good fit for downsizers.

The big truck at $137 per hour suits two-bedroom and bigger family homes, office moves, larger furniture loads and any job where a single trip is better than two. When in doubt, we recommend the right truck on your written quote so you do not pay for more space than you need.

Why Hourly With an Upfront Written Quote Beats Vague Verbal Numbers

A verbal “it’ll be around $X” is the most common cause of bill shock in Melbourne. The number on the phone bears no relation to the number on the invoice because nothing was written down.

An upfront written quote does the opposite. The hourly rate is on the page. The estimated hours are on the page. The petrol estimate is on the page. If the move runs longer than estimated, the crew tells you before any extra charge. You get to make the call, not be surprised by it.

Eastern Suburbs Removalists Melbourne

If you are looking for eastern suburbs removalists in Melbourne, the same hourly rates apply. Moves around Kew, Camberwell, Hawthorn, Box Hill and Doncaster are common for us. Period homes and apartments in the inner and eastern suburbs often have stairs or limited parking, which affects the estimated hours. Our written quote notes those access factors before moving day so the estimate is realistic. Smart Shift covers Melbourne metro and outer Victorian suburbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do removalists cost per hour in Melbourne?

Smart Shift charges $120 per hour for the small truck or $137 per hour for the big truck. Petrol is estimated and itemised on your written quote before moving day. Melbourne hourly rates from other removalists vary, so always compare what is included in the rate.

What is the average cost to move a 2-bedroom home?

As a planning guide, a two-bedroom home usually takes three to five hours with the big truck at $137 per hour, depending on access and distance. Add the petrol estimate from your written quote. Your honest figure is the one on your written upfront quote.

Is petrol included in your hourly rate?

No. Petrol is estimated and itemised separately on your written quote. The hourly rate on the page is the hourly rate. The petrol estimate sits beside it, also on the page, so the whole figure is in writing before moving day.

Do you charge a weekend surcharge?

No. We are open 7 days a week, 7am to 7pm, and Saturday and Sunday moves are charged at the same hourly rate as weekdays.

Why hourly instead of a flat fee?

Because every move is different. Stairs, lift waits, traffic and access all change the hours. An honest hourly rate with an upfront written quote (showing the hourly rate, estimated hours and petrol estimate) is more transparent than a single big flat number that hides the maths.

Can you give me a fixed total before the move?

Yes, in the form of a written upfront quote. It itemises the hourly rate, the honest estimated hours and the petrol estimate, so you have a clear total to plan around. If the move runs longer than estimated, the crew pauses and tells you before any extra charge is applied.

Ready to Move?

Tell us about your move and we will send you a written upfront quote with the hourly rate, the estimated hours and the petrol estimate, all itemised. The number on the page is the number you plan around.