Last updated on May 14th, 2024
Before you start comparing house movers quotes, it’s important to understand what actually goes into those numbers. Distance is a factor, sure, but there’s more to it.
Below are four major factors that drive up international moving prices.
Factors that influence the cost of an international move
The number of goods to pack, wrap and move will always be the biggest contributing factor. But the following key points can further impact the home moving cost:
- Movers’ expertise
- Loading and access to the container
- Types of transportation required
- Labour
Movers' expertise
Many people think anyone that offer packing services will do. We beg to disagree. After helping individuals and families with moving household goods to Australia, we know the expertise play a crucial role.
Correct packing of personal effects takes skill and experience. We must remember you are not just moving furniture; it’s heirlooms, treasure and memories.
Breakages and damage can only be avoided if trained packers carry out the work. This is why we highly discourage engaging the services of cheap international movers or Mr Cheap and Cheerful, as we call them.
Professional removalists who can pack properly will protect furniture with a range of wrapping techniques and materials such as:
- Specialised moving boxes and crates for TV’s, bicycles and artwork
- Shock–resistant poly bubble wrap
- Plastic protection bags for soft furnishings and delicates that will absorb moisture
- Made to measure creates for art, antiques, musical instruments
- Mattresses protection covers
- Wide range of carton sizes for household items
They also have special techniques to ensure packing a house goes smoothly. These techniques include:
- Preparation of white goods for packing
- Draining water from washers and fridges
- Securing the inner table in the microwave
- Inserting stabilising legs for the washing machine drum
- Wrapping a TV for moving and correct marking of which side the screen is facing
- Paper and bubble wrapping fragile items like kitchenware, bone china and sharp cutlery
- Preparing special moving crates or containers for wine glasses, vases with stems, photo frames and fine art
- Not overloading boxes with heavy items such as books
- Using wardrobe boxes to hang and protect clothing
Professional removalists also make sure household packing does not get loaded onto pallets that can be restrained in a truck or container. Each individual item is hand loaded, placed and secured.
To complete the stress-free packing, well experienced and caring packers ensure minimal movement at sea, correct weight distribution amongst the items and securing each item so it does not get damaged or damage items around it.
Loading & Access:
Another often overlooked factor that affect house movers quotes is access.
Can the sea container and/or large truck be driven right up to the house?
If there are overhanging trees, parking restrictions or high walls, the container will have to be parked away from the house.
Is the move from an apartment where a lift is required?
Perhaps there are items in the apartment that won’t fit in a lift and an external cherry picker is required.
In all of these situations, this operation will require a relay service between the house/apartment and container. In these circumstances, the following will be required:
Additional staff to relay between the container and the home means additional cost.
Standard removals quotes include collection and delivery to the ground or first floor only. If the packers have to use stairs, there are usually additional costs involved, mostly because of the slower operation may require extra labour.
Transportation
Combining different methods of transportation can also influence the house movers quotes and are unavoidable.
Not everyone lives near the port of their departure. This can vary from country to country as to whether the container travels by road or rail to the port of departure – and again when it arrives in the destination country. An example of this is Johannesburg, which is a 7–hour road/rail trip to Durban Harbour.
In many cities, parking permits are required, these can be anything from $400.00 to $800.00 depending on how long the truck needs to be parked.
Many housing complexes require a security deposit for any possible damage that may be caused.
Labour
The key to a successful move is one that is carried out professionally and with no breakages. This job falls directly into the hands of the packers.
The amount of furniture being moved will affect the labour costs in the following way:
- The amount of furniture to disassemble – bed frames, bed legs, TV Cabinets etc
- The dimensions and weight of the furniture
- The distance to cover during packing (house size, stairs, driveway length)
- The amount of specialist packing (fine china, custom made art crates etc)
An example would be moving large items like a piano. This will need special packing and wrapping, as well as 4-6 men to move the piano and secure it in the right position inside the container.
Labour costs will be influenced by the labour rates in the region and the seasonal influences in the region too. British summer, for example, is a higher cost than moving in winter because there is more demand for moving in summer.
Related video:
How we help reduce stress when packing
Navigating the removals process is done only with our trusted alliances. We understand these are your personal and often sentimental goods. It is important to use only tried and trusted professional removalists.
Feedback from our clients shows that having us between the client and the removalist ensures an extra level of protection from being overcharged or taken advantage of.
For any questions you may have about home moving costs or international relocation services, reach out to us using the button below.
