how-to
7 Things to Check Before You Get a Perth Moving Quote
Last Updated: November 4, 2026
Quick Summary
To get an accurate moving quote in Perth, gather your addresses, preferred date, a room-by-room inventory, and details of stairs, lift access and parking at both properties. Send the same brief to every removalist, then compare what each quote includes and excludes, not just the total price.
- Prepare a room-by-room inventory that lists large items and approximate box counts.
- Overestimate your inventory slightly, since underestimating often causes extra charges on moving day.
- Describe stairs, lift access and parking at both properties, because these add labour time.
- Ask each removalist to confirm in writing that the quote is based on your brief.
- Check quote validity, deposit terms and cancellation fees before accepting any price.
Table of Contents
- Why a Clear Moving Quote Matters Before You Book
- Moving Quote Checklist: What to Have Ready
- How to Request a Moving Quote Perth Removalists Will Price Accurately
- Understanding the Moving House Cost Breakdown
- Removalist Quote Comparison: Hourly Versus Fixed Price
- Packing Services, Exclusions and Hidden Fees to Ask About
- Booking Your Perth Move With Furniture Removals
- Frequently Asked Questions
Getting a moving quote in Perth sounds simple: call a few removalists, ask for a price, and pick the cheapest. In practice, the cheapest quote is often the one that leaves something out.
A quote that looks low on the phone can become expensive on moving day when the move was described vaguely. Clear details at the start help protect you from surprise charges later.
Why a Clear Moving Quote Matters Before You Book
A moving quote is only as useful as the information behind it. If a removalist estimates your move without seeing your furniture or knowing your access, the figure is a guess.
Insurance is the first thing to confirm. For a full checklist of what to verify, including insurance, see seven quote checks before you book.
Keep in mind that the lowest figure is not automatically the best value. Compare what each quote covers, not only the total at the bottom of the page.
Moving Quote Checklist: What to Have Ready
Before you call for a quote, gather the details a removalist needs. Having these ready makes the quote more accurate and shortens the call. More importantly, it lets you give every company the same brief, which is the only way to compare quotes fairly.
- Your current and new addresses, including suburb and postcode
- Your preferred moving date, and whether it is flexible
- A room-by-room list of furniture and large items
- Number of rooms and approximate number of boxes
- Any fragile, antique or high-value items
- Stairs, lift access and parking situation at both properties
- Whether you need packing, unpacking or storage
- Whether appliances need disconnecting or reconnecting
Build a room-by-room inventory, not a rough guess
An inventory is simply a list of what you are moving. Write down each room and the large items in it: beds, sofas, wardrobes, dining tables, and appliances. Count your boxes by room as well.
A practical method is to walk through each room with a notepad or your phone and record three things: the item, its approximate size, and whether it needs dismantling. For example, a queen bed with base and mattress, a three-seater sofa, a six-seat dining table, a fridge, a washing machine, and 15 medium boxes is a far more useful brief than "a two-bedroom unit".
Overestimating slightly is safer than underestimating. A quote built on a short list often needs to be revised on the day, and that is where extra charges tend to appear.
Watch out: if you describe your move only by the number of bedrooms, two removalists can price two very different jobs, and neither quote will be comparable.
Access, stairs and parking details
Access is one of the most overlooked factors in a moving quote. A third-floor apartment with no lift takes more time than a ground-floor house with a driveway. Tell the removalist about stairs, lift access, and how far the truck will need to park from each door.
Be specific about the carry distance. If the truck cannot park close to the entrance, carrying items further adds labour time. Mention any loading zone rules or permit requirements at either address, and note whether a lift needs to be booked or protected.
Photos and a short video
Taking a few photos of the main rooms can also help. A quick walk-through with your phone gives the removalist a clearer picture than a verbal description alone. Include the entry, the stairs or lift, and the parking area at both ends, because those are the details that most often change the final price.
What to send in writing
Put your inventory, access notes and preferred dates in a single email or message and send the same version to every removalist you contact. Ask each one to confirm in writing that the quote is based on that brief. This creates a record you can refer to if the final invoice differs from the quote.
Before you call for a quote, these are the details a removalist will need, and having them ready makes the quote more accurate.
| Item to prepare | Why it matters | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Current and new addresses | Sets the travel distance and pricing | Include suburb and postcode |
| Preferred moving date | Affects price and availability | Say if it is flexible |
| Room-by-room inventory | Shows truck space and crew size | Overestimate slightly rather than under |
| Access details | Stairs and carries add labour time | Note stairs, lift and parking at both ends |
| Packing and storage needs | Often charged separately | Confirm what is included |
| Appliance disconnection | May need extra handling | Say if reconnection is needed |
How to Request a Moving Quote Perth Removalists Will Price Accurately
Start by asking for a free, no-obligation quote. Then give the removalist the same information you prepared above, so each company is pricing the same move. Quotes built on different assumptions cannot be compared fairly.
Be specific about your timing. A move on a weekend or at the end of the month may be priced differently from a weekday move. Mention if you are on a tight timeline, because availability affects both the price and whether a removalist can fit you in.
Preparing an Inventory and Assessing Move Size
An inventory is simply a list of what you are moving. Write down each room and the large items in it: beds, sofas, wardrobes, dining tables, and appliances. Count your boxes by room as well. This gives the removalist a sense of truck space and crew size.
Overestimating slightly is safer than underestimating. A quote built on a short list often needs to be revised on the day, and that is where extra charges tend to appear.
Access, Stairs and Parking Details
Access is one of the most overlooked factors in a moving quote. A third-floor apartment with no lift takes more time than a ground-floor house with a driveway. Tell the removalist about stairs, lift access, and how far the truck will need to park from each door.
Parking restrictions matter too. If the truck cannot park close to the entrance, carrying items further adds labour time. Mention any loading zone rules or permit requirements at either address.
Understanding the Moving House Cost Breakdown
Most moving quotes are built from a few core components. Knowing them helps you see where your money goes and which items you can adjust.
The main elements usually include the crew, the truck, travel time between addresses, and the time needed to load and unload. For practical ways to keep the budget under control, see moving house on a budget without cutting corners.
Ask how the quote is calculated and whether it covers loading, transport and unloading in full. A transparent breakdown makes it far easier to compare providers.
Removalist Quote Comparison: Hourly Versus Fixed Price
Removalists generally quote in one of two ways. An hourly rate charges for crew time from start to finish, so the final cost depends on how long the move takes. A fixed price sets one total for an agreed job, which gives you certainty if the scope does not change.
Hourly quotes can look cheaper at first, but they carry more risk. For a deeper guide on evaluating and comparing removalist quotes, read how to compare removalist quotes. Slower packing, a difficult access point or a late change in plans can all extend the job.
Compare like-for-like, not bottom line to bottom line
The only fair comparison is between quotes built on the same brief. Before you compare totals, check that each quote covers the same crew size, the same truck, the same packing scope and the same access assumptions.
A simple method is to build a one-page comparison with a row for each item: crew size, truck size, estimated hours or fixed total, packing included or excluded, materials included or excluded, stairs and long carries, waiting time, storage, insurance cover, deposit, cancellation terms and quote validity.
Quote validity, deposits and cancellation terms
Ask how long the quote is valid. Moving rates can change with demand and season, so a quote from several weeks ago may not be honoured. Confirm the deposit amount, when it is payable, and under what circumstances it is refundable. Ask what notice you must give to cancel or reschedule, and whether a cancellation fee applies.
Consumer protections and written estimates
Keep every written quote and any emails confirming changes, because they are your record if the final invoice differs from the agreed price.
If the final invoice is higher than the quote, ask for an itemised explanation of what changed and why.
Watch out: a quote that is silent on deposit, cancellation and validity is not a complete quote, however low the number looks.
Packing Services, Exclusions and Hidden Fees to Ask About
A quote often covers only the moving itself. Packing, unpacking, furniture dismantling, stair carries and storage may be extra. Ask directly which services are included and which are optional.
Common exclusions to check include:
- Packing materials such as boxes, tape and bubble wrap
- Heavy or bulky items that need specialist handling
- Waiting time if you or the receiving property are not ready on arrival
- Storage charges if the move is split across two dates
- Additional costs for stairs, long carries or restricted parking
Watch out: if a quote does not mention exclusions, do not assume there are none. Ask the removalist to list what is not covered before you sign anything.
Booking Your Perth Move With Furniture Removals
When you are ready to book, you can review our removal services to see what we offer for residential and commercial moves. If you would like a quote based on your own inventory and access details, contact us and we will walk you through the process.
The Furniture Removals team is fully insured, and we can talk you through how cover works before you commit. Once you have your details ready, call us today and we will put together a clear, no-obligation quote for your move.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a quote for moving house?
Start by gathering the details a removalist needs: your current and new addresses, a rough inventory of furniture and boxes, access arrangements such as stairs or lifts, and your preferred moving date. Contact the removalist by phone or through their website and ask whether they offer a free, no-obligation quote. Some companies quote from photos or a video walk-through, while others prefer an in-home inspection for larger homes. Once you have the quote, check that it lists what is included, the hourly or fixed rate, and any extra charges that could apply on the day.
Is a removalist quote binding or an estimate?
This depends on the company and the type of quote. Many removalists provide an estimate based on the information you give them, which can change if the actual volume, access or distance differs from what was described. Ask whether the price is fixed or hourly, what would trigger a change, and how long the quote remains valid. Getting these terms in writing before you book protects you from surprises on moving day.
Should I get quotes from multiple removalists?
Comparing several quotes is a sensible step, provided you give each company the same information. Use the same inventory, the same addresses and the same date so the prices are comparable. A much lower quote is worth questioning, because it may exclude insurance, packing, stairs or travel time. Look at what each quote covers, not only the total, before deciding.
What should be included in a house moving quote?
A complete quote should show the crew size, the estimated hours or fixed price, travel time and distance, and whether insurance cover is included. It should also state packing and unpacking services, furniture dismantling, stair or lift charges, and any storage costs. If any of these are missing, ask for them to be added so you can compare the quotes accurately.
