How long does it take to move house?

Plan three timelines: preparation, the work on collection and delivery days, and any gap while your goods are in transit or storage. Bedroom count gives only a rough starting point. Your inventory, access, packing and route are needed for a useful estimate.

Get an estimate for the actual move

Give us both addresses, an inventory and your preferred dates. Describe stairs, lifts, long carries, parking and large or delicate items. Tell us what will be packed and whether you need packing, dismantling or reassembly. Photographs or a walkthrough may help clarify the work.

Ask what the time estimate includes: preparation, loading, travel, unloading, waiting and any additional services. Check the crew size and the price basis separately. A time estimate is not necessarily a guaranteed finish time, and an hourly price needs clear start, finish and minimum-charge terms.

Allow separately for packing

Start with a room-by-room inventory, including cupboards, the garage, shed and outdoor goods. Allow time to sort, obtain materials, wrap, box and label items. Kitchens, books and fragile collections can require more work than a room of already prepared furniture.

Pack a representative cupboard or group of belongings to see how long careful preparation takes you. Use that experience for similar areas and allow separately for specialist items. Confirm when helpers are available and what they will do; a headcount alone does not describe the time you have.

If you want professional packing, ask us to assess the contents and confirm the appointment, materials, scope and price. Keep packing and transport responsibilities explicit, including what must be ready before the removal crew arrives.

Understand local and interstate timing

For a local move, the schedule includes loading, travel between the properties and unloading, plus any agreed preparation or furniture work. Traffic, lift availability and the distance between truck and doorway can change the time needed. Check property access and key arrangements before relying on a planned delivery.

For an interstate move, obtain collection and delivery windows for the actual route and service. Ask whether storage or a transfer is involved and whom to contact while goods are in transit. Plan your own travel, accommodation and essentials around the agreed windows rather than assuming delivery follows collection the next day.

A preparation plan to adapt

If you have six to eight weeks available, the sequence below provides a useful starting framework. A shorter or longer move can use the same tasks with dates adjusted to the booking and property arrangements.

• Six to eight weeks before: confirm likely property dates, request comparable quotes and begin deciding what to keep, sell or donate. Identify specialist items and any storage gap.
• Four to five weeks before: obtain suitable materials and pack little-used belongings. Arrange donation collections and professional preparation that need separate appointments.
• Two to three weeks before: work through the remaining rooms, label cartons and arrange address, utility and care changes. Confirm building access, lifts and loading arrangements.
• The final week: review the inventory and booking, finish agreed self-packing and prepare appliances according to their instructions. Keep daily essentials and important documents separate.
• Collection day: keep access clear, identify special items and confirm the receiving contact. Tell the crew about any difference from the agreed inventory or access.
• At delivery: have a placement plan and essential cartons identified. Check visible condition and report concerns promptly. Unpack priority rooms before less urgent belongings.

Reduce avoidable delays

Finish confirmed donations before removing them from the inventory. Label cartons with contents and destination rooms, keep entrances clear and complete only the dismantling agreed with the mover and suitable for the furniture. Keep fittings identified with their parent item.

Confirm who can provide access at both homes and keep their contact details available. Do not use the whole day’s plan for furniture transport if you also need to clean, hand over keys or supervise children and pets.

If dates, access or packing change

Tell us early if packing is incomplete, the load grows, a lift is unavailable or keys are delayed. Ask how the change affects the time, price and resources. Confirm any storage or redelivery arrangement in writing and revise your own travel and essentials plan to match.

Call 1800 500 584 to discuss your inventory, route and access so we can estimate the work for your move.