How early should I book movers?

It’s best to book your movers at least 1–2 weeks in advance to secure your preferred date. During busy periods like weekends or end-of-month moves, booking 3–4 weeks earlier is recommended. However, if you have any urgent requirements, reach out to us and we will try our best to accommodate them.

How much do movers near me cost?

The cost depends on factors such as the size of the move, distance, number of movers, and time required. Most local moves in Melbourne are charged on an hourly basis, with a clear quote provided before the move. At Yes Movers, our hourly rate starts at $120/hour. We will be sure to offer you a transparent quote at the beginning itself.

What is the cheapest day to move?

Weekdays (Monday to Thursday) are usually the most affordable days to move because demand is lower compared to weekends and end-of-month dates.

What makes Yes Movers the best movers in Melbourne?

At Yes Movers, we stand out for reliable service, experienced removalists, transparent pricing, and careful handling of belongings, ensuring every move is smooth, safe, and stress-free.

How far in advance should you plan a move?

We generally suggest planning your move around 2-4 weeks in advance where possible. That gives you enough breathing room to organize packing, sort out utilities, and lock in your preferred moving date. In Melbourne, weekends and end-of-month slots tend to book out quickly. At Yes Movers, we always try to help with last-minute moves too, but earlier planning usually makes the whole process easier.

What is the hardest room to pack when moving?

From our experience handling over 7000 moves across Melbourne, the kitchen is usually the hardest room to pack. It contains many fragile and oddly shaped items like glassware, plates, and small appliances. We often suggest starting with items you rarely use first. Packing the kitchen gradually makes the process much more manageable.

Is it worth paying for a moving company?

For many people, it really is. Moving involves more heavy lifting and logistics than it first appears. When you work with a professional team like ours at Yes Movers, we handle the loading, transport, and careful placement of your belongings. It usually saves a lot of time and reduces the risk of damage or injury along the way.

What should you not pack when moving?

There are a few items that shouldn’t go into a moving truck. Hazardous materials such as fuel, paint, gas bottles, or strong chemicals are generally unsafe to transport. We also suggest keeping valuables, important documents, medications, and personal electronics with you. That way you know exactly where they are during the move.

Moving Company Melbourne: 12 Things to Check Before You Book (2026)

Updated May 2026. The phrase “moving company Melbourne” gets searched 6,600 times every month — and almost every searcher is trying to answer the same question: “How do I tell the good ones from the bad ones before they have my couch?” This is a complete 2026 guide to picking a Melbourne moving company that won’t burn you, from the team at Yes Movers.

The 12 things every good Melbourne moving company should have

1. A registered ABN you can verify in 30 seconds

Search the company name at abr.business.gov.au. No ABN listing = walk away. A long-trading entity (Yes Movers has held the same ABN since 2014) is far safer than a 3-month-old shell.

2. $20M public liability insurance

Required by every Melbourne strata building, every commercial site, and every sensible customer. Ask for a Certificate of Currency emailed to you. Real moving companies send it within hours.

3. Goods-in-transit insurance ($50K standard, more for premium)

Covers your stuff while on the truck. Without it, “we’ll replace it” is meaningless words.

4. AFRA membership (gold standard)

The Australian Furniture Removers Association sets industry standards. AFRA members agree to a code of conduct, hold proper insurance, and submit to dispute resolution. Look for the AFRA logo on the website.

5. Own fleet — not all labour-hire / not Gumtree casuals

Ask: “Are your movers employees or casual contractors?” Companies with permanent crews invest in training. Labour-hire operators don’t — and the damage rates show it.

6. Physical address you can drive to

P.O. boxes and “depot address” with no street number are red flags. We’re at 15/14 Royal Avenue, Glen Huntly — go ahead and Google Street View it.

7. 100+ verified Google reviews, recent

Sort by “newest” not by rating. A 4.9★ from 1,357 reviews like ours is meaningful. A 5.0★ from 18 reviews uploaded last Tuesday is suspicious.

8. Email/SMS confirmation of every quote

Verbal-only quotes are unenforceable. Insist on written.

9. Itemised quote — labour, truck, materials, insurance, GST

One vague figure with “+GST and extras” is bait-and-switch. Real moving companies break it down.

10. Disclosed surcharge schedule

Stairs, long carry, after-hours, weekends, public holidays — every surcharge listed at quote stage.

11. No more than 20% deposit upfront

Reputable Melbourne moving companies bill on completion. Anyone demanding 50%+ in cash is a fraud waiting to happen.

12. Local Melbourne knowledge

Ask which building access codes they know. Eureka Tower, Eq Tower, Yarra’s Edge — a real Melbourne moving company has been into all of them and knows the lift dimensions, dock allocations, and bond requirements.

How a moving company quote should actually arrive

You should receive:

One-page PDF or HTML email with company logo, ABN, address, phone
Date, time slot, origin address, destination address
Crew size, truck size, estimated duration
All-inclusive hourly rate OR fixed price
Inclusions list and exclusions list
Surcharge schedule
Insurance details
Cancellation policy
Payment terms

Anything less and you’re not dealing with a proper Melbourne moving company.

How to interview your moving company in 5 minutes

“What’s your ABN?” — Should be answered instantly
“Are your movers employees?” — Should be yes for residential work
“Do you have public liability and goods-in-transit certificates I can see?” — Should be sent within hours
“What’s your AFRA membership number?” — Top operators will have one
“Can I get the quote in writing?” — Should be sent within 30 minutes
“What’s NOT included in this price?” — A real company answers in plain language
“What happens if you damage something?” — A real company has a written claims process

If the operator hesitates, deflects, or gets defensive on any question, choose someone else.

What it costs to hire a moving company in Melbourne (2026)

Studio / 1BR — $480–$750
2BR — $700–$1,100
3BR house — $1,100–$1,700
4BR house — $1,700–$2,800
5BR+ family home — $2,500–$4,000+

Request a Yes Movers quote — answers within 30 minutes, every figure broken down, no surprises.

Popular service areas: our crews run daily moves across Melbourne — see local details and pricing for Aintree, Aspendale Gardens and Caulfield North.

Frequently asked questions

What should I look for in a Melbourne moving company?

Verifiable ABN, $20M public liability insurance, goods-in-transit cover, AFRA membership where possible, own employees (not casual labour-hire), physical address, 100+ recent Google reviews, written quotes with itemised surcharges, and a maximum 20% upfront deposit policy.

How much does a moving company cost in Melbourne in 2026?

Studio/1BR $480–$750, 2BR $700–$1,100, 3BR house $1,100–$1,700, 4BR house $1,700–$2,800. Prices include 2–3 movers, appropriately sized truck, blankets, trolleys, basic dis-/re-assembly, floor protectors and Melbourne metro travel.

How do I know if a Melbourne moving company is legitimate?

Verify the ABN at abr.business.gov.au, request a Certificate of Currency for their public liability, search Google for recent reviews sorted by newest, check for AFRA membership, and confirm they have a physical address and not just a P.O. box.

What questions should I ask a moving company before booking?

What’s your ABN? Are your movers employees or contractors? Can I see your insurance certificates? What’s your AFRA membership number? Can I have the quote in writing? What’s NOT included? What’s your claims process if you damage something?