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.

Removalists Melbourne CBD: Inner-City Moving Guide 2026

Updated May 2026. Moving into or out of Melbourne CBD is a different game from suburban removals. Narrow one-way lanes, tower lift bookings, loading dock permits, no-parking-without-a-permit kerbs, and clearway tow-away zones make CBD moves the most logistically tight removals we do. Here is the inner-city playbook our crews at Yes Movers use every week.

See also: Yes Movers packing service — book directly with our crew.

Why Melbourne CBD removals cost more (and how to keep it down)

A standard 2-bedroom move in Brunswick or Glen Iris runs $550–$900. The exact same volume out of a Southbank or Docklands tower runs $850–$1,400. The premium comes from:

Lift bookings — most CBD towers require 1–2 weeks notice and a $50–$200 bond
Loading dock time limits — typically 60-90 minutes, hard cut-off
Permit-only kerb parking — $50–$100 City of Melbourne permit per truck per day
Long carry from dock to apartment — adds 30–90 minutes of labour
Clearway tow-away risk — peak-hour kerbs are tow-away; you pay $500+ to recover

The CBD move checklist — 14 days out

Day 14: Book your lift and loading dock

Email building management. Ask for: lift booking confirmation in writing, loading dock allocation in writing, dock dimensions (height clearance matters for our 4-tonne and 6-tonne trucks), and the bond amount.

Day 10: Apply for City of Melbourne parking permit

Use the City of Melbourne online portal — search “Moving House Permit”. Allow 5 business days. Without this, our truck risks a tow on Collins, Bourke, Lonsdale or Spencer.

Day 7: Get your CBD-specific quote

A quote for a CBD move must include: lift booking time window, dock arrival time, expected long-carry distance (m), stairs (if loading dock-to-lift is via stairs), and surcharge for after-6pm or weekend slots.

Day 3: Confirm with building concierge

Call the building. Re-confirm lift, dock and any access codes. Get the concierge’s mobile number for the day.

Day 0: Move day

Truck arrives 30 mins before lift slot. Crew walks the route dock-to-apartment first. Floor protectors down. Move begins.

CBD building access notes our crews know cold

Eureka Tower (Southbank) — service lift on Riverside Quay side, dock fits 8-tonne
Yarra’s Edge (Docklands) — must book 7 days ahead, $200 bond returnable
Eq Tower (City) — A’Beckett St dock, 90-min slot, no parking outside slot
Aurora Melbourne (LaTrobe St) — single service lift, queue up to 30 mins peak
Upper West Side (Spencer St) — three dock bays but tight 3.4m clearance

Studio-apartment CBD move — typical day

For an Eq Tower studio to a Brunswick 1-bedder (one of our most common jobs): 2 movers + 4-tonne truck, 8am dock arrival, packed and loaded by 9:30am, unloaded Brunswick by 11:00am. Total: 3 hours + permit + dock bond. Final invoice $480–$580.

Get a CBD-specific quote from Yes Movers — share your building, floor and inventory, we’ll quote within 30 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Melbourne CBD removalist cost in 2026?

A 1-bedroom CBD apartment move runs $480–$700 in 2026. 2-bedroom CBD runs $850–$1,400. The premium over suburban moves covers lift booking, loading dock time, City of Melbourne permits and long-carry labour.

Do I need a permit to move in Melbourne CBD?

Yes — if the truck needs to park on a public road for loading/unloading you need a City of Melbourne Moving House Permit ($50–$100, apply 5 business days ahead). If the building has its own loading dock, no street permit is needed.

How early do I need to book a CBD lift?

Most Melbourne CBD towers require 7–14 days notice plus a refundable bond of $50–$200. Booking the lift is the first thing to do, not the last.

Can removalists work after-hours in Melbourne CBD?

Yes — most CBD towers allow moves 7am–8pm Mon–Sat, some Sun. After-hours moves carry a 20–35% surcharge from the removalist and may require building manager approval.