It’s the first question almost everyone asks, and the honest answer is that it depends. Two three-bedroom houses can take very different amounts of time to move, especially in a city built on hills. Here’s what really affects the cost of moving house in Wellington, so you know what to expect and how to get an accurate quote.
What affects the cost of a Wellington move
1. How much you’re moving
Volume is the biggest factor. More furniture and boxes means more time loading and unloading, and sometimes more than one truck load. A studio flat might be done in a couple of hours, while a full family home with a garage and garden shed can take most of the day.
Our online quote form has a volume calculator that lets you add items room by room. It gives you a rough idea of cubic metres and helps us quote more accurately.
2. Access at both addresses
This is where Wellington is different. Steps up to the front door, steep or narrow driveways, long paths from the kerb and apartment buildings without lifts all add time. A house in Petone with a flat driveway is a very different job to a Northland villa up 60 steps.
Tell us about access at both ends when you ask for a quote, including:
- the number of steps or flights of stairs
- whether there’s a lift, and if it needs booking
- how close the truck can park
- tight corners, narrow hallways or low doorways
3. Distance and travel
A move within the same suburb is quicker than a move from Wellington City to Masterton. Regional moves to the Kapiti Coast or the Wairarapa involve more travel time, and Wairarapa moves need to be planned around the Remutaka Hill Road. Read our guide to moving from Wellington to Kapiti or the Wairarapa.
4. Heavy, bulky or delicate items
Pianos, large American-style fridges, pool tables, safes and very large wardrobes can need extra people, equipment or time. Let us know about them upfront so there are no surprises.
5. Extra services
Taking beds and furniture apart and putting them back together, packing, and moving items into storage all add to the job. They can also save you a lot of stress, so it’s worth weighing up.
Hourly rate or fixed price?
Movers usually charge in one of two ways:
- Hourly: you pay for the time the job takes. This suits smaller moves or when it’s hard to judge volume.
- Fixed price: you agree a price upfront based on what you’re moving and the access. This suits larger moves where you want certainty.
Either way, a good quote should make it clear what’s included, when the clock starts, and what could change the price.
How to keep the cost of your move down
- Declutter first. Sell, donate or dump what you don’t want before moving day. Every item you don’t move saves time.
- Pack before we arrive. Having everything boxed, sealed and labelled means the team can start loading straight away. Get boxes and packing supplies from us.
- Sort out access. Clear paths, book lifts and make sure there’s parking close by.
- Take apart what you can. Remove table legs and empty drawers of heavy or fragile items.
- Be flexible with your date. Midweek and mid-month moves are often easier to book than weekends and month end.
- Give accurate details. The more we know upfront, the more accurate your quote.
Get a quote for your move
We’re a local Lower Hutt moving company covering Wellington, the Hutt Valley, Porirua, Kapiti and the Wairarapa. Request a quote online or call us and we’ll give you a clear price for your move.
Moving in the Wellington region?
Tell us about your move and we'll get back to you with a quote. House, apartment and office moves across Wellington, the Hutt Valley, Porirua, Kapiti and the Wairarapa.
