How Do Perth Removalists Charge? Your Questions Answered

Removalists in Perth typically charge an hourly rate of $160/hr + GST for a 2-person team , with most moves running from depot to depot. Tommy's Transport & Removals (ABN 63 652 591 258), based at 130 Balcatta Road, Balcatta WA 6021, uses this exact model - no hidden fees, no surprise line items. A 3-bedroom house move in Perth generally takes 4 to 7 hours depending on suburb, access, and volume.

If you have ever received two quotes for the same move and found them hundreds of dollars apart, you are not imagining things. How Perth removalists charge is genuinely confusing, and most companies do not explain their pricing model clearly. This post does exactly that. We cover every cost factor that affects your bill - from hourly rates and depot travel to suburb access challenges across the city - so you can compare quotes properly and know exactly what you are paying for. We are Tommy's Transport & Removals, and we think honest pricing is just good business.

How Do You Charge for a Move?

We charge $160/hr + GST for a 2-person team with a full-size truck . That is the rate Monday through Saturday. There are no extra charges on top of the hourly rate - assembly, disassembly, stairs, heavy furniture - it is all covered. You get a simple, predictable bill.

The clock starts when the truck leaves our Balcatta depot and stops when it returns. This is called depot-to-depot charging, and it is the most common model used by Perth removalists. We explain exactly what it means in the next section, because it is the single most important thing to understand when comparing quotes.

For context, here is what different move sizes typically cost at our rate:

These are realistic estimates based on typical Perth conditions. Your actual time depends on access, volume, and distance. If you want a specific figure, get a free quote and we will give you a straight answer.

Do Perth Removalists Charge Depot to Depot?

Most Perth removalists charge depot to depot - and yes, we do too. This means the clock starts when the truck leaves our depot at 130 Balcatta Road and stops when it returns after your move. It does not start when we pull into your driveway.

For customers close to Balcatta - suburbs like Osborne Park, Stirling, Churchlands, or Gwelup - the travel component is small, often 10 to 15 minutes each way. For customers further out, the travel time adds up. A move from Joondalup to Rockingham is more than 80km of road between two endpoints, and that is before you factor in the return leg to our depot. Perth is genuinely one of Australia's most spread-out cities, and depot location matters here more than in Sydney or Melbourne.

We are upfront about this because some companies are not. Always ask a removalist: where is your depot, and do you charge depot to depot? If they cannot answer clearly, treat that as a warning sign.

Is the Rate the Same on Saturdays?

Yes. Our rate is the same Monday through Saturday - $160/hr + GST for a 2-person team. We do not charge a weekend surcharge on Saturdays.

Many Perth removalists charge more on Saturdays because weekends are among the busiest days to move. Perth's property settlement cycle drives this: most settlements fall on Fridays, so buyers want to move in that weekend. The result is a surge in demand that pushes prices up and squeezes availability.

If you have flexibility in your move date, Tuesday through Thursday is generally the sweet spot. You will find it easier to get the time slot you want, access to the truck sizes you need, and - with many removalists - a lower rate. We keep our pricing consistent Monday through Saturday, but the availability benefit of a mid-week move is real regardless of who you book with. If you need to move on a Sunday or public holiday, give us a call and we will talk through your options.

How Big Are the Trucks?

All of our trucks are 6.5 tonne with 39 cubic metres of carrying capacity . That is a large moving truck - suitable for a full 4-bedroom house in a single load under most circumstances.

Truck size matters because a smaller truck means multiple trips, which means more hours on the clock. Some cheaper quotes are built around smaller trucks or vans, which look attractive until you realise the job takes twice as long. Always confirm the truck size when comparing quotes. A 39 cubic metre truck compared to a 20 cubic metre van is not a like-for-like comparison, even if the hourly rate looks the same.

Practically speaking, our trucks handle everything in a typical house, apartment, or office move - beds, dining tables, sofas, wardrobes, desks, office equipment and all the boxes in between. If you are moving a 3-bedroom home in Ellenbrook or a commercial tenancy in West Perth, one truck and one trip is usually all it takes.

Are There Hidden Charges or Extra Fees?

Not with us. Everything is covered by the hourly rate. We do not add stair fees, long-carry charges & fuel levies, on top of our quote. If you ask us to help assemble or disassemble beds and furniture as part of your move, we are happy to do that - just mention it when you book so we can allow for the time. There are no line items waiting at the bottom of your invoice.

That is not always the case across the industry. Some companies quote an attractive hourly rate and then add charges for stairs, long carry distances between the truck and your door, specialty items, or after-hours windows. Some also have minimum hour requirements that are not clear in the initial quote. The result is an invoice that is well above what the customer expected.

The best way to protect yourself with any removalist - including us - is to ask for a written quote that spells out exactly what is included. Ask specifically: are stairs included? Is there a minimum charge? Are packing materials extra? Are there surcharges for anything? A good removalist will answer all of those questions clearly and in writing before you commit.

Do You Help with Furniture Assembly and Disassembly?

Yes. We are happy to help disassemble and reassemble furniture - bed frames, flat-pack wardrobes, desks, and similar items - as part of your house, apartment, or office move. Just let us know at the time of booking so we can factor the time in. It is not a separate service, and there is no extra charge on top of the hourly rate.

This matters practically because furniture that needs dismantling takes time, and time is what you are paying for. A queen bed frame that takes 20 minutes to break down and another 20 to rebuild is 40 minutes on the clock. That is not a complaint - it is just honest. Mention it early, and we will give you a realistic time estimate that accounts for it.

We regularly move homes where wardrobes, bed bases, and dining tables need to come apart to fit through doorways. In older Perth suburbs like Morley or Inglewood, 1970s brick homes often have narrower internal hallways than modern builds, and disassembly is sometimes the only safe way to get furniture out without damage. Our team comes prepared.

For a full breakdown of what a house removal involves with Tommy's Transport & Removals, see our Perth house removals service page.

Are You Insured?

Yes. We carry both public liability insurance and goods in transit insurance . Your belongings are covered while they are in our care, and so is any property we are working in or around.

Insurance is a basic expectation, but not every removalist carries both types - so ask any removalist directly whether they hold both before you book. Public liability covers accidental damage to property - walls, floors, doorways - during the move. Goods in transit insurance covers your furniture and possessions if something is damaged while on the truck. Both matter. If a removalist cannot confirm they carry both, factor that into your decision.

We do not publish policy limits or insurer details here, but we are happy to answer questions about our cover when you call.

How Do Perth Suburb and Housing Type Affect the Cost?

This is where local knowledge genuinely counts. Two 3-bedroom homes can take very different amounts of time to move depending on where they are and what they look like.

Outer growth suburbs like Ellenbrook, Baldivis, and Canning Vale are generally faster to move. Wide driveways, good street parking for a large truck, and modern open-plan layouts mean our team can move efficiently. A 3-bedroom home in one of these suburbs typically takes 4 to 5 hours.

Inner suburbs add complexity. Fremantle's heritage streetscapes have narrow roads and limited truck access - we often need to park further from the door and carry items a longer distance, which adds 30 to 60 minutes to a comparable move. The Perth CBD and inner-city high-rise apartments bring their own challenges: lift bookings with building management, loading bay time restrictions, and body corporate rules around moving hours. A 2-bedroom apartment in a Northbridge or East Perth high-rise can easily take as long as a 3-bedroom house in Landsdale simply because of access logistics.

We factor all of this in when we give you a quote. Our depot in Balcatta sits well for northern and central Perth, with easy freeway access to the city, the western suburbs, and the inner north. Moves to the far south - Mandurah, Rockingham, or Safety Bay - will carry more travel time in a depot-to-depot model, and any honest removalist will tell you the same.

Why Perth Locals Choose Tommy's Transport & Removals

Tommy's Transport & Removals (ABN 63 652 591 258) operates from 130 Balcatta Road, Balcatta WA 6021, covering house removals, apartment and unit removals, and office and commercial removals across the Perth metro area. Our 5-star Google rating reflects how we work: straight talking, no hidden fees, and a team that treats your home like their own. We carry full public liability and goods in transit insurance on every job. Our rate is $160/hr + GST for a 2-person team with a 39 cubic metre truck - the same Monday through Saturday. Every move is backed by our MoveSure Guarantee, so you book with confidence.

Book Your Perth Move with Tommy's

Ready to move? Tommy's Transport & Removals is here to help, backed by our MoveSure Guarantee and a 5-star Google rating. Our rate is $160/hr + GST for a 2-person team and a fully equipped truck, with no hidden fees. Call us on 0478 590 024 or get a free quote today and we will take care of the rest.