Should I hire a truck or a person with a van?

For a studio or one bedroom, two people with a van usually beats a truck on price. Once you're at three bedrooms, a truck saves so many return trips that it's cheaper overall.

Do I need insurance for a move?

Ask workers what cover they carry and get it in writing in their offer, especially for high-value or fragile items.

When should I book the bond clean?

Book it for the day after the truck leaves, so the place is fully empty. Our end of lease checklist covers what the agent will look for.

Guides

Moving house in Melbourne: what a local move costs and how to plan it

6 min read · Updated 22 August 2026

Two moves of the same size can differ by hundreds of dollars purely because of stairs, parking and how packed you are when the truck arrives.

This guide covers what a local Melbourne move is posted at, the variables that change it, and a simple plan for the fortnight beforehand.

What local moves are posted at

Local moves on Sidekickk are commonly posted between A$180 and A$650, depending on volume and access.

Two people helping with a van for a studio or one bedroom: lower end
Two bedroom apartment with a lift: mid range
Three bedroom house with a garage and shed: upper end
Single heavy items like a fridge, piano or treadmill: priced on their own

The things that actually move the price

Stairs, and how many flights at each end
Lift bookings in apartment buildings — an unbooked lift can cost you an hour
Kerbside parking distance and permit restrictions in inner suburbs
Whether you've packed and labelled before the crew arrives
Disassembly of beds, wardrobes and desks

A two-week plan

Two weeks out: post the moving job with volume, access and date; book the lift at both ends
One week out: collect boxes, start on rooms you don't use daily, book the bond clean
Three days out: pack everything except essentials, label by room, defrost the fridge
Day before: disassemble beds, set aside a box of tools, chargers and toiletries
Moving day: reserve the parking space early, walk the crew through, do a final empty-cupboard check

Fees and payment

Sidekickk adds a 5% service fee on top of your budget when you post, and 5% comes out of the worker's payout. There is no subscription and no per-offer charge.

The payment sits in escrow until you confirm the move is done, so nothing is released before the last box is inside.

Common questions

Should I hire a truck or a person with a van?: For a studio or one bedroom, two people with a van usually beats a truck on price. Once you're at three bedrooms, a truck saves so many return trips that it's cheaper overall.
Do I need insurance for a move?: Ask workers what cover they carry and get it in writing in their offer, especially for high-value or fragile items.
When should I book the bond clean?: Book it for the day after the truck leaves, so the place is fully empty. Our end of lease checklist covers what the agent will look for.