Moving out of an apartment and moving out of a house can feel like two different jobs. Apartments are usually smaller, but they come with building rules, lift bookings and limited parking. Houses mean more furniture, garages, sheds and outdoor items, but you normally control your own access. Planning for the right type of move saves time, money and stress.
This checklist compares apartment and house moves in Melbourne side by side and gives you a timeline for each, plus what to do if you’re moving from one to the other.
Quick answer: For an apartment move, the key tasks are getting approval from building management or the owners corporation, booking the lift and loading dock, checking moving-hour rules and arranging truck parking. For a house move, the key tasks are sorting the larger volume of furniture, clearing the garage, shed and garden, and keeping the driveway and street clear for the truck. Both need early booking, a clear inventory and boxes packed and labelled before moving day.
Apartment vs house moves at a glance
| Planning area | Apartment move | House move |
|---|---|---|
| Approval | Often needs building management or owners corporation approval | Usually none needed |
| Access | Lifts, corridors, loading docks and security doors | Stairs, driveways, side gates and long carries |
| Timing | May be limited to set moving hours and booked time slots | Usually flexible |
| Parking | Loading bay, dock or street parking; may need a permit | Driveway or street out the front |
| Volume | Usually smaller, with less outdoor and garage gear | Usually larger, including garage, shed and garden items |
| Main risk | Running out of lift time or getting stuck at the loading dock | Underestimating how much there is to move |
Planning an apartment move
Check the building’s moving rules
Most apartment buildings in Melbourne have rules for moving in and out, set by the owners corporation and managed by building management. Ask for the move-in/move-out policy as soon as you know your date. Rules commonly cover:
- the days and hours when moves are allowed, often weekdays during business hours
- how far ahead the lift and loading dock must be booked
- lift protection, such as curtains or pads, which may need to be fitted before the move
- a refundable bond or deposit in some buildings
- a copy of the removalist’s insurance certificate, which some buildings ask for
Don’t confirm a removalist booking until building management has approved your time slot. Then give your removalist the exact booking window.
Measure the lift and the furniture
Measure the lift’s internal dimensions, including the height at the door, then your largest items: sofas, fridges, bed bases, wardrobes and desks. Items that won’t fit may need dismantling, or in some buildings a different route. Tell your removalist about anything that’s borderline.
Sort out truck parking
Find out where a removal truck can stop: a loading dock, a loading zone or the street. Some buildings have height limits on their docks, and some streets need a council permit to reserve a space. A long walk from the truck to the lift adds time, so share the details when you request a quote.
Pack for the lift
Lift time is the bottleneck in an apartment move. Pack everything in boxes that one person can carry, keep box sizes consistent so they stack well on trolleys, and have everything ready near the door before your lift booking starts.
Planning a house move
Don’t underestimate the volume
Houses collect more than you think, especially in the garage, shed, laundry and under the house. Walk through every room and outdoor area and make a list of large items. This is the biggest factor in choosing the right truck and crew size.
Deal with outdoor and garage items early
- clean and dry outdoor furniture, barbecues and play equipment
- drain fuel from lawnmowers and other petrol equipment
- use up or safely dispose of paints, chemicals and gas bottles, which removalists generally can’t carry
- decide which pot plants are coming, and water them a few days before rather than on the day
Plan access and parking
Keep the driveway clear on moving day, and if parking out the front is tight, ask neighbours to leave space for the truck. Note steep or narrow driveways, side-gate access, stairs and split levels when you request a quote.
Heavy items
Houses are more likely to have pianos, pool tables, safes and gym equipment. These need specialist handling and are usually quoted separately. Read Piano Removals in Melbourne: What to Expect and How to Prepare if you’re moving a piano.
Moving checklist and timeline
4 weeks before
- Both: book your removalist and confirm what the quote includes.
- Apartment: request the building’s moving rules and book the lift and loading dock at both ends.
- House: start decluttering the garage, shed and storage areas.
2 weeks before
- Both: start packing rarely used items, arrange utilities and redirect your mail.
- Apartment: confirm truck parking or a loading-zone permit, and measure the lift and large items.
- House: book any extra disposal or skip bin, and arrange rubbish removal.
1 week before
- Both: pack most rooms, label boxes by destination room and set aside a first-night box.
- Apartment: reconfirm your lift booking times with building management and your removalist.
- House: prepare outdoor items and empty petrol equipment.
The day before
- Both: defrost the fridge, dismantle simple flat-pack furniture and keep valuables and documents with you.
- Apartment: stage boxes close to the door, ready for the lift slot.
- House: clear the driveway and the path to the front door.
Moving day
- Both: walk the crew through the job, point out fragile items and do a final check of every room, cupboard and storage area.
- Apartment: meet building management if lift protection needs to be fitted, and keep an eye on the clock.
- House: check the garage, shed, under the house and the garden before the truck leaves.
For a full printable checklist, see Moving Checklist Australia: Step-by-Step Guide and our packing tips for moving house.
Moving from a house to an apartment, or the other way round
House to apartment (downsizing)
The most common problem is bringing more than will fit. Use the apartment’s floor plan to decide what’s coming, then sell, donate or store the rest before moving day. Measure large furniture against the lift and doorways, and don’t forget the building’s rules at the delivery end.
Apartment to house
The move is usually simpler at the destination, but plan the apartment end carefully: lift booking, loading dock and time limits still apply when you leave. If you’re buying furniture for the new house, have it delivered directly there rather than to the apartment.
What affects the cost of each type of move
Apartment moves often involve less furniture, but lifts, long corridors and loading docks can add time. House moves usually involve more volume and outdoor items, but easier access. In both cases the price depends on how long the job takes and how many movers are needed. Our removalist cost guide explains the factors in detail.
For smaller apartment moves, a two men and a truck service can be enough. For family homes, see our house removalists in Melbourne service, and if you’d like help packing, our movers and packers.
Planning an apartment or house move?
Tell us about access at both addresses, including lifts, stairs, parking and loading docks, and we’ll give you a clear, free quote.
Or call 0469 953 604
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need permission to move out of an apartment in Melbourne?
Many apartment buildings require you to book your move with building management or the owners corporation, including a lift and loading-dock time slot. Check your building’s move-in/move-out rules before booking a removalist.
Is an apartment move cheaper than a house move?
Often, because there’s usually less to move, but not always. Lifts, long corridors, loading docks and limited parking can add time, while a house with easy access can be quick to load.
How do I book a lift for moving day?
Contact your building manager or owners corporation, ask for the moving policy and book a time slot for the lift and loading dock. Some buildings require lift protection to be fitted, and some ask for a bond or the removalist’s insurance certificate.
What can’t removalists move from a house?
Removalists generally won’t carry hazardous items such as fuel, gas bottles, paint and chemicals. Empty petrol equipment and dispose of chemicals safely before moving day.
How far ahead should I book an apartment move?
As early as you can. You need both a removalist and a building time slot, and popular slots at month-end and on weekends book out quickly.
Final thoughts
Apartment moves are about bookings and timing; house moves are about volume and access. Know which type of move you’re planning, start early, and give your removalist the full picture of both addresses. For local help in Melbourne’s north, visit our Melbourne removalist page or contact us.