When moving house, you will have a seemingly endless list of tasks to do. However, one of the most important tasks is often the one that is overlooked. That’s making a comprehensive list of every item and figuring out how many cubic metres you need to move. Put simply, you need to calculate each item’s volume in cubic metres. This is the first question many removalists will ask. To make this task simpler, this blog explains:
- The definition of a cubic metre
- Why items are measured in cubic metres when moving house
- How this measurement system will impact your move
- Other factors which impact the overall cost of your move, and;
- A list of the most commonly moved items and their measurements
What exactly is a cubic metre?
A cubic metre (i.e. m³ or cbm) is the preferred unit of measurement used by removalist companies. As the name suggests, the measurement determines the volume of space taken up by a box or cube of 1 metre x 1 metre x 1 metre. So, how exactly do you determine the cubic meterage of a particular piece of furniture? The answer is quite simple.
The furniture does not have to be a perfect square. You simply multiply a piece of furniture’s length by its width, then multiply that number by its height. The total will tell you exactly how many cubic metres the item will occupy. This, in turn, indicates the size and how many boxes you will need, and the total cost of these boxes.
When purchasing moving boxes, measurements are often given in litres. Converting litres to cubic metres is easy: 1,000 litres is equal to one cubic metre.
Why are items measured in cubic metres when moving house?
While essential, this task is often overlooked. Cubic metres are the unit of measurement used by removalists when moving furniture. Your removalist will need you to give them accurate measurements of each piece in cubic metres. Why? Because this is the way they can offer you a detailed relocation quote.
Ultimately, the volume (total cubic metres) you quote will determine the size and number of removal vans you require, and the cost.
It can be tempting to just call a removalist without first measuring your belongings, and you certainly can do this. By doing so, however, you run the risk of either over-or under-booking the transportation required. This may delay your move and drive the costs up. Also, you will not be able to budget effectively. Worst of all, without accurate measurements, you will be unable to shop comparatively for the best deal.
Which other factors impact the cost of moving house?
There are many factors which affect the overall cost of your move. As you have seen, the total volume of your belongings is essential. This measurement is very important. It determines both how many removal vehicles are required and also how long packing will take. However, this is not the only important factor that influences moving costs.
Firstly, the distance you need to travel is a clear indicator of cost. The further the distance, the more petrol and more hours the removalists need to be hired for. These factors will lead to a higher quote.
Secondly, any access issues to your property must be taken into account. These may include things like stairs, a sloping property, an electronic access gate and more. Lastly, breakable items (i.e. mirrors, vases, antiques, etc.) will need to be handled carefully. These will take longer to pack.
A list of commonly moved items and their measurements
Packing your belongings when moving house can be a daunting task, especially if you are unclear on the precise measurements. To give you a helpful starting point, we have compiled a list of the most commonly moved items and their measurements in cubic metres. This will help you visualise the size of the boxes you’ll need and how many are required for a hassle-free moving experience.
- Standard tea chest – 0.12 cbm
- Dining chair – 0.15 cbm
- Dining table – 1 cbm
- Bedside table – 0.15 cbm
- Chest of drawers – 0.7 cbm
- Glass cabinet – 0.8 cbm
- TV – 0.25 cbm
- Washing machine – 0.5 cbm
- Refrigerator – 1 cbm
- Armchair – 0.8 cbm
- 2-seater lounge – 1.2 cbm
- 3-seater lounge – 1.5 cbm
Other factors impacting the total cost of your move
When moving house, your situation and requirements are unique. The issues which affect your move will be entirely different to someone else. That’s why the team at JD Movers take the time to get to know you and understand your individual needs.
We understand your move will be affected by many different variables. Some of these include the distance, your timeframe, your budget and more. Above all, the volume of the items you need to transport is the most important factor, which influences the overall cost.
Determining this is vital, as it dictates how many removal vehicles are required for the job, and how long the packing will take. However, this is not the sole factor that influences the cost of your move. Another key variable is the distance from your current residence to your new home.
As you may expect, the longer the journey, the more fuel and manhours are required by your removalist team. Also, you need to consider any access issues (i.e. stairs, steep land, tight spaces, etc.) in your property and items which need to be handled carefully (i.e. breakable possessions).
When selecting a removalist company, look no further than JD Movers. We’ll give you a comprehensive breakdown of removal costs, so you’ll be able to work within your budget. And, it helps you understand your quote. This way, you’ll know the quote is fair and accurate, and you have not been charged for services you do not require.
Don’t want to deal with the stress of packing up the house yourself? Simply contact the JD Movers team – we’ll handle it all for you.