What is the Cost of Moving House in Nairobi? | House Moving Prices in Nairobi

The cost of moving houses is a significant determinant of how one may choose to carry out a move in Nairobi. 

Due to the high living standards in the city, some people may decide to forego using the services of a moving company and do the move themselves. However, this comes at a considerable risk of damaging or losing their household items, and consequently, the relocation ends up being more costly than it should have been.

So, really, how much does moving houses in Nairobi cost? Here are a few pointers that will give you an idea of what to expect when considering the cost of professional moving in Nairobi:

How much do movers cost in Nairobi?

The average cost of moving a 2-bedroom house in Nairobi in 2023 ranges from 12,000 when using very cheap movers for a local move to over 50,000 shillings for long-distance moves. The figure, however, represents an average calculated from commonly reported moving costs. They can vary significantly depending on the specifics of your move: volume of goods, the complexity of the goods, and the materials/processes required.

The true cost of moving your house is influenced by the size of the move (the volume of your belongings), and your relocation distance.

The weight of your belongings also determines how much you will pay since this has an impact on fuel consumption. 

That said, here are questions to help you determine the right house moving costs that work for you:

What is the relocation distance?

This is the largest determinant used to assess house moving costs. The longer the distance, the pricier it will be. 

Do moving companies charge based on weight or volume?

Most moving and relocating companies often assess the amount of time it will take to move your items as well as the labor involved before giving you a quote. During this assessment, they also determine the size of the load and its weight, which both affect fuel consumption. As such, make sure that you consider these factors while establishing the most affordable house moving quotes. 

If you’re moving internationally by air, the weight of your consignment will be the primary metric, as airlines typically charge based on weight.

Will I be charged for the assembly or disassembly of furniture? 

Yes. You will be charged for these services including the dismantling of essential appliances from your kitchen, breaking down furniture into easy-to-move pieces, dismantling hot tubs, and any other items that require this kind of labor. 

How can I cut house moving costs?

It is expensive to move at the end of the month, or during holidays and weekends as well. These are the peak times for many people.

The easiest way to save on moving costs is to move your house mid-week — this way, you will get better rates.

It is also extremely important to be organized- so, ensure that you declutter your house before the actual move. This way, you will avoid paying for the movement of useless items, or those that you will never use.

Will I be charged for extra services?

Moving bulky items such as a piano or a hot tub requires skilled manpower and extreme care. This is especially the case if there is no lift and you live in a storied building. Therefore, these and any other item that demands white glove moving services will cost you more.

Do I pay movers before or after?

Reputable moving and relocating companies will NOT demand full upfront payment they move your home. 

It is customary for moving companies to ask you to make a downpayment (typically 50%) upon move confirmation.

The remainder of the payment for moving services is made upon delivery.

Large vs Small move

The cost of moving in Nairobi (as well as the price of moving anywhere else globally) is primarily determined by the size of your move.

This is to say that if you have a lot of household goods, it will cost you more than if you have fewer ones. An increase in the volume of goods in a household necessitates the use of more movers and more trucks.

Do It Yourself (DIY) vs using a Moving Company

A DIY move might sound tempting because of the cost factor, but this isn’t always the case. 

Getting friends or relatives to help you relocate might end up being a lot more expensive than you had anticipated. Due to their inexperience, many of your fragile and costly household items may end up getting damaged or lost. 

In such a case, do you demand that they pay you back, or do you choose to look away and cover the costs of replacing or fixing them? 

On the other hand, you could have been protected from such anticipated costs if you decided to hire a professional moving company.    

Cheap vs Affordable Movers

The cost of moving houses in Nairobi can also be affected by the type of movers you decide to settle on. 

For instance, if a moving company is offering moving services at very low prices, you should be suspicious about the quality of services you will get. This, however, doesn’t mean that it should cost you an arm and a leg to move houses in Nairobi. 

Instead, it should be affordable in the sense that while you spend considerable money on moving, you are not overcharged, yet you get the best moving services.

Peak vs Offpeak season

When planning a move, you should know what season it is, especially when carrying out a move with a moving company. 

In Nairobi, for instance, the first and last days of a month are usually the peak seasons, while off-peak seasons fall within the middle of the month. 

To, therefore, drastically cut costs of moving houses, you should schedule your move during the off-peak season. Movers are a lot more amenable to giving price discounts during mid-month.

Daytime vs Nighttime moves

The time of the day of your move is another determinant of how much it will cost moving houses in Nairobi. 

It is more costly to move during the night than during the day for many reasons. You may, for example, require additional services such as overnight storage, security, and extra pay for the overnight movers, which will cost more.

Fragile vs Non-fragile items

Whenever fragile household items such as pianos, glassware, artwork, pool tables, etc., are involved, the cost of moving houses will always be a bit higher. Some of these items require special wrapping, packing, transportation, and handling, all of which will cost more. In most cases, moving some fragile items such as pianos are charged separately from the whole move.

Ready to move?

Don’t just blindly let any moving and relocation company handle your move! Look for a trustworthy and reputable moving company that will handle your belongings with utmost care. Check out Nellions Moving and Relocations Company; it has a good rapport and is licensed and insured to ensure that you have peace of mind as they move your home.