Long distance work is the part of our business where the biggest price differences show up between companies, and where the most confusion sits. Two quotes for the same Cape Town to Johannesburg move can differ by thousands simply because one is a dedicated truck and the other is a shared load. Here is how the pricing actually works so you can compare quotes properly.
Shared load versus dedicated truck
A dedicated truck carries only your furniture and drives straight to the destination. It is faster, the delivery date is firm and it costs more because you pay for the whole vehicle.
A shared load places your furniture alongside other consignments heading the same way. You pay for the space you use instead of the whole truck, which can cut the price substantially. The trade off is a delivery window of a few days rather than a fixed hour.
What actually drives the price
Distance is only one factor. Volume, access at both ends and the return leg all matter.
- Cubic volume of the load, not the number of rooms
- Whether the truck can park at the door or the crew must carry
- Stairs, lifts and floor level at both addresses
- Timing, since month end and holiday periods run at peak demand
- Whether a return load is available on the same route
Packing for the road, not the corner
Furniture that survives a 20 minute trip across Cape Town can arrive scuffed after 1400 kilometres of vibration. Long haul loads get extra blanket padding, corner protection and tighter strapping, and nothing is stacked without a layer between it. Drawers travel empty, glass travels flat and anything upholstered is wrapped rather than left exposed.
Agree the dates in writing
Before we load, you get a collection date and a delivery date or window in writing, along with the driver contact for the trip. If you are moving out of a rented home on a fixed date, that written window is what your landlord, employer and school need to see.
Combine the small jobs into one booking
Most long distance customers also need something cleared before they leave. Old furniture, garden waste and building rubble can go in the same booking rather than becoming a separate cost, and anything you are keeping locally can be dropped with family on the way out.
Send us the item list and both addresses and we will come back with a shared load price and a dedicated price so you can see the difference for yourself.
Common questions
How long does a Cape Town to Johannesburg move take?
A dedicated truck typically delivers within two days of collection. A shared load is usually a window of three to seven days depending on the route schedule.
Is my furniture covered on a long distance move?
Talk to us about cover options when you request a quote and we will set out exactly what applies to your load before you book.