What Does Cubic Metre Mean?
Here’s the key equation you must understand to secure the best deal for your home or office move…”
Understanding How to Measure Cubic Metres
A cubic meter (m³ or CBM) represents a block of space measuring 1 meter by 1 meter by 1 meter in height, width, and depth. This measurement provides a precise estimate of volume, helping you determine the space needed on a truck. Furniture removalists use this unit to gauge the amount of space required in their trucks.
A useful way to visualize a cubic meter is to stack 8 medium- to large moving boxes together. This gives you an idea of how much space 1 cubic meter occupies.
The first question the CBDWAY team always asks is, ‘How many cubic meters are you moving?’ This is crucial as it significantly impacts your move. While it might be tempting to estimate based on area (m², length x width), furniture items have depth as well. Therefore, using cubic meter (m³) calculations is essential for accurately determining the total volume needed.
How much space do common household items occupy?
To illustrate cubic meter calculations, consider a solid buffet unit measuring 1.8 meters long, 0.75 meters high, and 0.75 meters deep. The volume can be calculated as 1.8 x 0.75 x 0.75 = 1.01 m³, meaning you would need 1.01 m³ of space for this piece. For irregularly shaped items, envision a box around them and use their largest dimensions. For example, when estimating the volume of a sofa, measure its full length, the width from base to base, and the height from the base to the highest point of the backrest, not just the height of the seat.”
| Popular Items | Volume of Space (m3) per item |
| Fridge | 1.20m3 |
| Queen Bed | 1.40m3 |
| Dining Table | 2.00m3 |
| Chairs | 0.15m3 |
| TV | 0.50m3 |
| TV Unit | 0.80m3 |
| Book Case | 1.00m3 |
| Coffee Table | 0.28m3 |
| Wardrobe | 1.00m3 |
| 3 Seater Couch | 2.20m3 |
As you assess the items you’ll be moving, visualizing them as blocks can simplify the estimation process. For items like fridges, washing machines, dining tables, and chairs, it’s easier to estimate their volume. However, for items like bicycles or surfboards, which are harder to picture in terms of volume, imagine a box around them and measure the dimensions of this imaginary box.
Calculating m³ for Each Item
If you’re comfortable with math, these calculations may come easily. However, if math isn’t your strong suit, the CBDWAY inventory calculator can help. It allows you to quickly and easily identify items in your home, providing an accurate estimate of your total m³ space.
At this stage, the CBDWAY quote will determine the amount of space you need, helping to prevent any extra charges on moving days due to underestimating the volume of your furniture. Removalists use this method to calculate your quote by assessing how much space they need on their truck. For long-distance moves, quotes are often based on a cubic meter rate. Having a clear list of items helps removalists decide the appropriate truck size and the number of movers required for the job.
What Size Truck Do I Need for My Move?
If you’re not handling the move yourself and renting your own vehicle, your removalists will bring the appropriately sized truck based on the inventory and cubic metre space you’ve provided. Trucks come in various sizes, typically ranging from 20 m³ to 70 m³ or more, depending on your needs.
If you don’t have enough items to fill an entire truck, there’s no need to worry. You can opt for a backload, where your items are securely separated and safely shared with those of other customers on the same route. This option can also help you save money.
Get as accurate as possible:
Understanding m³ and its impact on your move is crucial for keeping costs down. To ensure an accurate quote and minimize expenses, follow these guidelines:
Avoid Guessing:
It only takes a few extra minutes to perform a thorough inventory calculation, which is far better than relying on a room estimator. If you select a 3-bedroom house but one room is empty, your quote could be higher because the calculator assumes you’re moving a full 3-bedroom house. Refer to the example below to see how much time and money can be affected by inaccurate size estimates.
“Similarly, if you estimate that your belongings will fill a single car garage (around 15 m³) or a double car garage (30 m³) but haven’t accounted for the space that can be utilized by stacking items, you might end up paying for more space or time than necessary.”
For both local and interstate moves, some companies offer discounts for larger loads.
