How to pick a removalist

Mature woman sitting on the floor unpacking moving boxes and smiling at mature man who is also unpacking moving boxes in a bright, sunny room

Here are some tips to help you choose the best removalist that’s right for you.

First, narrow down what services you’re going to need.

  • Do you just want someone to show up on moving day and transport your packed boxes from your old house to your new one?
  • Or do you want the removalist to pack your belongings for you and unpack them on the other side?

Deciding on the services you need will help you create a shortlist for moving quotes.

Don’t settle with just one quote

Doing your homework and gathering multiple quotes will allow you to compare pricing and services. At this stage, it’s also important to take into consideration other factors that can potentially impact your move. Pricing aside, ask about the quality and size of their equipment and trucks, resourcing capability, reputation and any hidden costs such as stairs or bulky item fees.

This will give you peace of mind that you’re getting the right value for your money.

Ask for a home visit or a virtual survey

Many removalists offer home visits or virtual surveys these days to do a pre-move walk through. This helps them see exactly what furniture and how many items you have to move.

It’s easy to estimate over the phone, but seeing everything in person or via video call means they can give you an accurate quote on the truck size, number of movers needed, and how long it will take.

Ask questions

Don’t be afraid to ask questions when getting quotes from removalists. Some important questions to include:

  • Are your rates hourly or fixed price per job?
  • Does the quote include GST?
  • Do you provide boxes?
  • What forms of payment do you accept?
  • Does the quote include your travel time at the start and end of the day?
  • What happens if anything is damaged?
  • Do you offer insurance?

Check their insurance and credentials

Removalists can belong to an association which means they are held accountable to an industry body. One such body is the Australian Furniture Removers Association. Ask if your removalist is registered with them or any other official relevant bodies.

Also, check if they have the necessary insurances such as public liability insurance and if they offer removals insurance. Your home insurance policy may also cover goods in transit, so it’s worth checking that too.

Get personal recommendations

Ask friends or family for recommendations. Personal experiences can help you decide whether to use a particular removalist or not.

Online reviews

Lastly, don’t forget to check out your potential removalists online. Facebook, Google, Trustpilot and Choice, are great places to find reviews. Sometimes it’s not just about the review itself but how the business responds to it. If there’s a negative review, see how the removalist handled it before deciding to use their services.

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