Most people pick a removalist by price and hope for the best. After moving 2,400+ houses, here are the questions that actually predict whether you'll have a good experience.
1. "Are you insured for goods in transit?"
Should be a quick yes with a policy name. If they hedge, walk away. Public liability is not the same as goods-in-transit insurance — the first covers them if they damage your property, the second covers your stuff.
2. "What's included in the hourly rate?"
Trolleys, blankets, straps, fuel, GST — should all be included. If they say "blankets are extra $20 each" you're looking at a bad deal in disguise.
3. "Can I see recent Google reviews?"
Not the homepage testimonials — those are curated. Real Google reviews show the picture. Look for the 3-star ones too — companies with no negative reviews are usually too small or the reviews are fake.
4. "Are these your employees or subcontractors?"
Employees are trained and accountable. Subcontractors are often a roll of the dice. If they subcontract, ask how they vet the crews.
5. "What's the minimum charge?"
Most reputable companies have a 2-hour minimum. That's fair. Anything over 4 hours minimum on a small job is a red flag — they're hoping for time inflation.
6. "What happens if you damage something?"
A confident answer ("we file a claim with our insurer, we replace or pay out within 14 days") is what you want. A vague answer means they don't handle it well. Bonus question: ask how many damage claims they had last year. Good companies will tell you because the number is low.
Now stop reading, let's do it.
Get a fixed quote in under 60 seconds. No phone tag, no pressure — just an honest price.