How do I compare removal companies before I book one?

What the NSW Government says to compare and ask before you accept. Shop around and compare a few removalist services first, and take the time to research the options so that you are confident you are getting a quality service for the right price. Then the quote: always ask for a written quote before hiring a removalist company, give the company all the details about your move so the quote is accurate, make sure it is itemised so every charge is accounted for, and ask about anything that is not clear before you accept it. The contract has its own list of what it should contain: the complete details of the service being provided; a household inventory of the goods being moved; the pick-up and delivery address, dates and times of the move; how payment is to be made, including whether payment is required to be upfront; and whether there are extra costs for storage in the event of delays. Before you sign, read the contract closely.

What other state bodies add. The Queensland Office of Fair Trading says moving is stressful, so plan carefully and do your homework; and it adds this to the quote questions: whether the cost is based on the time the job takes or on the quantity of goods, where the company counts the journey as starting and ending, and whether there is an extra cost for storage if moving day is delayed. The Northern Territory’s Consumer Affairs says to make a plan, and warns that smaller transport companies can be cheaper but often pass the goods to another carrier without telling you, and that back loading can mean a cheaper price but goods can sit in storage for a while before they are loaded for their destination. Access Canberra says to check a tradesperson’s licence and insurance and to know their details before signing a contract.

The three bodies below are the ones whose pages carry a before-you-book checklist. NSW Fair Trading and the Queensland Office of Fair Trading both start with the same first step, comparing more than one service; they differ on the detail, and where a body’s page does not carry a check, the cell says so rather than filling the gap.

No source here says any state or territory licenses removal companies. The one licence rule the pages carry is the NSW Government’s: if the removalist is licensed, the licence number should be included on any advertising, and any statement about qualifications or experience should be supported. Access Canberra’s version for any tradesperson is to check they are appropriately licensed and insured to do the work, and to ask to see a certificate of currency for public liability insurance.

Consumer Protection WA, in its Commissioner’s blog of 21 July 2022, described the pattern it had been seeing: removalists advertising on social media quoting an hourly rate and asking for a small deposit, then demanding a large lump sum on arrival with a promise to return the unused money. In some cases the traders refused to hand the furniture back or deliver it until the higher fees were paid, refunds did not come, and belongings were damaged with no remedy offered. The blog urges caution when sourcing a removalist on social media, because the business may be using someone else’s ABN to look legitimate, and it can be hard to identify the person behind a business advertised only there. The Northern Territory’s Consumer Affairs adds fake websites that look almost identical to a genuine business’s site, with incredibly low prices as the best clue.

What the tips say. Scamwatch’s rule before any payment: always take a moment before giving your money or personal information to anyone, and do not let a sense of urgency rush a decision. Make sure the person or organisation is real, and contact the organisation directly using phone numbers or email addresses from its official website or app. Consumer Affairs Victoria’s tips, if you want work done on your house: use established tradespeople who provide written quotes; ask for contact details of previous clients, so you can check references; and do not sign any agreement until you are ready. Consumer and Business Services SA defines a scam as an attempt to deceive you to steal your money or personal information, says never to send money online to someone you have not met in person, and lists feeling pressured to sign up straight away as a warning sign. If your personal or financial information has been stolen, Scamwatch says to act fast, contact your bank or credit card provider, and tell them to stop any transactions. Suspicious contact can be reported through the Scamwatch report form, which helps warn others.