How to Choose Packers and Movers: 10 Questions to Ask and Red Flags to Avoid

Most moving problems are not caused by bad luck. They come from picking a mover on price alone. This guide shows what to check before you pay anyone.

Check that the company is real

• Ask for the registered business name, GST number and a physical office address. Visit it or video call from it if you can.
• Check that the name matches on the quote, the invoice and the truck. Look-alike names are common.
• Search the company on Google Maps and read recent reviews. Detailed reviews that mention damage, delays or extra charges are more useful than star ratings.
• If your employer or bank is paying for the move, ask whether the mover is on their approved list.

10 questions to ask every mover

1. Will you visit or video call to see my goods before quoting?
2. Is the quote itemised and in writing?
3. What is included: packing material, labour, loading, transport, unloading, unpacking?
4. What costs extra: appliance fitting, long carry, no lift, storage, waiting time?
5. Do you use your own crew and vehicles, or do you subcontract?
6. What packing material do you use for fragile items and TVs?
7. Is transit insurance available, and how does a claim work?
8. How much advance do you take, and when is the balance due?
9. What happens if the move is delayed or an item is damaged?
10. Can you share a recent customer I can speak to?

Red flags

• A price quoted over the phone without seeing the goods or asking about floors, lifts and appliances.
• A quote far lower than the others. Ask what has been left out.
• No written quote, or a quote with one lump sum and no detail.
• A large advance, or a demand for full payment before loading.
• Cash only, with no invoice or receipt.
• No office address, or a company name that is hard to trace.
• A new price on moving day, after your goods are already on the truck.

Compare quotes properly

Get at least three written quotes. Put them side by side and compare what each one includes, not just the total. A cheaper quote that leaves out packing material or unloading is often the more expensive option in the end.

Protect yourself on moving day

• Take photos of valuable furniture and electronics before packing.
• Keep documents, jewellery, cash and chargers with you.
• Walk through the home with the crew leader and agree the item count.
• Check the goods before you sign the delivery receipt, and note any damage on it.

At Aadhira Packers and Movers we give a fixed, itemised written quote after a free survey. Ask for it, compare it, and decide with the full picture.

Get a free moving quote