10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Removalist (Copy-Paste List)

Before you hire a removalist, ask about their insurance, whether the quote is fixed or hourly, what the callout and travel charges are, how they handle damage, their deposit and cancellation policy, and whether they subcontract the job. These 10 questions take five minutes and quickly separate a professional Adelaide crew from a chancer who will surprise you with hidden fees or vanish after taking a deposit. Here is the exact list to run through with every mover, and what a good answer sounds like.

Key takeaways

• Ask every mover the same 10 questions so you can compare fairly.
• The most important: insurance, fixed vs hourly pricing, and damage handling.
• A professional answers clearly and puts it in writing; a chancer dodges.
• Get the answers before you pay any deposit.
• The quickest route is to get matched with vetted crews already checked on these points.

Why these questions matter

The difference between a smooth move and a nightmare usually comes down to things you could have asked upfront. A rogue operator relies on you not asking. Ask the right questions and you either get reassuring answers or you flush out the problems before your belongings are on their truck. This list pairs with our broader guide on how to choose a removalist in Adelaide and the red flags to avoid. Run all 10 with each mover, and the best way to have them pre-answered is to get matched with vetted local crews who have already been checked.

The 10 questions

1. Are you fully insured, and can I see proof?

The single most important question. You want confirmation of both transit insurance (your goods in the truck) and public liability (damage to property). Ask for it in writing. A professional produces it without fuss. Our insurance guide explains what the cover should include and where the gaps are.

2. Is the quote fixed or hourly, and what does it include?

Hourly rates are common and fine, but you need to know the rate, the minimum hours, and exactly what is included. A fixed quote gives certainty but must be based on an accurate inventory. Get the scope in writing so there are no surprises. Watch for a suspiciously low headline rate that balloons with add-ons.

3. What are your callout, travel and depot-to-depot charges?

Many hourly movers charge from when they leave their depot to when they return, not just your door-to-door time. Ask how travel time is billed, whether there is a callout fee, and whether the clock starts at the depot. This is a common source of a bill that is higher than expected.

4. Are there any extra charges I should know about?

Ask directly about stairs, long carries from the truck to the door, heavy or bulky items (pianos, pool tables, fridges), tolls, and after-hours or weekend loadings. A professional discloses these upfront; a chancer springs them on the day.

5. How do you handle damage or breakages?

You want to hear a clear process: report it on the day, put it in writing, and a claims path through their insurer. Ask how claims are assessed and paid. A vague or defensive answer here is a warning. Under Australian Consumer Law a service must be supplied with due care and skill, and the ACCC sets out your rights at accc.gov.au. Our post on what to do if a removalist damages your belongings covers your side of this.

6. Do you require a deposit, and is it refundable?

A modest deposit to secure a date is normal. A large upfront demand, especially cash only, is a red flag. Ask how much, how it is paid (never untraceable cash for the full amount), and the refund terms. Our guide on deposits and cancellation policies sets the norms.

7. What is your cancellation and rescheduling policy?

Moves get delayed, settlements shift. Ask what happens if you need to change the date, how much notice they need, and whether the deposit carries over or is forfeited. Get it in writing.

8. Do you do the job yourselves or subcontract it?

Some operators, particularly cheap online brokers, take your booking and subcontract to whoever is available, which means you have no idea who turns up. Ask whether their own crew and truck do the job. If they subcontract, the insurance and accountability can get murky.

9. How many movers and what size truck for my job?

This tells you whether they have actually understood the size of your move. Too few movers or too small a truck means multiple trips, more hours and a bigger bill. A professional assesses your inventory and tells you the crew and truck size, and how long it should take.

10. Can you provide references or recent reviews?

A reputable mover is happy to point you to their reviews or references, and many professional operators are members of the Australian Furniture Removers Association, which you can verify at afra.com.au. Then verify the reviews yourself, reading for patterns rather than the star rating, as our reviews guide explains. Hesitation here is telling.

What a good answer sounds like

Across all 10, a professional Adelaide removalist gives you clear, specific, confident answers and is willing to put the important ones (insurance, scope, price, cancellation) in writing. A chancer is vague, evasive, pushes for cash and pressures you to book now. Trust that pattern.

Skip the phone tag

Calling movers one at a time and running this list is slow. You can get matched with vetted, insured Adelaide crews who have already been screened on insurance and track record, then compare 3 free quotes with these questions largely answered. Local, no obligation, and far less legwork than dialling around.