How to choose a good Melbourne removalist
Choosing a Melbourne removalist you can actually trust
Most of us only move house every few years, so almost nobody is an expert at hiring a removalist. That is exactly why the industry has a few bad apples: they know you are stressed, busy and unsure what good looks like.
The good news is that the warning signs are easy to spot once you know them, and so are the green flags. Here is what to look for, what to run from, and the questions that flush out a dodgy operator in about thirty seconds. We would love to move you, but even if you go elsewhere, we would rather you go in with your eyes open.
Green flags: what a good removalist looks like
These are the signs you are dealing with a proper, professional team:
- A written quote before the day. You should know what you are paying, and what is included, in writing, before anyone lifts a box. (We give every customer a written quote, always.)
- Fair, transparent pricing. Whether it is hourly or a fixed price, it should be clear, with the minimum charge, call-out and any travel spelled out upfront and no mystery surcharges after the job.
- Real insurance, and a guarantee, in writing. A trustworthy removalist carries transit and public liability insurance and is happy to show you the details or provide a certificate of currency for your building.
- Their own trucks and their own trained team. Marked trucks and employed, trained movers mean the people carrying your things actually answer to the company (Ours are all Little Red Trucks and Little Red Truckers, never subcontracted out).
- Genuine reviews you can verify. Look for a solid history of real reviews on Google, not just a handful of glowing testimonials on their own website.
- A real business with a history. An ABN, a physical address and years of runs on the board. We have been moving Melbourne from our Brunswick base since 2008.
- Happy to answer questions. An honest removalist welcomes the questions below. If someone gets cagey or pushy, that tells you plenty.
Red flags: when to walk away
Any one of these is a reason to think twice. Two or more, and we would keep looking:
- Holding your goods to ransom. The nastiest scam in the trade: your furniture goes on the truck, then the price suddenly jumps and they will not unload until you pay more. A clear written quote is your protection against it.
- A verbal-only quote, or a price that balloons on the day. Surprise fees for stairs, travel, fuel, heavy items or a minimum number of hours you were never told about are the classic sting.
- A big deposit, or full payment upfront, especially cash only. Reputable removalists do not need your money before they have earned it.
- Vague insurance. “Yeah, you’re covered, mate” with nothing in writing usually means you are not.
- No ABN, no address, unmarked or hired trucks. If you cannot tell who you are actually dealing with, that is the point.
- Pressure to book right now and reviews you cannot find anywhere independent.
The questions to ask before you book
Copy this list and ask every removalist you are considering. Honest ones will answer without missing a beat:
- Is the quote fixed or hourly, and exactly what is included (minimum charge, call-out, travel, GST)?
- What happens to the price if the move runs over, or there are stairs or tricky access?
- What insurance and guarantee covers my belongings, and can I see it in writing?
- Do you charge a deposit? How much, and is it refundable?
- Is the team your own employees, and are the trucks your own?
- Can you provide a certificate of currency for my building manager?
- How long have you been operating, and where are you based?
The answers matter, but so does how they answer. A team that is relaxed and upfront about all of this is a team that has nothing to hide.
What removalist insurance actually covers (the honest version)
Insurance is where most people get caught out, because the words sound reassuring but mean very different things:
- Public liability covers damage to the building or to other people, not your belongings. It is important, but on its own it does nothing for your sofa.
- Transit insurance is what actually covers your goods in the move. The thing to check: does it cover damage from handling, or only a total loss like a truck fire or accident? Many bargain operators only carry the second kind.
- Your own home and contents policy may or may not cover a move. A two-minute call to your insurer before the day is well worth it.
Where we stand: every Little Red Trucks move includes full transit and public liability insurance, plus our Damaged Goods Guarantee as standard, and we are happy to put the details in writing or hand your building manager a certificate of currency. The full detail lives in our Terms & Conditions.
Prefer a removalist who ticks every box?
Answer a few quick questions and we’ll give you a clear, no-obligation price. No waiting on a callback.
Get a priceHow we do it at Little Red Trucks
We are not going to tell you we are the only good removalist in Melbourne. But we have built the business, since 2008, around doing every one of the things above:
- A clear written quote before the day, and a choice of hourly (billed in 15-minute chunks, not rounded up to the half hour) or a fixed, all-inclusive price
- No deposit and no cancellation fee if you cancel more than 48 hours out
- Full transit and public liability insurance, plus our Damaged Goods Guarantee as standard
- Our own clean, modern trucks and our own fully-trained team, never subcontracted
- A real Brunswick home base and a long history of genuine reviews
If you would like to see how that looks for your move, have a browse of our real Melbourne move costs, our guides for house and apartment moves, or our FAQ and moving tips. Or just grab a quick, no-obligation price below.
Choosing a removalist: your questions, answered
How do I know if a removalist is trustworthy?
Look for the things a dodgy operator cannot fake: a written quote before the day, real insurance you can see in writing, genuine reviews on Google (not just testimonials on their own site), their own trucks and trained team rather than subcontractors, and a real business with an ABN and a proper address. A long track record helps too. If a removalist is upfront and happy to answer questions, that is usually a very good sign.
Should I pay a deposit to book a removalist?
Be careful with large deposits, and never pay the full amount upfront or in cash to lock in a date. A small, refundable holding step is normal, but a big non-refundable deposit is one of the most common ways people get stung. At Little Red Trucks we do not charge a deposit at all, we simply hold your card to secure the booking, nothing is charged at the time, and there is no cancellation fee if you cancel more than 48 hours before your move.
What does removalist insurance actually cover?
This trips a lot of people up. Public liability covers damage to the building or other people, not your belongings. Transit insurance is what covers your goods, but always check whether it covers damage from handling or only a total loss like a truck fire or accident. Your own home and contents policy may or may not cover a move, so it is worth a quick call to your insurer. We carry full transit and public liability insurance, plus our Damaged Goods Guarantee as standard, and we are happy to put the details in writing.
What questions should I ask a removalist before booking?
Ask whether the quote is fixed or hourly, and exactly what’s included. Find out what happens to the price if the move runs over, or if there are stairs and tricky access. Ask what insurance and guarantee cover your belongings, and whether you can get it in writing. Check whether there’s a deposit, and whether it’s refundable. Ask if the team and trucks are their own, not subcontracted. And ask if they can provide a certificate of currency for your building manager. Honest removalists will answer all of these happily.
Why are some removalist quotes so much cheaper?
Sometimes it is genuine efficiency, but a suspiciously low hourly rate is often bait. The gap gets made up on the day with surprise fees for stairs, travel, fuel, heavy items or a minimum number of hours you were never told about, so the cheap quote ends up costing more than an honest one. Always compare what is actually included, not just the headline rate, and get it in writing.
Do I have to use an AFRA-accredited removalist?
No. AFRA (the Australian Furniture Removers Association) is a paid industry membership, not a government licence, so it is a nice-to-have rather than a dealbreaker. Plenty of excellent removalists are not members. What matters far more is real insurance in writing, genuine reviews, a proper track record and clear, honest pricing.