Booking a removalist sounds simple — pick up the phone, get a quote, confirm a date. But doing it well, and avoiding the pitfalls that leave people out of pocket or with damaged furniture, requires knowing what to ask, what to look for, and which red flags to walk away from. This guide is built from over 1,500 Brisbane moves and covers every step from first quote to delivery day.
Step 1 — Know What You Need Before Calling Anyone
Before requesting a quote, gather this information:
- Collection address — suburb, street, floor level, number of stairs, lift access (yes/no)
- Delivery address — same details as above
- Move date — or a date range if flexible
- Home size — number of bedrooms and approximate item count
- Specialty items — piano, pool table, safe, ride-on mower, gym equipment, artwork
- Packing needs — self-packing, partial packing, or full packing service
- Storage requirement — do you need temporary storage between addresses?
Having this ready means quotes are accurate and comparable. Incomplete information leads to quotes that change on move day — which is the most common source of removalist complaints.
Step 2 — How to Get and Compare Quotes
Get at least two quotes
One quote is not enough. Two or three quotes let you establish a market rate for your move and identify outliers — both unusually cheap (a red flag) and unusually expensive. Use our Brisbane moving cost calculator as a sanity check before calling anyone.
Hourly vs. fixed price
Most local Brisbane moves are quoted hourly. Our rate is $195/hr for 2 movers + truck (Mon–Fri), 2-hour minimum, plus a $14 fuel surcharge. Fixed-price quotes exist but are less common for local moves — they work better for interstate, where volume can be measured precisely.
For interstate moves, we quote per cubic metre — our rates run from $190/m³ (Sydney) to $320/m³ (Melbourne) to $340/m³ (Adelaide). See our pricing page for the full breakdown.
What a legitimate quote should include
- Hourly rate or per-m³ rate, written not verbal
- Minimum hours or minimum charge
- Fuel levy (if applicable)
- Any access surcharges (stairs, lifts, parking)
- Start time and estimated completion window
- What is included (blankets, packing tape, standard wrapping)
- Insurance terms
Step 3 — The Questions-to-Ask Checklist
Ask every removalist you consider these questions before booking:
Licensing and insurance
- Are you a registered business in Queensland? (Request ABN)
- Do you hold public liability insurance? (Request certificate of currency — $10M minimum recommended)
- Are your goods in transit insured, and what is the coverage limit?
- Do your workers hold workers’ compensation coverage?
The crew and process
- Will the same crew collect and deliver my belongings, or will there be a depot transfer?
- How many movers will be on the job?
- What is the truck size and capacity relative to my home?
- Will my belongings be shared with other customers’ goods in the truck?
Pricing transparency
- Is your quote written, and does it include all likely charges?
- Under what circumstances would the final price exceed the quote?
- Do you charge for travel time (depot to pickup)?
- What is your cancellation/reschedule policy?
Specialty items
- Do you have specific experience moving pianos / pool tables / safes / gym equipment?
- What equipment do you use for specialty items?
Anti-Scam Guide — Red Flags to Watch For
Removalist scams are not common, but they do happen — most often to people who chose a low quote without verification. Here are the red flags that should make you walk away immediately:
🚩 No ABN or unregistered business
Any legitimate removalist company in Australia has an ABN (Australian Business Number). Verify it for free at abr.business.gov.au. An unregistered operator has no accountability if something goes wrong.
🚩 Unusually low quote — 30%+ below market
If a quote is significantly below the market rate (our cost guide gives you the benchmark), ask why. Common tactics: the quote does not include fuel, does not include stairs, or the business inflates hours dramatically on the day.
🚩 Cash-only and no receipt
Reputable removalists accept card, bank transfer, or cash and provide a tax invoice (receipt). Demanding cash with no receipt is a tax evasion indicator and leaves you with no proof of transaction if a dispute arises.
🚩 Holding your goods hostage
This is the most egregious removalist scam: the company demands payment above the quoted price before unloading, using your belongings as leverage. If this happens, document everything, do not pay above the agreed amount without written agreement, and contact Queensland Fair Trading immediately.
🚩 No physical address or contact beyond a mobile number
A legitimate removalist company has a depot, an office address, or at minimum a registered business address you can look up. A mobile number and a Facebook page is not enough verification.
🚩 No reviews or reviews that look bought
Check Google Business reviews — not just the star rating, but the review text and dates. Legitimate operations have reviews spread across weeks and months, with specific details. A company with 50 generic 5-star reviews posted in one week is suspicious. We have 153 verified Google reviews at 4.9★ — the verification process takes time to build.
When to Book a Removalist
Local Brisbane moves
For a standard local move (1–3 bedroom), 2–3 weeks ahead is usually sufficient on most dates. End-of-month Fridays and the end of December fill 4+ weeks ahead. Midweek moves have the most availability.
Interstate moves
Book 4–6 weeks ahead for interstate. The Brisbane–Melbourne run (see our Brisbane to Melbourne guide) and Brisbane–Sydney run (see our Brisbane to Sydney guide) are especially popular and fill early.
High-demand periods
These dates book out first: end-of-month (28th–2nd of next month); school holiday periods; public holiday weekends; late December and January. If your settlement or lease start falls on one of these dates, call as soon as you know — not after you sign.
What to Do on Moving Day
- Have all items packed and boxes sealed before the crew arrives — unpacked rooms add billable hours
- Clear paths from rooms to the exit — furniture in hallways doubles loading time
- Defrost fridge and freezer the night before — wet appliances create problems in the truck
- Keep valuables (jewellery, documents, laptops, medications) with you — they should not go in the truck
- Take photos of furniture condition before loading — useful if any damage claims arise
- Do a final walk-through of both properties — attic, shed, garage, outdoor areas
For the complete timeline, use our 4-week moving checklist.
Storage Options if Your Date Doesn’t Align
Settlement delays and lease gaps are the most common reason people need short-term storage. Our Brisbane storage at Kennards Coorparoo is $150/week per 20 ft container (35 m³). You can move straight from your old address to storage, then to your new home when it is ready — without having to move twice using different providers.
Frequently Asked Questions — How to Book a Removalist
What is the best way to compare removalist quotes?
Get at least two written quotes with identical access information provided to each. Compare the hourly rate, minimum charge, fuel levy, and what is included. The cheapest headline rate often has exclusions that make the final bill competitive with or above higher-quoted alternatives.
How do I know a removalist is legitimate?
Check the ABN at abr.business.gov.au. Verify Google reviews are spread across time and have specific details. Ask for a certificate of current insurance. Request a written quote rather than a verbal one. Legitimate businesses welcome these requests — evasion is itself a red flag.
Is Saturday more expensive than weekdays?
Yes, for most Brisbane removalists. Relocation Rangers charges a small Saturday surcharge (we do not publish the specific figure — call for confirmation). Midweek moves typically offer the best availability and the most competitive rate.
What should I do if something gets damaged on my move?
Document damage immediately with photos before items are moved further. Note it on the delivery receipt if one is provided. Report to the removalist company in writing (email, not just phone) within 24 hours. If the company does not respond satisfactorily, contact Queensland Fair Trading and your own home and contents insurer.
What is a reasonable tip for removalists?
Tipping is not standard or expected in Australia. The best recognition for a good removal team is a detailed, honest Google review — it genuinely helps the business far more than cash tips. Of course, if you want to shout the crew a coffee or a cold drink on a hot day, that is always appreciated.
Can I book a removalist with less than a week’s notice?
Sometimes, for local Brisbane moves. Our same-day and last-minute availability depends on the date and existing bookings — call (07) 3472 7573 directly for urgent requests. Interstate moves with less than a week’s notice are very difficult to accommodate on the Brisbane–Melbourne and Brisbane–Sydney routes due to truck scheduling.
Do removalists disassemble and reassemble furniture?
Most professional removalists will disassemble beds, dining tables, and other flat-pack furniture as part of the service. We do. However, confirm this at quote stage and mention any IKEA, complex modular, or custom-built furniture that requires tools. We do not disassemble or reassemble pre-installed fitted wardrobes, kitchen cabinetry, or built-in shelving — those require a carpenter.
Ready to book? Book your Brisbane move online — our transparent pricing, written quotes, and 4.9★ rated team make the process straightforward. Or call (07) 3472 7573 to speak directly with our team and confirm date availability.