How to Choose the Right Removalist in Melbourne
How to Choose the Right Removalist in Melbourne
Choosing the right removalist in Melbourne isn’t just about who has the cheapest price. It’s about trust, reliability, and finding a team who will take care of your belongings as if they were their own. Whether you’re moving across the city or just down the street, picking the right movers can make all the difference to your stress levels — and can even end up saving you money in the long run! Continue reading to find out how.
Why Choosing the Right Removalist Matters
We hear about a nightmare moving experience every second day on the job. One customer recently told us that on his last move, he chose the cheapest movers he could find, only to have them back their truck right into his glass balcony, shattering the whole thing to pieces. Worse still, the company refused to accept responsibility, saddling him with several thousands of dollars in repair fees and a very angry landlord.
Unfortunately, the removalist industry is saddled with cowboy movers, advertising shockingly low rates while dodging insurance and underpaying employees. A good removalist should not only move your items safely — they should give you peace of mind throughout the process. Here’s how to make sure you’re hiring the right team for your move.
What Should I Look for When Hiring a Removalist?
There’s no shortage of moving companies in Melbourne, but not all are created equal. To avoid unnecessary stress (or a busted fridge), ask yourself these questions:
1. Do they offer transparent pricing?
Look for companies that offer fixed pricing. Many companies out there will offer price ‘estimates’ – but don’t be fooled. More often than not, a price estimate has less to do with the actual price you pay, and more to do with getting you to book.
At Jim’s Removals, we offer a Best Price Guarantee based on an item list description, meaning you’ll never pay more than your quoted price — no matter what happens on move day.
2. Are they properly insured?
Make sure your movers have public liability and goods-in-transit insurance. Accidents happen, but you shouldn’t be the one punished for them. A damage free guarantee is also a must-have, as many movers who say they’re fully insured will claim that minor scratches, marks and dents aren’t covered by insurance. Make sure to find a mover that provides all three insurance and damage policies.
3. What do the reviews say?
Check Google Reviews, ProductReview, and social media. Look out for consistent praise around communication, punctuality, and careful handling of goods. Make sure that these reviews are recent, as old reviews can sometimes have little to do with the current company. Some moving companies will coast on the success of old management, meanwhile failing to continue the customer service legacy.
4. Do they offer in-person or virtual inspections?
If you have a large job, this is key for accurate quoting and planning. A large job can include any house with 5+ bedrooms, or a move that needs packing or unpacking services. If a company isn’t willing to see what they’re moving ahead of time, it can often be a red flag.
What Services Do They Offer That Actually Help?
Not all moving extras are worth paying for — but some can save you big in the long run. Here’s what to look out for:
- Reusable Moving Boxes: we’ve had glowing feedback on our Jim Boxes, with customers saying it helps with everything from packing efficiency, protecting items and moving speed. We recently had two customers with similar amounts of boxes — one used our Jim Boxes and one used their own. The customer using Jim Boxes finished hours earlier and saved money because they were easier to stack and move.
- Disassembly and reassembly: If you’ve got a tricky bedframe or awkward furniture, a team that handles this for you is worth its weight in gold. Just make sure to let them know in advance, as they’ll need to know to bring the right tools to the job.
- Packing Services: For customers short on time, hiring help with packing can prevent delays and damage.
Should I Always Go With the Cheapest Option?
In short — no. There’s an age old saying in the moving industry: the cheapest movers can end up being the most expensive. If the team is inexperienced, underinsured, or careless, you may spend hundreds (or thousands) fixing mistakes, not to mention the unnecessary stress on top of your already stressful move.
That being said, there are ways to keep things budget-friendly. Many of our customers save money by moving small items themselves and leaving the heavy lifting to us. Boxes can easily take up an entire truckload — and hundreds of dollars in time — so doing a few car trips yourself can make a big difference.
Also consider timing: weekday moves are almost always cheaper. We’ve had customers rearrange their schedules just to lock in a weekday discount.
If you want more budget moving tips, be sure to check out our Budget Moving Guide.
Checklist: How to Choose the Best Removalist in Melbourne
✅ Do they offer a fixed price or Best Price Guarantee?
✅ Are they insured and properly licensed?
✅ Do they have strong, recent reviews?
✅ Can they provide an accurate quote (ideally via inspection)?
✅ Do they offer extras like moving boxes or packing help?
✅ Are they responsive and easy to communicate with?
✅ Do they seem confident and experienced?
✅ Are they up-front about potential delays or access issues?
Real Experience. Real Results.
Moving can be more stressful than divorce — but not with us. Our customers tell us they choose Jim’s Removals because of our friendly crew, clear communication, and transparent pricing. We take pride in being the removalists that people trust with their most important belongings.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, just know that we’ve seen it all — from nightmare garages to missing pets — and we’re here to help every step of the way.
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