Choosing a removalist
How to choose a removalist: 10 checks before you book
By the Outer Space Removals teamUpdated November 2026 6 min read
Most bad moves start with a cheap quote from a company nobody checked. A few minutes of homework tells you who will turn up, what it will really cost and what happens if something goes wrong. Here are the ten checks we’d make if we were booking a removalist ourselves.
In this guide
The 10 checks
- Reviews: a good number of recent Google reviews, with real detail. Read the one and two-star ones too, and how the company answered.
- A real business: an ABN, a landline or mobile that’s answered, and a physical depot, not just a website.
- Their own crew and truck: ask whether the crew are their staff or subcontractors, and what size the truck is.
- What’s included: blankets, wrapping, taking furniture apart and putting it back together should be in the price.
- How they charge travel: from their depot and back, a call-out fee, or travel included up to a limit.
- The minimum booking, and how time is counted after it.
- GST: is the price including it, or “+ GST”? That’s 10% on the day.
- Insurance: public liability and goods in transit, with the amounts.
- The deposit and cancellation terms, in writing.
- What happens if you’re not happy: a guarantee, and who you call on the day.
Red flags in a cheap quote
- A very low hourly rate with a long minimum, or a big call-out fee in the fine print.
- A fixed price given without asking what you own or how the access is at both homes.
- A large deposit, or cash only.
- No written terms, or terms you can’t find before you book.
- A company name that doesn’t match the ABN, the reviews or the truck.
Want your exact price?
From $154/hr, GST included Not happy? You only pay cost price
Questions to ask on the phone
- When does the clock start and stop?
- What’s your minimum, and how is time counted after it?
- Is GST included in that rate?
- What happens if the move takes longer than you think?
- Can you send your insurance certificate to my building manager?
- What can’t you move?
How we answer those questions
Our rate is $154/hr Monday to Thursday and $165/hr Friday and Saturday, GST included, for a 4.5-tonne truck and two movers. The minimum is 1.5 hours, the clock starts when we arrive, and the first 30 minutes of driving from our depot and back are on us. Blankets, wrapping and taking furniture apart and rebuilding it are included.
We carry $20M public liability and $250K goods in transit cover. The deposit is one hour at the day’s rate, taken off your bill and refunded in full if you cancel with at least 24 hours’ notice. And if you’re not happy on the day, tell our office: we put it right, or you only pay our cost price.
Helpful next steps
Get a free quote for your move
From $154/hr, GST included, or one fixed price. No obligation.
