Are you a bit nervous regarding your house move? 

Although you want to be ready, you don't want to blow all your money on this move.

So can you get away with doing it yourself?

Many people prefer to do it themselves while moving to a new home or immigrating to a new town, city, or country. It's a common saying that "if you want something done well, you have to do it yourself," yet hiring skilled, seasoned professionals to move your possessions for you is often a wise choice. 

Hiring a professional company or a helping hand can ensure safe and fast transportation.

But, before you hire professionals, you should consider the following tips to avoid being taken advantage of by a fraudulent mover.

Factors to consider if you want to hire movers in Australia

Knowing who to entrust with your priceless items might be difficult. We have shared this guide with you to assist you in selecting the ideal 2 men and a truck in Melbourne:

Do they have Licenses and insurance?

You must confirm that the company you intend to hire is licenced and provides insurance. Since many companies offer cargo insurance in case anything goes wrong, they are liable to pay you. Aside from that, it guarantees that your move will be handled with care and responsibility. When you hire the man and truck facility, you get everything you need to unpack quickly, easily, and safely. These men have free moving pads for furniture protection as well as a plastic stretch wrap for china cabinets and other glass surfaces. When hiring movers, it is critical to enquire about what is included, as this could save you both time and money.

Are they AFRA accredited?

Selecting a removalist who has received accreditation from the official removals authority should be your only preference, which is an Australian government-approved certificate approved by the Australian Furniture Removers Association (AFRA). It means that their staff members must meet the highest requirements for staff training, tools, cars, insurance, and storage facilities to receive the AFRA seal of approval. Hence, the moving company you are considering hiring should have an AFRA-approved logo on its website. You must also not forget that the moving industry is not regulated. Anyone can purchase a truck and use the term "removalist" without adhering to the highest criteria set by the sector.

Have they passed the background check?

The transportation industry is regulated by state and federal transportation departments, which require background checks and screenings before officially declaring them a "two men and a truck” company. These procedures will typically include information such as:

  • Verifying the person’s previous three-year employment.
  • Pre-employment screening using the FMCSA's PSP report to obtain driver records.
  • Determining if they have any criminal history.
  • Verifying the Drug/Alcohol Violation History by obtaining a three-year drug/alcohol violation history.
  • Obtaining records on driver safety, health, and working conditions.

Are they getting good reviews?

Finding moving companies with excellent feedback is a great way to assess the company’s reputation. As many companies have a separate "2 men and a truck" page on their website, their customers provide feedback regarding the same, indicating whether they liked their service or not. It's possible that some of your friends have used their services and can provide you with their insights about working with these movers. If you come across positive testimonials, this suggests that the people who left them had a favorable experience working with that company and would recommend them to other people.

Do they have any hidden fees?

Most moving companies get you into trouble by increasing the cost on moving day in the form of hidden fees. These fees are either buried beneath the legalese in your contract, misrepresented, or go unnoticed until they appear on your final bill. It's also unlikely that a customer service representative will give you a straight answer. If a company hides its fees, its employees are likely to do the same. However, if there is an agreement on hidden costs, we recommend working with a different company.

How do they handle claims for loss and damage?

Although you know that you will get a claim for the damaged furniture or belongings if any. But do you know what and how much it will be? We advise you to speak with your mover and go through the claims process before receiving compensation for items that were lost or damaged. You should understand the complete claim procedure and consult the customer support agent about it.

The Takeaway

Moving can be extremely stressful, regardless of where you live! Only one thing going wrong can sometimes set off a chain reaction of chaos. If you rush through the process of selecting a removalist, you may come to regret it later. Choose one that will guide you through the entire moving process while freeing up your energy to focus on other things.