Moving to Brisbane or Gold Coast: Choosing the Right Removalist 21/11/2017 The issue with housing affordability in capital cities such as Sydney and Melbourne remain a concern for many Australian families, we are starting to see a rise in interstate migration and a majority is moving to the Sunshine State. And why wouldn’t you? For the price of a house in Sydney you can buy two in Brisbane, better weather all year around as the coldest day does not fall below 9 degrees Celsius. Not to mention the more relaxed and laid back lifestyle it brings due to the proximity to the coast, you can also expect less traffic and cheaper cost of living. Before you find removalists Brisbane or search for removalists Gold Coast, it pays to do your research to ensure a smooth move to the Sunshine State. Questions you must ask before choosing the right removalist How long have you been in business? When a business has been operating for many years, it shows a considerable amount of experience in the industry. In order to stay competitive for a sustained period of time is also evidence in the ability to deliver satisfactory results. Do you offer transit insurance? Moving interstate is a big decision and you would want to ensure that your possessions arrive safely at your new destination. Transit insurance covers your possessions whilst in transport from your old home to your new home, so make sure you are covered for transit insurance. Although removalists do treat your contents with care, accidents do happen and if they do, it can cost you far more. Can you provide proof of Public Liability Insurance? It is one thing to ask if the business has public liability insurance and another to provide proof of this. Ensure the company has adequate liability insurance in place to prevent you being liable for any injuries that may occur on your property. How do you handle claims? Ensure you understand the company process for handling claims, is it an easy to follow procedure or one that requires you to jump through a few hoops? Any insurance claim should be straight forward, understanding and help alleviate any anxiety and stress. How do you prevent property damage? Professional removalists should take extra care to prevent any damage to walls, floors, door frames, etc. Time should be taken to measure doorways, stairways and elevators to determine the safest way to move your items. Moving blankets, foam and furniture corner guards should be used to help safeguard items and also protect damage to the home. What payment methods do you accept? Quality movers will accept credit cards and bank transfers; this is the best form of payment as you will have a record of what has been paid in the case of any disputes or complaints. For movers who only accept cash, ensure you obtain a receipt of money paid; otherwise it may be best to avoid. Can you guarantee pickup and delivery dates? Movers need to be highly organized, however it may be difficult to pinpoint an exact time. For those who can guarantee a set date should be able to deliver, ensure you are clear with the terms if pickup or delivery dates are missed, you may be entitled to be reimbursed. Do you provide a written moving contract? Reputable removalists will provide a signed moving contract, ensure you understand everything written and both parties agree on the terms and conditions. Movers who do not provide a written contract is a warning sign of dodgy movers. Moving interstate can be a challenging time; it is often filled with emotions and can be one of life’s most stressful situations. Being prepared, doing your research and asking the right questions can help in making your move a smooth one. Moving house: are your possessions covered? 14/11/2017 What most people don’t realise when moving house is that all their contents on the back of the removal truck is not covered for any damage. The typical removal quotation is based on collecting items on your inventory list, items are packed and loaded onto trucks and delivered to your new address before being unloaded. Unless you have purchased removal insurance or transit insurance, most removal contracts would have a clause that states ‘whilst every due care is taken to ensure goods arrive safely at their destination, we are not liable for any loss or damage due to any unforeseen circumstances’, this is to outline that you are not covered for any damage associated with the transportation of goods. When it comes to transportation of furniture and goods, it can be confusing to understand who holds responsibility for damage items. It is not uncommon to think that your items are automatically covered when a removalist takes on your moving job, whether it is cover from your own home and contents insurance or the removers own insurance, however that is far from the case. The removers own insurance typically consist of public liability insurance and third party motor vehicle insurance, both instances cover the removalist for claims that may arise from negligence. They are not designed to cover goods of a third party but protect the removal company when found to be legally liable to compensate for loss or damage due to negligence. As for one’s home and contents insurance, cover can vary and it typically depends on the insurer and the policy terms and conditions. Generally you will find that many insurers will only cover contents damaged in a collision or fire and not for accidental damages. What does transit insurance cover? Transit insurance is designed to cover your possessions whilst in transport from your old home to your new home. Removalists can sell transit insurance as part of their removal service under license, contents insurance providers can offer cover under an optional extra or there are independent insurers who specialise in moving cover. The cost of moving insurance is dependent on what the sum of the contents is insured for and typically covers: Loss or damage to goods from the beginning of transportation Loss or damage from the removalist mishandling or from road accidents Requirement for storage of goods While it may be tempting to cut your overall moving costs by not taking appropriate transit insurance, accidents do happen and being left without the right cover can end up costing you a lot more. Insurance is for peace of mind and is something to consider when making your next move, whether it is moving interstate or moving locally, ensure you understand your level of cover.