Two quotes can show similar hourly rates and still produce very different bills. Travel charging, minimum hours, stairs, lifts, parking, waiting time, bulky items, packing and storage can all change the total. The fairest comparison starts before you ask for prices.
In this guide 9 sections and a comparison tool
How this guide was researched: TenantTools reviewed current Queensland Government guidance for removalists, quotes and contracts, plus ACCC guidance on consumer guarantees for services. No provider, price or insurance product is endorsed.
Compare up to three removalist quotes
Enter fixed or hourly quotes, model known costs and ranges, flag missing terms, print a summary, export CSV or download the Excel template. Your quote details stay in your browser tab.
Give every removalist the same move brief
Begin with a room-by-room inventory. Include boxes, appliances, beds, mattresses, desks, outdoor furniture, plants and items that are unusually heavy, fragile or awkward. Record the pickup and delivery suburb, preferred date, property type and access at both ends.
- Count items honestly and say what you will dismantle or pack yourself.
- Identify stairs, lift-booking rules, narrow doors, long carries and height restrictions.
- Explain parking at both addresses, including loading zones and likely walking distance.
- List pianos, safes, stone tables, large televisions, glass cabinets and other special-handling items.
- State whether you need boxes, packing, unpacking, disassembly, reassembly, storage or rubbish removal.
- Ask what happens if settlement, keys, lift access or another contractor delays the job.
Photos or a video survey can help a provider assess access and volume. They do not replace a written inventory and scope. If a quote is based on incomplete information, ask for it to be revised before accepting it.
The equal-scope quote scorecard
Fill in all three columns. A blank is a question, not a saving.
Translate every quote into a likely total
For an hourly quote, ask for the provider's expected duration and the assumptions behind it. Then calculate a planning range rather than a single optimistic number.
(hourly charge × likely billable hours) + fixed extras + parking or tolls + optional servicesAlso model one extra billing increment or hour if access or key timing is uncertain.Confirm whether GST is included. Ask how the business rounds time, whether breaks are charged and whether the hourly rate covers the whole crew. For a fixed quote, check the inventory and exclusions that allow the price to change. Queensland Government guidance distinguishes a quote from an estimate, so do not treat the terms as interchangeable.
Commonly missed lines
Depot-to-pickup, pickup-to-delivery and return-to-depot rules can differ.
Stair, lift, long-carry and parking charges may apply at either end.
Bulky items, balcony lifts, dismantling, wrapping and extra labour may be separate.
Waiting for keys, booked lifts or settlement can keep an hourly clock running.
Treat building access as part of the move
Ask the property manager or body corporate about lift bookings, loading areas, protective padding, move windows and deposits. Measure large furniture against doorways and lift dimensions. If street parking is uncertain, ask the removalist who is responsible for lawful parking and any fees.
Do not promise exclusive access you have not confirmed. A cheaper midweek or flexible booking is useful only if it still fits your tenancy end, key handover and building rules.
Do not assume the truck's insurance covers your belongings
Queensland's removalist guidance says many businesses only hold insurance for their own vehicles. Ask whether your goods are covered in transit and during loading, unloading, packing and temporary storage. Get the insurer or policy provider, insured events, replacement basis, exclusions, excess and claim steps in writing. Check whether your contents insurer offers moving cover and what conditions apply.
Membership is a check, not a guarantee. Queensland Government suggests considering AFRA membership. Still read the actual quote, contract and insurance terms.
Read the accepted quote as the contract
Queensland Government guidance says accepting a quote forms a contract. Read the full terms before accepting, keep a copy and make sure no work or extra service starts without your approval. Confirm cancellation rules, deposit handling, payment timing, delivery date wording and the process for approving a variation.
Under the Australian Consumer Law, services come with guarantees including due care and skill, fitness for a disclosed purpose and supply within a reasonable time when no time is fixed. Tell the business about hard deadlines, fragile items and special handling needs in writing so the required purpose is clear.
Protect the handover on move day
- Photograph significant items, existing damage and packed boxes.
- Keep the agreed inventory and quote available.
- Walk through the pickup property before the truck leaves.
- Record agreed variations and prices in writing before extra work starts.
- Check rooms, storage areas and balconies at delivery.
- Note damage promptly and follow the contract's claim process.
Leave enough time after removal for cleaning and the Exit condition report. The Queensland bond cleaning checklist helps sequence that final pass.
If the bill or service does not match
First compare the invoice with the accepted scope, clock rules and any written variations. Identify the exact disputed amount or service failure, contact the business promptly and keep records. If it is not resolved, Queensland Office of Fair Trading and ACCC guidance explain consumer complaint options. The ACCC does not resolve individual disputes, but its guarantee guidance helps identify the relevant right.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose the cheapest removalist quote?
Not automatically. First make sure each quote covers the same inventory, access, travel, timing, labour, equipment and insurance questions.
What is the difference between a quote and an estimate?
Queensland Government guidance describes a quote as the price at which a business will supply the work, while an estimate is a rough guide that is generally subject to change. Read the terms attached to the document.
Does a removalist automatically insure my belongings?
No. Ask what cover applies to your goods, who provides it, the excess, exclusions and the claims process.
What should I photograph before the move?
Photograph higher-value and fragile items, existing scratches or dents, packed boxes and access conditions. Keep your inventory and accepted quote.
The practical bottom line
The useful quote is the one you can audit. Equalise the inventory, access facts, charging clock, included tasks and risk terms first. Then compare a realistic total and service fit, not an isolated hourly rate.
General information only: This is not legal, financial, insurance or moving advice. Quotes, contracts, access and cover differ. Read the current terms and obtain advice for your circumstances. Last reviewed 7 September 2026.