Moving in South Africa? Whether youāre relocating within Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, or across provinces, choosing the right moving company is crucial for a stress-free experience. At MovePack Furniture Removals, we understand the challengesāhidden fees, damaged goods, and unreliable movers can turn your dream move into a nightmare.
To help you avoid scams and make an informed decision, weāve compiled the top 10 questions to ask before hiring movers, backed by real competitor data from top South African moving companies.
š Why This Matters:
- 90% of customers regret not vetting movers properlyĀ (Source: SA Moving Industry Report 2023).
- Licensed movers reduce risk by 70%Ā (Consumer Protection SA).
- Transparent pricing = 5x higher customer satisfactionĀ (MovePack client surveys).
10 Critical Questions to Ask Before Hiring Movers
1. Are You Licensed & Insured?
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Why It Matters: Unlicensed movers = no legal protection.
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What to Ask:
- “Can you provide yourĀ PMA (Professional Movers Association) registration?”
- “What type ofĀ insuranceĀ do you offer?”Ā (Basic vs. full coverage).
ā Ā MovePackās Answer:Ā WeāreĀ fully licensed & insuredāyour belongings areĀ 100% protected.
2. What Experience Do You Have with Moves Like Mine?
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Why It Matters: Moving a 3-bedroom house in Durban ā office relocation in Sandton.
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What to Ask:
- “Have you handled movesĀ in my area?”
- “Can you shareĀ case studies or testimonials?”
ā Ā MovePackās Answer:Ā Weāve completedĀ 5,000+ movesĀ across SAāfromĀ apartments to corporate relocations.
3. What Services Do You Offer?
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Why It Matters: Some movers only transportāothers pack, load, and unpack.
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What to Ask:
- “Do you offerĀ packing/unpacking, storage, or fragile item handling?”
- “IsĀ furniture disassemblyĀ included?”
ā Ā MovePackās Answer:Ā We provideĀ full-service moves, includingĀ specialty item transportĀ (pianos, antiques).
4. How Do You Calculate Costs?
š°Ā Price Ranges in SA (2025):
- Local moves (e.g., Joburg to Pretoria): R1,500 ā R7,000
- Long-distance (e.g., Cape Town to Durban): R3,500 ā R50,000
ā Ā What to Ask:- “Is this aĀ binding quote?”
- “Are thereĀ hidden feesĀ (fuel surcharges, stairs fee)?”
ā Ā MovePackās Answer:Ā Free, no-obligation quotesĀ withĀ no surprises.
5. Whatās Your Damaged Items Policy?
šØ Industry Standard:
- Know whether Goods In Transit Insurance is included in the service, or obtained separately.
- Full-value protection: Replacement cost coverage.
ā Ā What to Ask:- “How do you handleĀ damage claims?”
- “Whatās theĀ time limitĀ to file a claim?”
ā Ā MovePackās Answer:Ā 24/7 claims supportĀ withĀ fair compensation. Ts and Cs apply,
6. Do You Offer Storage Solutions?
š¦ Why It Matters: Delays happenāsecure storage prevents headaches.
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What to Ask:
- “Is storageĀ short-term or long-term?”
- “What are theĀ security measures?”
ā Ā MovePackās Answer:Ā Climate-controlled storageĀ withĀ 24/7 surveillance.
7. How Do You Protect My Property?
š Common Moving Damages:
- Scratched floors (50% of complaints).
- Wall dings (30% of claims).
ā Ā What to Ask:- “Do you useĀ floor protectors & furniture blankets?”
ā Ā MovePackās Answer:Ā Yes!Ā We useĀ professional padding & trolleysĀ to prevent damage.
- “Do you useĀ floor protectors & furniture blankets?”
8. Whatās Your Cancellation Policy?
ā³ Why It Matters: Some companies charge 50% cancellation fees.
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What to Ask:
- “Is there aĀ free cancellation window?”
ā Ā MovePackās Answer:Ā Flexible cancellationsĀ withĀ full refunds if notified early. See Ts & Cs.
9. Can You Provide References?
ā Why Online Reviews Matter:
- 4.5+ stars on Google/Trustpilot = Reliable.
- Avoid companies with deleted negative reviews.
ā Ā What to Ask:- “Can I seeĀ recent Google/HelloPeter reviews?”
ā Ā MovePackās Answer:Ā Check ourĀ 4.9ā HelloPeter ratingĀ fromĀ real clients.
- “Can I seeĀ recent Google/HelloPeter reviews?”
10. Whatās Your Delivery Timeline?
ā±ļø Why It Matters: Some movers delay by weeks.
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What to Ask:
- “Do you guaranteeĀ delivery dates?”
- “What if youāre late?”
ā Ā MovePackās Answer:Ā On-time delivery guaranteeĀ orĀ discount.
Why Choose MovePack Furniture Removals?
ā Licensed & Insured | ā 5,000+ Successful Moves | ā Transparent Pricing
ā Free Quotes | ā 24/7 Customer Support | ā 5-Star Rated
šĀ Ready for a Stress-Free Move?
šĀ Get Your Free Quote Today!
Final Tips for Hiring the Best Movers
- Compare at least 3 quotesĀ (avoid the cheapestācheck reviews).
- Visit their warehouseĀ (if possible).
- Avoid cash-only moversĀ (red flag for scams).
š” Did You Know? MovePack saved clients 30% by eliminating hidden fees. Book now!
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“Have you ever wondered why some moving companies seem to ‘lose’ your belongings during transit? Or why your furniture suddenly doesn’t fit in your new place after they’ve moved it? It’s not always incompetence. Sometimes, it’s a deliberate tactic to upsell you on their ‘replacement’ services. Let’s discuss the less talked about practices in the moving industry and how you can protect yourself.
Hie Billiardsspace.com
That’s a really great question! You have also brought to my attention a practice that I was not aware exists in the industry. Out of curiosity, I went on to conduct a mini research on this issue. Sad to say, unfortunately, you may be correct. Some less reputable moving companies out there do use these tactics to improve on their monthly sales.
From our view point, this is extremely wrong. And there’s no amount of desperation that can justify such an act. It can be incredibly frustrating and stressful for customers. Some items are of sentimental value, while others are,…simply put… irreplaceable. Besides, fleecing clients of their hard earned money through unscrupulous business practices like these is tantamount to theft.
You’ve pointed out an important issue ā however – in my experience, this is not always the issue. Some companies are simply incompetent. They just can’t get things done right (but, that’s another story).
To protect yourself when moving, I recommend:
1. Thorough Inventory: Always make a detailed inventory with photos and descriptions before the move.
2. Reputable Companies: Research movers carefully, check reviews, and verify their licensing.
3. Clear Contracts: Make sure your contract clearly outlines liability for lost or damaged items.
4. Insurance: Consider getting additional moving insurance to cover potential losses.
At MovePack Furniture Removals, in addition to the above, we take extra steps to try and protect your furniture by:
1. Packaging: we ensure that your valuables are properly packed, wrapped or boxed to avoid damages.
2. We use moving blankets to cover furniture in transit and avoid scratching valuables.
3. We use an experienced team that handles your furniture well.
You can read our reviews on https://www.hellopeter.com/movepack-furniture-removals
I hope this helps. What other concerns do you have about moving? I’d love to chat about them!