Dodgy Removalists Exposed: 5 Warning Signs to Look Out For

Dodgy Removalists: How to Spot Unreliable Movers Before It’s Too Late

Moving house or relocating an office is a big milestone. It can be exciting, but it can also turn stressful if you choose the wrong movers. Most people hire professional removalists to make the process easier, but not every company is reliable. Unfortunately, there are “unscrupulous removalists” who do rely on scamming people. They might give rock-bottom rates, conceal costs, ruin goods, or come up missing after payment.

The bright side is that these types of removalists tend to leave some warning signs behind. If you know what signs to look for, you can steer clear of scams and hire a reputable moving company that puts professionalism first. In today’s post, we’ll reveal the five big red flags that your removalists might be dodgy and a few tips to keep yourself safe.

1. No Proper Licensing or Insurance

In signing up for a moving company service, one of the major red flags to look out for is their official licensing and insurance. A professional removalist in Australia must have a verifiable ABN (Australian Business Number) and mention the transit insurance or liability cover they offer.

• Why licensing counts: A licensed company is bound by the rules and standards of the industry. Registration, after all, is the accountability when things don’t work out.
• The perils of movement: There are always risks when something’s on the move. Things get scratched up, broken, and lost. If not, your movers may not insure anything, or enough to cover potential losses.

Real-life Scenario: Let’s say you hire cheap movers who offer the cheapest quote and promise a speedy job, but do not have insurance. The fridge is dented during the move, the dining table leaves with a scratch, and a box is lost. And when you demand a cheque, they just shrug because they never even had insurance to pay out.

How to protect yourself:

• Don’t forget to request proof of insurance.
• See if they have an ABN.
• Don’t believe verbal promises—get everything in writing.

A trusted removalist will never hesitate to show their credentials. If they avoid the question or make excuses, consider it a big red flag.

2. Suspiciously Cheap Quotes

Another scam that disreputable movers will sometimes play is to attract customers with the lowest price. At first glance, the quote may sound appealing, but when you start the move, hidden expenses come to light. Suddenly, you may be asked for additional fees due to stairs, particularly heavy furniture, the cost of fuel, or even the use of packing blankets.

Difference between affordable and suspicious:

• Cheap movers will provide you with a cheap quote that is written on paper, but it’s not guaranteed that you are going to get a worry-free experience.
• Dodgy movers give you a price that is too good to be true, only to surprise you with additional fees.

Example: You get a quote of $250 from one mover while every other company charges $500–$600 for the same job. At first, you think you’re saving money. But on moving day, they add $200 for fuel, $100 for stairs, and $150 for “extra time”. In the end, you pay more than what a professional company would have charged.

How to protect yourself:

• Ask for a written estimate before you book.
• Insist on a line-by-line breakdown of those costs.
• Better yet, steer clear of companies that won’t put their quote down on paper.

The pricing is always clear with professional removalists in Australia. If a mover provides nothing more than an approximate or oral estimate, consider it a red flag.

3. No Physical Address or Online Presence

In the digital age that we live in, it’s pretty much impossible for any legitimate business to be offline. If your removalist doesn’t have a website, any Google reviews, or a verifiable business address — that’s absolutely a red flag.

Signs of dodgy movers:

• They only provide a mobile number with no landline.
• They have no real company information on their website.
• No reviews or business listings are available online.

Why this matters:

A physical address and an online presence give a business credibility. It means you can reach out if anything goes wrong. Dodgy operators often avoid having a proper office because they don’t want to be traced after a scam.

How to protect yourself:

• Search for the company’s ABN on its website.
• Look for reviews on Google, Facebook, or moving directories.
• Steer clear of movers who have no business-related information.

A physical address and an online presence give a business credibility. It means you can reach out if anything goes wrong. Dodgy operators often avoid having a proper office because they don’t want to be traced after a scam.

4. Demanding Large Upfront Payment

A professional mover will ask for a small deposit there and then in order to lock your booking, but they won’t require the full amount upfront. Shady movers commonly pull this one to either steal your money and never be seen again or offer a lacklustre product with no way for you to hold them accountable.

• Why that’s dangerous: You turn the money over, and you lose oversight. If they don’t show up, or if they do and the job is botched, you have scant hope of getting a refund.
• What’s normal: A small deposit or partial payment is acceptable. The remainder is usually paid after the relocation is done.

Example: A moving company requests an 80% advance payment. On moving day, they show up late with an old truck and treat your stuff like it’s trash. They already have most of your money, so they’re not overly worried about the quality of service they deliver.

How to protect yourself:

• Never agree to full upfront payments.
• Pay with traceable means such as a bank transfer, not cash.
• Request an invoice and a receipt each time you issue a payment.

An experienced removalist knows this is largely driven by customer trust and does not push back against unsafe payment methods.

5. Poor Communication and Unprofessional Behaviour

The communication by a moving company says everything about their professionalism. If they sidestep questions, fail to return e-mails, or keep altering facts, it’s a big red flag.

Red flags to watch for:

• Rude or unprofessional staff.
• No written contract.
• Vague answers to your queries.
• Unwillingness to provide receipts.

Why it matters: Moving is stressful as it is. You want a clear, dependable, and professional removalist to move you. Spotty communication tends to cause delays, misunderstandings, and spats.

Example: You hire a mover who promises to follow up with a written agreement, but you never receive one. On the day of the move, they show up late in a smaller truck and tell you that they booked a “basic package”. Because there is no written contract, you have no evidence of what was agreed.

How to protect yourself:

• Always insist on written contracts.
• Base professionalism on what you know about how they communicate.
• Trust your gut; if something seems off, it probably is.

A professional moving company is known for clear communication and a high level of customer service. If a company leaves you feeling squicky before you’ve even made the first move, better not take said move.

How to Protect Yourself from Dodgy Removalists

Knowing the red flags is important, but taking the appropriate measures will provide you with extra protection. Here’s how you can protect your move in a few easy steps:

• Dig in Deeper: Don’t choose the first company you find. Compare at least three movers.
• Check Credentials: Ensure ABN, licensing, and insurance are current.
• Read Reviews: Check customer reviews on Google, Facebook, or Trustpilot.
• Ask Questions: A reputable firm will gladly answer your questions.
• Get it in writing: Be sure to never settle for quotes and contracts that are oral.
• Don’t pay in cash: Employ a traceable, secure form of payment.

By simply doing this, you can protect yourself from bad movers and have a nice, smooth move.

Also Read – Tips & Tricks to Save Money During Your House Move in Australia

Conclusion

Your moving day should be smooth and stress-free, not filled with surprises and frustrations. Unfortunately, dodgy removalists still exist, but the good news is that they are easy to spot once you know the warning signs.

If your movers exhibit any of these five red flags — no licensing, too-low quotes, online invisibility, high upfront payment demand, or communication snags — it’s time to thank them for their time and walk away with the intention of finding a more professional pair/group.

We, at Team Removals Australia, believe in honesty, transparency, and customer care. Our professional removalists will manage everything for your move, whether you are moving house, relocating office, or need furniture moved. We offer transparent pricing, complete insurance, and outstanding service so you can move with confidence.

When moving, you need the removalists who treat your furniture and belongings with care, giving attention to every single detail. Your goods are safe with Team Removals Australia.