All your Auckland moving questions answered in one place.

Q: Are Movers Worth it?

Answer: Yes, movers are experienced in moving all your large and heavy items, this means you will save time and benefit from their experience. Competent movers will reduce the likelihood of to damage property, and will help you to avoid potential injuries. Movers also have specialized and purpose built equipment designed specifically for moving.

Q: Are Movers Cheaper on Weekdays?

Answer: There are no industry standard rates for movers, each company charges differently and while some companies charge less for weekdays and off peak times, others will charge a standard rate all week. Most movers however will charge extra for public holidays due to the extra cost associated with staffing.

Q: Are Movers More Expensive on Weekends?

Answer: Moving companies have different rates and pricing structures, some moving companies will charge more for weekends and on peak times while other companies will charge a standard rate every day. The best way to find out is to call each company individually or check their website for pricing structures.

Q: Are Movers Liable For Damage?

Answer: Whether or not a moving company is liable for damage will depend on a number of factors, these factors are:

• The type of contract you have entered into prior to the move commencing.
  There are three main contracts that cover moving in New Zealand, these are found in the contracts act 2017 section 248 and the following excerpt applies;
  
  (1)For the purposes of this subpart, each contract of carriage is one of the following kinds, as determined by section 249:
  (a)a contract for carriage at owner’s risk:
  (b)a contract for carriage at declared value risk:
  (c)a contract for carriage on declared terms:
  (d)a contract for carriage at limited carrier’s risk.
  (2)The liability of a carrier for loss or damage to goods under a contract of carriage is determined by the kind of contract as follows:
  (a)under a contract for carriage at owner’s risk, the carrier is not liable for the loss of or damage to any goods, except where the loss or damage is intentionally caused by the carrier:
  (b)under a contract for carriage at declared value risk, the carrier is liable for the loss of or damage to any goods up to an amount specified in the contract and otherwise in accordance with sections 256 to 260:
  (c)under a contract for carriage on declared terms, the carrier is liable for the loss of or damage to any goods in accordance with the specific terms of the contract:
  (d)under a contract for carriage at limited carrier’s risk, the carrier is liable for the loss of or damage to any goods in accordance with sections 256 to 260.
  
• What Type of damage has occurred; if the damage is to property other than the furniture or items being moved, i.e the house, gardens or other property features such as mailboxes, fences etc. Then yes the movers are liable just like any other business that comes onto your property to do work. Pro tip: make sure your movers have current public liability insurance to cover any accidents that might happen while they are working for you.
  

In summary, if your movers have not specified otherwise in writing prior to commencement of the move then YES they will be liable under the act which states: “A contracting carrier is liable to the contracting party for the loss of or damage to any goods that occurs while the carrier is responsible for the goods under sections 257 and 258 (whether or not the loss or damage is caused wholly or partly by the contracting carrier or by any actual carrier)“

Your movers will be liable for up to $2000 per item. Pro tip: Make sure you work out liability and insurance prior to commencing the move as carriers liability insurance does not cover used domestic items, this could cause issue in the event of a breakage, insurance should be purchased separately from an insurer who specializes in relocation insurance. There is also a difference between “moving insurance” and “relocation insurance”, make sure your goods are adequately covered if you require insurance.

Q: Are Movers Strong?

Answer: Yes, in most instances seasoned movers are strong and able to lift heavy items and carry them for sufficient distances to load into and out of your property. However in the instance of new movers or trainees their strength can be limited due to being new in the job. Building strength on the job takes time, but generally after about 6-12 months, most movers are stronger than the average person when it comes to lifting and carrying things.

Q: Are Movers Insured?

Answer: Experienced and competent movers should have at least two forms of insurance. Public liability and vehicle insurance should be bare minimum for a moving business. For movers who do commercial and logistic transport, then carriers liability would be an expected addition to their insurances. Some companies may be able to on sell relocation insurance from third party insurers. Ask your moving company if they can provide insurance options, if you require them.

Q: Are Movers Paid By The Hour?

Answer: Most moving companies will charge up on an hourly basis for around town moves, the charge out rate varies from company to company and will take into account factors such as: Truck size and the amount of workers on the job. Travel fees vary as well and while some companies may charge from depot to depot other companies will charge a one off fee to cover travel to and from the job.

There are online services that offer auctions or bids for your moving job on a set rate basis, but they are generally not recommended for same city moves as set rates can result in either the customer paying too much for the move or a company under quoting site unseen and causing extra charges or sub standard delivery on moving day.

Intercity moves are generally quoted on a set rate basis and will take into account daily rates, overnight fees, diesel and mileage fees and estimated load and unload times.

Q: Can Movers Move From a Storage Unit?

Answer: Yes, movers regularly move items in and out of storage units. Having Movers stack your unit is a more efficient way to make use of the storage space you are hiring as movers are generally highly skilled at loading furniture into tight spaces and make use of all the available room.

Q: Can Movers Disassemble Furniture?

Answer: Yes, most moving companies fit out their trucks with the tools required for assembly and disassembly of everyday furniture items such as beds and table legs etc. However if your furniture is flat packed and requires more complex or time consuming assembly or disassembly, then we recommend talking to your moving company prior to commencement of the job.

Q: Can Movers Pack For You?

Answer: Yes, most moving companies provide packing services. The type of services ranges from simple day before box up of your loose items for around town moves, right up to full wrapping and packaging of every item in your house for intercity or international moves.

Q: Can Movers Move Plants?

Answer: Yes most movers will move plants so long as they are not overly dirty or waterlogged. Most movers are happy to move your plants at the back end of the truck, however if they are waterlogged and leaking water then they may refuse to carry them as mud and water do not mix with peoples furniture. We recommend having a tarpaulin handy to use under your plants if the weather has been wet, this will not only help the movers out but will make rejection of the items less likely. Plants also are not very conducive to stacking, so if you have a large amount of plants then making a plan with your movers before the job starts is a good idea.

Q: Can Movers Move Dressers and Draws With Clothes in Them?

Answer: Yes, most movers will move drawers and dressers with the clothes still in them. However if the unit is large or the clothes are adding too much extra weight then they may take a drawer or two out to make the item manageable. But in general it is safe to leave your draws full, some moving companies will carry furniture wrap in order to keep the drawers safely shut while moving.