top of page

Moving Tips

Create lists and schedules

  • Creating lists of what you will need to move, gift to charity, or dispose of will help you prioritise what you really need in the new premises. Then you can schedule when to action these lists. This will also help with getting a more accurate quote.

​
Priority boxes/bags

  • Pack 1 or more priority boxes or bags that contain essential items you will need to access quickly at the new premises. Think of items like toilet paper, cups, milk, jug, towels, scissors, door wedges, tools etc. Clearly mark these boxes/bags.

​
Free boxes

  • As a moving business we often find our customers donate their old boxes to us for use by another customer. Ask us or any groups you may be a member of in social media if there are any moving boxes and packing material available.

​
Clearly label your boxes and create a map

  • Mark each box clearly for the room destination at the new premises. To help speed up the process, create a map of the new premises clearly showing which room is what such as master bedroom, master bathroom, bedroom 2, lounge 1 etc. Try colour coding the map and use tape on boxes with the corresponding colour.

​
Keep boxes light

  • We are not super heroes. Look after your backs and ours by packing heavier items in smaller boxes to reduce strain. Packing fragile items in smaller boxes will also reduce the likelihood of these having items stacked on top.

​
Dismantling furniture

  • Where possible, dismantle your furniture and package together. Take photos during the process to remind yourself how it goes back together. Place screws, washers, bolts etc in zip lock bags and label their positions. Ask if we can provide this service for you including reassembly.

​
Use towels and linen as packing material

  • Use your tea towels, bath towels, bed linen etc as padding or in place of bubble wrap.

​
Use rubbish bags for loose clothes/cushions

  • If you pack your clothes or cushions into rubbish bags then these can be used to help stabilise items in the back of the truck. Use your suitcases to pack items like pots and pans.

​
​​Plan for traffic

  • You can't always choose your moving date but if you plan around peak hour traffic times you could reduce your move by hours. We also service relocations outside of hours for reduced traffic and better parking.



Get a few of your friends and/or family involved

  • We think of mates rates being your mates pitching in to reduce your rates. Loading and unloading yourselves will reduce the labour costs. Our after hours service means you can help load your items when you're home from work.



Have your items ready to go

  • Completely pack your items and have them ready to load on arrival. Any extra packing that our team has to do will increase the time required for the move.



Communicate any changes

  • Let us know as soon as possible about any changes to the plan. We're flexible and can usually find solutions to keep things on track.



Check local events on your moving date(s)

  • Large local events can create a lot of traffic woes and steal your mates availability to help out so plan around them if possible.

 

 

Insurance

Acquire you own carriers insurance

  • NDML transports all goods at "owners risk". Although we have Public and Products Liability Insurance we strongly recommend you source your own individual insurance cover that will act in your interest in the event that issues or damage occurs. We recommend you discuss transit insurance with your current provider or seek a broker.

 
Public and Products Liability Insurance



Comprehensive Vehicle Insurance

  • Our vehicles have full comprehensive cover which covers for accidental loss or damage to insured motor vehicles and/or damage to third party property or bodily injury, resulting from the use of those vehicles for both business and private purposes within New Zealand.



Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017

 

Your Consumer Rights (source: consumer.org.nz)

  • If you hire a company to move furniture, send a parcel by courier or check in your luggage with an airline, you're covered by the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017. The Act gives you certain rights to compensation for loss or damage, though any contract you sign might limit those rights.

  • If you don't have a written contract with the carrier, your goods will be carried at "limited carrier's risk". This means the carrier is liable for any unintentional loss or damage up to $2000 for each separate item.

  • If you have a written contract, signed by you, it should specify the type of liability arrangement - either "limited carrier's risk", or one of these 3 options:

  • If the goods are carried "at owner's risk", the carrier is not liable for any unintentional loss or damage.

  • For goods carried "at declared value risk", the carrier is liable for loss or damage up to an amount you agree. This amount must be specified in the contract.

  • If the goods are carried "on declared terms", the carrier and the customer are free to negotiate all the terms of the contract as they wish. This arrangement will usually be used only by businesses.

  • There is an exception for intentional damage. If the carrier or an employee intentionally damage or harm your goods, they're liable for the full cost no matter what type of contract you have.

  • There is also an exception for mail. Letters are covered by the Postal Services Act 1998, and there is no right to compensation if they are lost or damaged, or arrive late.

Making a claim

  • Under the Contract and Commercial Law Act, you have 30 days to make a claim. However, the carrier's contract may specify a different period - in some cases just a few days. The carrier is free to do this, so it pays to check when you sign the contract.

  • If you can't resolve the problem with the carrier, you may be able to take a claim to the Disputes Tribunal.

Insurance

  • Most carriers will only take goods at the owner's risk - so it's important you make arrangements for insurance, either through the carrier, or directly with an insurer.

  • Standard contents policies don't cover your goods during removals by a third party, so you'll need extra cover when you're moving house. Shop around - for moves within New Zealand you can expect to pay between 1 and 2 percent of the value of the insured goods.

  • Regardless of how you buy the insurance, make sure you check the policy carefully in advance.

  • Find out whether you're getting "replacement" or "indemnity" cover.

  • Check for exclusions - for example, some policies limit or exclude cover if you pack your own goods rather than using the professionals. You may be able to pay top-up insurance to cover exclusions.

  • Check the excess. A higher excess could result in a lower premium.

  • Make a list of all the goods to be moved and their value. The value you use will depend on whether you have replacement or indemnity cover.

  • Remember, most policies don't cover cash and valuable documents. See our report on House and contents insurance for more advice on how to keep your possessions covered in transit.

Consumer Guarantees Act

  • While the Contract and Commercial Law Act covers loss or damage to goods while in a carrier's care, the Consumer Guarantees Act will still provide protection against other types of loss if a carrier fails to carry out their service with reasonable care and skill. For example, if movers back their truck into your car while collecting your goods, they will be liable under the Consumer Guarantees Act for the cost of repairs.

  • You also have rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) when a retailer agrees to deliver goods you’ve bought from it. The retailer has to make sure the goods get to you on time. If you haven’t agreed on a specific delivery time, then delivery has to be within a reasonable time.

  • What happens if the goods don’t arrive on time? You’re entitled to claim compensation for any losses you incur as a result of the delay. You’re also entitled to reject the product and claim a refund if the failure to get the goods to you is substantial.

  • The CGA also makes it clear the retailer has to put things right when the goods arrive damaged. They can’t just blame the courier. It’s the retailer’s responsibility to provide a remedy: you don’t have to fight it out with the courier company.

  • If you receive something in damaged condition, complain to the company that sent it to you. Insist that they sort it out.

 

bottom of page