Movers, couriers and transport: what to book and what to pay

Moving house, delivering furniture or relocating an office means handing your belongings to someone else and expecting them to arrive at the right place in the right condition.

Price matters, but the cheapest number isn't very useful if the quotes don't include the same things.

Before booking, compare the actual load, transport method, access, packing, timing, cover for loss or damage and the written terms.

What moving services can cost

There isn't one national moving tariff.

Location, distance, load size, access and service level create substantial differences between quotes.

As a broad 2026 planning guide:

These are broad examples, not prescribed national rates.

Current market examples vary considerably even within the same city, so get a quote based on your actual inventory and addresses.

What changes the price

Moving quotes can be affected by:

• volume of goods;
• number and size of items;
• distance;
• vehicle size;
• number of movers;
• stairs;
• lifts;
• parking;
• distance between the property and truck;
• difficult or restricted access;
• packing;
• wrapping;
• disassembly and reassembly;
• storage;
• special items;
• date;
• urgency; and
• whether transport is shared or dedicated.

Tell the mover about access problems before they quote.

A third-floor apartment with no lift is not the same job as a ground-floor property with parking outside the door.

Give the mover a proper inventory

“It's a small two-bedroom house” can mean very different things.

A useful inventory might include:

• beds and mattresses;
• couches;
• dining furniture;
• desks;
• appliances;
• wardrobes;
• outdoor furniture;
• televisions;
• boxes;
• bicycles;
• gym equipment;
• plants; and
• unusually heavy or fragile items.

Mention anything that may need special handling.

Photos or a video walkthrough may also help a mover understand the job before quoting.

Local and long-distance moves aren't priced the same way

A short local move may be completed in a few hours.

An interprovincial move can involve fuel, tolls, driver time, overnight travel, scheduling and substantially more distance.

Long-distance customers may also encounter two different transport approaches:

Shared load or back-load: your belongings share truck space with other customers' loads travelling on a similar route.

Dedicated load: the vehicle or agreed truck capacity is dedicated to your move.

Shared loads can reduce the transport cost, but collection and delivery dates may be less flexible or take longer.

Ask which service you're being quoted for.

Don't compare quotes by price alone

Before deciding that one mover is R3,000 cheaper, check whether both quotes include the same things.

Compare:

• vehicle;
• number of movers;
• fuel;
• tolls;
• packing;
• wrapping;
• protective blankets;
• disassembly;
• reassembly;
• stairs or difficult-access charges;
• storage;
• travel;
• VAT;
• cover for loss or damage; and
• any other surcharges.

A low quote can become expensive if several essentials are added afterwards.

Ask what's included in packing

“Packing included” can mean different things.

Establish whether the mover provides:

• boxes;
• tape;
• bubble wrap;
• protective blankets;
• mattress protection;
• wrapping;
• packing labour;
• unpacking; and
• removal of packing materials afterwards.

If you're packing yourself, ask whether this affects any terms relating to damage.

Ask about goods-in-transit cover

Don't assume your belongings are automatically covered against every possible loss or damage simply because you're using a moving company.

Ask the provider:

• Is any goods-in-transit or other cover included?
• Who provides the cover?
• What events are covered?
• What isn't covered?
• Is there an excess?
• Is there a maximum amount?
• Do high-value items need to be declared?
• Does self-packing affect the cover?
• Is additional cover available?
• What is the claims process?

Get the relevant terms in writing before the move.

Tell the mover about valuable or unusual items

Some belongings require more planning than an ordinary box.

Tell the mover in advance about items such as:

• pianos;
• safes;
• large artworks;
• antiques;
• oversized furniture;
• fragile glass;
• high-value electronics;
• unusually heavy equipment; or
• items requiring special access.

Don't wait until the truck arrives to reveal a piano on the third floor.

Check both addresses properly

Access at the collection address is only half the job.

Check the destination too.

Consider:

• stairs;
• lift availability and size;
• loading zones;
• parking restrictions;
• estate or complex rules;
• security access;
• narrow roads;
• low clearances;
• restricted truck access; and
• how far the team must carry items.

Some estates, complexes and apartment buildings require move bookings or restrict moving hours.

Single-item deliveries need detail too

Moving one couch sounds simple until the couch doesn't fit through the door.

For a single-item delivery, give the transport Pro:

• item dimensions;
• collection address;
• delivery address;
• stairs/lift information;
• whether loading help is available;
• whether unloading help is needed;
• whether wrapping is required; and
• any time restrictions.

Ask whether the quote includes labour or only the vehicle and driver.

Courier and furniture transport aren't necessarily the same service

A parcel courier and a furniture-removal service may operate very differently.

Before booking, check whether the provider handles:

• parcels;
• furniture;
• bulky goods;
• fragile goods;
• same-day deliveries;
• business deliveries;
• intercity transport; or
• household removals.

Choose a service suited to what you're actually sending.

Plan office moves around downtime

Office relocation isn't only about furniture.

Businesses may need to coordinate:

• desks;
• computers;
• monitors;
• network equipment;
• printers;
• files;
• access control;
• furniture;
• confidential records; and
• business downtime.

Clarify which items the moving team handles and which should be managed by your own IT or specialist provider.

Sensitive data and equipment may need additional precautions.

Moving dates can affect availability and price

Month-end dates are often popular because leases commonly begin or end around that time.

Weekends and other high-demand periods can also fill quickly.

Some movers offer better availability or pricing on quieter dates, but don't assume that mid-month or mid-week is always cheaper.

Ask the provider about your specific date.

If your move date can't change, book with enough time to compare your options properly.

Get the booking in writing

Your written quote or agreement should make clear:

• collection address;
• destination;
• move date;
• inventory or load basis;
• vehicle/service type;
• services included;
• packing;
• total price;
• VAT treatment;
• deposit;
• balance due;
• possible additional charges;
• cancellation terms;
• postponement terms; and
• loss/damage process.

If the quote is based on information you've supplied, update the mover if your inventory changes substantially.

Check items when they're delivered

Where practical, check the delivery before the moving team leaves.

If something appears missing or damaged:

• document it;
• take photographs where appropriate;
• note the issue promptly; and
• follow the provider's written claims or complaints process.

Don't discard damaged items or packaging if they may be relevant to a claim before checking what the process requires.

Reviews can help, but they aren't guarantees

Reviews can provide useful information about previous customers' experiences.

Look for details about:

• communication;
• punctuality;
• handling;
• unexpected charges;
• care with belongings;
• problem resolution; and
• whether the service matched the quote.

A positive review history doesn't guarantee that nothing can go wrong with your move.

Use reviews alongside the quote, written terms and your other checks.

Understand what ID Verified means

South African Pros complete identity verification as part of the Know a Pro signup process before their profile can go live.

Once completed, their profile can display the ID Verified badge.

ID Verified relates to identity verification.

It does not prove reliability, honesty, driving ability, insurance, care, competence, punctuality, trustworthiness or quality of service.

It doesn't guarantee that someone will arrive on time or that goods won't be lost or damaged.

Use identity verification as one piece of information rather than treating it as a guarantee about the moving service.

Before moving day

A simple final checklist can prevent confusion:

• Is the inventory accurate?
• Are both addresses correct?
• Does the mover know about stairs and access?
• Is the date confirmed?
• Do you know the arrival or collection arrangements?
• Is packing included?
• Do you know what cover applies?
• Are valuable or special items declared?
• Do you understand additional charges?
• Do you know when the balance is due?
• Have you read the cancellation/postponement terms?
• Do you have the quote or agreement in writing?

Find a moving or transport Pro

Know a Pro lets you browse moving, delivery and transport Pros, compare available profile information and reviews, and decide who you want to contact.

Prices in this article are broad market examples for general guidance and were reviewed in September 2026. Actual moving and transport costs vary according to provider, location, route, volume, access, date and services required. Insurance and goods-in-transit arrangements vary by provider and policy. Always confirm the quote, service terms and applicable cover in writing before booking.