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Acceptance of items or goods for transportation
Please read the following information carefully. This information is for residential, commercial and business customers. Where price estimates are provided based on information given by the customer, Specialist Movers reserves the right to alter prices as a result of inaccurate information. Additional charges may also be incurred for additional labour required, storage, waiting time, services not requested and packing materials.
Specialist Movers will ascertain if any personal items or commercial goods are not safe to transport or are insufficiently packaged that may cause potential damage to either the item being moved, other items, or the transport vehicle. We reserve the right to reject acceptance of any item/s or goods. All Specialist Movers professional movers follow strict Health and Safety regulations to ensure no unnecessary risks are taken with transporting any items or goods.
Please note, any items that cannot be safely lifted or carried by two people must be disclosed and inspected by Specialist Movers. The recommended weight limit is a maximum of 80 kilograms for two professional movers. Additional resources/men may be required for heavier items, which will be at an additional charge.
If you are in doubt and have any questions, please call us to discuss what alternative options are available before you book. We are happy to help and discuss the best solution.
Acceptance of these Terms
By confirming your booking, you acknowledge that you have read and accept these Terms and Conditions, including in particular that your goods are carried at owner's risk under the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 unless you have arranged separate insurance cover. We record the date and time your acceptance is given.
Jewellery & High Value Items
Insurance providers recommend that all small-value items are moved by the owner and are NOT included with the larger household items on the removal vehicle. This includes jewellery, family heirlooms, fragile antiques, passports and any cash or credit cards.
TV's & Electronics
Where possible, it is advisable that you move your TV and any smaller electronics in your own vehicle as they may be susceptible to damage while in transit.
We take great care in the movement of electronic equipment; however, as goods are carried at owner's risk, we cannot be held responsible for electronics that cease working following a move, except where we cause the damage intentionally.
Whiteware Appliances
We are not plumbing specialists, and we do not connect or disconnect plumbed appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers. Please arrange a qualified plumber to disconnect and drain these appliances before your move, and to reconnect them afterwards. We are happy to transport whiteware once it has been safely disconnected and drained.
Removal of Fittings & Fixtures
Our crew are professional movers, not tradespeople, and we do not carry specialist tools such as drills. From time to time we may offer to help with small extras, such as taking a TV off a wall mount or removing a bracket or shelf. Any help of this kind is a complimentary courtesy only. It is not a professional removal or installation service, and it does not form part of your quoted move.
If a fitting or fixture needs tools we do not carry, or specialist skill to remove or reinstall safely, we will not be able to do it, and you will need to arrange a qualified tradesperson yourself. Where we offer complimentary help of this kind, Specialist Movers is not responsible for the cost of engaging a tradesperson or any other third party, and is not liable for loss or damage arising from it, except where caused intentionally by our team.
Packing Services & Fragile Items
Where Specialist Movers is requested to provide packing services, including the supply of packing materials and labour, all packing is undertaken strictly on a best-endeavours basis only. Packing services do not constitute a guarantee against damage or loss.
All goods, whether packed by Specialist Movers or by the Client, are transported at the owner's risk in accordance with the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017, unless separate insurance has been arranged.
Fragile, Delicate & Breakable Items
Fragile items include, but are not limited to:
- Glassware, mirrors, windows, and framed items
- Crockery, china, crystal, ornaments, and ceramics
- Lamps, light fittings, and decorative household items
As goods are carried at owner's risk, and while reasonable care is taken, Specialist Movers accepts no liability for breakage, cracking, chipping, or internal damage to fragile or delicate items, including when such items are packed by our staff, except where such damage is caused intentionally.
Items with pre-existing damage, wear, hairline fractures, or inherent weaknesses are packed and transported entirely at the Client's risk. Specialist Movers is not responsible for damage that occurs as a result of such pre-existing conditions.
Packed Cartons & Concealed Damage
As goods are carried at owner's risk, Specialist Movers accepts no responsibility for:
- Damage to the contents of sealed cartons
- Internal or concealed damage not immediately visible upon delivery
- Damage discovered after cartons have been unpacked by the Client
We ask that, where practical, cartons are unpacked and inspected at the time of delivery. This clause does not limit your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.
Items Packed by the Client
All items packed by the Client are transported entirely at the Client's risk. Specialist Movers accepts no responsibility for loss or damage arising from inadequate, unsuitable, or insufficient packing by the Client.
Excluded Items
The following items must not be packed or transported by Specialist Movers and remain the sole responsibility of the Client:
- Jewellery, cash, credit cards, passports, and important documents
- High-value, irreplaceable, or sentimental items
- Perishable goods, flammable, hazardous, or dangerous materials
If such items are packed or transported at the Client's request, this is done entirely at the Client's risk.
Unpacking Services
Where unpacking services are provided, they are limited to the removal of items from cartons only. Specialist Movers does not accept responsibility for damage identified during or after unpacking unless it results from our failure to carry out the service with reasonable care and skill.
Packing services provided by Specialist Movers do not include insurance cover unless expressly agreed in writing prior to the move.
Hourly Charges
After the first hour, we charge in 30-minute increments. Unlike other moving companies we do not charge depot to depot; rather our call-out fee covers the time taken for our movers to get to the pick-up address.
Delays
All work is carried out on a best-endeavours basis. Whilst we try our best to make it on time to every booking and delivery, we sometimes have delays outside our control caused by factors such as heavy traffic. To the extent permitted by law, Specialist Movers is not liable for personal or business losses arising from delays, whether directly or indirectly.
Cancellations
Bookings cancelled within 24 hours of the move date will incur a cancellation fee of $200 + GST, as it is likely to be too late for us to find a replacement job.
The Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 - Owner's Risk
Your move is a contract for the carriage of goods under the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017. That Act expressly allows goods to be carried on an owner's risk basis. By accepting these Terms and confirming your booking, you agree that your goods are carried at owner's risk.
Owner's risk means you carry the risk of loss of or damage to the goods being moved, and Specialist Movers is not liable for that loss or damage, except where we cause it intentionally. Insurance is not included for household goods or personal effects, and our prices do not include insurance cover.
"All goods are carried at the owner's risk. This means that we (the carrier) will pay no compensation if the goods are lost or damaged, unless we (the carrier) intentionally lose or damage them."
This owner's risk arrangement applies to loss of or damage to the goods we carry. It does not remove your separate rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 in relation to the moving service itself, which we will carry out with reasonable care and skill. In particular, owner's risk does not cover damage we negligently cause to your property, such as your home, floors, or vehicle, while performing the service.
Notification of Damage
If you believe that Specialist Movers is responsible for any loss or damage, you must notify us within 24 hours of the incident so that we can assess the circumstances and determine liability. Claims made outside this period may not be considered. Nothing in this clause limits any statutory rights you may have under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017.
Payment
Payment is due within 24 hours of completion of your move unless agreed otherwise. After 14 days of non-payment a $49 overdue admin fee will be added to your invoice. After 30 days of non-payment your details will be sent for debt collection, and all costs incurred in doing so will be your responsibility to cover.
Insurance Cover
Specialist Movers strongly recommends that all customers ensure there is adequate insurance cover in place for private and commercial items and goods.
While every care is taken when transporting private items and goods, accidents can and may happen. For this reason, Specialist Movers advises customers to contact your home and contents insurance provider and ask for specific transit cover for the duration of the move. Most home and contents policies do not specifically cover goods in transit as part of a private move, although transit cover can often be added if arranged in advance. Alternatively, we can arrange insurance on your behalf through our insurance broker.
If you do not wish to take out your own insurance, you acknowledge and accept that you are using our services at owner's risk as defined by the Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017. This means goods are transported at your risk, and Specialist Movers is not liable for loss of or damage to those goods except where we cause it intentionally.
This owner's risk position governs liability for the goods we carry. Separately, the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 continues to apply to the extent it cannot lawfully be excluded, including our guarantee to carry out the moving service with reasonable care and skill.
Specialist Movers Insurance Terms and Conditions - Pianos Only
Specialist Movers provides insurance-backed cover of up to $2,000 for pianos we move, subject to conditions which we will provide to you in writing on request before your move.
If we are delivering your piano from a piano retailer, you can disregard the above, as your piano is covered by the retailer you have purchased from.
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