Furniture Movers & Packers - Wellington, Hutt Valley, Porirua & Kapiti - Reliable, Careful & Hard-Working

FAQs — Answers to your Moving Questions

Do you provide packaging?

Yes, we do provide packaging. please call us to discuss your needs. When contracted to pack, the materials we provide are charged as disbursements. Packaging supplies are also available from all self-storage units. Good used boxes are generally available from supermarkets and appliance stores — call ahead to confirm the best time to collect them.

Do you do out-of-town relocations?

Yes, we routinely relocate homes to and from the Wairarapa, the Kapiti Coast, the Horowhenua, the Manawatu, and Wanganui. We may work further afield if requested.

Is VanMan insured?

VanMan has Comprehensive Motor Vehicle and Carrier’s Liability Insurance which applies to work we undertake at “Limited Carriers Risk”. When we carry at “Owners Risk” the goods we carry are uninsured.

Our Comprehensive Motor Vehicle policy provides cover 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.

Our Carriers Liability policy provides cover for legal liability for damage or loss to third party goods that are contracted to be carried at “Limited Carrier’s risk” within New Zealand, in accordance with the provisions of the Contracts and Commercial Law Act 2017.

If your risk needs are not met by this agreement, please arrange Transit Insurance with your insurance provider or purchase EziMove insurance cover on-line.

Do you provide packaging?

Yes, we do provide packaging. please call us to discuss your needs.

When contracted to pack, the materials are typically charged as disbursements.

Packaging supplies are also available from all self-storage units. Good boxes are readily available from supermarkets and appliance stores — call ahead to confirm the best time to collect them. Crates can be hired from Rentacrate 027 447 7869

Do you do out-of-town relocations?

Yes, we routinely relocate homes to and from the Wairarapa, the Kapiti Coast the Horowhenua, the Manawatu and Wanganui. We may work further afield if requested.

Do you work on Sundays?

Not usually, but we may make an exception to this rule. Please discuss your needs with us.

Can you provide insurance?

Insurance must be purchased from a licensed insurance professional. Please arrange Transit Insurance with your insurance provider.

Do you have storage?

No, Wellington is well served by excellent self-storage facilities with onsite staff, good security and appropriate insurance covers. We work to maintain a good relationship with them.
TIP — Storage units are not all the same. Before you book your unit consider your needs and discuss them with the facility staff to ensure you get the best solution.

What vehicles do you have?

Our vehicles are chosen for their size and ability us to provide a full range of relocation services. 2 smaller trucks are often a better solution to one large one – especially in hilly suburbs. So, talk to us about your situation and well find the best solution to fit your move.

To ensure the safe and efficient relocation of your effects, our vehicles are all fitted with batons, moving blankets, straps, ties, trollies, safety cones and tools. Purpose built trollies and heavy lifting straps are on hand for heavier items.

To ensure easy communication and the convenience of a complete service our vehicles are equipped with our purpose-built service app and carry cell phones and mobile EFTPOS.

We are moving in and settling on the same day?

Moving into your new house on settlement day is stressful. Talk to us and well work with you to ensure things go as smoothly as possible.

Settlements are commonly delayed. A bigger team and a backup vehicle is often the best approach.

What if it takes longer?

It sometimes does, and we don’t like being wrong… or late for our next job.

The size of your load, your location and access and your level of preparation will all affect the service time. When you provide this information, please “estimate up”. It’s better to get a truck that’s too big and an extra set of hands to get the move done efficiently.

Long, difficult or dangerous paths and stairs and lift access can double estimated service times. Please tell us about them. Sending two men to do a job that is better suited to a bigger team is going to slow up sooner or later. And it will cost more if you don’t – especially if we have to bring in extra staff to get it done in time. Most often, we have other scheduled work.

How much stuff do I have?

How much stuff do I have?
Have a go at assessing it yourself. Think in cubic meters a queen mattress is 2.0m X 1.5m X 0.2 — that’s just 0.6 cubic meters. Go room to room and hatch out the meters and you will be done in no time. Tip: Allow for boxes, outside furniture and the garage… be generous, it’s better to over-estimate so you get the right sized truck.

Do you have more than 10, 20, 30 or 40 cubic meters? If you are confident about your calculations you will be about right. If you are not sure let us know, we will be happy to help.

Sorry, my access isn’t great?

Well, this is Wellington — but you can help.

Please clear low hanging branches, overgrown trees and other obstacles from driveways, stairs and paths. Obstacles make moving slow and dangerous.

If you can, secure better parking for our truck please do. It will save time and money. Talk to the neighbours the Council and if necessary, your god of karma! Use traffic cones or wheelie bins to secure the space. Signs work well, most people are understanding.

How do we prepare?

Most importantly do not stress… Call for advice. We’ll provide lots of good advice to assist with your situation and reduce the cost. If you would like Van Man to assist let us know. We have an efficient pre-move and packing service.

A well-prepared load will ensure that your move is efficient. Loose items take longer to load and unwrapped items are more vulnerable to damage. Label boxes with the rooms they are to go to. Dismantle beds, tables and shelving. Put it all in the garage or in one area of your house that makes it easy to load.

If you can’t get it all packed let us know. We’ll bring the resources to get you moved efficiently. It will cost more if you don’t – especially if we have to bring in extra staff to get it done in time. Most often, we have other scheduled work.

Can we help?

Yes, your help is welcome. We like working with our customers. But please keep young people (under 15 years), dogs and other pets away from the action.

What about boxes?

Whether your boxes are bought for the purpose or acquired from the supermarket or appliance store isn’t important. Please make sure they are robust enough to carry their contents and well taped up. BIG heavy boxes and small items make moving slow.

Tip — use soft furnishings and linens to top up boxes of heavier items. Plastic sacks are the best and most cost-effective way to pack cushions, bedding, clothing and other soft items.

What about drawers?

If your drawer unit is solidly built and not too heavy, it’s fine to leave the contents in the drawers.
If the drawer unit is solid and heavy or if the unit is kit-set and not solidly built, it is better to empty the drawers. Heavy furniture is not easy to move and much more prone to damage and home assembled furniture does not transport well – especially when drawers are full.

The men may need to put the unit on its side to move or transport it. If they do, they will probably remove the drawers and re-insert them later.

Tip — Clothes travel well in plastic sacks. Sacks are less expensive than boxes and are easy to load in the truck. “If in doubt take it all out”

What about the weather?

Our men work in all weather conditions and we do what we can to protect vulnerable items from the wet. We will take instructions from you and if you have specific concerns we will find the best solution to address them.

Note that putting wet items into storage is not ideal. If you are concerned about this possibility please discuss this with us, there are practical steps that can be taken.

Weather does affect service times, not usually dramatically, but it’s not often that the weather is a complete show stopper. Health and safety concerns do very occasionally prohibit us from completing scheduled work. In this event, we will do everything we can to provide a workable solution.

Won’t two men be enough?

Having the right team for the job is important. Nobody works well when they’re overwhelmed. Three men on a larger job is much more efficient than two. With two men carrying and one man loading, no one is jumping in and out of the truck and this means the pace is maintained. If your move is “bigger” or the access is “difficult” ask for three men. The hourly rate will be a little more but the cost is likely to be less.

Will you come on time?

Yes if we possibly can. We understand that waiting for a booked service can be very frustrating and inconvenient. However scheduling a full days work to run on time is our biggest challenge. Please be understanding if we are running a bit late — and call us for an update. We do communicate with the trucks and will provide you with a revised ETA as soon as the men are able to provide one.

Our Promise

We promise to be Reliable Careful and Hard-working — Always!

Health & Safety

Your health, safety and well-being are our highest priority. more

What will it cost?

The cost of your move will be determined by three things — the load size, access to the properties and your preparation: more

Frequently asked questions

Find fast answers to the questions we’re asked most often.