Last updated: September 2026
At Harris Movers, we aim to provide a safe, efficient and stress-free move. We take responsibility when our handling causes damage, and we assess every concern fairly using the circumstances and available evidence. These Terms explain what we need from you, how charges and scheduling work, and how we handle loss or damage.
Please read these Terms before confirming your booking. They form part of your agreement with Harris Movers together with your written quote or booking confirmation. Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts or modifies any right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded, including under the Australian Consumer Law.
1. Bookings and information supplied
You must accurately describe the move, including the addresses, dates, quantity and type of goods, unusually large or heavy items, stairs, lifts, long carries, narrow access, parking restrictions, building rules and any other matter that may affect the work.
Lists supplied at booking are planning guides and are not a complete inventory unless we expressly agree otherwise in writing. If the information is incomplete or changes, the move may take longer, require a larger truck or crew, require additional trips, attract additional charges, or need to be rescheduled. We may refuse an item or service where it cannot be performed safely or lawfully.
A booking is secured only after any required deposit or booking payment is received and we issue written confirmation. You must check the confirmation promptly and tell us if anything is incorrect.
2. Quotes, estimates and hourly work
Unless expressly described as a fixed price in writing, any price, duration, truck capacity or number of trips stated by Harris Movers is an estimate only. It is based on the information available when given and is not a promise that the move will finish within that time or amount.
Actual time and cost may vary because of the volume of goods, customer preparation, packing quality, dismantling or reassembly, access, stairs, lifts, walking distance, parking, traffic, weather, settlement delays, waiting time, additional items or trips, or other circumstances affecting the work. Hourly work continues for the time reasonably required to complete the agreed service, subject to any minimum charge and the customer’s right to ask us to stop where it is safe and practical to do so.
Any fixed price applies only to the scope and conditions recorded in the quote. Additional work, goods, addresses, access difficulties, waiting time or material changes may be charged separately after we explain the change where reasonably practicable.
3. Deposits, booking fees and minimum charges
The deposit, booking payment and minimum charge applicable to your service will be shown in the quote or booking confirmation. A deposit is credited toward the final invoice unless stated otherwise. Minimum charges apply even if the work finishes sooner than the minimum period because a truck and crew have been reserved for the booking.
4. Cancellations and changes of date
Cancellation and change-of-date charges will be the amounts disclosed in your quote or booking confirmation. Unless a different period is stated there:
We will act reasonably and consider exceptional circumstances. If Harris Movers cancels and cannot provide a reasonable alternative, amounts paid for services not supplied will be refunded. Different terms may be stated for fixed-price, packing, White Glove, storage or other specialised services and will apply where disclosed before booking.
5. Arrival windows and scheduling
All arrival times are windows, not exact appointments, unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing. Morning bookings ordinarily include a 15-minute arrival window. For example, a quoted start of 7:30 am means an expected arrival between 7:30 am and 7:45 am.
Afternoon bookings ordinarily have an arrival window of up to two hours, commonly 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Afternoon arrival depends on the duration, travel and any unforeseen issues on the earlier booking. If the earlier job runs late, the afternoon start may be delayed. We will provide updates where reasonably practicable, but customers choosing an afternoon booking should keep the afternoon available and avoid commitments that depend on an exact start or finish time.
Arrival and completion times may also be affected by traffic, weather, accidents, mechanical issues, access problems or circumstances beyond our reasonable control. Nothing in this section removes any right relating to services not supplied within a reasonable time where the law requires that result.
6. Customer preparation and presence
You, or an authorised adult representative, must be available throughout the move to give instructions, confirm which goods are included, check rooms before departure, approve placement at delivery and make payment. If no authorised person is present, we may pause or stop work and charge reasonable waiting time.
Before our arrival you must:
7. Valuables and items you must keep with you
You must personally remove and transport cash, jewellery, watches, passports, keys, medication, financial documents, legal documents, gift cards, precious metals, small electronics, collectibles and other small high-value, confidential or irreplaceable items. Do not leave these items in drawers, cupboards, boxes or furniture being moved.
Harris Movers is not responsible for an allegation that an unidentified item was missing from a drawer, cupboard, container or customer-packed box where the item was not declared to us and its custody by Harris Movers cannot reasonably be established. This does not limit responsibility for loss shown to have been caused by our failure to use due care and skill.
8. Customer-packed boxes and containers
Boxes and containers packed by the customer must be strong enough for their contents, reasonably filled, securely closed and suitable for normal lifting, stacking and transport. Heavy goods such as books, tools and kitchenware should be placed in small, strong boxes.
We are not responsible for concealed breakage, leakage or damage arising from inadequate packing, overfilling, underfilling, weak containers, prohibited contents or the inherent fragility of goods inside a customer-packed box where the box has no evidence of being dropped, crushed or mishandled by our team. If a box is visibly dropped or mishandled by us, any claim will be assessed fairly based on the evidence and cause of the damage.
We may refuse unsafe, leaking, open, damaged or unsuitable boxes, or move them only after the risks and any practical alternative have been discussed with the customer.
9. Liquids, food and leakage
Loose liquids are not accepted. If Harris Movers agrees to carry ordinary non-hazardous household liquids, each container must be tightly closed, upright and packed inside a watertight, rigid plastic container with a secure lid and sufficient absorbent material. Acceptance is at our discretion.
Hazardous, flammable, corrosive, toxic or pressurised liquids are prohibited. The customer is responsible for loss, cleaning costs or damage caused by an undisclosed or inadequately sealed liquid packed by the customer, except to the extent that our failure to use due care and skill caused or contributed to the loss.
10. Goods we will not carry
For safety, legal, hygiene and insurance reasons, we do not carry:
You must tell us about unusual or regulated goods before booking. We may require evidence that an item is safe and lawful to carry.
11. Special, heavy and fragile goods
Pool tables, upright pianos, safes, pinball machines, stone or concrete furniture, oversized appliances, saunas and other unusually heavy, awkward or specialised goods must be disclosed in advance. Extra crew, equipment or handling charges may apply as stated in the booking confirmation.
Glass, mirrors, marble, stone, ceramics, plants, pots, composite materials, antiques and other fragile or inherently vulnerable goods carry a higher risk. We are not responsible for failure caused solely by inherent fragility, natural defects, deterioration or structural weakness where reasonable care was taken. We may decline the item or recommend crating, specialist handling or additional protection.
12. Furniture, dismantling and assembly
Flat-pack, particleboard, MDF, previously repaired, modified or poorly assembled furniture may weaken during dismantling, lifting or transport. You must disclose known faults or instability. We are not responsible for failure arising from pre-existing weakness, poor construction, incorrect assembly, missing fixings or deterioration where reasonable care was taken.
Where we dismantle or reassemble furniture, we do so to a reasonable removalist standard, not as licensed carpenters, cabinetmakers, plumbers, electricians or installers. We do not warrant that previously assembled furniture can be restored to an as-new condition. Wall fixing, plumbing, electrical connection and specialist installation are excluded unless expressly agreed and lawfully performed.
13. Mattresses, soft furnishings and protective materials
We use reasonable handling practices and the protective equipment carried for the service. If you require a mattress, sofa or other item to be fully enclosed, you must supply a suitable mattress bag, protector or wrapping product before the move, or arrange in advance to purchase or obtain one from us if available.
Where no suitable enclosure is supplied or ordered, we are not responsible for minor dust, rubbing or incidental surface soiling that occurs despite reasonable care. We remain responsible where damage is caused by a failure to use due care and skill.
14. Access, property protection and pre-existing conditions
You must provide safe and reasonable access and identify fragile floors, walls, driveways, landscaping, low clearances, weight restrictions, hidden services or other risks. We may use reasonable protective measures, but removal work involves moving large items through confined areas and cannot be performed risk-free.
We are not responsible for pre-existing scratches, dents, cracks, stains, water damage, loose components, previous repairs, deterioration or structural defects. Our crew may photograph or record the condition of goods, access areas and property before, during or after the service. You should tell the crew immediately about any pre-existing concern or particularly vulnerable surface.
15. Parking, permits and infringements
You are responsible for arranging lawful, safe and reasonably close parking, loading-zone access, permits and building approvals at each address. Any disclosed parking, permit, toll or access cost may be added to the invoice.
Harris Movers and its drivers decide whether a parking position is lawful and safe. We may refuse an instruction to park illegally or unsafely. If suitable parking is unavailable, additional carrying or waiting time may be charged, or the service may be paused or rescheduled.
Where a parking infringement or similar cost is caused directly by materially incorrect information supplied by the customer, or by the customer’s failure to obtain a permit they expressly agreed to arrange, Harris Movers may seek reimbursement to the extent permitted by law. The customer is not responsible for an infringement caused by our driver’s independent decision to disregard a known restriction or lawful alternative.
16. Working time, waiting time and travel
Hourly charging begins and ends as stated in your quote or booking confirmation. It ordinarily includes the crew’s working time, loading and unloading, reasonable placement, travel between service addresses, and waiting caused by access, keys, lifts, settlement, customer instructions or payment. Depot or travel charges apply only as disclosed at booking.
Time spent dealing with additional items, inadequate packing, blocked access, dismantling not previously disclosed, or waiting for a customer or third party is chargeable at the applicable rate. Breaks and any other time treatment will comply with applicable law and the charging method disclosed to you.
17. Delays and circumstances beyond reasonable control
We are not responsible for delay or inability to perform caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including severe weather, traffic incidents, road closures, emergency directions, breakdowns despite reasonable maintenance, unsafe conditions, building restrictions or the acts of third parties. We will take reasonable steps to communicate with you and reduce disruption. If performance becomes impossible or must be rescheduled, we will discuss a reasonable alternative and the treatment of payments for services not supplied.
18. Payment
Final payment is due immediately on completion unless different written terms apply. Accepted payment methods and any card surcharge will be disclosed at or before payment. Time reasonably spent waiting for payment, including arranging transfers or resolving payment issues, may be charged at the applicable rate.
If an invoice remains unpaid, Harris Movers may take reasonable recovery action and charge interest or recovery costs only where disclosed and legally recoverable. If you expect a payment difficulty, contact us before the service so we can discuss it.
19. Our insurance and your insurance
Harris Movers maintains the insurance stated in its current customer information and as required for its operations. The existence of an insurance policy does not mean every event or item is covered, and insurance does not replace the rights and responsibilities in these Terms or under law.
Customers should consider whether they need their own contents, transit or relocation insurance, particularly for high-value, fragile or irreplaceable goods. Ask us before booking if you require current details of our cover or wish to discuss a particular item.
20. Damage we cause
Harris Movers will consider reasonable repair, restoration or compensation where loss or physical damage is caused by our failure to exercise due care and skill. The appropriate outcome depends on the circumstances, the item’s age, condition and value, the feasibility and cost of repair, and applicable law. We may obtain quotations or arrange a reasonable repair or assessment.
We are not responsible for ordinary wear and tear, pre-existing damage, inherent defects, deterioration, customer packing, prohibited goods, or loss not caused by our service. If both our handling and another cause contributed to the damage, responsibility will be assessed fairly according to the evidence and applicable law.
21. Electrical and mechanical items
Televisions, computers, refrigerators, washing machines, other appliances and mechanical items can develop internal faults without visible external damage. Unless specifically agreed, Harris Movers does not test an item’s operation before or after transport and does not disconnect or reconnect plumbing, gas or hard-wired electrical services.
The fact that an electrical or mechanical fault becomes apparent after transportation does not, by itself, establish that Harris Movers caused it. Where there is no evidence of impact, dropping, mishandling or other external damage and causation is disputed, we may request an assessment from a suitably qualified independent technician. If the evidence shows our handling probably caused the fault, we will assess the claim under section 20 and applicable law.
22. Reporting and investigating loss or damage
Tell the crew as soon as reasonably possible if damage or loss is seen during the move so it can be photographed and recorded. After the move, report concerns in writing as soon as reasonably practicable, preferably within 48 hours, and include photographs, a description of what occurred, proof of ownership or value where relevant, and any other reasonable supporting information.
A later report does not automatically remove a legal right, but delay may make the cause and condition harder to establish, particularly if the item has since been used, moved, altered, repaired, discarded or handled by others.
You must give Harris Movers a reasonable opportunity to inspect the item and, where appropriate, arrange an independent assessment or quotation before it is repaired, replaced, disposed of or materially altered, except where immediate action is reasonably necessary for safety or to prevent further damage. You must take reasonable steps to prevent avoidable further loss.
23. Limitation of liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, Harris Movers is not liable for loss that is indirect, remote or not reasonably foreseeable, or for loss caused by the customer’s act or omission, an inherent defect, or an event beyond our reasonable control. Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
Where we are responsible for an item, the remedy will be determined under applicable law and may include reasonable repair, restoration, replacement with an equivalent item, or compensation having regard to age, condition and value. A customer must not incur unreasonable replacement or repair costs without first giving us a reasonable opportunity to assess and respond.
24. Complaints and disputes
Please raise any concern directly with Harris Movers so we can investigate and attempt to resolve it in good faith. If a dispute remains unresolved, either party may propose mediation or use any complaint, tribunal or court process available under applicable law. Nothing in this section prevents either party from exercising a legal right or seeking urgent relief.
25. Privacy, photographs and records
We may collect contact, address, booking and payment information necessary to quote, schedule, perform and administer the service. We may take photographs or video of goods, access, loading and damage for operational, safety, training, evidentiary or claim-handling purposes. We will handle personal information in accordance with applicable privacy law and our published privacy policy, where applicable.
26. General terms
If a provision is invalid or unenforceable, it is to be read down where possible, and the remaining provisions continue to operate. A failure or delay in enforcing a right is not a waiver. Victorian law applies and the parties submit to courts and tribunals with jurisdiction, subject to any law that requires otherwise.
27. Acceptance
By accepting the quote, paying the required deposit or booking payment, or otherwise confirming the booking in writing, you acknowledge that these Terms were made available to you before booking and agree that they form part of the service agreement.
Thank you for choosing Harris Movers. We appreciate the trust involved in moving your belongings and will work with you to make the move as safe and straightforward as possible.
