If your settlement date changes after you have booked removalists, contact them as soon as you hear. Give the new date, ask to reschedule, and do it with plenty of notice. At Strong Arm Movers, cancelling 24 hours or more before the job has no charge, while cancelling inside 24 hours has a minimum one-hour fee, so an early phone call is the cheapest fix.
Settlement dates move more often than people expect. A bank needs a few more days, the other side’s contract falls over, or the sale of your old place is delayed, and suddenly the truck you booked is turning up before you have the keys. It is stressful, but it is a common problem and it has practical fixes.
Key Takeaways
- Tell your removalist the moment your settlement date changes. Do not wait for the day.
- Rescheduling depends on availability, so the earlier you ask, the more options you have.
- Cancelling with 24 hours or more notice has no charge with us. Inside 24 hours, a minimum one-hour fee applies.
- Deposits may be held against cancellation fees, so ask how yours is treated.
- If you are stuck between properties, plan where your belongings and your family will be for the gap.
- Your conveyancer or agent is the right person to confirm the new settlement date in writing.
Step 1: Confirm the New Date Before You Do Anything Else
Before you ring anyone, get the new settlement date confirmed by your conveyancer, solicitor or agent. A “maybe Thursday” is not much to rebook a truck around. Also ask whether the date is firm or could shift again, because that changes how much flexibility you should build in.
Step 2: Let Your Removalist Know Straight Away
Call or message your removalist with the new date and the original booking details. Under our terms, rescheduling needs to be requested in advance, and new dates depend on what we have available. The sooner you tell us, the better the chance we can find you a new spot without upsetting the rest of the schedule.
It also helps to know your quote’s status. Our quotes are valid for 7 days and are estimates based on the details you gave us, so if the job changes (a new address, different access, a different date), tell us so the quote can be updated. You can see how this works in our terms and conditions.
What Does It Cost to Reschedule or Cancel?
The short version, based on our policy:
- 24 hours or more before the job: no cancellation charge.
- Within 24 hours: a minimum one-hour fee applies.
- Deposits: if you paid one, it may be held against cancellation fees.
- Rescheduling: must be requested in advance, and the new date is subject to availability.
Every removalist has different terms, so if you are booked with another company, check their cancellation policy before you assume anything. If you are comparing companies, it also helps to understand why removalist quotes differ, since inclusions and terms are not always the same.
If Settlement Is Delayed by a Few Days
A short delay is the easiest case. You usually need to rebook the same job for a later day. In the meantime:
- Keep your essentials accessible, such as clothes, medication, chargers and documents.
- Do not unpack the boxes you have already packed.
- Confirm that your old place is still available to you for the extra days, if you are the one selling or leaving a rental.
- Check your pick-up and delivery access again, since the new date may fall on a different day of the week.
If You Have to Be Out Before the New Place Is Ready
This is where it gets harder. If you have already moved out, or your lease ends before settlement, you need a plan for where your belongings go. Some people stay with family and keep their furniture in the garage. Others use short-term storage. We are a removalist, not a storage provider, but we can move your items to a storage address and later deliver them to your new home once you have the keys.
Tell us about any split delivery up front, because two trips are quoted differently from one.
If You Suddenly Need to Move Earlier or at Short Notice
Sometimes the date moves in your favour, or you are given access earlier than planned. Where availability allows, our same day removalists can help with last-minute moves, including when your settlement date has changed. Availability depends on the day, your location and how early you contact us, so call as early as you can rather than hoping for a gap.
How to Avoid the Problem Next Time
- Book your removalist after your contract and finance are in a stable position, if you can.
- Give yourself a buffer day between settlement and moving day.
- Ask about the cancellation and rescheduling policy before you pay a deposit.
- Keep your packing flexible. Our moving day checklist covers what to leave until the last minute.
- If you are moving interstate, check how a delay affects your pickup and delivery windows. Our interstate removalists page explains how those moves are arranged.
Conclusion
A changed settlement date is annoying, but it does not have to wreck your move. Confirm the new date, contact your removalist early, and ask what rescheduling or cancellation involves. If you are caught in a gap between properties, plan where your belongings will wait. When you are ready to lock in a new date, you can get in touch with our team and we will look at what is available.