Best of the Gold Coast 2017: Top 10 best removalists
MOVING is never fun, here’s a bunch who will make that move smooth. We asked and you voted, here are the top 10 removalists on the Gold Coast.
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MOVING is never fun, here’s a bunch who will make that move smooth.
We asked and you voted, here are the top 10 removalists on the Gold Coast.
10. Greater Gold Coast Removals
LOCATION: Robina
Owner and driver Nathan Stretch says there’s never a dull moment as a removalist.
“We moved some paintings for a guy once and he said ‘I won’t tell you how much it’s worth until you get here’.
“You get a bit nervous when they say that.
“Got there and he said they were worth a million dollars.
“Then we had another lady who warned us the access to her house was really bad and we got there and it was like walking up a goat track up the side of a steep hill. Definitely a workout that day.”
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9. Gold Coast Removalists
LOCATION: Nerang
Office manager Bronwyn Carter says in their 25 years of operating the crew have pulled off some big jobs.
“We’ve done some huge jobs over the years. We moved Classic Holidays twice. The last time we had to use every truck we have, about 20 staff, a crane — everything. It was three floors. It’s pretty hard on the guys, especially after 12 hour days or in summer. But we just tell customers don’t stress, just let them do their thing because that’s what they’re here for.”
8. A Smooth Move Removals
LOCATION: Arundel
Faith Wills-Gardner and her husband Craig made an unlikely career switch to own their business. “We had a pub at Fernvale before we took this over about two years ago,” Faith says.
“We were looking for a lifestyle change, so we sold the pub and moved to the GC. It is very different but it’s still all about customer service, organisation, you’ve got to think outside the square a lot. It definitely keeps you on your toes.”
7. Woodhouse Removals
LOCATION: Miami
Woodhouse Removals, owned and run by Peter Woodhouse, is a member of the Australian Furniture Removalist Association.
“Basically we’ve got to uphold certain standards, all our removalists have to have a police check. We’re audited every six months and we have to have all our insurance in places. We also have dispute resolution. I like being a fair dinkum removalist. Life’s pretty good, there’s a fair bit of work around at the moment, but same as any business you’ve got to answer the phone and keep on it.”
6. Don’s Removals and Storage
LOCATION: Burleigh Heads
You may have spotted this removalist in the Gold Coast Bulletin earlier this year when they opened Coffee at Don’s the adjoining cafe that was a celebration of their 50th year in business. Don was the father of current owner Robbie Still, who is eager to continue his father’s legacy. “My dad started with one very small vehicle and now I guess we have a fleet of vehicles. We’re a one-stop-shop and we even have our own brand of packing supplies.”
5. The Movers
LOCATION: Miami
Hayden Parfitt started his business about four years ago, keen to be his own boss.
“I’d been working for a few other removal companies and got sick of making everyone else money,” he laughs.
“But I did it because I’m passionate about my job. Every day is a different worksite, you meet different people. It’s one of the most stressful times of their life, so it feels good put them at ease and make it a little easier on them.”
4. Nerang Pimpama Removals
LOCATION: Pimpama
In 23 years Gary Kershaw has built his company from one small truck to three semi-trailers and a block of storage units.
But he says the highlight of his career was being able to help when he was needed.
“We did seven trucks out to Grantham in the 2011 floods, we housed 18 homes out there. Over a five-week period we had furniture donated from all over the GC and all our staff volunteered their time. That was definitely a highlight.”
3. BPE Removals
LOCATION: Molendinar
Blake Etienne strives to prove stereotypes wrong.
“Removalists have had this reputation where we go in smash things up, have no respect — that’s not what we’re about. We’re the complete opposite. I guess what I do is treat the customers like they’re my friend.
“If you get personal with people it makes the whole environment a lot more relaxing.
“We’re upfront, there are no hidden fees and we’re straightforward. Every day I come home knowing I’ve achieved something.”
2. Ashtons Removals
LOCATION: Molendinar
Ashton’s Removals, now run by John Pfeiffer, was actually the first removal company on the Gold Coast, founded in 1951.
“The original owner was Bob Ashton and he employed my uncle,” John says.
“After 13 years he sold the business to my uncle and aunty and then after 13 years they sold it to me. I have a background in chartered accountancy, actually, so I’m more on the business end of things and now I’ve been here 40 years. It’s been really interesting and I’ve made a lot of friends along the way.”
1. Move U Removals
LOCATION: Coomera
This family owned operation is run by couple Louise and Aran Sexton and Louise’s dad Ray Carter.
Aran says what started out as a little truck about eight years ago has slowly grown to what it is now.
“I used to work as a removalist when I moved to Australia 11 years ago and the reason we decided to start our own removal company was to give the public a better service,” he says.
“We really enjoy it as well. You get to meet different people every day, not be in an office all the time and it’s good for fitness ... you definitely don’t need to go to gym most days.”
Aran says one of the weirder jobs he encountered involved an unlikely homemade Esky.
“We moved a coffin once. They had an outdoor setting and in the ground they had this big, real coffin. They said ‘that’s where we put our beers’. They thought it was cool but it was strange having a coffin strapped to the trolley.”
The Move U team are no strangers to good deeds either, with a previous story in the Gold Coast Bulletin covering when Aran and mate Craig Sharkey helped put out a grass fire last year.
The company is also heavily involved with charity work.
Louise says they’ve been involved with the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea, raising money for Cystic Fibrosis research and one you mightn’t expect ... the Queensland Guinea Pig Refuge.
Aran donated his truck and moved the whole refuge himself, including around 200 guinea pigs, when the centre was forced to relocate.
“We’re so glad we could win this award,” Louise says. “We had a lot of customer support and it’s great for us because we really do try our hardest to make people happy.”
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