7 min read

Spot the Pros: How to hire the best local furniture movers in Cape Town.

From tight stairs to winter rain, this is the Cape Town playbook for booking a reliable moving team that shows up prepared and gets the job done right.
Havana Dauncey
· September 29, 2025
Spot the Pros: How to hire the best local furniture movers in Cape Town.

Book the Best Cape Town Furniture Movers

Budget-friendly moving service. Trusted by thousands of South Africans. Same day service. Fixed prices.

9.4 · 9,770 reviews
What are you moving?

Moving is stressful, but finding a professional team to help you shouldn't be. As professional movers, we know what you need to look out for when choosing the right team to help you on M-Day.

This guide walks you through every step of booking a furniture removal service in Cape Town, from spotting a professional team and cutting costs with your inventory to choosing the right service. Everything you need for a smooth move.

If you're short on time, skip the hassle and head straight to Wise Move to book the best moving company in Cape Town.


1. What “professional” actually looks like (the non-negotiables)Finalising access and parking for Cape Town move

Moving isn’t for sissies. Here’s what sets the professionals apart from asking your son’s friends to help for a case of beers.

One person in charge

A professional team will always have a foreman you can call when you need to know the ETA. This makes what is usually a very stressful day for you and your family much more manageable.

The right truck for the job

From enclosed trucks for high-value items to covered loads for Cape Town’s unpredictable rain, professionals send the right vehicle for your needs.

Proper protection for your belongings

An enclosed or covered space isn't always enough. You want proper protection on every item. Blankets and basic plastic covers should be standard for any professional team. For added protection, your moving team should also offer professional wrapping, mattress covers, and special TV boxes at a reasonable price.

Moving tools that protect your home, too

You may not have them, but professional movers use dollies, straps, and padding to load your items on M-Day. These not only protect your heavy and expensive items but also your home from chips and dents that can be costly (and irritating) to repair.

Clear communication from start to finish

You want a moving team that communicates well before you make a booking. This is a strong indication of how well they'll communicate on moving day. Calm, clear, and professional is what you’re after.


2. Nail your inventory (so you don’t pay a cent more)Man calculating volume of move using Wise Move's furniture volume calculator

One of the first questions any moving company will ask you is for a detailed inventory. Unfortunately, this cannot be answered on a scale of ‘just a few items’ and ‘a lot’. They are actually asking for a list so that they can estimate the total volume of your belongings in cubic metres (m³). This is necessary to determine the size of the truck they'll need on the day of your move.

If you’re like most people and are now thinking, “What on Earth is a cubic metre?” you can read our full cubic metre guide here.

Luckily, you don't have to estimate the cubic metres yourself. Technology can help!

Our easy-to-use furniture volume calculator allows you to simply input the items you want to move, and it automatically calculates your total volume for you. This can then also serve as your inventory list.

Still too complicated? Images of your rooms and packed items will work just as well. Just send those through and let the professionals do all the thinking.


3. Choose the right service for your move (by budget)Professional Cape Town movers doing full service move

Choose the level of service that fits your moving needs and budget, from premium full-service crews to budget-friendly man-with-a-van style services.

Type of service Inclusions Benefits Trade off
Premium — Full Service Pack → disassemble → load → transport → reassemble→ place Best for busy households or high-value items. You get packing materials, full protection, and a foreman-led crew. Highest price, but least hassle.
Mid-range — Dedicated Truck Disassemble → load → transport → reassemble→ place A truck and crew of 3-4 people assigned to just your move. Predictable timing, faster turnaround, great for standard large house moves. Pricier than shared loads, but you control the schedule.
Value — Shared Load (Intercity) Load → transport → unload This budget-friendly option involves sharing the truck space with someone else who is also heading in the same direction. Pickup/delivery windows are less exact, but the price win is worth it if your load is smaller.
Most Affordable — Small Load Local Moves/Same-Day Disassemble → load → transport → reassemble→ place A flexible, cost-effective option where you hire a small team with a 3-ton truck to move smaller loads, furniture, or boxes door-to-door across Cape Town. Multiple trips if you underestimate your inventory.

Not sure which option fits your move? Compare quotes on Wise Move to see services and prices side by side, making it easier to match the right team to your budget.


4. Cape Town specifics (local know-how that matters)

Man researching local movers in Cape Town

Winter rain and wind (May–Sept):

If your date falls in winter—or you’ve got wood finishes, fabric sofas, or appliances—ask for an enclosed truck. We wrap at pickup, pad between items, and load to keep drip lines clear. Open trucks are fine during dry weather for budget moves. During winter, an enclosed truck is worth it.

Stairs and parking quirks (by area):

  • CBD / Gardens: Loading bays are scarce—we book early slots and use smaller trucks for narrow streets. Expect long-carry allowances.
  • Sea Point / Green Point: Basement parking heights often restrict truck entry—we stage at street level and shuttle with dollies.
  • Bo-Kaap: Steep, narrow access—crew sizes are increased and furniture is protected from corner scuffs.
  • Claremont / Southern Suburbs: Leafy roads with overhanging branches and school traffic—we avoid school run windows and secure temporary cones for frontage.

Lift bookings and time windows:

Many buildings require lift pads and pre-booked hoist times (often 60–90-minute slots). That's why we:

  • Get the building manager’s window,
  • Protect lifts/foyers,
  • Split the crew so one stages while the other runs the lift—keeps everything moving.

Permits, estates and HOAs:

Before move day, ask your building/estate manager:

  • Do you need contractor hours approval (often no Sundays/public holidays)?
  • Is a letter of indemnity or insurance confirmation required?
  • Any truck size limits or weight restrictions?

Pro nudge: Not sure which of the above applies? Send us quick photos of your entrance, stairs/lift, the street outside or even your estate or building name—we’ll manage it all and dispatch the right crew and truck.


5. Compare moving quotes (Quickly!)Submitting delivery request on Wise Move

Perhaps one of the most important steps, and one many people skip, is that the process is just too painful. Make sure you compare quotes from multiple teams and service offerings.

Luckily, there is an easier way to do it. 

With Wise Move, we help you compare apples with apples

Here’s everything you need to consider to choose the best one for your move:

  • Compare your quotes from different Cape Town movers to get a good sense of the pricing based on the services included.
  • Make sure there are NO hidden costs that could influence the total price.
  • Confirm whether the moving truck is open or enclosed. If you prefer an enclosed truck, this could be a deciding factor for choosing your moving team.
  • Take note if moving insurance is included in the quote. 
  • Check the deposit and payment options, and see if they work for you.
  • Read the reviews of your moving team. Real customer reviews are everything. These reviews will help you gauge if they’ll be able to provide the service you’re looking for. 

Getting your move booked on Wise Move can take as little as 5 minutes. All prices and services are transparent, and we're ready to help you get everything you need at a price you can afford.

Let us be your trusted Cape Town furniture movers.

Book the Best Cape Town Furniture Movers

Budget-friendly moving service. Trusted by thousands of South Africans. Same day service. Fixed prices.

9.4 · 9,770 reviews
What are you moving?

What do our customers say?

Read reviews of Wise Move to learn stories from our customers.
R 2,000
Studio move
Bryanston, Sandton
Bryanston, Johannesburg
10
Andries
Reviewed 17 minutes ago
Great service and friendly. Very helpful and respectful
R 4,850
Eden Glen, Edenvale
Noordhang, Randburg
10
Samantha
Reviewed 1 hour ago
Andre was so helpful and kept me updated constantly. Helped connect everything and even went over and above to make sure the complex would accept his truck. During one of the most stressful times he was a complete superstar and rock.
R 1,400
Cape Town, Western Cape
Cape Town, Western Cape
10
Hendry
Reviewed 2 hours ago
Best service ever, driver friendly and flexible. The team very helpful , friendly great bunch of guys all round
R 4,690
Cape Town, Western Cape
Helderkruin, Roodepoort
10
Melissa
Reviewed 3 hours ago
So so happy with the way everyone worked together to get my car to me in Joburg! Thanks so much team
R 16,500
Lephalale, Limpopo
Naudeville, Welkom
10
Mark
Reviewed 5 hours ago
Very, very good service.