Moving your household goods can be a difficult and expensive task. Research and planning can help
to alleviate some of the stress associated with moving.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services regulates intrastate movers of household
goods within the State of Florida. The primary purpose of the Moving Services Act is to protect
Florida residents from deceptive business practices common to some moving companies. This act is also
designed to protect the moving companies who have a history of providing quality services to the
residents of Florida.
When you are planning a move within the State of Florida make sure the company you choose to do
business with is in compliance with the law. The company you choose should inform you:
- They have obtained certain legal liability insurance coverage.
- All moves require an estimate and contract.
At least two of the following forms of payment are accepted:
- Cash, Cashier's Check, Money Order, or Traveler's Check; or
- Valid Personal Check; or
- Valid Credit Card, which shall include, but not be limited to, Visa or MasterCard.
This information is designed to help Florida residents understand the law and protect their rights
as consumers. I hope you find this information beneficial to your moving experience.
How to Choose a Mover
When researching a potential company to handle your moving and storage needs, find out the
following information:
- Is the company registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services?
- How long has the company been in business?
- Does the company offer extra services, such as packing, unpacking and storage?
- What type of protection does the company offer against loss or damage (full replacement cost,
depreciated value, or the basic 60 cents per pound valuation carriers are required to provide)
- Does the mover have a good reputation for settling claims?
- Does the company offer arbitration for claim disputes?
- Does the company have a good record of meeting its delivery schedules?
- Can the company provide proof of worker's compensation coverage, general and legal liability coverage?
Two to six weeks before your planned move date, have at least three movers come to your home and
provide you with a detailed estimate. The mover's estimator should actually see the items to be
moved so that a reasonable and accurate estimate can be provided. While phone and internet
estimates can be a useful tool for a rough estimate, they are no substitute for having a trained
and experienced estimator come to your house in person.
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The Cost of Your Move Will Depend On...
- Distance involved (generally applicable for long distance moves).
- Time involved (generally applicable for local moves).
- Volume of Shipment.
- Weight of Shipment.
- Additional services requested, such as packing, storage and unpacking of goods.
- Special services required, such as long carries, stairs and elevators, and appliance servicing.
- Declared value of the goods to be moved.
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Packing
When a moving company does the packing, they not only charge you for the labor to pack or unpack
your goods, but also the containers and packing materials used. You may be able to perform some of
the packing yourself. Ask your mover if a do-it-yourself packing guide is available.
Here are some tips for successful packing:
- Allow four weeks to pack; the task can be much more time consuming than it appears.
- Consider packing less valuable items yourself and having the mover pack the rest.
- Suitable boxes may be found at local merchants. Do not use plastic bags, or boxes that
cannot be closed and sealed.
- Pack properly-do not exceed the box's weight rating (should be stamped on the box).
- Pack heavy items in small boxes and light items in large boxes.
- Wrap fragile items in tissue or bubble wrap.
- Number each box and keep an inventory list of the contents.
- Mark each box with the room in the new house where they should be placed.
Keep in mind that professional movers will generally not accept liability for breakage of items
packed by homeowners. Weigh the savings from self-packing against possible losses from damage to
self-packed items.
If you choose to have movers pack your goods, this will be done before the actual moving day
(usually one or two days prior). Make plans to be there to observe and provide direction. The more
involved you are with your mover, the better the process is likely to go.
Be aware that delays can occur. Before the packers arrive, make sure you have set aside any
personal items you will want to take with you, including such things as medicines and toiletries.
If you will need something immediately when you arrive at your new home, take it with you do
not pack it.
Before you sign the packing order, make sure all items you want moved are packed and that the
carton count matches the packing order form.
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What Are My Rights?
Prior to providing you with any moving services, your mover must supply an estimate and contract,
in writing. The estimate and contract must be signed by both parties and include the following:
- Name, telephone number, physical address and state registration number of the mover.
- Date the contract or estimate was prepared and proposed date of the actual move.
- Appropriate pick-up and delivery address, name and telephone numbers of the shipper.
- Name, telephone number and physical address where the goods will be held, if necessary.
- Itemized breakdown, description and total of all cost and services provided.
- Acceptable forms of payment available.
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Estimate and Contract
Intrastate movers are required to provide an estimate and a contract or service order for each move.
Before signing this document, determine that the dates for packing, loading and delivery are part of
the contract and provided to you in writing. Understand what the price is based upon:
- Appliance Servicing
- Cubic Footage
- Hourly Rates
- Stair/Elevator Charge
- Number of Items
- Packing/Unpacking
- Long Carry Charges
Before you sign an estimate or contract:
- Ascertain that all services you requested and require are on the estimate and contract.
- Provide your delivery address and all phone numbers where you can be contacted at origin, en route and
at your destination.
- Check your homeowners insurance policy before moving to see if you are covered for damage or loss
during a move by a professional moving company. If not, the insurance company may provide a rider to your
policy at an additional fee. You may also be able to arrange with the mover for full depreciated or full
replacement valuation.
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Liability for Loss/Damage
Moving companies are required to assume some basic liability by carrying legal liability valuation and
insurance coverage. Moving companies must also carry cargo legal liability coverage (loss or damage to
household goods resulting from the negligence of the mover, its employees, or agents, in an amount not
less than $10,000 per incident).
Movers must provide motor vehicle coverage, including combined bodily injury and property damage
liability coverage in the following minimum amounts:
- $50,000-per occurrence-for a commercial motor vehicle with a gross weight of less than 35,000 pounds.
- $100,000-per occurrence-for a commercial motor vehicle with a gross weight of more than 35,000 pounds, but
less than 44,000 pounds.
- $300,000-per occurrence-for a commercial motor vehicle with a gross weight of 44,000 pounds or more.
The law also provides for a limitation on the release of the mover's liability for the value of a
shipper's goods at a rate not less than 60 cents per pound, per article. Your mover must disclose this
limitation of liability to you, in writing, at the time the estimate or contract for services is
executed and prior to any services being provided to you. Your mover must also inform you of the
opportunity to reject or select additional valuation for goods being moved.
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Internet Communication
Although the internet is a great way to investigate and compare average moving costs, it should never
be used as a substitute for on-site written estimates. Consumers should be wary of companies who
only want to operate over the telephone or the internet.
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Terms To Know
Storage
Many movers will store your possessions when requested. There is a charge for storage services. You
should also know that the additional handling of your goods into and out of storage increases the
possibility of damages.
Inventory
Except on local moves, your mover will normally write an inventory of the items being moved before
loading the items on the delivery vehicle. The mover will walk through the house and place a numbered
sticker on each item being moved and provides a description (including condition, or pre-existing
damage) of that item.
Make sure your mover provides detailed descriptions of the pre-existing damage of each item. If the
damage description is unclear or confusing, ask for clarification before the items are moved.
Be sure to get a copy of the inventory list and contract for your records.
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If You Have a Claim
Make your mover aware of your claim, in writing, as quickly as possible. The moving company can give
you specific instructions on how to file a claim. If you are not satisfied with the mover's handling
of the claim or your claim is not resolved through the company's normal claim handling process, you
may file suit in a civil court, or with an approved arbiter, if the mover is party to an arbitration
service. You may also file a complaint electronically, against the mover.
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Moving Checklist
Send out change-of-address cards to:
- Banks/Financial Institutions
- Creditors
- Friends and Relatives
- Insurance Companies: Homeowners, Automotive, Health, Life, etc.
- Magazine Subscriptions
- Newspaper Subscriptions
- Social Security Administration
- Utility Company (Electric, Gas, Water)
Notify these utility companies and delivery services when to stop services at your old address
and begin services at your new address:
- Electric/Gas Utilities
- Laundry/Cleaning Service
- Newspaper Delivery
- Telephone Service
- Water/Garbage Pickup
- Water Softener/Bottled Water
Transfer Records:
- Automotive Registration
- Place of Worship
- Physicians/Hospitals
- Drivers License
- Attorneys
- Prescriptions and Pharmacy
- Schools
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Additional Resources
The links below are for your information only and are intended to provide additional information to
consumers. Hillsborough County Consumer Protection does not review or confirm these sites for accuracy.
We do not endorse any specific movers mentioned within the web pages below. Would you like to know the
statute for Intrastate Moving? View the full
Florida Statute.
Consumer E-Newsletter - July 2005
When you are planning to move within the State of Florida make sure the company you choose to do
business with is in compliance with the law.
Valuation and Insurance Options for Interstate Moving
This information was designed to help identify your options for insurance during an interstate move.
An interstate move is any move that crosses a state boundary, regardless of the number of miles.
American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA)
The American Moving and Storage Association's mission is To represent and enhance the Domestic and
International Moving and Storage Industry. AMSA is a non-profit trade association established in 1936.
It has an education foundation, The Moving & Storage Institute. This site will provide you with
helpful information for household interstate moves.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The mission of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is to increase public awareness about
the household goods moving industry and decrease moving fraud by providing consumers with the knowledge
and resources to plan a successful move.
If you need additional consumer information, you can contact the Hillsborough County Consumer
Protection Agency at 903-3430 or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division
of Consumer Services at 1-800- HELP-FLA (435-7352) or 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832) - ¡Español! (for use
in Florida) or 1-850-488-2221 (out of state).
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