Your upcoming move will be one of two things: an interstate move (between states, such as a move from New York to Florida), or an intrastate move (within the state, like between Miami and Tampa Bay).
Although both types of moves share many characteristics, they differ in how they're regulated, and so they have a bearing on how you should check out
Miami movers.
Interstate MovesIf you're moving to Miami from another state, your move is governed by rules from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. To protect yourself in these types of moves, make sure the mover you select has been assigned a USDOT number, is registered with FMCSA to transport household goods between states, and has the proper amount of insurance.
You can determine if a mover is registered with FMCSA by visiting
www.protectyourmove.gov, or calling FMCSA at (202) 366-9805 for licensing, and (202) 385-2423 for insurance. (This article can take you step by step through
how to check out a moving company on the FMCSA website.)
Also check with the
Better Business Bureau to ensure the company doesn't have a long history of unresolved complaints. (The intrastate section below also has tips on picking a mover that apply to both intrastate and interstate moves.)
Intrastate MovesIf you're moving to Miami from another city
within Florida, the
Miami moving
companies are overseen by the state, in this case the Florida Department of Agriculture, Division of Consumer Services.
To find out if your mover is registered with the state, call 1-800-HELP FLA – also ask about any complaints the state has received about the company. Be sure to ask the movers about any DBA's they operate under, and check those also. Sometimes companies that get a bad reputation will simply register under a new name. This is information you want to know.
Before you hire a moving company, have at least 3 movers actually come to your home to see what you want moved. Don't take quotes over the Internet or the phone – if they can't see your stuff, how can they give you an accurate quote?
Once you get quotes, they should be within a reasonable range. If there's a moving company that's quoting you far less, that's a good sign you're getting set up for a scam. The vast majority of ripoffs we see at Relocation.com come when moving companies give low-ball bids, and then try to make up the different later with ridiculous charges. If the quote is too good to be true – IT IS!
Other questions you should ask when speaking with Florida moving companies:
* How long has the company been around? Does it do business under any other DBAs (doing business as).
* What are my insurance options with the moving company?
* What is the moving company's process for settling claims?
* Does the mover have arbitration for claim disputes?
Whatever company you choose should provide the following:
* Enough liability insurance coverage
* A written estimate and contract.
* They must also accept at least two of the following forms of payment:
cash, check or credit card
Your estimate must have:
* Name, telephone number, physical address and state registration number of the mover.
* The proposed date of the actual move, and the date you were given the estimate.
* Your pick-up and delivery address, name and telephone numbers.
* Name, telephone number and physical address where the goods will be held, if needed.
* Breakdown of all costs and services.
* Payment options
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:
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.
Be sure to ask about moving insurance – the moving company should
provide this information to you up front. The movers are obligated to provide a
very minimal amount of insurance, but it won't cover much. Investigate other
options as well. If you want more information on this, see this article about
moving
insurance options.
For more information about moving in or to Florida,
go to this Website.
Miami Jobs 