You probably already know this, but South Florida has become one of the nation’s hottest areas, both literally and figuratively. The amount of people moving to the Miami metro has exploded since the start of COVID. This has pushed housing costs and rent prices through the roof, forcing many renters to move locally within South Florida in search of more affordable rent prices.
As a result, more people are moving both to and within South Florida than ever before. So, whether you’re a new resident from another region or a local South Floridian moving to a new neighborhood, you’ll want to follow these tips to ensure a smooth and easy move.
1. Do Your Research Ahead of Time
Unfortunately, many bad relocation experiences are a result of an unforeseen obstacle. South Florida is notorious for HOAs with weird rules and regulations regarding moving in. Once you know where you’ll be living, be sure to read up on their rules for movers. If no literature exists, call the management office to inquire if there are any restrictions regarding the hours/days you can move or the size of truck you can bring.
2. Know What Type of Moving Service You’ll Need
Depending on where in South Florida you’re moving to and the type of belongings you’re moving, you’ll need to figure out what level of service you’ll need. This is where you can get an idea of what type of budget you’ll need and where you can save money by doing some of the work yourself. There are several types of moving services you can opt for that range in scope of work and price:
Types of Moves:
- Local Moving – This is the most affordable type of move and covers any move between locations less than 100 miles. Moving to Miami to West Palm would still be considered a local move.
- Long Distance Moving – More expensive type of move, this would be any move coming from outside South Florida into the metro area.
- International Moving – Most expensive type of move, usually entails a combination of ocean or air freight plus ground transportation.
Types of Delivery Options
- White-Glove Delivery – This is the highest level of delivery service usually devoted to moving large items of considerable value and/or fragility. Movers will quite literally wear white gloves and move anything from an expensive antique chandelier to a large grand piano. As part of white glove delivery, the mover will take care of the entire process starting with moving from its original location, securing and transporting the item, and finally placing the item safely in your desired final location within your new South Florida home.
- Threshold Delivery – This is the most common type of delivery option. The moving company will deliver your boxes and belongings from the truck into the interior of the house in a specified area. From there you will unpack and move everything as needed. This is less expensive than white-glove delivery and slightly more expensive than curbside delivery.
- Curbside Delivery – This is the most economical delivery method for moving. The movers will drop off your boxes and belongings outside of your new residence instead of bringing them inside. Be sure to research the HOA or management company’s policy on this, as it’s not always an option in some South Florida communities.
3. Getting Estimates from Moving Companies
Once you have these details clear, you can start getting estimates for your move. Start researching South Florida moving companies that offer the level of service you need. Call around to get estimates for each level of service you’ll need for your move. Be clear and consistent when providing the scope of work to each company. Compare the estimates in terms of what level of service each moving company offers. Also make sure that the number of items being moved are clearly detailed on the estimate to avoid a bait and switch from a dishonest company.
4. Save Money By Packing Yourself
One of the best ways you can save some money on your move is by doing the packing yourself. Packing services can range from $300-$2000 dollars depending on the size, quantity, and type of items being packed, so you can save a good amount here. Also, by packing yourself, you’ll know exactly how many boxes you need which will allow you to get more accurate estimates from movers. It will also make for easier unpacking, if you could just remember where you packed that frying pan!
5. Avoid Moving Scams & Hire A Reputable Company
This one may sound obvious, but doing your homework here can potentially save you considerable stress and money. Don’t make your decision on price alone. Follow these steps to avoid moving scams and hire the best moving company:
- Read Online Reviews: Research each company by reading online reviews in places like Google Maps, Yelp and Facebook.
- Research Company Online – Check out their website and social pages to ensure they have an online footprint and they aren’t some fly-by-night company.
- Lookup Company on BBB – check their rating with BBB and if there are any outstanding complaints
- Check with ATA – The American Trucking Association keeps an updated list of certified local and long-distance moving companies.
So many nightmare relocation stories start with a person who didn’t do enough digging and picked the first or the cheapest moving company that they found.
Conclusion
Moving to a new home can be exciting, nerve-racking, and stressful all at once. But if you follow these tips, you can reduce your risk of having a bad moving experience and focus more on the fun aspects of moving to the land of eternal summer. So go grab some gas station shades, dress light, and we’ll see you on Miami Beach!
