Why choosing the right moving company is the most important decision
An average move in South Florida costs between 800 and 3,500 USD. It is one of the largest expenses of the year for most families. And yet, many people choose a moving company in 15 minutes based on the cheapest quote they find on Google. That is the express route to losses, breakage, lost items, or even moving scams.
In Florida, the moving industry has many honest companies but also many fraudulent ones. Knowing how to differentiate them is critical. After 30 years in this market, we know exactly which signals indicate a serious company and which ones scream "run away."
Mandatory licenses and registrations in Florida
This is the first filter. Without these documents, do not even talk to them.
For local moves (within Florida)
- FDACS registration: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services requires that every mover within Florida is registered. Verify at fdacs.gov
- Mover Registration Number visible on website, trucks, and contracts
- Active liability insurance (minimum 750,000 USD in cargo)
For interstate moves (out of state)
- USDOT number: assigned by US Department of Transportation. Required for any company that moves across state lines
- MC number (Motor Carrier): Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration license
- Verification at fmcsa.dot.gov: enter the USDOT number and view complete history, complaints, accidents, and active insurance
How to verify reviews without falling into traps
The fake review industry is massive. Almost any company can buy 100 reviews of 5 stars in 24 hours. Here is how to differentiate real from fake.
- Google Reviews: look for at least 50 reviews accumulated over 2+ years. Many recent reviews together are suspicious
- BBB (Better Business Bureau): look up the company at bbb.org. Active A+ or A rating is a good sign. Many resolved complaints is normal; many open complaints is red flag
- Yelp: Yelp's filter algorithm tends to be strict; reviews that appear after the filter tend to be more authentic
- Facebook: check Facebook recommendations of the company. Real comments from real people are hard to fake
- Local forums: Nextdoor and Reddit (r/Miami, r/Florida) have real opinions from neighbors
Warning sign: if a company has 200+ reviews of 5 stars all from the last 6 months and very few before, they almost certainly bought them.
The 3-quote rule
Always request at least 3 detailed quotes. Not telephone estimates. Real visit (in person or virtual via video) of the home. A serious company will insist on seeing your home before quoting. One that gives you a price without seeing anything is almost always going to inflate the final cost.
Quotes must specify:
- Hourly rate or flat rate
- Number of movers included
- Truck size
- Estimated hours
- Materials included (or extra cost)
- Disassembly and reassembly
- Insurance included (basic vs full value protection)
- Additional fees: stairs, long carry, packing, fuel
Average prices in South Florida (2026)
To know if a quote is reasonable, these are the current market references:
- Local move 1 bedroom: 400-700 USD
- Local move 2 bedrooms: 700-1,400 USD
- Local move 3 bedrooms: 1,200-2,200 USD
- Local move 4+ bedrooms: 2,000-3,500 USD
- Long distance to Orlando/Tampa: 1,800-4,000 USD
- Interstate to NY/NJ: 3,500-8,000 USD
Quote significantly below these ranges (e.g., 300 USD for 2 bedrooms): almost certainly scam or extra costs that will appear later.
Red flags to identify a fraudulent company
Run away if you see any of these signals:
- Quote by phone without home visit
- Request 50% deposit or more upfront
- Only accept cash, no credit card or check
- No address physical visible on website
- Different company name on truck, contract, and website
- USDOT number that does not match data at fmcsa.dot.gov
- Refuse to give you written contract before service
- Online reviews all 5 stars and very recent
- Pressure you to sign immediately or "the price expires today"
- No professional insurance verifiable
The written contract: what it must include
Never start a move without a signed contract that includes:
- Complete legal name of company, address, phone, license
- Origin and destination address
- Date and approximate time
- Detailed inventory of furniture
- Total or per-hour price, with clear breakdown of additional fees
- Payment method and acceptable forms
- Insurance: type and coverage
- Cancellation, delay, damages clauses
- Signature of both parties
Questions to ask in initial interview
- How many years have you been in Florida?
- Are you registered with FDACS / USDOT? Can you give me your number?
- How many movers will I have on my date?
- Are your workers direct employees or subcontractors?
- What happens if you damage something? What is the claim process?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- Can you give me 3 recent client references?
- Do you have your own trucks or do you rent them?
- How do you handle valuable or large items (piano, art)?
- Do you have COI for buildings that require it?
The price is not everything: total value
The cheapest is almost never the best. A company 200 USD more expensive that arrives on time, does not break anything, and treats your home well is much cheaper in the long run than the cheap one that delays you 4 hours, breaks your TV, and adds 400 USD in surprise fees.
Evaluate by total value: quote + reputation + experience + customer service + warranty.
Where Wadjet Logistics fits in
We are a Florida-licensed company with 30 years of experience moving families in Miami, Coral Gables, Aventura, Brickell, Doral, and beyond. Liability insurance, real Google reviews accumulated over decades, transparent contracts, and a direct team of trained workers — no subcontractors.
If you want a quote without surprises, call us at +1 (305) 970-6538. We do free home visit (in person or virtual) and give you written quote in less than 24 hours.