A professional move in South Florida typically includes a crew of trained movers, a properly sized truck with fuel, all standard equipment (dollies, hand trucks, straps, blankets, pads), basic disassembly and reassembly of standard furniture, basic valuation coverage at 60 cents per pound per article, and loading, transport, and unloading at your new home. What's usually not included unless you specify and pay extra: packing materials, full-service packing labor, full-value protection insurance, specialty item handling (pianos, safes, fine art), storage, and any work beyond standard furniture assembly. At Wadjet Logistics we've spent 30 years in this market, and we believe the most expensive surprises happen when customers don't understand exactly what their estimate covers and what it doesn't.
Understanding the scope of a professional move helps you compare quotes apples-to-apples, ask the right questions during your estimate, and budget accurately. South Florida moving is a competitive market and reputable companies are transparent, but the industry has a long history of vague estimates that grow on moving day, so clarity upfront is essential.
What's standard in nearly every South Florida moving estimate
Trained crew
Your estimate covers the labor hours of a specified number of movers, typically two for a studio or small apartment, three for a two or three-bedroom home, and four or more for larger homes. Reputable companies use in-house, trained employees rather than day laborers, which means faster work, better damage prevention, and accountability if something goes wrong.
Truck and fuel
The mover provides a truck sized appropriately for your inventory: a 16-foot truck for a small apartment, 20 to 24 feet for a mid-sized home, 26 feet for larger homes, and multiple trucks or trips for the biggest jobs. Fuel is usually included in the rate or charged as a flat surcharge, never per gallon at the pump.
Standard equipment
Every professional move includes hand trucks, four-wheel dollies, furniture straps, moving blankets (typically 40 to 80 per truck), shrink wrap for upholstered furniture and drawers, and floor protection runners for harder surface walkways. Door jamb protectors and mattress bags are sometimes standard and sometimes extra, ask.
Basic furniture handling
The crew will disassemble standard items, beds, tables, simple desks, basic shelving, transport them safely, and reassemble at the destination. "Standard" here means items with bolted or screwed joints that can be reassembled with normal tools. Built-ins, complex modular shelving, and exercise equipment are usually extra.
Loading, transport, unloading
The crew loads the truck efficiently, drives to your new home, and unloads each box into the room you indicate. "Placement" of furniture (positioning sofas, beds, etc.) is included once at your direction; multiple repositioning requests may add time.
Basic valuation coverage
By federal regulation, every interstate mover must offer basic valuation at 60 cents per pound per article at no charge. This is technically included, but it's important to understand it's not really insurance, it's the legal minimum liability. A 50-pound TV that breaks is covered for $30. For real protection, see the section below on insurance.
What's typically not included (but often offered as add-ons)
Packing materials
Boxes, tape, paper, bubble wrap, and specialty containers (dish packs, wardrobe boxes, mattress bags) are usually billed separately. Many movers will deliver materials to your home several days before the move so you can self-pack non-fragile items.
Full-service packing
If you want the crew to pack everything for you, this is a separate service typically priced per hour or as a flat add-on. For a three-bedroom South Florida home, expect $700 to $1,800 plus materials.
Full-value protection
For real damage coverage, you need to upgrade from basic valuation to full-value protection insurance, which obligates the mover to repair, replace, or compensate you at full current value if anything is damaged or lost. Cost is typically 1 to 2 percent of the declared value of your shipment.
Specialty items
Pianos, gun safes, pool tables, large aquariums, fine art, antiques, chandeliers, oversized appliances, hot tubs, statues, marble or glass furniture, all carry surcharges because they require specialized equipment, additional crew, or third-party specialists. Get specialty fees in writing on the estimate.
Long carry and stairs
If the walk from truck to door is more than 75 to 100 feet, expect a long-carry fee. Stairs beyond the first flight (or sometimes the second) are usually charged per flight, especially in walk-up buildings.
Shuttle service
If your driveway or street can't accommodate the moving truck (common in Brickell, downtown Fort Lauderdale, narrow Coconut Grove streets), the company may need to use a smaller shuttle to ferry items between the home and a parked larger truck. This costs extra.
Storage
If you need short-term or long-term storage between move-out and move-in, this is a separate service with its own monthly fees plus extra labor for the warehouse handling.
Extra stops
Picking up items from a storage unit on the way, or dropping items at a relative's home, are extra-stop charges.
Disposal and recycling
Most movers will not take boxes, packing materials, or items to a landfill or recycling center. Disposal is your responsibility unless you arrange it separately.
What South Florida adds to the picture
Specific to our region:
- Certificate of insurance: Most condos and HOAs require this. Reputable movers provide it free; some less reputable ones charge for it.
- Elevator reservations: The mover may not handle the reservation, you usually do, but they will accommodate the window you've reserved.
- HOA gate notifications: Often your responsibility.
- Hurricane season scheduling: Most movers won't penalize you for rescheduling due to a named storm; confirm this policy in writing.
Questions to ask before signing
Before you commit, ask your South Florida mover to put in writing exactly:
- How many crew members and how many hours
- What size truck
- Whether fuel is included
- What furniture disassembly/reassembly is covered
- Whether packing materials are included or extra
- What basic valuation covers, and what full-value protection costs
- Stairs, long carry, shuttle, specialty item fees
- Total binding price (or hourly rate with a not-to-exceed cap)
- Payment terms and accepted methods
- Cancellation and rescheduling policy
A transparent mover will answer every question without hesitation. At Wadjet Logistics we provide itemized written estimates so you see exactly what you're paying for. Call +1 (305) 970-6538 or email info@wadjetlogistics.com to schedule a free estimate.
The all-inclusive vs. itemized estimate
Some South Florida movers quote a single all-inclusive flat rate, others break out every line item. Each has trade-offs. All-inclusive quotes are simpler to understand and shop, you compare one number to one number. But they can hide ambiguity: what exactly is included? Itemized quotes give clarity but require more comparison effort. The best practice is to ask for an itemized estimate even from an all-inclusive mover, so you understand what each component costs and what's included, even if you ultimately accept the flat-rate package.
Common scope gaps in South Florida estimates
Specific items frequently missing from standard moves:
- Wall art removal and reinstallation: Most movers transport art but don't take it off walls or rehang it
- TV wall mount removal and reinstallation: Usually not included unless requested and priced
- Curtain rod and blinds: Usually customer's responsibility
- Wardrobe disassembly: Standard, but specialty wardrobe systems may not be
- Appliance disconnection: Water lines, gas lines, sometimes outside scope
- Light fixture removal: Almost never included
- Mounted shelves and bookcases: Built-ins are excluded; freestanding shelves are usually included
Hidden value in a professional move
Beyond the basic physical transport, professional movers bring expertise that's hard to price but real:
- Efficient packing of the truck (proper load order prevents damage)
- Routing knowledge to avoid traffic and access issues
- Damage prevention experience (knowing which items need extra protection)
- Problem-solving when surprises arise (stuck dresser, narrow doorway)
- Coordination with building staff and HOAs
- Basic furniture placement and standard assembly at destination
When to upgrade beyond the basics
The standard inclusion package is sufficient for most moves but consider upgrades when:
- You have high-value items (over $25,000 total contents) upgrade valuation
- You have specialty items add specialty handling
- You're short on time add full-service packing
- You need temporary storage add storage-in-transit
- Your building has strict requirements confirm COI and protective equipment are included
Negotiation tips
Many South Florida movers will negotiate, especially during slower periods. Reasonable asks:
- Free materials with full-service packing
- Free COI even if standard policy charges
- Date flexibility discount (offering a Tuesday instead of Saturday)
- Loyalty discount if you've used the company before
- Referral discount from a past customer
- Free first hour of overtime if the move runs long
Negotiation should be respectful and reasonable. The goal isn't to bleed pennies from the mover, it's to find fair pricing that includes what you actually need.
Reading the fine print
Every moving contract has fine print that affects your protection. Read carefully for:
- Cancellation and rescheduling policy (and any fees)
- Time-on-site minimum charges
- Overtime rate after a certain hour
- Definition of completion (when payment is due)
- Limit of liability for damage
- Items packed by owner versus by mover
- Acts of God and force majeure clauses
- Dispute resolution process
Don't sign without reading. A reputable South Florida mover will walk you through any clause you have questions about.
Final mile considerations
Often forgotten until move day: who places furniture where? Most professional moves include initial furniture placement at your direction (once). Multiple repositioning requests may add labor time. Beds are typically reassembled, but specialty bed frames may require extra time. Have a clear room-by-room plan so the crew can place items quickly and you don't need them to move things again later.