Orlando Relocation Center

By Relocation.com Staff

Your upcoming relocation will be one of two things: an interstate move (between states, such as a move from Illinois to Florida), or an intrastate move (within the state, like between Orlando 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 Orlando moving companies.

State-to-State Moves

If you're moving to Orlando from another state, your move is governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. To protect yourself in these kinds of relocations, make sure the mover you pick has a USDOT number, is registered with FMCSA to transport between states, and has enough 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. 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.)

In-State Moves

If you're moving to Orlando from another city in Florida, Orlando movers (or whichever moving company you select) are overseen by the state, in this case the Division of Consumer Services at the Florida Department of Agriculture.

To find out if your mover is registered, call 1-800-HELP FLA - ask about complaints the state has received about the mover.

Before you hire someone, 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, you won't get an accurate quote.

Once you get estimates, they should be in a reasonable range. If there's a moving company that's quoting you much less, you're probably getting set up for a scam. Most ripoffs 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?
* 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 accept at least two forms of payment: Cash, check or credit card

Your estimate should have:

* Name, telephone number, physical address and state registration number.
* 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

Determine that all services you requested and require are on the estimate and contract. Provide delivery address and all phone numbers where you can be contacted at origin, en route and at the 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.