Statewide planning Check Florida authority for the route
Florida requires people and businesses engaged in intrastate moving to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Confirm the performing legal entity’s current registration before booking. Match the name in any official record to the legal entity on the estimate and contract.
- Florida requires people and businesses engaged in intrastate moving to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Confirm the performing legal entity’s current registration before booking.
- For an interstate move, use FMCSA records to confirm the performing carrier or broker and its current household-goods authority.
- A USDOT number alone does not prove state authority, insurance, service quality, or endorsement.
- Match the legal entity on the official record to the estimate and contract.
Statewide planning Confirm the performing legal entity
Ask who will physically transport the household goods and whether that entity is acting as a carrier or broker. Compare the legal name, authority record, estimate, contract, and payment instructions before booking.
- Request the company's FDACS registration details in writing.
- Confirm the registration directly with FDACS.
- For interstate moves, check FMCSA's public carrier and broker records.
- Keep a copy of what you confirmed, including the date.
Statewide planning Estimates, contracts, and paperwork questions
Collect written estimates from at least two or three registered companies so you can compare like for like. Ask whether each estimate is binding or non-binding, what inventory it is based on, and what would cause the final price to change. Ask how the company handles valuation coverage for loss or damage, what the claims process looks like, and how long you have to file. Read the contract before moving day rather than at the truck, and make sure everything you were promised verbally appears in writing. These steps matter more than any single credential because they determine how disputes are resolved if something goes wrong.
- Is this estimate binding or non-binding, and what changes the final cost?
- What valuation coverage is included, and what upgrades are available?
- How do I file a claim, and what is the deadline?
- Will the company I booked perform the move, or could it be handed to another carrier?
Statewide planning Planning a move in Florida
For a move within Florida, give every company the exact addresses, date, inventory, requested services, property rules, truck access, carrying distance, and route constraints. Check current weather and road conditions close to the date and put delay, travel, access, and rescheduling assumptions in writing.
- Give every company the same move date, addresses, inventory, and requested services.
- Document stairs, elevators, gates, truck access, and carrying distance at both addresses.
- Check current weather and road conditions close to the move date.
- Put travel, delay, access, and rescheduling assumptions in writing.
Official resources Check current records and local guidance
Rules and public records can change. Use these official sources to confirm the requirements and access details that apply to your route and addresses.