Best 5 Movers in Lakeland, FL

How to Choose the Best Local Mover in Lakeland

Consider each company's cost, licensing, services, and customer reviews before picking.

Determine Your Budget

The average hourly rate for local movers in Lakeland is $55. A two-bedroom move in the area costs approximately $4,084 in total. Your actual cost will vary depending on move distance, any additional tasks you need your movers to handle, your home size, and the season.

You should get quotes from a minimum of three reputable movers in your area. Request written estimates that break down the total cost, including the hourly rate or flat fee. Comparing the estimate provided by your to the final cost after the move helps ensure fair pricing is maintained.

Read Customer Reviews

Customer feedback plays a crucial role for moving companies. Read customer reviews on sites like Google Reviews, Yelp, the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, and social media to identify movers with excellent customer service.

Ensure Proper Licensing

Moving companies in Lakeland must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you're moving from one Florida city to another, your mover must have an active registration with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). You can verify the company has an active license using its License Lookup tool.

The requirements change if you're moving to or from another state. In this case, choose a moving company licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The team should also carry active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. You can see a company's registration status on the FMCSA’s mover registration search tool.

Services

Ask if your chosen mover provides the services that meet your expectations when requesting quotes. Complete an extensive inventory of your home before requesting quotes and note down any essential or additional services you may need. Additionally, tell your moving company representative about any extra services you may need to evaluate the company's capacity to offer adequate service.

Types of Moving Services

For basic moves, full-service movers often include the following moving services in the standard price:

• Basic wrapping materials for furniture protection
• Loading and unloading
• Released liability coverage for loss or damage

If you need special services from your moving company, mention these during the quote process. Additional fees may apply for the following services:

• Crating for art or antiques
• Extra flights of stairs
• Long carries
• Packing
• Piano moving
• Storage
• Unpacking
• Vehicle shipping

Tips To Consider When Moving in Lakeland, FL

Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind for your Lakeland move.

Schedule an Early Move

Lakeland traffic during the morning and evening rush hours is often congested. Navigating gridlock in a moving truck is even more difficult than with a standard personal-use vehicle. Movers stuck in traffic during your local move typically leads to higher costs since they’ll still be on the clock. You can avoid this by booking movers several hours before or after morning rush hour.

Avoid Busy Season

Moving season is the busiest between May and September. In Lakeland, this time overlaps with very hot summer weather, which can delay or worsen your move. By planning your move at least eight weeks in advance, you should be able to secure your desired moving company. However, be prepared for the possibility that the hot weather could pose difficulties for your movers.

Pack in Advance

You should start packing around six weeks before your move. Pack a few boxes every day to avoid rushing when move day comes. Your movers may have some spare boxes with them for last-minute packing, but you shouldn’t count on it. Most movers only transport items that have been properly packed by the scheduled moving time, so you should have everything boxed up before their arrival.

How Much do Movers Cost in Lakeland, FL

Movers in Lakeland cost $2,586 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $6,535 to move a larger 4 bedroom house the same distance. See the chart below for more moving estimates, and contact a moving company for a more accurate quote specific to your situation.