Best 5 Movers in Sarasota, FL

How to Choose the Best Local Mover in Sarasota

You should consider a few important factors when choosing a moving company. These are some things to keep in mind when hiring movers in Sarasota.

Determine Your Budget

A local move costs $59 per hour on average. Based on this, a standard two-bedroom move costs around $4,082 in total. Your actual cost will depend on move distance, your home size, any additional tasks you need your movers to handle, and the season.

Consider obtaining quotes from a minimum of three reputable movers in your area to make an educated choice. Written estimates are crucial in this process. They should contain a total cost breakdown, covering the hourly rate or flat fee. Comparing the estimate provided by your mover to the final cost after the move helps ensure fair pricing.

Read Customer Reviews

Customer feedback plays a crucial role for moving companies. Visit sites such as Google Reviews, Yelp, Trustpilot, social media, and the Better Business Bureau to learn about the typical customer experience with that moving company.

Ensure Proper Licensing

Moving companies in Sarasota must follow different licensing requirements depending on their service area. If you are only moving within Florida, your mover must have an active registration with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). You can check for an active business license using its License Lookup tool.

If you're moving across state lines, the regulations are different. Interstate moving companies must be licensed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and must carry active United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Motor Carrier (MC) numbers. You can use these numbers to look up a mover’s registration status and complaint history on the FMCSA’s mover registration search tool.

Services

Asking whether the mover offers the services you need is essential during the quote process. Compile a list of any services you may require and take inventory of your home before seeking quotes. Additionally, tell your moving company representative about any extra services you may need to assess the company's capability to deliver satisfactory service.

Types of Moving Services

For basic moves, full-service movers will include the following services in the starting cost:

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

When seeking a quote from your moving company, communicate any additional services you need. The following services may result in higher pricing for your move:

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

Tips To Consider When Moving in Sarasota, FL

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when moving in Sarasota.

Schedule an Early Move

Sarasota usually gets congested with traffic during rush hour. Navigating it can be more challenging in a moving truck compared to a personal-use car. Movers caught in traffic may lead to delays and a higher cost since local movers charge by the hour. Try to arrange your move either several hours before or after the morning rush hour to avoid this issue.

Avoid Busy Season

The peak moving season—between May and September—coincides with Sarasota's hottest time of year. This can negatively impact your move if you start your search too late and can't find an available moving company. If you book far enough in advance, you should be able to schedule with your preferred mover regardless of the month. However, your movers may be hindered by the heat.

Pack in Advance

Most movers handle same-day packing requests similarly. In many cases, movers will not move loose items that haven’t been packed when your move is scheduled to start. You should start packing about six weeks before your move. Allocate some packing time each day to avoid last-minute scrambling on moving day.

How Much do Movers Cost in Sarasota, FL

Movers in Sarasota cost $2,586 on average for moves less than 250 miles. It can cost up to $6,524 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.