{"title":"Moving Companies","description":"\u003ch2\u003eMoving Companies in Southwest Florida (SWFL)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're moving across town in Cape Coral, from a Naples condo to a home in Estero, or bringing a whole household down from up north, the right mover makes the day far easier. The SWFL Guidebook lists moving companies serving Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero and nearby communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoves within Florida and moves from another state follow different rules, so this guide covers both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMoving Within Florida: State Rules\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMovers that relocate people inside Florida must \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.fdacs.gov\/Consumer-Resources\/Consumer-Rights-and-Responsibilities\/Moving-Within-Florida\"\u003eregister with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)\u003c\/a\u003e. FDACS calls checking that registration your first step. Search the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/csapp.fdacs.gov\/cspublicapp\/businesssearch\/businesssearch.aspx\"\u003eFDACS Business License Lookup\u003c\/a\u003e or call 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute\u0026amp;URL=0500-0599\/0507\/0507ContentsIndex.html\"\u003eChapter 507, Florida Statutes\u003c\/a\u003e, a mover must give you a written estimate and contract before doing any work, signed and dated by you and the mover. It must include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn itemized breakdown and total of all costs and services\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe proposed dates for loading, transport and unloading\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe address where your goods will be held if they go into storage\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe forms of payment the mover accepts. Movers must take at least two of three: cash or a cashier's check or money order, a personal check, or a credit card.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlorida movers must also carry at least $10,000 of liability coverage per shipment for loss or damage caused by their negligence. A mover may not hold your goods once you've paid what the signed estimate or contract says, and it may never hold back prescription medicines or children's things, such as furniture, clothing or toys.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMoving to SWFL From Another State\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf your goods cross a state line, it's an interstate move governed by the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.fmcsa.dot.gov\/protect-your-move\/how-to\/faqs\"\u003eFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)\u003c\/a\u003e, even if the truck itself never crosses the line. A few things to know:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLook up the company by name, USDOT number or MC number on FMCSA's \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.fmcsa.dot.gov\/protect-your-move\"\u003eProtect Your Move\u003c\/a\u003e site to check its registration and complaint history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAsk whether you're dealing with a mover or a broker. A broker books your move and hands it to a moving company. FMCSA requires brokers to give you its \"Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move\" booklet and a list of the movers they use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt delivery, you don't have to pay more than 100 percent of a binding estimate or 110 percent of a non-binding estimate. Any extra charges are billed 30 days after delivery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo report a problem with an interstate mover, call FMCSA's hotline at 1-888-DOT-SAFT (1-888-368-7238).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Moving Services\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDepending on the company, services usually include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocal and long-distance moves\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePacking, unpacking and packing supplies\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFurniture disassembly and setup\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePianos, safes and other specialty items\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShort- and long-term storage\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSenior and downsizing moves\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffice and commercial moves\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLoading and unloading labor for rental trucks and containers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMoving Across SWFL\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNaples\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoving into or out of a Naples condo or a community with an association? Ask the building or HOA about move-in rules, elevator reservations and insurance paperwork before you book. FDACS lists stair, elevator and long-carry charges among the things a moving price can be based on, so tell each mover about them up front.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFort Myers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf your new place in Fort Myers isn't ready on moving day, many movers offer storage. Florida law requires your estimate and contract to list the name, phone number and address of wherever your goods will be held.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCape Coral\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCensus Bureau estimates for 2020 to 2024 count 11,807 Cape Coral homes, about 11.7 percent of the city's housing, held for seasonal, recreational or occasional use. That means plenty of moves here are furniture going into or out of a winter home. If you won't be there on delivery day, write down who can accept the shipment and how to reach them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBonita Springs \u0026amp; Estero\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBonita Springs and Estero sit between Naples and Fort Myers, so a local move can easily cross the Lee and Collier county line. Any move that starts and ends in Florida falls under Florida's mover law, so check the company's FDACS registration either way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhen to Book Your Move\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFDACS suggests allowing two to six weeks to plan and prepare.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGet detailed estimates from at least three movers, and have each estimator see your things in person. Phone and online quotes are only a rough guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLate May through August is typically busy for movers, so spring or late fall is easier when you can choose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeekend rates tend to be the highest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eExplore Listings or Join the Guidebook\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLooking for a mover in Southwest Florida?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrowse the listings above to find local moving companies for your next move.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRun a moving company in SWFL?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/swflguidebook.com\/products\/join-swfl-guidebook\" title=\"Join the SWFL Guidebook\"\u003eJoin the SWFL Guidebook\u003c\/a\u003e to reach residents, new arrivals and seasonal homeowners across Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs and Estero.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes a mover need to be registered?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMovers that handle moves within Florida must register with FDACS. Interstate movers must be registered with FMCSA, and you can look them up by name, USDOT number or MC number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many estimates should I get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFDACS recommends at least three, with an estimator seeing your belongings in person.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan a mover hold my things until I pay more?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor a move within Florida, a mover can't withhold your goods once you've paid the amount in the signed estimate or contract. For an interstate move, you don't have to pay more than 100 percent of a binding estimate or 110 percent of a non-binding estimate at delivery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes my homeowners insurance cover my move?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt may. FDACS suggests checking your policy before you move. If it doesn't, your insurer may offer a rider, or you can ask the mover about full depreciated or full replacement valuation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the difference between a mover and a broker?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA mover does the move with its own crews and trucks. A broker sells and books the move, then hands it to a moving company. Ask which one you're talking to before you sign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLegal \u0026amp; Disclaimer Statement\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe SWFL Guidebook is a local business directory and does not perform background checks or licensing verification. Users are responsible for confirming licensing, insurance, and scope of services with any provider they choose to hire.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBy using this site, you agree that SWFL Guidebook is not responsible for service quality, miscommunication, delays, or disputes between users and businesses listed. Always confirm terms, pricing, and credentials directly with your chosen provider.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"join-the-swfl-guidebook","title":"Join the SWFL Guidebook!","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eAdd your business to the SWFL Guidebook today: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/swflguidebook.com\/products\/join-swfl-guidebook\"\u003eClick Here To Get Started\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e","brand":"SWFL Guidebook","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44375526637722,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0600\/7272\/2586\/files\/SWFLGuidebookLogos_27.png?v=1706217150"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0600\/7272\/2586\/collections\/pexels-photo-4554239.jpg?v=1794430448","url":"https:\/\/swflguidebook.com\/collections\/moving-companies.oembed","provider":"SWFL Guidebook","version":"1.0","type":"link"}