Get Quotes from Top Movers in Jacksonville, FL

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Mover in Jacksonville

The stress of moving your household effects across the city and the fear of losing some priced possessions in the process are the top concerns for people changing homes. Every year the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) receives over 7,000 complaints against movers regarding lost or stolen property. Before signing a contract with a moving company in Jacksonville, it is important to get assurance that your job will be completed without hassles. You can ensure of this by asking these questions to verify if the company is a good hire:

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Moving Company in Jacksonville?

In Jacksonville, moving companies that intend to offer services like transporting household and non-household goods are required to register with the appropriate state and city authorities. For instance, interested individuals must first register their preferred legal business structure with the Florida Department of State's Division of Corporations to run a business in the city. The applicants can complete an application online for the relevant business structure. Alternatively, applicants can fill out and submit the appropriate application forms to the mailing address indicated in the form.

Note that where applicants intend to carry on their moving business under a fictitious name, they must register such a name with the state's Department of State. Applicants can register online or fill out and submit a fictitious name registration form to the Department of State address indicated on the bottom left of the form. In addition, applicants must apply for an Employer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Services and register their business with the Florida Department of Revenue. You can use the search record platform to confirm your intended moving company's registration status. If you have queries concerning the requirements for registering and operating a business in Jacksonville, you can direct them to the city's Office of Economic Development at:

117 West Duval Street
Suite 275
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 255-5444

Although not a business license, Jacksonville-based movers using commercial vehicles must obtain a commercial driver's license from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. All individuals applying for a commercial driver's license must have the necessary documents and skills to operate a vehicle. This includes being at least 18 years old and passing the vision requirements, skills, and knowledge tests.

Individuals who meet these requirements will be able to apply for a Class A, B, or C commercial driver's license. Applicants can apply online via the MyDMV Portal or visit the department's physical location for an in-person application. For more information regarding commercial driver's licenses, contact the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' service center in Jacksonville at (850) 617-2000.

Per state law, you must register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) before starting or operating as a moving company in Jacksonville. This registration is required regardless of the other licensing requirements of the local, county, or municipal governments. If you fail to comply with this law, you may be fined up to $5,000 or face a cease and desist order.

An application can be completed online or by filling out and submitting a Household Moving Services Registration Package to the FDACS address indicated in the top right corner of the form. A copy of the applicant's insurance certificate is required. It must show proof of proper coverage and the cancellation verbiage. The FDACS must be named the insurance holder and must always be notified ten days before canceling the coverage. The registration fee is $300 for each year and $600 for the combined fee. You can direct your queries regarding the moving company registration process to FDACS by completing an online request form.

How Much Do You Charge Compared with Other Movers in Jacksonville?

When planning to move within or outside Jacksonville, it is important that you know the exact cost the moving services will cost you. Factors that affect the cost of moving in Jacksonville include the size and scope of the items being moved, the distance from point A to B, the length of time required to complete the job, and the various add-on services that the company provides (and are requested by the client).

Several moving companies near you may provide you with various services, and their prices can vary depending on the type of move you are planning on making. As such, you should get at least three price estimates from several moving companies in the city. Also, ensure that the company issues a bill of lading at pickup time. This receipt shows the company's charges for the goods moved.

Jacksonville's transportation and material moving workers earn an average annual wage of $40,630. The list below compares the average hourly wages earned by these workers in the city against those of transportation and material moving workers in other parts of Florida as well as several other major cities in the country:

Jacksonville Movers' Hourly Average Wage
$19.53
Florida Movers Hourly Average Wage
$18.66
Los Angeles Movers Hourly Average Wage
$21.09
Seattle Movers' Hourly Average Wage
$25.50
Chicago Movers' Hourly Average Wage
$20.86
Philadelphia Movers' Hourly Average Wage
$19.55
Houston Movers Hourly Average Wage
$20.53
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Will You Get a Moving Permit as Required by Jacksonville Regulations?

Although no specific permits are required for moving services in Jacksonville, moving companies must follow certain parking regulations and rules when carrying out their duties. Moving vehicles cannot be parked or placed on private property in residential districts or on public right-of-ways in commercial, industrial, or agricultural zones. They are also not allowed to be parked or placed on off-street parking lots. These vehicles can only be parked or placed on private property to unload or load items intended to be moved. They are not permitted to be parked or placed on public right-of-ways when they are required to be used for service.

Moving companies in Jacksonville are required to follow various parking regulations. Some of these include:

  • No parking in the timed zone beyond the allowed limit. These vehicles cannot return to the area within 12 hours.
  • When in a freight loading zone, the vehicle must not park in it unless they have a permit from the Office of Public Parking.
  • Moving vehicles must not park for more than an hour because these areas are very busy and are strictly enforced. Cars that park for more than one hour will not be allowed to return to the area.
  • Moving vehicles should not park in areas that prohibit parking. These areas are very busy and are strictly enforced.
  • When in an accessible parking space, the vehicle must not park in the striped area next to the parking space. This space is for vehicles with wheelchair lifts. Even though you have a valid disabled parking permit, you will still be fined for parking in this area.
  • As a commercial vehicle, it is not allowed to occupy an accessible parking space for more than 30 minutes.

One of the most important factors you should consider when hiring a moving company in Jacksonville is their knowledge of the local rules and regulations related to parking. This will allow you to avoid getting into a mess and getting fined. You can get more information about parking regulations and rules in Jacksonville by contacting the city's Office of Public Parking at (904) 255-5858 or by email. Alternatively, you can visit the physical location at

Office of Public Parking
231 East Forsyth St., Suite 424
Jacksonville, FL 32202

What Kind of Moving Services Do You Offer?

When it comes to choosing a moving company in Jacksonville, it is important that you hire one with the necessary experience and knowledge to handle your needs. There are five main services on offer when it comes to moving. These include:

  • Local moving,
  • Long-distance moving,
  • Interstate moving,
  • International moving, and
  • Small moving.

Local, long-distance, and small moves all involve moving items within a certain area or state. Generally, small moves involve moving items that do not exceed a certain weight, usually between 1500 and 2000 pounds. International and interstate moves involve relocating to another city outside Jacksonville or the country. Meanwhile, some moving companies offer add-on services, including full-service and self-service moves. These services involve the movers doing all the work related to the move, such as loading and unloading.

Before you hire a moving company, it is important that you thoroughly research their moving services. This will allow you to make an informed decision regarding their services. It is also important that you provide the moving company with a detailed list of the items you intend to move. This will allow them to decide on the services they can offer you satisfactorily. This step also allows the moving company to provide an accurate estimate for the services that they will be providing.

Listed below are cost estimates for moving services commonly provided by professional moving companies in Jacksonville:

Local residential movers (per hour, for two movers and a truck)
$92 - $106
Office or commercial movers (per hour)
$110 - $160
Warehouse storage (per pallet, per month)
$6.00 - $8.00
Piano movers
$259 - $290
Mobile home moving
$2,218 - $2,749
Whole home moving (for standard one-story home)
$175 - $2,950

Do You Provide Packing and Storage Services?

Before you start planning to move in or move out in Jacksonville, it's important that you find out if the company you're considering provides your desired packing and moving services. Doing so will save time and energy while ensuring that your belongings are properly organized and secured. Some of the services that are commonly offered by local moving companies in Jacksonville are:

  • Full packing services,
  • Partial packing services,
  • Professional box handling and organization,
  • Used box pick-up services.

Also, depending on the nature and scope of your relocation activities, you may need your items stored at a secondary location (which may be mobile or in a fixed location) before they are finally moved to your new home or commercial facility. Instances where you will typically require storage services during your move include:

  • You are moving to a smaller space that doesn't have enough room to store all of your belongings.
  • You are planning on moving soon. However, before you move, you may be unable to access your old premises.
  • You plan to move long-distance, and you require time to settle in before bringing in your belongings.

Regardless of the reason for needing storage or moving services, it's important to find out if the company you're considering will provide these services and whether they will charge you separately for the storage services. If the company you're negotiating with doesn't offer these services, you should strongly consider hiring one that provides them. This will allow you to focus on the moving process and not deal with multiple moving companies.

When looking for a storage facility, make sure you know how the moving company staff will protect and label your items. Also, ensure they will be able to inspect the facility beforehand to ensure it's suitable for your items. Some moving companies allow customers to provide boxes and other moving supplies. This is a great way to reduce their costs.

What is an Appropriate Tip for Your Movers in Jacksonville?

It is usual to tip individuals who provide service, primarily when they perform a satisfactory job. Some common reasons this is done are acknowledging the mover's efforts and showing appreciation. Some of the reasons for tipping movers in Jacksonville include:

  • They usually show up on time.
  • The staff members of these moving companies are friendly and approachable.
  • The clients are impressed with the quality of the service they provide.
  • They take great care of their clients' delicate and fragile items. They also provide a variety of services to accommodate different needs.
  • They commonly carry heavy items across various flights of stairs.

If the moving company has done an excellent job, it's best to tip them around $4 to $5 per hour. This is because, aside from moving costs, the total prices also include various fees and other charges unrelated to the actual work performed by the company.

Nonetheless, you are not obligated to tip your movers. As such, moving companies do not consider the cost of these tips when calculating their charges. Before you hire a moving company, it is important that you ask them what they think is the appropriate tipping for their employees. If you are dealing with a moving company that provides poor services, you should review your tips and inform them of their unprofessional behavior.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Movers in Jacksonville?

The risks involved in property handling and moving are often complex and risky. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 20 percent of all job injuries in 2018 required time off from work.

As part of the requirement for registering with the Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services (FDACS), moving companies must present a certificate of insurance. The coverage under the insurance policy must include:

  • Liability insurance that covers household goods' losses or damage, which should not be less than $10,000 per shipment. In addition, if the company transports less than two trucks, a performance bond or deposit of $25,000 may be required.
  • Aside from liability insurance, the company should also have motor vehicle insurance coverage, which includes property damage liability and bodily injury liability in the following amounts:
    • For a commercial vehicle weighing less than 35,000 pounds, the company should have $50,000 in liability insurance.
    • For a commercial vehicle that weighs more than 35,000 pounds, the company should have $100,000 in liability insurance.
    • If a truck weighing more than 44,000 pounds gets involved in an accident, the insurance company will pay $300,000.
    • For a commercial vehicle with a gross weight of over 44,000 pounds, the insurance company will pay $300,000.
  • Jacksonville movers must also comply with the state's workers' compensation laws. This includes carrying workers' compensation for their employees.

You should always ask for proof of insurance from your moving company before hiring. This will help you confirm that they have adequate coverage for liability, property damage, and workers' compensation. You should also confirm that the mover's policies are up to date and their coverage will be adequate for the scope of your move. Note that homeowners' and renters' insurance policies typically do not cover move-related damages to your property.

Contact the FDACS online to learn more about Jacksonville movers' insurance requirements.

Can You Provide References or Recommendations in Jacksonville?

Many professional moving companies in Jacksonville provide potential customers with references or letters of recommendation from satisfied past clients. Referrals indicate that the moving company delivers on its promises and professionally provides its services. You should consider it a red flag if your intended movers are hesitant to do this.

Also, some moving companies publish these referrals on their official websites. Nonetheless, you should always check any references you are given by contacting them and getting a first-hand review of their experiences with the moving company.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Moving Company in Jacksonville

Several residents of Jacksonville change their addresses periodically, which entails moving out of their current home to a new one. Unfortunately, some of these individuals end up being victims of moving scams. These scams can be spotted by looking for sure signs, such as providing estimates before inspecting the items to be moved, performing shoddy inspections, and asking for large deposits before the move.

When searching for a local moving company in Jacksonville, it is crucial to check out their references and avoid getting lured into a scam. Aside from these, preventive measures are important to avoid getting ripped off. These precautions include: 

  • Avoid hiring a moving company without proper due diligence. Before choosing a local moving company, it is essential to get referrals of reputable moving companies from trusted sources like friends and family. Third-party review websites like Better Business Bureau can also help you find reviews and testimonials from other customers.
  • Ensure that the moving company has been licensed to operate in the city. You can use the search record platform provided by the Florida Department of State to search for moving companies in the area easily.
  • Get estimates from multiple moving companies. Note that these estimates should come from only moving companies that have thoroughly inspected your items that intend to be moved.
  • Make sure that the company is insured. This ensures they are licensed and have the necessary financial resources to cover any unforeseen circumstances during the move. You can confirm if your intended moving company has been duly insured by completing an online inquiry form provided by the Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services.
  • Ensure you have a complete inventory of all the items you will be moving. This will help minimize getting lost or damaged during the move.
  • Request for an order of service before the move is executed. An order for service is a document that estimates the cost of the move and the various services the company will provide during the arrangement.
  • Avoid signing documents that are not properly written or that you do not understand. Also, ensure the company gives you a copy of any documents you sign.

You can file a consumer complaint with the Florida Attorney General's Office about a moving company's unfair or questionable practices. To do so, complete and submit a consumer complaint form online, or you can fill out and submit a complaint application form to the address indicated on the top of the form.

Although the Attorney General's Office can resolve the issue, it cannot guarantee a favorable outcome. If you are unsatisfied with the resolution against the moving company, you can file a legal action against them at the Duval Circuit Civil Court. Before filing a consumer complaint, it is also important to seek the advice of a competent lawyer. You can find active lawyers in your area by using the lawyer referral services of the Jacksonville Bar Association. Jacksonville Bar Association also provides free legal aid to low-income individuals and other special needs groups in the city. You can contact the legal aid services of the city's Bar Association at (904) 356-8371.