The moving industry has a reputation problem, and it is deserved. Every year, thousands of families across the country are scammed by unlicensed movers, overcharged by bait-and-switch operators, and held hostage by companies that load the truck and then demand payment far above the original quote before they will unload. In Florida specifically, the combination of high migration volume, seasonal demand, and a large transient population creates ideal conditions for moving scams. New companies appear every season, operate without proper licensing, undercut legitimate movers on price, deliver terrible service, and disappear before the complaints catch up to them.
This guide will help you identify a legitimate, professional moving company and avoid the operators who will damage your belongings, overcharge you, or simply not show up. Whether you are hiring for a local move within Southwest Florida, a statewide move across Florida, or a long-distance move to another state, these principles apply to every situation.
IM-24Verify FL Mover registration
USDOTRequired for interstate moves
WrittenEstimates protect you
NeverPay large deposits upfront
Step 1: Verify Credentials Before Anything Else
Before you read reviews, compare quotes, or schedule surveys, verify that the company is legally authorized to operate as a mover. In Florida, this means two things:
Florida Mover Registration - every company that moves household goods for compensation within Florida must hold a Florida Mover Registration from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This registration number should appear on the company's website, their truck, and their estimate. If they cannot produce a registration number, they are operating illegally. You can verify any Florida mover's registration at the FDACS website
USDOT Number (for interstate moves) - any company that moves household goods across state lines must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and carry a USDOT number. Verify any company's USDOT registration at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. The listing shows the company name, address, insurance status, safety record, and whether their authority is active. If a company quotes you an interstate move and cannot produce a USDOT number, do not hire them under any circumstances
Frank & Sons: FL Mover IM-24. USDOT 1122554.
Verify us anytime. We display our credentials because legitimate movers have nothing to hide. If a company hesitates, deflects, or says "we'll get you that number later," that is your first red flag. For a complete list of warning signs, read our
Moving Scam Red Flags guide.
Step 2: Get Written Estimates from Multiple Companies
Get at least three estimates - never hire the first company you call. Get at least three written estimates from licensed movers so you can compare pricing, services included, and terms. This also gives you a baseline for what a legitimate move should cost, which helps you identify lowball bids from scam operators
Insist on in-home or virtual surveys - a legitimate mover needs to see your home before quoting. They need to count rooms, assess access (stairs, elevators, narrow hallways, long driveways), identify specialty items (pianos, safes, oversized furniture), and evaluate the overall scope. A company that quotes over the phone without seeing your home will almost certainly raise the price on moving day
Compare what is included, not just the total price - a lower quote that excludes packing materials, fuel surcharges, stair fees, long-carry charges, and weekend premiums is not actually lower. Compare the full scope: crew size, truck size, estimated hours, materials included, insurance coverage, and any additional fees. The cheapest quote is almost never the best value
Understand the estimate type - a binding estimate means the price is guaranteed and will not change. A non-binding estimate means the final price is based on actual time and weight. A binding not-to-exceed estimate is the best option: the price can go down but never up. Ask which type you are receiving and get it in writing
Step 3: Check Reputation and Track Record
Read reviews on multiple platforms - check Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau. Look for patterns, not individual reviews. One bad review happens to every company. Twenty bad reviews describing the same problem (surprise charges, late arrivals, damaged items) is a pattern you should avoid
Verify the physical address - a legitimate moving company has a physical location, a warehouse, and trucks with their name on them. Google the address. Drive by it. If the "address" is a UPS store, a virtual office, or a residential home, that is a warning sign. Frank & Sons operates from 1117 SE 12th Pl, Cape Coral FL 33990 and has been at this location since 1982
Ask how long they have been in business - longevity matters in moving. A company that has survived 5, 10, 20, or 40 years in the same market has done so by delivering consistent results. Companies that scam customers do not last because complaints, lawsuits, and regulatory action catch up to them. Frank & Sons has been in continuous operation since 1982
Ask whether they own their trucks and employ their crews - companies that use their own equipment and employees have accountability. Companies that subcontract to day laborers or rent trucks have layers of separation between you and the people handling your belongings. If something goes wrong, accountability matters
Step 4: Understand What You Are Signing
Read the contract before signing - the Bill of Lading is the contract between you and the mover. It should list the services, the price, the pickup and delivery dates, the valuation coverage, and the payment terms. Read every line. Ask about anything you do not understand. A legitimate mover will explain everything without rushing you
Understand valuation coverage options - movers are required to offer at least basic released-value coverage (60 cents per pound per item for interstate moves). This means your 50-pound flat-screen TV is covered for $30. Full-value protection costs more but covers the actual replacement value of your belongings. Choose wisely and ask your mover to explain both options clearly
Know the cancellation and rescheduling policies - life changes. Closing dates shift. Ask about cancellation fees and rescheduling policies before you sign, not after. A reasonable cancellation policy is normal. A non-refundable 50% deposit is not
Step 5: Know the Red Flags That Signal a Scam
A quote significantly lower than all other quotes - if three legitimate movers quote $3,000-$3,500 and one quotes $1,800, that $1,800 quote will not be $1,800 on moving day. It is a bait-and-switch designed to get you to commit, and the real price will appear after your belongings are on the truck
Demanding a large cash deposit before the move - legitimate movers may require a small deposit to reserve your date. A demand for a large cash-only deposit upfront is a scam warning sign. Frank & Sons does not require large upfront deposits
No physical address, no truck markings, no uniforms - if the crew shows up in a rented truck with no company name, wearing street clothes, and cannot produce a copy of their Florida Mover Registration, do not let them in your home
Refusing to provide a written estimate - if a company will not put the price in writing before the move, they plan to change the price after your belongings are on the truck. Walk away
Quoting over the phone without seeing your home - a legitimate mover cannot accurately quote your move without assessing the scope. A phone quote is a guess at best and a setup for a bait-and-switch at worst. Insist on in-home or virtual surveys
For the complete guide to protecting yourself from moving scams, read our detailed Moving Scam Red Flags article and our Mover Horror Stories page for real examples of what goes wrong when families hire the wrong company.
Your Hiring Checklist Before Signing
Florida Mover Registration number verified at FDACS
USDOT number verified at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov (for interstate moves)
Physical address confirmed (not a virtual office or PO Box)
In-home or virtual survey completed
Written estimate received with all services and fees itemized
Estimate type confirmed (binding, non-binding, or binding not-to-exceed)
Valuation coverage options explained and selected
Reviews checked on Google, Yelp, and BBB
Cancellation and rescheduling policies understood
Company owns trucks and employs crews (no subcontractors)
Frank & Sons Passes Every Item on This Checklist.
FL Mover IM-24. USDOT 1122554. Physical address: 1117 SE 12th Pl, Cape Coral FL 33990. In-home surveys with detailed written estimates. Own trucks, own crews, no subcontractors. 40+ years of continuous operation. Full valuation coverage options. Transparent pricing with no surprise fees. Verify us anytime, anywhere. Call
(239) 574-4151 for a free moving quote.
Hiring the right mover is the single most important decision you make during a relocation. The right company protects your belongings, respects your home, delivers on time, and charges what they quoted. The wrong company damages your furniture, scratches your floors, shows up late, and hands you a bill twice the estimate. Use this guide, verify credentials, compare written estimates, and trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it is. And when you are ready to hire a mover you can trust, Frank & Sons Moving and Storage has been earning that trust in Southwest Florida since 1982.
Call (239) 574-4151 or fill out our contact form for a free, no-obligation moving quote.
