When your move is approaching, stress can start to mount quickly. Somewhere at the top of that list of stressors is “how much is this going to cost me?” The key to an easy move is getting started early with an estimate and planning what you will need help with vs what you can do yourself. At Tropic Moving our service is completely customizable to whatever you need help with. So whether you want to pack or have us pack, down to even us just moving the large furniture items you cant handle yourself, we have you covered. We just have a small minimum which covers smaller local jobs and then typically charge an hourly rate for local moves that can get done in one day.
Getting Started with an estimate
At Tropic Moving we take pride in our quick, efficient quoting process as well as keeping a simple breakdown on pricing with no hidden fees or silly upcharges. Our estimate process starts with your first call in or requesting an estimate on our website, which we recommend at least 30 days notice from your move date for. We will do a quick intake of basic move details and get a customer profile worked up. Details like estimated move date, where you’re moving from and too as well as contact info. Our team will make an assessment of whether an on site estimate will be needed for closer assessment. For smaller local moves like 1-2 bedroom apartment moves or moves out of storage we can usually get a quote worked up over the phone in minutes. Our team is trained on questions to ask to help estimate a total price for your move. We ask questions like are there stairs/elevators involved or if there are any long hallways that the crew will have to navigate at apartments or storage unit complexes. We also ask about items that are oversized, that could require an extra mover or items that will require disassembly/reassembly and could be a big factor on total time needed to complete your move. Items like cribs or bunkbeds can be expensive and add significant time if not accounted for. Once these factors are are taken in as well as a full inventory of items, our team members will be able to determine the most efficient crew size for your move and provide a price estimate as well as time range to expect your move to take. We will send everything over in writing as well as a digital link to sign your estimate. If you are ready to schedule we just take a small deposit to book, usually just $50 for a one day move, and get you on the schedule and thats it. This works well for clients with smaller to medium size moves, but for larger moves will send a representative for an on site estimates.
On-site moving estimates
For larger moves like a full residential move of a 3-4+ bedroom house or commercial moves with multiple offices, on site estimate let us better asses the move for an accurate price. It is a similar process of intaking info as over the phone but allows us to complete a full walkthrough and assessment of your move. With larger moves there are small details that if overlooked on a phone quote can lead to an estimate being off. Some companies try to save time or get you to commit to a cheaper price over the phone telling you how great they are and how easy your move will be. The reality is that the move will take however long it will take and if small details are missed it is going to add time to your move, time that you will end up paying for if the company booked you at an hourly rate which is typical for local moves. Our approach is to get an much info as possible and provide as accurate of an estimate as we can. When were completing on site estimates, were looking at details like narrow entryways and hallways, items that will need to be disassembled vs can move as is as well as fragile items that may need extensive packing/prepping before loading them onto the truck. Another large factor is when packing is involved, there is a large range of how much possessions folks have to be moved. There is no standard “3 bedroom house” pricing. Everyone is in a slightly different situation, someone may be out of space and upgrading from a 3 bedroom house needing more space with a large inventory of items or we may have an older couple downsizing and looking to live a more simple life with less. Both three bedroom house moves but can be a very large price difference of each move. We also evaluate the move environment and smaller details like where the truck will be able to park, will it fit in the driveway or will we have to load from the street? Or if there are sensitive floors and stairways that will need an extra layer of protection while moving. These are small details that we notice from our decade of experience operating in Brevard County, Florida that set us apart from other companies.
We also can provide a “Virtual Estimate” which is essentially a video call to see everything instead of an on site estimate. These have a place and can be helpful when there is a challenge with work schedules or travel to nail down an on site appointment. They can be helpful to accommodate on a short time frame but a formal on site estimate is going to give the most accurate estimate for your move.
What Affects Your Price and How To Save on your Move
The top factors that are going to affect your moving price are:
Do you need packing help? Packing yourself can save you as much as cutting the price of a move with full packing in half. This is a huge savings if you can the time and extra hands to get yourself packed up. A simple 3 bedroom house move price without packing can range around $1,300-1,750 and with a full packing service that price could increase to $2,850-$3,750.
How far are you moving? A local in town move can be loaded onto the moving truck and unloaded into your new house in one day. We provide long distance moving in the state of Florida as well. For moves like Miami to Melbourne or Merritt Island to St.Augustine, these type of moves will add extra driving and typically scheduled over 2-3 day period, loading one day and deliver the next. Some smaller companies will try to squeeze a long distance in state move into one day do to smaller capacity and trying to maximize the one truck they operate. These unneeded long days lead to late day issues on the road like traffic which force an even longer day and push the crews to days where they are going to get worn down which can lead to mistakes late into moves that are easily preventable. At Tropic Moving we put quality and our crews first to ensure a great moving experience.
What can you move on your own? For clients that have large SUVs and time with both residences to slowly move small items this can also cut down on moving costs. Some clients are able to move all of the “small stuff” and even smaller boxes will help to keep a much quicker move. Things like awkward decor or fragile items can take more time for the crew to prep and properly load onto the truck. Keeping the moving crew to loading furniture and boxes keeps the move going as efficiently as possible. One larger step to help if you are able to do, is if you are able to take apart your bed frames and have TVs boxes this will save a large chink of time for the crew and help simplify their job down to a quick load and unload.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Providing an incomplete inventory is one mistake that is commonly made. While it is usually not intentional, it still happens once in a while from simple assumption. One is usually over estimating what you’re getting rid of prior to the move. Some clients assume items will sell or they will throw out before. This can lead to an assumption on whats going to sell or how quickly something is going to sell on facebook marketplace before your move or an assumption on what a thrift store will pick up. Moves come up quick and there is typically already a lot to do and selling/donating can quickly fall to the bottom of the list or get forgotten about. Usually by the time our crew arrives the property has to be empty soon after and if those items are left when we get there we will have to take them to ensure the property is clear for the final walkthrough to hand over the keys. This adds unexpected inventory on move day and pushes to a longer move day. The worst case scenario is the move day inventory we take overflow at the moving truck leading to a second trip or second truck needed to get everything. This can get create a stressful situation quickly when you have to hand over the keys soon after the moving day. Our teams job is to provide an estimate for a crew that can best complete your move. Its best to give a full inventory and then if items do sell or get donated its much easier to remove them from the estimate than last minute additions.
What Happens After You Book
To book your move we typically take a deposit of $50 for one day moves requiring just one moving truck. We do take larger deposits for larger crews and multi day projects that is more project based. After you put down your deposit this reserves your crew for the move day needed. You will receive a booking confirmation and receipt for your deposit and you’re all set! You will then get a call and text week or the move to reconfirm details and arrival time. This is also a last check in we do to see if anything had changed from booking as well as double check if any details were missed like gate codes or unit numbers. Day of your move the crew will call you when on their way, usually with about a 20-30 minute heads up when they are on their way. The crew will arrive complete your move and then final payment is completed after services are fully completed and you’re all moved in!
Estimate FAQ
“How long does it take to get a moving estimate?”
- Most phone estimates take about 5–10 minutes
- On site estimate usually take 15-20 minutes to complete
“Are moving estimates free?”
- On site estimate are always Free
“How do I know if I need an on-site estimate?
- Our team will complete a quick intake of basic information and from there be able to advise you on if an on site estimate would be best for your move or if it is simple enough to complete an over the phone estimate. We are always happy to schedule for any client that feels more comfortable with this option as well.
“What information do I need to get an accurate quote?”
- We need an inventory of items, the pick up and delivery address as well as simple details on if packing help will be needed.
“How far in advance should I get an estimate?”
- We recommend 30 days notice. This allows you time to schedule an on site estimate if needed as well as be able to schedule the date that works best for you to move on.
“Can you help with last minute moves?”
- We can! We specialize in helping with same day or next day last minute moves. We understand circumstances sometimes come up unexpectedly or change last minute and are always ready to help out in any circumstance. We have a large team and fleet or trucks and generally have a team that can jump on something that comes in last minute. Our customer service reps are trained in providing high quality over the phone support on last minute moves as well. So even if your move requires packing, has specialty items or anything of that nature our team will be able to ensure your moving crew is fully prepared even with last minute notice for a same day/next day moving estimate.