Why are people moving to Brevard County, Florida
Folks are flocking to Brevard county in recent years. Between the economic growth due to big companies like Space X, Blue Origin, Northrum Grumman and NASA along with the new master planned communities like Viera, Florida it’s no wonder it has been such a popular place to move. Many are even relocating from South Florida and other areas due to how much more affordable the Space Coast is. There are beaches, rocket launches in our backyard, and everything is just a short drive from all Orlando has to offer making it one of the top travel destinations in the United States.
No matter where you are coming from though, moving always comes with stress. The most important aspect of making a move easy is finding a high quality moving company to work with in the early stages of planning your move. Moving in Brevard County it’s best to find a local company with a history of quality service in town.
Brevard County, Florida is unique for many different reasons. Whether it’s the weather, the unique area we live in, or just knowing the ins and outs of local neighborhoods, apartment complexes, or assisted living facilities, working with a local company will help streamline and simplify your move. Even if it’s something as simple as knowing certain buildings won’t allow moving before 9am to push your move back, these are simple things that add up to make life easy for you though your move.
How far in advance do I contact a moving company?
This is at the top of the list of questions when someone is planning a move. Many clients don’t want to put something on the schedule with a mover due to uncertainty involved in a real estate transaction while still negotiating and going through inspections or whatever the reason may be. It’s typically best to start getting estimates at least 30 days before your anticipated move date and even 45-60 days for larger 4-5+ bedroom homes.
Step one is to do your research. The majority number usually gets three estimates. Just like anything else, do your research online, ask around friends, family and co-workers and try to narrow down to three companies you want to get an estimate from. For some smaller moves out of mini storage or smaller apartments a phone quote can suffice on getting a quote for an hourly moving service. For larger moves like an entire 3+ bedroom home or even a commercial move of an office, on site estimates allow us to provide the most comprehensive assessment for the best quote.
This timeline of 4-6 weeks will allow you to schedule multiple on site estimates. This gives you time to interview companies, compare pricing and see what is the best fit for your needs. You may have a grand piano that one company specialized in or a heavy item that requires a liftgate that some companies don’t have. This allows you time to schedule the estimates to be completed, time to digest and decide who you want to go with and enough time to schedule and secure the move date that works best for you and your family.
Multiple quotes also allows you to have back up companies that have your information should anything change and there be a scheduling conflict with the company you are booked with. Say there is a last minute change on your closing and your move date needs to be moved within a week of the original date. This is something where a smaller one man owner operator companies may not have the capacity to reschedule, or even a larger company during peak season may be fully booked. This also allows you two other companies you can call as a back up if needed in a situation like this.
All in all, It is never “too soon” to call and start getting info. It’s always best to call and get a realistic timeframe and we can start the process even if that is just getting basic info and reconnecting for a formal on site estimate closer to the actual move. We are in the office during regular business hours and are always happy to take a call and answer preliminary questions as you approach your move to help make life easy for you.
Getting boxes and packing
Once it’s time to start packing your life becomes boxes. Where can you get boxes, how many boxes, do you need new boxes and so on. It’s hard to know exactly how many boxes you’re going to need for your move. It’s best to start with a minimum number of boxes you know you need, and then expect to get a second or third pick up as you go. This eliminates having to haul a huge shipment of boxes at one and having huge stacks of unpacked boxes in the way while trying to start the process.
As far as if you need new or can use lightly used boxes? New boxes are always going to be best but you can get away with quality lightly used boxes. If you are looking at using used boxes look for medium to smaller size boxes and if possible heavier duty “double wall” boxes are going to be your best bet. Larger boxes that are worn are going to be more likely to cave that can cause damage to your belongings.
New boxes are always going to be the number one choice for safety and quality. The cheapest new boxes are going to be from the big name retailers, The Home Depot, Lowes or UHUAL. They are convenient and available options if you are going to be doing your own packing. You can also buy in bulk from your moving company while in the beginning stages of your move. At Tropic Moving we will even deliver the boxes for free to any of our customers with a booked moving service.
Some may want to skip the whole box hunt and just hire professionals for the packing. This is where we can come in with all of the materials needed and pack up your entire hours, typically in just one day. Imagine we came into your house as you left it today and got you packed up to move tomorrow. We use all new high quality boxes as well as have specialty boxes for items like pictures, lamps, wardrobe boxes for your closes and dish packs for the kitchen. We also have additional items like high quality mattress bags to protect your mattress during your move. We purchase all high quality moving materials and keep a stock in our warehouse to be able to tackle any size pack on just days notice.
Getting an Estimate
To get a moving estimate started with Tropic Moving, we need to know where you’re moving from, where you’re moving to, an inventory of items that need to be moved, and if you need us to help with any packing. This is the basic info to get started on an estimate. Pricing depends mainly on how much we’re moving, and how far we’re going. From there we can take a look at other details like if there are stairs or elevators involved, or if you will need additional services like packing, storage, etc.
To get an estimate started you can call our office and speak directly to one of our customer service representatives or go to our get an estimate page on our website and input your information.
After we gather basic information we can determine if we can complete a phone quote for smaller local services, or for larger projects we can schedule a formal on site estimate with you. For our moving service we have a small minimum of local travel and two hours of labor for local service moves and then just charge hourly for additional time in 15 minute increments. This works well for small local moves such as one bedroom apartments or moving into assisted living facilities where clients are packing themselves and the scope of moving is small and very clear. For larger residential or commercial moves we complete on site estimates where we will meet you at the property and walk it with you while completing a full detailed inventory and scope of move evaluation.
On site estimates allow us to identify factors that can require extra packing or extra crew to help expedite certain location parameters. Factors such as long carries from the loading/unloading area to the front door, elevators, large glass table tops that need specialty handling or even an oversized item that can require a liftgate. This also lets our team members make the best assessment on box count for a more accurate inventory. Based on all of these factors we determine what size crew will be best to complete your move in the most efficient amount of time. Too small of a crew and an 8 hour move can quickly turn into a 12+ hour day, or too big of a crew can create a bottleneck at the front door and on walkways. The goal for us is the perfect size crew for efficiency. If a large amount of disassembly or furniture protection is needed we have crew members to do that while loading and unloading are still moving along or if there is a long carry or elevators we have a large enough team to keep items moving off the truck, up the elevator and into the house without any wasted time. Also when packing is needed our team is able to evaluate how much time the packing will take and provide a materials estimate for boxes needed. What may seem like a lot of packing to some may be something our team can get packed up in just a few hours. We are also always able to complete the estimate with you in real time on site before leaving the scheduled estimate. You should not be waiting for an estimate after someone comes out for an on site. Any experienced professional should be able to finalize a quote immediately following the walkthrough.
Scheduling your move
You are nearing the finish line and it’s time to get your move scheduled. You have three estimates and have made a pick of who you want to book your move with. At Tropic Moving we take a small deposit down that finalizes your move and guarantees your move date with us. Our deposit is typically only $50 that is applied towards your move. We do charge slightly higher deposits at times but only when multiple days or multiple trucks are needed.
If companies are asking for huge deposits, 40-50% or more of the total balance, that should be a huge red flag. Even for long distance moves, large payments before any service is completed is a red flag. Sometimes folks get on with a moving broker far away and get sold a move from someone who is selling that move to someone else. This is when huge issues come up with price changing on move day or large lost deposits. My rule of thumb is that they should be able to easily come out for an on site estimate, they should have a local address listed on Google and on their website and they should be easy to reach and responsive to a quick phone call if you need anything.
What to Expect on Moving Day
On the day of the move, you can expect a call from your moving crew when they are on their way in the morning and then we will take it from there.
When our crew arrives they will do a walkthrough of the property to go over the scope of the job with you. The crew lead will then review pricing and get signatures on moving bill of lading and move day paperwork. Once that is complete they will position the truck in the best spot for loading and begin the loading process. This means we will unload our materials and equipment from the truck, set up floor protection as well as entryway padding on the front door and door jam. The guys will begin disassembly and furniture prep to get everything ready to load onto the moving truck. Once the truck is loaded the crew lead will complete a final walk though with you to ensure the home is cleared out. After that the crew will close up the truck and head to deliver.
For local moves we typically can deliver on the same day. For long distance moves the truck will typically head back to our facility and depart the next day for the destination. We handle long distances within the state of Florida so for us, if we are moving someone from Melbourne Florida to say Miami, Florida, the truck will depart first thing the next morning and typically start delivery around late morning to mid day.
Once the crew arrives at the delivery location, we will do a walkthrough with you to get an idea on where everything will be placed. We will get our floor runners and entryway protection set up and start moving you in! Our crews will set up the furniture for you like beds and reassemble table tops. Everything will be arranged how you would like so the only thing left to do is start the unpacking after the crew is finished. Final payment is completed with the crew lead once the job is completely finished, and you’re all moved in!
Cost of Moving in Brevard County (2026 Guide)
Real Price ranges based on average home sizes for local moves:
1 Bedroom Apartment: $477 – $795
2 Bedroom Home/Apartment: $795 – $1,115
3 Bedroom Home: $1,200 – $2,500+
Our base 2 man rate is at the time of this post $159 per hour and three man rate is $219 per hour. Major factors that can influence pricing are if you need packing help and how much, if the move can be completed in one day, how much you can have prepped for the move vs what you need from the crew like taking apart beds, packing the fragile items like TVs and lamps etc.
Other factors that can have a major influence on price are things like stairs, elevators and long carries at apartments and condo buildings.
A “standard” 2-bedroom apartment move in Melbourne, Florida with a 2-man crew and moving truck, typically takes about 4–6 hours to complete, putting most of those moves in the $795–$1,115 range. If that move needs full packing the price can move into the $1,500- $2,250 range. If that move with full packing is an apartment on the third floor with stairs, costs could increase into the $2,250-$3,000 range for the same inventory. No two moves are the same but this gives you a real idea on how certain factors can impact the total cost of your move.
We can work up over the phone hourly quotes for some moves but always recommend an on site estimate for 3 bedroom and up residences as well as commercial moves.
DIY vs Hiring Movers: What’s Actually Cheaper?
While most typically assume DIY is going to be cheaper it usually only is at first glance. That’s what truck rental companies want you to see, that the truck is rather inexpensive for a couple of days or so, but as you get into it costs start to jump quickly. Especially when you put a value on your time and as well as costs on items like fuel for the truck, moving equipment, renting furniture pads and if you worst case get injured during the move. Not to mention if one thing gets damaged or broken while you’re moving it it is a total loss for you. And that’s not taking into account the 20,000+ lb truck you will be driving full of your belongings. One low tree branch or tight turn and you’re examining the fine print of your rental contract.
The value of professionals comes in the form of saved time, efficiency and someone who is insured and can stand behind any issues that come up on move day. A move that may take you and your family and friends days to complete a professional crew can get completed in one day. We have systemized processes, crew coordination and planning as well as experience in the fastest way to load and unload a moving truck. Professionals are also going to know the safest way to wrap and protect your furniture items as well as have all of the highest quality equipment like heavy duty furniture pads, not the wimpy sheets that come on a Uhaul, as well as dollies with pneumatic rubber wheels that are going to protect the floors in your home and shrink wrap to wrap and keep pads on all doors/drawers secure on each piece.
There is also the risk of injury for you personally. How will your next few weeks look with a major injury? Moving is heavy, awkward and a lot of repetitive movements that are going to wear you down over the course of the move. Most common injuries on “do it yourself” moves are back injuries or dropped items as well as fatigue causing small mistakes later in the day. These risks also increase significantly when you add in long hallways, stairs, elevators, etc.
The last and most important value in hiring professionals is the accountability on move day. A trusted local moving company is going to be there on move day. You don’t have to stress about friends or family bailing on you at the last minute. A professional moving company has a dependable team that will keep you and your family right on schedule.
Common Moving Mistakes (and how to avoid them)
Trying to book at the last minute
Last minute booking creates many challenges. You may get a crew coming out later in the day, you may not be able to secure a big enough crew for your move, forcing multiple trips or a longer than desired move day and the crew you have getting worn down late in the day. Also we find that many last minute bookings seem to be rushed and many times end up with an incomplete inventory where the move is best suited for a larger crew.
As mentioned early in this article, we recommend an on site estimate 30+ days out for the most accurate estimate and easiest lowest stress moving experience.
Comparing a full-service local moving company with a smaller independent mover, including differences in insurance coverage and team size.
A common mistake is focusing on what the hourly rate is as a leading indicator on price. Many think comparing movers price estimates are always an “apples to apple” comparison when that is not the case. Lower rates are often sustained with cutting insurances like workers comp, lower wages, inexperienced crew and trying to fill their books or even cutting on equipment costs and not having high quality moving equipment.. Focusing on who has the lowest hourly rate is not always the best strategy. A lower rate could result in a more inexperienced crew taking longer, coasting more in the long run. Or if they are cutting costs on equipment this could result in more trips to the truck and less efficient loading. They also may be keeping a low hourly rate and have additional charges in their fine print. Some companies even charge an “intro” rate to get out for the first hour or two and that ramps up the rate once the crew is out working already. Some companies charge a flat 7-10% materials surcharge onto the total bill that is in their fine print to make their price look lower. There are also differences of where the company starts and stops the clock. If you end up booking a company from out of town online that you didn’t realize was out of town, the costs may start as soon as they hit the road and add up before they even arrive to start moving for the day.
A big one too in Workers compensation insurance. It is not required for smaller companies and then there are other companies who are incorrectly listing their movers as independent contractors and also not carrying workers compensation insurance. This insurance protects the crew if something happens and they are out of work but also protects the home owner or business owner as well. If the company is not properly insured the injured worker has the right to pursue legal action directly against the homeowner or business owner since they do not have a formal process in place to help cover medical bills, lost wages or rehabilitation costs. Workers comp protects the property owner whether the mover gets injured lifting furniture, navigating stairs, slips and falls or anything of that nature. This is just one of the areas companies try to lower costs to be able to charge lower hourly pricing than fully insured professional companies.
Be cautious if the moving company:
- Says they “don’t need” workers’ comp
- Claims all workers are “1099 contractors” and have their own policies
- Customer service representative hesitates or is confused when asked about workers comp insurance
- Offers significantly lower pricing than multiple competitors
The total cost of your move is determined by a combination of hourly rate, crew size, and efficiency, not just the lowest number on paper. In many cases, the most efficient and experienced crew ends up delivering the best overall value, even if their hourly rate is higher.
Not Verifying Licensing and Legitimacy
The best way to verify license and legitimacy is checking the company’s license status with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) for intrastate moves. The FDACS requires having liability insurance and cargo coverage for an intrastate license. Keep in mind the workers compensation is not required so it is still important to verify that independently. This is an easy way to verify moving companies in just minutes.
Not Understanding Valuation Coverage
Many companies don’t properly explain coverage on your goods before the moving service. Companies are required to offer two options for valuation coverage on goods being transported.
Valuation coverage is the level of liability a moving company accepts for your belongings if they are lost or damaged during your move. It is not the same as purchasing an insurance policy.
Most moving companies include a basic level of valuation coverage at no additional cost, known as “Released Value Protection.” This covers the Florida state minimum at $0.60 per pound per item, regardless of the item’s actual value.
For example, under released value:
- A 100 lb dresser would be covered for $60
- A 10 lb TV would be covered for just $6
Because of this, basic valuation coverage often falls far short of the true replacement cost of your belongings.
Moving companies are required to provide a second option for customers to upgrade to as well. Second options are typically:
- Full Value Protection, where items are repaired, replaced, or compensated at their current market value if damaged during the move
- Third-party moving insurance for more comprehensive coverage. At Tropic Moving we are partnered with movinginsurance.com to purchase a more traditional insurance policy. We still recommend confirming with your moving company before purchasing a policy through a third party to be sure that will be best for your move and not buying a redundant policy of something the company you’re using already has included in their service.
Not Getting a Written Estimate (or Reading It Closely)
Some companies are quick to give you a rate without providing a written estimate or details on additional charges or even specify where the clock starts and stops for the day. Some companies have hidden fees or certain criteria where an “into” hourly rate changes once a move passes a certain amount of time. It is important to understand precisely how the pricing works and ensure you are aware of all fees and how the final price is calculated. This will help you compare apples to apples better with the different estimates you are getting. Many companies do this in hopes customers will go with them as the “cheapest” option and then still charge as much if not more than competitors’ quotes.
On the space coast we also have competitors competing in our market from Orlando as well as South Florida. These companies run ads and still book work in the area and are typically starting the clock from their office from where they are dispatching from. That’s another reason it’s important to know you are working with a local company through research and asking friends and family who are actually local.
Once you decide to book your move you should also be able to digitally sign your estimate. At Tropic Moving we have a moving CRM system where we can text and email clients a copy of their estimate that they can sign. A signed estimate is going to protect you from surprises on moving day.
A written estimate isn’t just another piece of paperwork, it’s an actual contract and is going to protect you from unexpected billing surprises on move day.
When you sign your written moving estimate, you’re creating a clear agreement and contract between you and the moving company that outlines:Pricing structure (hourly or flat rate), The estimated time the move should take as well, total cost, what services are Included, as well as must outline any additional fees (stairs, long carry, heavy items, packing, etc.) that can apply.
Without this in writing, there’s nothing holding the company accountable to what was originally discussed. Some of the things that come up are, final bills coming in significantly higher than expected, “extra” charges popping up that were not mentioned upfront, disputes over what was included in the move, and no clear documentation to fall back on if needed.
Not Preparing the Home Before Movers Arrive
Being prepared for the moving crew is another big one. The more prepared you are, the more efficient the move will be. This one sounds simple but can make a huge difference. Some more simple things like having boxes closed and taped, having surfaces cleared off and having boxes condensed, stacked up and ready for the crew to load. If you are able to take the next step in having furniture disassembled, especially the beds and table legs off, that will speed up the loading process even more. For smaller moves even saving an hour of time can save as much as 25% of the total bill. Some clients do need more help and that is where just those little things like being organized and having your personal belongings you want to keep with you separated before the crew arrives can make a significant difference.
Where we see moves hit speed bumps are when our crew is waiting on boxes to be closed and taped for them to load. Loose items on dressers or tables that need to still be boxed up or even stripped screws only discovered once we are fully into a move that end up taking extra attention to get furniture taken apart. A last big one is when personal items get mixed into a shipment and loaded that are vital to the next 24 hours like purses, medication or important documents. These are simple things that when overlooked can add significant time onto the total move time.
Handling the Florida weather and hurricane season
We have another great article that gets into the specific hurricane season as it’s a few month period we have to be ready for each year.
June–Novemer we have to keep the possibility of a hurricane top of mind. The biggest things we do to anticipate schedule changes and client needs during this time is keep backup dates on the schedule and we also have a full climate controlled storage facility should things change and your items need to be moved into storage to keep a real estate transaction on track to close on time. Many times there even with a hurricane approaching there is not always the luxury of just moving the date. We have the operational capacity to handle whatever changes come up with a hurricane to ensure your move is completed and all real estate closings happen as scheduled.
Final thoughts on how you can help make life easy this time around
Moving doesn’t have to overwhelm you and your family. The difference between a smooth and stressful move usually lies in the planning and preparation. Starting early is key and communicating with a professional to make a plan. That alone will save you time, money, stress and potential risk of damage to your belongings, your property and avoid injury risks.
In any major market, especially Brevard County, Florida, finding a local, experienced and insured professional moving company is going to make a huge difference for you and your family. Moving is a major life event that has little to no room for error. If you’d like to get a moving estimate you can start on tropicmoving.com and use our get an estimate page or you can call our office anytime during business hours and one of our customer service representatives can get you started. Getting started usually takes just a few minutes phone call to get basic information. From there, our team will guide you through our proven process and ensure your move is handled carefully and respectfully to meet all of you and your families needs.