Moving is work anywhere. Moving in South Florida comes with a few extra challenges: heat that hits early, humidity that gets into everything, afternoon thunderstorms that show up out of nowhere, and a hurricane season that runs for half the year.
None of it is a reason to panic. It just means planning a little differently. Here are the tips we give friends and customers moving around Broward and Palm Beach County.
Beat the heat
Start early
The easiest single thing you can do is book a morning start. The first few hours of the day are cooler, traffic is usually lighter, and everyone (you, your helpers, and your crew) has more energy. Morning starts also leave time to finish before the afternoon storms.
Keep water and shade ready
Put a cooler with water near the door. If your new place has power, turn the AC on (and set it cool) before the crew arrives, so there's somewhere to cool off between trips.
Protect heat-sensitive stuff
Some things don't like sitting in a hot truck or car:
- Candles, crayons and anything wax
- Vinyl records, photos and some electronics
- Medications
- Aerosol cans (keep them out of hot vehicles entirely)
- Plants
- Food from the fridge. Use a cooler and move it last.
Move these in your own air-conditioned car, and make them the first things into the new place.
Don't prop the front door open all day
Propping doors open for an hour lets humid air (and bugs) into the house. Prop the door only while things are actively going in and out, and close it in between.
Plan around afternoon storms
From late spring through early fall, a sunny morning can turn into a downpour by mid-afternoon.
- Check the hourly forecast the night before and the morning of.
- Load the most water-sensitive items first (mattresses, upholstered furniture, boxes of paper and books), so they're on the truck and covered early.
- Use plastic bins for anything you really don't want wet.
- Wrap mattresses and couches in plastic or mattress bags. Good movers wrap furniture in blankets and stretch wrap; ask what they bring.
- Put down floor protection (old towels, cardboard or runners) at both doorways so wet shoes don't wreck the floors.
- Have a plan for lightning. Nobody should be carrying a fridge across a parking lot during a lightning storm. A short pause is normal and safe.
Hurricane season (June 1 - November 30)
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30. Most days in that window are perfectly fine for moving, but it pays to be flexible.
Before you book
- Ask your mover how weather delays are handled. If a storm threatens, can you reschedule, and is there any fee?
- If you can, avoid booking right at the end of your lease with no wiggle room. A spare day or two between move-out and move-in gives you a cushion if a storm rolls through.
- Check renter's or homeowner's insurance. Make sure your belongings are covered at the new address from day one.
If a storm is coming
- Keep an eye on the National Hurricane Center (nhc.noaa.gov) and your county's emergency updates.
- Talk to your mover early. It's much easier to move a date 3-4 days out than the night before.
- Don't move into a storm. If there's a watch or warning for your area, rescheduling is the right call. Your safety and your stuff matter more than the calendar.
- Buildings may lock elevators or close loading docks before a storm, so check with your condo or apartment.
After a storm
- Roads, bridges, and buildings may need a day or two to get back to normal. Debris, power outages, and closed elevators can all slow a move down.
Protect your furniture from humidity
South Florida humidity is hard on furniture and boxes:
- Don't leave furniture wrapped in plastic for days. Plastic traps moisture. Stretch wrap is great for the move itself, but unwrap pieces once they're inside, especially wood and leather.
- Use sturdy boxes. Flimsy or reused boxes soften in humidity. Don't overload them.
- Storage units: if your things are going into storage for a while, consider climate-controlled storage for wood furniture, electronics, photos, and documents.
- Dry everything first. Don't pack wet towels, damp patio cushions, or a fridge that hasn't been dried out. Mold shows up fast.
Packing tips that save time (and money)
- Label boxes on the side, not just the top. When boxes are stacked, you can still read them.
- Pack heavy things in small boxes (books, tools) and light things in big boxes (pillows, linens).
- Use towels and clothes as padding for dishes and fragile items.
- Bag hardware. Put screws and bolts from beds and shelves in a zip bag and tape it to the furniture piece.
- Take photos of electronics wiring before you unplug them.
- Pack a first-night box: sheets, towels, toiletries, chargers, a few plates, cups and utensils, paper towels, a box cutter, and medications.
- Empty dresser drawers. A full dresser is much heavier and can get damaged.
Little things that make a big difference on moving day
- Clear a path from the front door to the truck at both places.
- Reserve elevators and parking if you're in a condo or apartment. Our condo and apartment moving checklist covers it.
- Keep kids and pets in a quiet room or with a sitter.
- Do a final walk-through: closets, cabinets, the garage, the patio, and behind doors.
- Keep important stuff with you: IDs, documents, jewelry, laptops, and medications.
When to move for the smoothest experience
There's no perfect time, but here are a few general rules:
- Weekdays and mid-month dates can be easier to book than the last Saturday of the month.
- Mornings are better than afternoons almost all year.
- Fall and winter bring cooler, drier weather, but also snowbird season, when condo moves pick up in many coastal buildings. Book a little earlier if you're moving between October and spring.
Need a hand with a local move?
We're Kyle and Andrew, a two-man local moving crew based in Pompano Beach. We do apartment, condo, house, and storage-unit moves around Broward and south Palm Beach. If you'd like help, send us your move details or call or text 954-408-4024. You can also look through our moving services and service areas.
