Sarasota Moving Costs & Pricing Guide

Pricing Guide

Sunshine Movers of Sarasota: Moving Cost & Pricing Guide

Straight answers about what moving really costs in Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, and the rest of Sarasota and Manatee County. Every number in this guide comes from the 1,119 local moves we completed between October 2025 and September 2026.

How much do movers cost in Sarasota? Half of our local moves cost between $1,150 and $2,700, not counting packing, and the middle move was about $1,700. Moves of 100+ miles within Florida mostly cost $2,100 to $3,650. Out-of-state moves are quoted as a flat rate after we review your inventory. We never charge extra for stairs, weekends, holidays, fuel, or travel time. Local moves have a 4-hour minimum.

Based on 1,119 local moves Sunshine Movers completed between October 2025 and September 2026. Last updated October 2026.

In this guide

Why we wrote this guide
Move type overview
How we build your moving estimate
What common moves cost
Real moves from real customers
What makes a move take longer
What is included on every move
Packing services and packing materials
Storage, valuation, and special items
Moving farther within Florida
Why two quotes can look so different
How to get the most accurate quote
Questions we hear most

1. Why we wrote this guide

Most people start shopping for movers with one simple question: "What is this going to cost me?" Too often the only answer is a form to fill out. We would rather tell you up front.

The numbers here are from our own completed moves, not national averages. Use them to set a realistic budget, compare quotes fairly, and know what to ask before you book. Your final price depends on your home and your plan, so treat this guide as a starting point and your written estimate as the final word.

Where we move people. Most of our moves start or end in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Longboat Key, Venice, Parrish, Osprey, Nokomis, Palmetto, University Park, and North Port. We also move families across Florida, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Naples, Orlando, and Ocala as well as out of state and even out of the country.

2. Move type overview

Service	Typical cost	Notes
Local moves in Sarasota and Manatee County	Most $1,150 to $2,700. Middle move about $1,700.	Billed by the hour for the crew, plus a truck fee. 4-hour minimum. Crews are sized for a full day.
Moves of 100+ miles within Florida	Most $2,100 to $3,650	Usually billed by the hour with the drive included. 9 to 11 hours is typical.
Out-of-state moves	Quoted per move	Flat rate after we review your inventory.
Packing	Quoted per home	Partial or full packing, billed by the hour plus materials. See Section 8.
Warehouse storage	About $0.40 per cubic foot per month	Climate and humidity controlled. 500 cubic feet runs about $200 a month.
Pianos, safes, pool tables, gym equipment	Quoted per item	Need extra time, equipment, or crew.
Weekends and holidays	No extra charge	Same rate every day of the week.
Fuel and travel time	No extra charge	Fuel is built into the truck fee. Travel time is built into the moving estimate.

3. How we build your moving estimate

Your moving estimate is built on basic math and a set formula, not a guess. Here is how we put it together.

We inventory everything that is moving. Every piece of furniture, the number of boxes we estimate you to have, and everything in the garage, closets, patio, and storage. That inventory gives us the size of your move in cubic feet.
We do the math on time. One mover handles about 70 cubic feet per hour. A 1,260 cubic foot home with 3 movers works out to about 6 hours of moving, because 3 movers × 70 cubic feet = 210 cubic feet an hour, and 1,260 ÷ 210 = 6.
We add your obstacles. Stairs, elevators, long walks from the truck to the door, tight hallways, steep driveways, and parking all add time. Our estimating formula adds that time based on what you tell us about both homes.
We account for what you own. Fine furniture that needs extra wrapping, very heavy pieces, and delicate or highly detailed items all take more care, and care takes time.

Those four steps tell us how many hours your move will take, how many movers it needs, and how many trucks. Your move is then billed by the hour for the crew, plus a truck fee for each truck.

We plan every move as a full day. Instead of sending a big crew for a few hours, we size the crew so your move fills a full workday of about 8 hours. If a move could be done by 5 movers in 4 hours, we send 3 movers for a full day instead. This ensures an efficient process for your move.

Larger moves may need a second truck, which adds a second truck fee. Your written estimate shows the crew size, the estimated hours, and every fee before moving day.

How we can quote your move

Quote type	How it works	Most common for
Hourly	You pay for the actual time the move takes.	Most local moves
Not to exceed	You pay for the actual time, but never more than the cap we put in writing.	Local moves with a clear scope
Flat rate	One fixed price based on your inventory, access, and services. It changes only if the scope changes.	Out-of-state moves and some local moves

Depending on the scope, some local moves can be quoted as not-to-exceed or flat rate. Ask your move coordinator which option makes sense for you.

4. What common moves cost

We measure each move in cubic feet, which is the amount of space your belongings take up on the truck. Homes with the same number of bedrooms can hold very different amounts of stuff, so the bedroom sizes below are approximate. A lightly furnished 3 bedroom can land in the 2 bedroom range, and a packed 2 bedroom can land in the 3 bedroom range.

Size of move (approximate)	Typical crew	Typical time	Typical moving cost
Studio or small load (under 350 cu ft)	2 movers	4 to 5 hours	$800 to $1,150
1 bedroom size (350 to 600 cu ft)	2 movers	4 to 7 hours	$950 to $1,450
2 bedroom size (600 to 1,000 cu ft)	2 to 3 movers	5 to 7.5 hours	$1,250 to $1,950
3 bedroom size (1,000 to 1,500 cu ft)	3 to 4 movers	6 to 8.5 hours	$1,900 to $2,850
4 bedroom size (1,500 to 2,200 cu ft)	4 to 6 movers	7 to 9 hours	$3,000 to $4,700

How to read this table. Each range covers the middle half of our local moves of that size. About one in four came in below the low end, and about one in four came in above the high end. These prices are for moving only. Packing has too many variables to fold into one number, so it has its own section below. Homes larger than 2,200 cubic feet and moves with unusual access are quoted individually.

5. Real moves from real customers

These are actual moves we completed, with what each customer wrote in their Google review. Names are shortened for privacy. Every one of these landed inside the range for its size in the table above.

Studio or small load moves

Sara D. · 318 cu ft · Lakewood Ranch to Bradenton · May 2026 · 2 movers · 5.75 hours · $1,068.25

"Damion and Noel were fantastic to work with during my move! I was so overwhelmed, I couldn't sleep the night prior but it turns out for no reason at all!"

Joanne C. · 248 cu ft · Apartment move on Longboat Key · March 2026 · 2 movers · 5.75 hours · $1,090.88

"Chester and his son, CJ, were extremely professional and made a stressful day not so stressful! They were focused on work but also very polite and communicative."

1 bedroom size moves

Kaitlin S. · 520 cu ft · Englewood to Venice · October 2025 · 2 movers · 6.25 hours · $1,201.50

"This was our second time using Sunshine Movers and I will forever recommend them to anyone! Chris and Benjamin were professional, kind, and efficient. The overall customer service and experience with this company before, during, and after our move has been phenomenal."

Kim S. · 363 cu ft · Sarasota to Lakewood Ranch · December 2025 · 2 movers · 4.75 hours · $969.50

"AJ and Chester Dad son team were respectful, hardworking, did a great job. Would highly recommend for anyone looking to move. Christie was also very helpful with changing my dates last minute."

Lisa G. · 564 cu ft · Apartment move in Lakewood Ranch · February 2026 · 2 movers · 6 hours · $1,169.39

"I had an absolutely incredible experience with Sunshine Movers from start to finish! Damien and Noel were professional, efficient, friendly, and handled everything with the utmost care."

2 bedroom size moves

Heather R. · 925 cu ft · Apartment move in Lakewood Ranch · February 2026 · 3 movers · 6.75 hours · $1,935.19

"Sean and Will were very careful moving each item. They wrapped the furniture and were very efficient. They even got a heavy sleeper sofa up a flight of difficult stairs and safely into its new location. They were very kind and showed up on time ready for the move."

Tonya A. · 685 cu ft · Townhouse move in Sarasota · August 2026 · 3 movers · 6.25 hours · $1,698.31

"Sarah in customer service truly listened to my concerns and made appropriate notes. The movers Dom, Rick and Will were very efficient and courteous."

Lee K. · 827 cu ft · Sarasota townhouse to Lakewood Ranch · February 2026 · 2 movers · 7 hours · $1,387.60

"They are a truly professional company with experienced and efficient Movers. Jamie and Nick were courteous and ensured my furniture was well protected. It was the best moving experience I have had."

3 bedroom size moves

Jim M. · 1,183 cu ft · Storage unit and house to Bradenton · November 2025 · 3 movers · 8.25 hours · $2,308.49

"If you need a professional, reliable responsible moving team - Sunshine Movers are the only choice! From start to finish Chester and CJ were meticulous with our items from a storage unit and into our new home."

Stephen D. · 1,275 cu ft · House move in Lakewood Ranch · May 2026 · 3 movers · 7.5 hours · $2,219.79

"We had a great team today made up of Damion, Noel, and Joshua move us into our new house. They were very professional and did a great job."

Norm and Nina G. · 1,019 cu ft · Bradenton to Sarasota · May 2026 · 4 movers · 6.25 hours · $2,198.30

"The team of Will, Alex, Sean and Jay were totally professional. Highly recommend them."

4 bedroom size moves

Kelly E. · 1,660 cu ft · House move in Sarasota · February 2026 · 5 movers · 8 hours · $3,680.17

"This was my THIRD move with Sunshine Movers and once again they exceeded expectations. The crew was incredibly professional, efficient, and genuinely kind throughout the entire process."

Jo G. · 1,834 cu ft · House move in Venice · October 2025 · 4 movers · 9.75 hours · $3,617.26

"Justin, Jeremy, Leon and Damian arrived with a smile and a good handshake. They worked hard all day but continued to smile and occasionally laugh. They were extremely accommodating to my needs. I would use this team again in a hot minute."

Josh D. · 1,849 cu ft · House move in Sarasota · October 2025 · 5 movers · 10.25 hours · $4,690.53

"From the very first phone call to the getting the position of the furniture at our new house just right great all around experience! Our crew of Chester Ben CJ Nick and Chris took awesome care of us."

6. What makes a move take longer

On an hourly move, time is the biggest part of your cost. These are the things that most often add hours:

What adds time	Extra charge?	How you can help
Items not packed and ready to go	No fee, but it adds hours	Finish packing and empty drawers before we arrive
Cluttered rooms, closets, or garages	No fee, but it adds hours	Clear walkways and set aside what is not going
Stairs at either home	No, built into your estimate	Tell us about every flight at both homes
Elevators, especially shared ones	No, built into your estimate	Reserve the elevator if your building allows it
Long walks from the truck to your door	No, built into your estimate	Reserve a parking spot close to the door
Heavy, high-end, or delicate furniture	No, built into your estimate	Point out your most valuable and fragile pieces
No plan for where furniture goes	No fee, but it adds hours	Decide where the large pieces go ahead of time
Last-minute additions to the load	No fee, but it adds hours	Tell us about anything you add after your estimate

We never add a separate charge for stairs, elevators, or long carries. They are part of the math in Section 3, which is why we ask about them up front. Customers who prepare tend to finish well inside the hours we estimate.

7. What is included on every move

Service	Cost	Notes
Floor protection	Included	Protects floors in high-traffic areas of your home
Pad wrapping of furniture	Included	Every piece of furniture is wrapped in moving pads
Shrink wrap and tape	Included	Unlimited for your move
Furniture disassembly and reassembly	Included	We bring our own tools
Fuel	Included	Built into the truck fee, no fuel surcharge
Travel time	No extra charge	Included in the quoted time of the mover
Weekends and holidays	No extra charge	Same rate every day
Stairs, elevators, and long carries	No extra charge	Built into your estimated hours
Basic valuation coverage	Included	$0.60 per pound per item with higher levels of coverage available
W-2 employee crews	Standard	The people in your home work for us, not a day-labor pool

8. Packing services and packing materials

Packing is the hardest part of a move to price from a chart. Two homes the same size can need very different packing, depending on how much there is, how fragile it is, and how much you pack yourself. That is why we price packing separately from the move and quote it once we know what needs packing. Like the move, packing is billed by the hour, plus the boxes and supplies we use.

We offer both partial packing and full packing.

Service	What we pack	How it is priced
Partial packing	The hard parts: kitchen, glassware, artwork, mirrors, lamps, and TVs. You pack the rest.	By the hour plus materials, usually done on moving day
Full packing	The whole house, closets and garage included	By the hour plus materials. Larger homes are usually packed the day before the move.

What packing typically costs

Packing	What it typically costs
Partial packing added to a 1 or 2 bedroom size move	Roughly $400
Partial packing added to a 3 or 4 bedroom size move	Roughly $750 to $800
Full-home packing on its own day, larger homes	About $2,200 to $4,100, materials included
Boxes and supplies on moves where we pack	About $80 to $650

These are typical figures from our recent jobs, and packing varies more than anything else we do. Your home can land well above or below them.

What changes the cost of packing:

How many boxes it takes
Fragile kitchen items, china, and glassware
Artwork, mirrors, and lamps
Books and other heavy items
Garage, closet, and storage contents
How much you pack yourself before we arrive

Real moves with packing

These totals include both the packing and the move.

John M. · 544 cu ft · Lakewood Ranch to Parrish · August 2026 · 3 movers · 6.25 hours · $2,043.35

"We had Jason, Jay, and Selma for our crew and they were awesome! Very professional, friendly, and did a great job. Nikki was also great to work with on the scheduling side."

Christopher R. · 684 cu ft · House move in Bradenton · May 2026 · 3 movers · 7.25 hours · $2,094.57

"Damion, Noel and Joseph were great! Very professional, polite and efficient. Good guys all around!! You have a very good crew there and a very good leader in Damion. He was engaging and accommodating!"

Chelsea G. · 1,182 cu ft · House move in Sarasota · January 2026 · 4 movers · 8.25 hours · $3,214.04

"We were extremely pleased and impressed with the packing and moving service from our Sunshine Movers team: Alex, Matt, Will, and Chris. All four were professional, efficient, and detail-oriented, and lovely to speak to. We highly recommend their services and would absolutely hire them again."

Michael F. · 1,468 cu ft · St. Petersburg high-rise to Sarasota · January 2026 · 6 movers · 7.5 hours · $3,515.00

"They moved me into a rental and then later to my condo so 2 moves. Not a single item broken and came in under budget both times. They are truly outstanding."

Packing materials we sell

We carry professional moving-grade boxes and supplies of every type, so you can buy just what you need, whether we pack or you do:

Item	What it is for
Standard moving boxes, several sizes	Books, kitchen goods, linens, toys, and everyday items
Dish packs	Dishes, china, and glassware
Wardrobe boxes	Hanging clothes, straight from the closet
Mirror and picture cartons	Mirrors, framed art, and glass
TV boxes and TV crates	Flat-screen TVs
Mattress bags	Keeping mattresses and box springs clean

9. Storage, valuation, and special items

If your closing date and move-out date do not line up, or your new home is not ready, we can store your belongings in our 30,000 square foot climate and humidity controlled warehouse in Sarasota. Basic valuation covers $0.60 per pound per item, so a 50-pound dresser is covered up to $30. Because that is rarely what things are worth, we also offer upgraded coverage.

Service	Typical cost	Notes
Warehouse storage	About $0.40 per cubic foot per month	500 cubic feet runs about $200 a month. Your exact figure is in your estimate.
Basic valuation	Included at no cost	$0.60 per pound per item
Upgraded valuation	Quoted with your estimate	For coverage closer to what your things are worth
Pianos	Quoted per item	Extra crew and equipment
Gun safes	Quoted per item	Extra crew and equipment, weight matters
Pool tables	Quoted per item	Extra time to handle the slate
Fitness equipment	Quoted per item	Some pieces need disassembly
Custom crating	Quoted per item	For artwork, glass, stone, and other fragile pieces

Tell us about any specialty items when you request your estimate, so we can plan the crew and equipment.

10. Moving farther within Florida

We also handle moves across the state. Most moves of 100 miles or more within Florida are still billed hourly, with the drive included in the hours. Half of those moves cost between $2,100 and $3,650 and took 9 to 11 hours.

Recent move	Size	Crew	Time	Cost
Sarasota to Naples	1,039 cu ft	3 movers	11.5 hours	$3,188.04
Sarasota to Orlando	563 cu ft	3 movers	12.75 hours	$3,500.59
Sarasota to Ocala	1,325 cu ft	4 movers	9 hours	$3,707.11

Out-of-state moves are quoted as a flat rate after we review your inventory.

11. Why two quotes can look so different

When estimates for the same move do not match, the difference is usually in the details:

One estimate assumed fewer hours than the move will realistically take
One left out stairs, long carries, or packing
One adds fuel, travel-time, or weekend fees later that the other already included
Crews differ in size, experience, and whether they are employees or hired by the day

A low quote that grows on moving day is not really a low quote. Ask each company what the hourly rate is, what the minimum is, what fees are added on top, and whether anything can be added after the move starts.

12. How to get the most accurate quote

The more we know up front, the closer your estimate will be to your final bill. When you request your estimate, be ready to share:

A list or walkthrough of what is moving, including garages, sheds, and storage units
Stairs, elevators, parking, and how far the truck will be from your door at both ends
Any heavy or specialty items, like pianos, safes, or gym equipment
Whether you want partial packing, full packing, or none
Your timing, including any building or HOA move-time rules

We can usually estimate from an in-home or virtual walkthrough.

13. Questions we hear most

How much do movers cost in Sarasota?

It depends mostly on how much you are moving and how ready your home is on moving day. Half of our local moves cost between $1,150 and $2,700, not counting packing, and the middle move was about $1,700. Your written estimate shows the crew size, the estimated hours, and every fee.

How much does it cost to move a 1 bedroom apartment in Sarasota?

Most of our 1 bedroom size moves cost $950 to $1,450 with 2 movers.

How much does it cost to move a 2 bedroom home in Sarasota or Bradenton?

Most cost $1,250 to $1,950 with 2 to 3 movers.

How much does it cost to move a 3 bedroom house in Sarasota?

Most cost $1,900 to $2,850 with 3 to 4 movers.

How much does it cost to move a 4 bedroom house in Sarasota?

Most cost $3,000 to $4,700 with 4 to 6 movers.

Is there a minimum?

Yes. Local moves have a 4-hour minimum, but we plan most moves as a full day and size the crew to fit.

Do you charge extra for stairs or elevators?

No. They are built into the estimated hours of your move.

Do you charge more on weekends or holidays?

No. The rate is the same every day.

Is there a fuel surcharge or travel-time fee?

No. Fuel is built into our truck fee, and we do not charge a separate travel-time fee as it's included in the estimated time of your move.

Do you disassemble and reassemble furniture?

Yes. We bring our own tools, and it is included.

Are your movers employees?

Yes. Our movers are W-2 employees of Sunshine Movers.

Do you offer packing?

Yes. We offer partial packing and full-home packing, billed by the hour plus materials. We quote packing separately from the move, because it varies so much from home to home.

Do you sell packing materials?

Yes, including specialty boxes such as mirror cartons, TV boxes, wardrobe boxes, dish packs, and mattress bags.

Do you offer storage?

Yes. Our climate and humidity controlled warehouse in Sarasota typically runs about $0.40 per cubic foot per month.

Do you move outside Sarasota and Manatee County?

Yes. We move people across Florida, including to Tampa, St. Petersburg, Naples, Orlando, and Ocala. Out-of-state moves are quoted as a flat rate.

Will you hang pictures, mirrors, or TVs on the wall?

No. For liability reasons we do not hang items on the wall.

Will you disconnect water lines from the refrigerator or washer?

No. For liability reasons we do not disconnect water lines. We recommend a plumber or appliance technician, and we are happy to move the appliances once they are disconnected.

Ready for your estimate?

Tell us what you are moving, where you are moving it, and when, and we will put together a clear written estimate.

Get my free estimate or call (941) 447-1719

Sunshine Movers of Sarasota · 1755 W. University Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34243 · (941) 447-1719 · info@SunshineMovers.com ·

Florida mover registration: IM2506 · USDOT: 4054744

All prices in this guide are estimates based on 1,119 local moves we completed between October 2025 and September 2026. Your price depends on your belongings, access, services, and schedule, and every estimate is confirmed in writing before moving day.

Moving Cost & Pricing Guide

Sunshine Movers of Sarasota