Desire,

I am sorry to hear about your loss. Let me try to help you with this particular moving issue.

I happened to be a foreman few years ago on a move that was ordered by some Florida gentleman, whose mother has recently passed away. We had to move all the items from her apartment in Yonkers, NY, however since no visual estimate was performed it proved to be a very challenging task for me and my crew (our orders where to pack everything that had any value, based of a loose item list provided to us by the real estate agent who sold the apartment).

Based on that experience I would strongly recommend you not to hire movers without a visual estimate. If you can be there 2 days before the move you could start from getting several quotes over the phone, and organizing at least three visual estimates for the day that you arrive.

After collecting some over-the-phone estimates from several movers I would recommend you to book with those three that you choose for the visual estimates. Make sure you explain to each of the movers what your situation is, and that you require a visual estimate to be performed prior to the move, at the day you arrive to Florida. If they ask you to place a deposit in order to reserve the move do not agree (even if they claim its refundable), and simply move to the next mover on your list. You could also try to negotiate a deposit-free move - there is no law that forces you to pay deposit for your move.

In any case, only agree on a flat price after the visual estimate is done, and after choosing the mover that fits your needs best (keep in mind - not only price-wise), make sure you contact other movers you booked with and notify them that you will no longer hire them for your move (that would be the right thing to do).

I hope that helps.