Redfin cites Direct Relocation Services on moving specialty items

Direct Relocation Services was cited as an expert source in a Redfin guide published Aug. 13 on how households should prepare specialty items for interstate moves. The Fort Lauderdale carrier said proper crating, early planning and using a licensed direct mover can help protect irreplaceable belongings like pianos, antiques and artwork.

Why it matters: - Specialty items can be impossible to replace if they are damaged during a move. - The handling decisions made before loading day can determine whether antiques, pianos, artwork and other valuables arrive intact. - The difference between a direct carrier and a broker can affect who actually handles the shipment and how much accountability the customer gets.

What happened: - Redfin published a guide on Aug. 13, 2026, about preparing specialty items for relocation. - Direct Relocation Services, a licensed direct interstate carrier headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was cited as an expert source in the guide. - Justin Perez, co-founder of Direct Relocation Services, was quoted on how households should prepare and protect specialty items during interstate moves. - The Redfin feature focused on items that fall outside standard household goods, including inherited antiques, original artwork, pianos, vintage arcade cabinets and long-built collections. - Direct Relocation Services published its portion of the feature as a consumer resource at moving with specialty items.

The details: - Perez said the items households most often underestimate are the ones with sentimental value, not the heaviest or largest objects. - Direct Relocation Services says the most common failure point is timing, because many households identify specialty items in the final week before a move. - Late identification can raise costs and create scheduling problems for crating and specialized handling. - Items flagged during the estimate stage cost significantly less to protect than items discovered on loading day. - The first practice is to use custom crating instead of blanket-wrapping for fragile, irreplaceable or structurally delicate items. - Standard moving blankets are designed for furniture with hard surfaces and replaceable value. - The second practice is to photograph every specialty item before loading. - Pre-move photos establish condition at origin and can serve as key evidence in a claim. - The third practice is to match the crew to the item. - Pianos, large-format artwork and oversized cabinetry need workers with prior experience on that item type. - The fourth practice is to confirm whether the mover is a licensed direct carrier. - A broker sells the job to a third-party carrier the customer never spoke with and never vetted. - Direct Relocation Services operates as a licensed direct carrier under USDOT #3000931 with Broker Authority: NONE. - The company says that distinction matters most on specialty shipments. - Direct Relocation Services was founded in 2015 by Justin Perez and Diego Asorey. - The company says it has more than 11 years of experience handling long-distance relocations from Florida and Georgia to all 48 contiguous states. - Direct Relocation Services says it is BBB A-Rated and accredited, with verified reviews across nine platforms, including Google, Trustpilot, BBB, Angi, MoveAdvisor, MyMovingJourney, MyGoodMovers, Verified Movers and ConsumerAffairs. - The company is a proud partner of Move For Hunger. - Direct Relocation Services lists its headquarters at 4901 NW 17th Way Suite 605, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309. - The company can be reached at 855.378.3110. - Direct Relocation Services also lists social channels on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Between the lines: - Redfin’s decision to quote a direct carrier suggests homeowners and consumers want practical guidance from companies that handle specialty items in the field. - The broker-versus-carrier distinction is especially important for high-value shipments because it affects control, communication and accountability. - The emphasis on early identification signals that the biggest risks in specialty moves often begin before the truck arrives.

What's next: - Consumers moving specialty items can use the Redfin guide and Direct Relocation Services’ resource as a planning checklist before booking a move. - The company’s advice points to a simple next step: identify fragile or irreplaceable items early, document them and confirm who will physically transport them. - More households may focus on carrier credentials before signing a moving contract, especially for pianos, artwork and heirlooms.