Tools and Tips - Moving Families

Once you contact Starck Van Lines for information regarding a move, you will be paired with a move consultant who helps you plan your move from beginning to end. This person will be your primary contact throughout your move and will be able to answer any questions you may have. You can reach our move consultants by calling 1-800-326-6556.

The busiest times of year for moving companies are the summer, the end of each month, and the end-of-the-year holidays. If there is a choice, it would be best to avoid these time periods when scheduling your move. We will be better able to meet your preferred pickup and delivery schedules during times when our vans, equipment, and personnel are more readily available. However, we recognize that these times are often the most convenient ones for our customers and will happily work with you to address your desired timeline.

If your move dates are flexible, the following factors should be considered when planning your move:

This depends on many factors. The time of year the move is scheduled, the direction and distance the shipment is being moved, the size of the shipment, and even the weather conditions will all influence the amount of time it will take you to move.

In addition to these factors it is important to note that because the furnishings of an average household do not fill a van, it is often necessary to load two or more shipments on the same truck. Starck Van Lines utilizes a state-of-the-art computer-assisted dispatching system to schedule pickup and delivery dates for each of the shipments on the van based on their origins and destinations as well as their weight. The amount of time it takes to complete your move will depend on the number of other shipments that will be on the van.

While you will be notified in advance regarding the loading and delivery dates, most pickups and deliveries are scheduled in 3-4 day windows. One day prior to the actual pickup/delivery date, you will receive notification from SVL regarding the time the van will be arriving.

As early as possible. The sooner you let us know what your preferred delivery schedule is, the more likely it is that we will be able to meet your needs. A lead-time of at least four to six weeks is preferable.

If your pickup and delivery dates are crucial, please let your SVL move consultant know right away so that they can explain to you the different types of services Starck Van Lines has to offer to address your needs.

While moving companies do not have to have a license to operate, they are required to register with the US Department of Transportation. Once registered carriers are granted a certificate of authority detailing their moving privileges. Starck Van Lines, Inc. has been issued a certificate of authority to move household goods among any of the fifty states.

There are many different companies out there and it can seem overwhelming when trying to choose. However, it is important to keep in mind that you often get what you pay for. There are many fly-by-night companies that continue to conduct business despite maintaining poor quality service. It is important for you to ask for and check references, look for companies with proven track records, and ensure the company has a DOT number. With 80 years of experience and glowing references from our customers, you will appreciate the “red carpet service” of Starck Van Lines.

Yes. Estimates are free of charge and allow us to not only provide you with an approximate cost for your move, but are crucial in helping us determine the amount of van space your belongings will occupy. This will decrease the likelihood that your belongings will have to be split and carried in two separate trucks.

Once you have contacted Starck Van Lines, your move consultant will schedule a time for an SVL sales representative to come to your home to complete a visual survey of the household belongings that you will be moving. A visual survey is necessary to ensure you that you receive an accurate estimate. Once the survey has been complete, the SVL sales representative will calculate the cost and send you a written Estimate/ Order for Service. The estimate can either be non-binding or binding.

A non-binding estimate is an approximate cost provided by the SVL estimator to give you a general idea of the cost of the move. The amount you will be required to pay will be based on the actual details of your move -- actual weight, distance, and services performed for long distance moves and actual number of hours it took to complete the move for local moves. The non-binding estimate you receive is only a guideline. Your move may cost more or less than this amount.

A binding estimate is a written document that clearly describes the shipment and all services that will be needed. This document will also list a guaranteed price for the move that has been developed based on that information. If you choose to receive a binding estimate, Starck Van Lines will guarantee that you will not be charged any more than the price listed on this document. However, if you add any items or request (or require) any additional services after the visual survey has been conducted and the binding estimate submitted, additional charges will be incurred.

If you are interested in obtaining a binding estimate, please let your move consultant know in advance. You may be charged for this service.

Unless you have requested a binding estimate, you will not know the exact cost of your move until the van reaches your delivery destination. The exact cost will be based on the weight of the shipment, the distance the shipment has traveled, the level of motor carrier liability that has been chosen, and the cost of any “accessorial” services (packing, unpacking, etc.) that have been performed. These charges are all related to the published “tariff.” Charges for local moves will be based on an hourly rate.

A tariff is the list of rules, regulations, and available services and associated costs used by all motor carriers who provide interstate transportation of household goods. Movers are required to provide this published list to you upon your request. The tariffs are used to calculate the costs associated with your move.

Extra charges can arise in a number of different scenarios. First, people sometimes forget to show the estimator belongings in out-of-the-way places such as in an attic, crawl space, or tool/storage shed. The additional items stored in these places will increase the weight of the shipment thus increasing cost.

Another way extra charges are incurred is when “accessorial” services are unexpectedly required. Sometimes the drivers and estimators are not aware of certain services that may be needed until they arrive at the destination. The following list shows some examples of accessorial services that may be required:

The law states that all charges be paid before your shipment is unloaded at your destination. Payment can be made either by cash, traveler’s check, cashier’s check, or money order. Personal checks will not be accepted. A copy of the Bill of Lading (see “What is a Bill of Lading?” for description) signed by the driver will be your receipt for this payment.

In the event that your moving costs exceed the non-binding estimate you received, the most you will be required to pay upon delivery is the amount of the estimate plus 10%. The remaining balance, if any, will be due within 30 days.

If your shipment is being delivered into temporary storage at the destination, all charges must be paid upon delivery into the warehouse. You will then be assessed additional storage charges based on the tariff rates.

Is there anything special that I need to do to prepare my waterbed for the move? <top>

All waterbeds need to be completely drained prior to moving day. In addition, fiber-filled waterbeds must be vacuum-drained by a professional in advance of the moving date. Please talk to your move consultant if you would like help locating a professional in your area who can perform this service.

Do I need to do anything special to prepare my appliances for the move? <top>

Yes. Most electrical or mechanical appliances will need special attention prior to your move to ensure safe transportation. You will need to unplug ALL appliances and make sure they have been thoroughly cleaned. In addition, any appliances with moving parts, such as washing machines and refrigerators with ice makers will need to be serviced by a professional to prepare the appliance for the move and to stabilize the moving parts. Gas appliances also need to be disconnected and serviced before the move.

It is your responsibility to make sure that your appliances have been serviced before the move. If you would like help locating professionals who perform these services in your area, please ask your SVL move consultant.

Can the frozen foods I remove from my freezer be packed in a cooler and transported on the moving van? <top>

No. The trucks are not temperature-controlled and often have to make stops at other locations prior to delivering your shipment to your final destination. It may be several days before you receive your shipment. It is best if you make arrangements either to take the frozen foods in your car with you, give them to family and friends, or donate them to a local soup kitchen. If you have any questions about this, please ask your SVL move consultant.

Most people elect to have their possessions, especially fragile items, packed by our well-trained and experienced professional packing teams.

If you wish to pack these items yourself it is important to make sure that you wrap each item individually, provide plenty of cushion, and take care that the items are packed firmly in the box by filling the empty spaces with crushed paper. All boxes with fragile items should be clearly labeled and marked “Fragile” on several sides. Make sure the items are packed in sturdy containers with lids and that they are sealed with tape. If you need packing supplies, talk to your move consultant about purchasing them through Starck Van Lines.

Starck Van Lines does not recommend leaving any items in drawers. However, if you feel it is necessary, lightweight clothing such as sweaters and shirts can be left in drawers but it is important that you do NOT fill them with heavy items such as books, table linens, or sheets that might damage the furniture during transit. Please do not leave anything that is breakable, valuable (such as jewelry or money), or anything that can be spilled in the drawers.

We can move your jewelry, antiques, artwork, and other items of “extraordinary” value but you most notify us in advance that these will be included in your shipment. We also strongly recommend that you purchase a service plan that will allow for higher levels of carrier liability in the event that a claim needs to be filed on one of these items. Please see the section on “Protection of Goods While in Transit” for a more detailed description of the types of plans available. It is important to consider that sometimes mishaps do occur and if you have an item that is irreplaceable, you may want to consider taking it with you.

We recommend setting aside at least one box of items that you will carry with you as opposed to having it placed on the truck. Remember, it is possible that you will arrive at your new destination prior to the truck with your belongings and you may have to wait a few days for your shipment to arrive. Please see the Travel Box section on this page. As mentioned previously, you might also want to consider taking any irreplaceable items with you if possible. These might include family photographs, important documents such as deeds or wills, medical and school records, etc.

Due to the lack of temperature control and unpredictability of exact delivery times, household goods moving companies do NOT transport house plants, pets, or frozen/refrigerated foods. If you have questions on how to get these items moved to your new home, please talk to your SVL move consultant for referrals to other companies who can help with these items.

In addition, movers are legally not permitted to transport items that are considered to hazardous materials (flammable, corrosive, or explosive). The following is a list of the most common items following into this category:

Aerosols	Fireworks
Paint thinner	Ammonia
Gasoline	Pesticides
Ammunition	Kerosene
Poisons	Car batteries
Lamp oil	Pool chemicals
Charcoal	Liquid bleach
Propane tanks	Charcoal lighter fluid
Loaded guns	Sterno
Chemistry sets	Matches
Weed killer	Cleaning solvents
Motor oil	Varnish
Explosives	Nail polish remover
Fertilizer	Paints

The Bill of Lading is the most important document you will see in relation to your move. This document will have all the same information as the Order for Service and will outline all the services provided by Starck Van Lines. The driver will give you a copy of the Bill of Lading before he loads your belongings onto his truck. It is your responsibility to thoroughly examine this document and make sure you understand and agree with everything on the document prior to signing it. It will be your receipt for your goods and the contract for their transportation. Keep this document with you during the move.

The Inventory is a detailed list of all items in your shipment that includes the number of each item and its condition. While the driver and his helpers are loading your belongings they will be creating an inventory list of all items that are being loaded onto the truck and their condition. After completing the inventory, the driver will sign every page and ask you to sign each page as well. Your signature on the page indicates that you agree with the list. Once your belongings have been unloaded at your new home, the driver will ask you to sign this document again to show that you received all of the items.

If there is enough room on the truck, it is possible to transport your automobile with the rest of your belongings. We can also help arrange for a professional service provider to move your vehicle. Please check with your Starck Van Lines moving consultant.

Prior to the time when your possessions are loaded onto one of our trucks, you and your moving consultant will have agreed on a 3-4 day window in which your shipment will be delivered. The day before your shipment will be delivered, someone from our office will contact you to let you know that your shipment will be there the next day. You, or a person you have designated on your paperwork, must be present to accept the delivery and pay all charges. If no one is there when our driver arrives, your shipment may be placed in storage at additional cost to you. It is very important that your move consultant has a way to contact you throughout the move.

Yes. In the event that you will not be immediately moving into your new residence, your belongings can be stored at either a Starck Van Lines warehouse or at the storage facility of one of our associates.

If you require storage, it is important to note that you will be responsible for the additional charges that will be incurred. These include storage charges, warehouse valuation coverage, and final delivery charges. The cost will vary based on the amount of coverage you request and the length of time your shipment will be in storage (temporary or long-term). Your move consultant will provide more information regarding storage arrangements upon request.

Yes, your belongings will be covered but the amount of protection and its cost depend upon the type of coverage program you select – Basic, Depreciated Value, or Full Value. A brief description of each program is provided below, however, we recommend that you review these programs with your move consultant to ensure that you select the plan that best fits your needs.

The basic coverage provides a valuation of 60 cents per pound per article and is automatically provided at no cost to you. Before accepting this level of coverage, make sure you understand the potential consequences. Let’s look at an example. Suppose the stereo component (weighing 15 pounds) you bought last year for $1000 is inadvertently damaged beyond repair. With basic coverage, you would only be entitled to $9.00 – 60 cents multiplied by 15 pounds.

Standard Transit Protection provides for repair, replacement, or reimbursement (whichever is less) based on an items depreciated value. Depreciation is calculated by determining current replacement cost and then decreasing that value to reflect the age of the item. STP coverage must be purchased at an amount which is at least equal to the shipment weight multiplied by $1.25. You also have the option of declaring a higher value for the minimum.

This is the most comprehensive protection plan Starck Van Lines offers. Under this plan, depreciation is not a factor in determining replacement value. Damaged or lost items will either be repaired or replaced with comparable items or a cash settlement equal to current market replacement value will be provided. This is true regardless of the age of the items.

Full Value coverage must be purchased at an amount which is at least equal to the shipment weight multiplied by $4.00 per pound, or $5.000, whichever is greater. You can declare a higher value than the minimum and can purchase Full Value Coverage at a reduced cost by choosing a $250 or $500 deductable.

Items with values greater than $100 per pound are considered to be items of “extraordinary value.” These items must be listed on a High-Value inventory form and any claims involving these items will be limited to the value of the object as covered in the valuation program you selected. Items of “extraordinary value” that are not listed on a High-Value inventory form will be covered for no more than $100 per pound per article. Some example of items of “extraordinary value” would include such objects as jewelry, furs, Oriental rugs, art collections, precious stones/gems, china, silverware, etc.

Starck Van Lines recommends setting aside a small box while you are packing that will include all the items you might need either while traveling to your new residence or once you get there. Remember, you might arrive before your belongings do and even once your shipment arrives, it may take a few days before you will be able to find everything you need. By setting aside a “Travel Box” early in the packing process, you will decrease the likelihood that something you will need while traveling or during your first days in your new home will be packed up. The “Travel Box” gives you one place to collect all your “travel” items.

First Aid Kit	Wrench
Current Medical Prescriptions	Soap
Sufficient Cash	Toilet paper
Credit Cards	Towels
Checkbook	Wash cloths
Identification Cards	Travel alarm clock
Phone Numbers from old town and new	New contact info address & phone #
Canned goods	Special items for children
Starck contact information	Can opener
Keys to both the old and new houses	Snacks
Flashlight (check batteries)	Cooking utensils
Fuses	Paper plates
Light bulbs	Plastic silverware
Screwdrivers	Styrofoam cups
Hammer	Bottled Water
Pliers	Maps for new city and how to get there

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Frequently Asked Questions