Moving Tips & Checklists

Your move with Armstrong will be a smooth experience and we’re here to help make the entire experience easier. Following the tips below will make sure you and your family are prepared before, during, after and every step along the way of your local move.

Six to Eight Weeks before Moving Day

• Working with the mover:
  • Either call to review the items to be moved or set a date for Armstrong to visually survey your home and prepare an estimate.
  • Do you want to do any of the packing — or will you have it done by our experienced packers? Armstrong will be happy to discuss packing services with you.
  • Show or discuss everything that is going to be moved with your Armstrong representative. Any items you fail to disclose or that are added later to the shipment will increase the cost.
  • Only sign your estimate or contract after you are sure you have a clear understanding of each section as well as your rights and responsibilities and the responsibilities of Armstrong. If you have any questions, ask your representative to explain.
  • Keep the phone number and name of your representative or move coordinator handy.

Four to Six Weeks before Moving Day

• Even if your local move is just taking you across town, it’s important to let friends, associates, and service providers know about your move.
  • Notify the post office that you are moving. An online Change of Address form is available on the United States Postal Service Web site.
  • Prepare a list of friends, relatives, business firms and others who should be notified of your move. The following checklist will be helpful:
    1. Utilities: Electric, Gas, Water, Telephone, Sewer District, Trash, Cable/Satellite, Fuel (Oil, Propane)
    2. Personal Accounts: Pharmacy, Dry Cleaner, Lawn Service, Bank/Finance Companies, Credit Card Companies, Laundry Service, Auto Finance Company, Health Club
    3. Professional Services: Doctor(s), Dentist, Accountant, Lawyer, Broker, Insurance Agency
    4. Publications: Newspapers, Magazines, Newsletters, Professional Journals
    5. Government Offices: Department of Motor Vehicles, Social Security Administration, State/Federal Tax Bureaus, City/County Tax Assessor, Veterans Administration
• Start cleaning up and paring down!
  • Have a “garage sale” or use an online auction service to dispose of unwanted items.
  • Armstrong is a partner with MoveForHunger.org, a charity that works with reputable moving companies to help collect food donations for local food banks. Tons of food get thrown away each year in moves – we want to help get that food to the people in our community who need it. By moving with Armstrong, you will be provided labels for your donation – Armstrong will handle the rest, including delivering it to a local food charity.

Two to Three Weeks before Moving Day

• Notify Armstrong if you add or subtract items from your planned move or if there are any changes in dates. Be sure to supply Armstrong with the destination address and phone numbers where you can be reached.
• Confirm any extra stops required to pick up or deliver goods to a location other than the main pickup or delivery points.

Day before Moving Day

• Point out to the packers any extra-fragile items needing special attention. Mark appropriately any items you do not want packed or moved.
• If you are doing your own packing, make sure everything is ready to go before moving day. Upon arrival, your Armstrong movers will check to see if boxes have been properly packed.
• Unplug all electronic appliances 8 hours in advance of a move, except plasma televisions, so that they will be at room temperature on moving day. This includes home computers, stereos, and audio/video equipment.

Moving Day

• Work with your movers to make sure all items are loaded and nothing is left behind. If you decide you need additional items moved, it shouldn’t be a problem, but it will affect the price of the move.
• Leave your phone connected throughout moving day. After the movers leave and you finish any last-minute calls, be sure to take the phone with you.
• Take a last look around: Is the water shut off? Furnace shut off? Light switches turned off? All utilities arranged for disconnection? Windows shut and locked? Old house or apartment keys surrendered? Have you left anything?
• When your local move is being delivered, check your household goods and boxes as they are unloaded. If there is a change in the condition of the property from that noted on the inventory at the time of loading or if any items are missing, note the discrepancies and personally report any loss or damage to your representative or move coordinator.
• When unloading, each piece of furniture will be placed as you direct, including the laying of rugs and setting up any beds disassembled at origin. However, mattresses will not be unpacked, and appliances and/or fixtures will not be installed. At your request and at an additional charge, your representative or move coordinator can arrange for this service.
• Place a floor plan of your new home by the entrance, which your movers can use to determine where boxes and furniture should go.
• Keep all documents pertaining to your move in a safe place. You may need them for verification of moving expenses when you file your federal income tax returns.
• To prevent possible damage, television sets, other electronic equipment and major appliances should not be used for 8 hours after delivery, allowing them time to adjust to room temperature.