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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions? We have Answers.

  • How far in advance should I book my move?

    30 days out (or more, if you can), especially during warm season, and/or if you are planning to move at the end of the month. Note that we will book moves with short notice, as long as we have availability.

  • How can I book a move with your company?

    The easiest way to reserve a spot on our schedule is to call our office (314-860-8125), and speak to a scheduling manager. Alternatively, you can submit a form through our website, and we will be on contact within the hour

  • What if I need to cancel/reschedule my move date?

    Cancellations within 72 hours of your move date will be charged a $100 fee. There are no penalties to reschedule with 2 business day’ notice.

  • What forms of payment do you accept?

    We accept cashier’s check, money order, Missouri personal checks, credit/debit cards. All card transactions will be charged a 3% processing fee. (If you choose to write a personal check you must present a driver’s license/passport that matches the information on the check.

  • Are you licensed and insured? My building requires a certificate of insurance.

    Yes. We are licensed and insured by the Missouri Department of Transportation, and we can provide your building with a certificate of insurance, once your move is booked with us.

  • Can I have a fixed price for my move, and do you offer any discounts?

    No. Missouri state law requires that we charge according to our tariffs that are filed with the Missouri Commerce Commission. If you would like to get better rates, please schedule your move date during the week and, if possible, do not move the last week of the month, when rates are higher. Also, note that rates are lower during cold months.

  • Do you have a minimum charge?

    Yes. The minimum is 2 hours, plus the travel fee, which is based on distance from/to our warehouse.

  • What is Travel fee?

    Travel Fees are calculated based on your loading/unloading sites in accordance to our office/warehouse.

  • How do you charge for the move?

    The rate for the move varies based on: month and date of the move, number of men the job requires, floor numbers for all locations, number of trucks needed. The best way to get an accurate quote is to submit the form on our home page or give our office a call and speak to a trained Scheduling Manager.

  • Do I need to be present during the move?

    Yes. You or someone you trust should be present during the entire move.(The individual that is present and named to be in charge must be 18 years or older)

  • Can my children or pets be around during the move?

    We love both children and pets, but we recommend for their own safety and our mover’s safety and efficiency you please make arrangements for someone to watch them closely during the move.

  • What items should I move myself?

    Flammable items (paint, paint thinner, nail polish remover, propane tanks, etc.), firearms, important papers, medicines, money, coin collections, jewelry, and similar items. We are not responsible for items like these (as it will state on the Bill of Lading). They should remain in your safekeeping and transported in your car.

  • Can I help during the move?

    For liability purposes, you cannot move items with our crew. We prefer you let our crew handle the move, but you can get everything ready before they arrive to speed up the move. This includes things like disassembly of items and staging boxes on the first floor near exit doorways.

  • How should I prepare for the moving day?
    • Donate unwanted items. You will make someone happy and save time and money on your move.
    • Pack 1 separate box with things you need for the next 24 hours.
    • Properly mark each box for the specific area of your home and write FRAGILE on any box that has fragile stuff inside.
  • How should I pack my boxes?

    f you choose to do some or all of your own packing in preparation for your move, boxes should be packed tightly with padding after items are inside to prevent shifting during transportation. You can use anything like packing paper, blankets, towels, or linens to pack these boxes tight. Be sure that the top of the box is firm and that you do not leave any empty space inside which would cause a box to crush.
Do not pack boxes too heavy! For example, books should be packed in smaller cartons, so they can be moved without causing back strain for you or for the mover!
Remember, if we pack the boxes, then we are liable for any damage within those boxes. If you choose to pack your own boxes, Arch Moving will not be liable for any damage within those boxes

  • How should I pack my dishes?

    When packing your dishes, the plates should be wrapped in paper and stood on end (not stacked flat) to minimize stress on the plates.

  • Should everything be packed?

    The more packed you are, the faster the move will go. If anything is small enough to fit in a box it should be packed. If you are not completely packed when we arrive, the job might take longer than estimated or we might have to leave your unpacked items behind if we are running behind schedule, unless you schedule packing services ahead of time

  • Should I empty my dressers/shelves?

    Yes. Please empty all the drawers, as this decreases the chances of damage occurring to these items during transportation.

  • Do I need to pack up electronics?

    Most electronic items are best transported when packed safely in cartons. If you no longer have the original packaging (such as for your flat screen TV), we offer TV protection at your request.

  • Will my appliances be disconnected/connected by the movers?

    Yes and No. We are not appliance technicians, we are movers. Our movers are training to handle basic unhooking of appliances. Please note we are not liable for water leaks, gas shut offs, disassembly of appliances. We can only help take your TV off the wall (when possible), but we will not mount it back nor remove the existing mount

  • Will movers disassemble and reassemble my furniture?

    Yes. Unless your furniture requires special disassembling/assembling. Items such as: cribs, bunk beds, sleeper sofas, and medical beds are only disassembled, but we cannot guarantee reassembled for safety reasons.

  • Do you move pianos, pool tables or hot tubs?

    We can move certain upright pianos for an extra charge. Also, if your pool table is disassembled and breaks down into 3 separate slabs, we can move it for an additional charge. We do not move hot tubs.

  • Can I store my stuff (My Belongings) on your trucks, overnight?

    Depending on availability, we can store your belongings on our trucks for a maximum of 1 night, for an additional cost per truck.

  • Do you offer storage?

    No. Please call our office and we can help you with storage recommendations.

  • Is my estimate a binding quote? What happens if the move takes more than estimated?

    No. The estimate is not a binding price. Our policy for moving says actual charges will be based on the number of hours your job takes.
If our estimate is too high, you only pay the actual hours that we worked. If the estimate was too low, you are responsible for cutting the work off. Please keep in mind you need to factor in how much is still on our truck, and if the movers are at the loading or unloading site when you choose to cut off the work being performed. All time accrued unloading our truck after a request to stop working will still be charged at the previously agreed upon rate.

  • Should I clean my walkway/stairs of snow/ice for the movers, or will they do this?

    The customer is expected to have walkways clear of all obstructions before we arrive to ensure safety for all concerned – and to save time and money on your move. If you can’t do this, you need to let us know ahead of time, so we can prepare accordingly.

  • How much to tip movers in St Louis?

    Gratuity is not required (and certainly should never be requested), but it is not uncommon for customers to tip their movers. If you choose to tip the crew members, the amount is entirely up to you. Similar to any other tips, the tip may be based upon the service you feel you received. The average tip is $5 – $10 per hour per mover for a great service.
Depending upon how long the move takes, some customers provide lunch and cold drinks (water or soft drinks), which is very much appreciated by the crew. If you go pick up lunch (pizza, sandwiches, etc.) and bring it to the job site (or have it delivered), it can usually speed up your move. You are not charged for the time spent during breaks or lunch, but the easier you make it the faster they can get the job done…and they appreciate your kindness!

  • What do I do if something was damaged during the move?

    Please call us no longer than 30 days after your move was completed. Unless extra coverage was purchased, your item will be covered, according to the MO law, at 60 cents per pound/per article. The liability coverage is per pound, not based on the value of your items. Each article is factored in with a maximum of 100lbs per article.

    Remember that the mover’s first obligation, under whatever option is chosen, is to make repairs to the damaged item. If it becomes necessary to “cash out” a claim for the actual cash (depreciated) value, the mover is entitled to take possession of the damaged goods. (This does not apply at the “60 cents/lb” option).

  • What are my options for moving insurance coverage?

    Under Missouri law, anyone offering to perform moving and storage service for hire must be licensed by the Missouri Department of Transportation. Furthermore, it’s illegal for an unlicensed person to offer moving service, regardless what that person tells you.

    BEFORE YOU CHOOSE:
    Your move is NOT automatically fully insured to the full value of your property for potential loss and damage. This summary is designed to assist you in choosing the option that is best for you.

    Before you choose an option for loss and damage protection, give some serious thought to the value of your possessions. The amount of your homeowners (or renters) insurance contents coverage is a useful guide.

    The time to consider the value of your goods is BEFORE THE MOVE

    The bill of lading is your contract. Your signature with the option you chose on the bill of lading will determine the final settlement if something unforeseen happens.

    Why don’t movers just provide insurance automatically?

    Loss and Damage Protection options are available because customers have different needs based on the nature of their possessions and how much they want to pay for the move. Some customers need $500,000 of coverage, while others might need only $500 or even no extra coverage. If movers included full coverage in their rates, the costs for providing coverage based on the customer who needs $500,000, everyone they move would be subsidizing someone else’s coverage. That’s why the mover’s tariff rates are based on the minimum carrier liability (See Option 1) and more extensive liability options will cost extra.

    Remember that the mover’s first obligation, under whatever option is chosen, is to make repairs to the damaged item. If it becomes necessary to “cash out” a claim for the actual cash (depreciated) value, the mover is entitled to take possession of the damaged goods. (This does not apply at the “30 cents” option).

    What are my choices?

    Under Missouri law you choose one of the following options for your intrastate (within Missouri) move.

    Option 1: Minimum carrier liability 60 cents per pound per article (Maximum of 100lbs. Per article)– This is included in your estimate!

    This is minimum liability, for which you pay no extra transportation cost. You are agreeing in writing to share with the mover the liability for loss or damage of your property being moved. If your goods are damaged or lost, the mover’s maximum liability to you under this option is 60 cents per pound per article. For example, 10 lb. lamp x 60 cents = $6.00. You would be given $6.00 for that particular lamp.

    Option 2: Extended Coverage

    Arch Moving can provide extended coverage for the items we transport. This coverage has a one-time fee associated with it. The fee is applied Per Truck and Per day you hire us. Please inquire with an Arch Moving Scheduling manager to get a quote on our Extended Coverage Option.

    What if I don’t choose anything?

    Limit of Liability on “engineered wood” furniture:

    “Ready to assemble” furniture is defined as articles constructed of press board, particle board, and/or engineered wood, which are shipped from place of manufacture in a knocked down “KD” or knocked down flat “KDF” condition, to be assembled post-factory by a store, reseller, or end user.

    “Ready to assemble” furniture is not built to withstand the normal stresses of a move as an assembled unit. Most is not designed with the extra wood structural pieces to adequately brace the unit for movement out of or into a residence, nor the normal truck vibration, even in air-ride trailers. Usually chips or dents are not repairable. 
Surface impressions can be made on the furniture when writing on a single piece of paper. The pieces will not withstand typical stacking and placement among other items on the moving truck without sustaining damage.

    Because of the inherent nature of this type of furniture and its susceptibility to damage, we DO NOT accept liability for damage if you ship such pieces fully assembled. You should disassemble such furniture yourself or hire a third party to disassemble it for you before moving.

    After your move:

    While we will do the best job possible and try to avoid any loss or damage, accidents do happen. That is why there is free and supplemental coverage in place.

    We have the right to inspect any damage, so keep the damaged article and packing material for inspection. It will help substantiate your claim. It may be possible to replace pieces, such as glassware or china, even if they are part of a set. Do not hire a repair firm without consulting first with us.

    Be aware of the coverage option you chose at the time of the move, and do not expect us to change the coverage “after the fact.” Your signature on the bill of lading will determine the mover’s liability.

    We are required to acknowledge your claim within 30 days and to pay, decline to pay, or make a firm compromise settlement within 120 days of receipt of the claim. If some situation beyond a mover’s control delays action on your claim for a longer time, the mover is required to notify you of the status of the claim at that time and each 30 days thereafter until final action is taken.

    The options described apply only to cargo claims. Damage to the residence or other property is separately insured.

  • When does the clock start and end on my move day?

    The time starts when the movers arrive at your first location and stops when the contract is closed by the foreman after the entire move is completed.

  • Can I ride the truck with the movers?

    Unfortunately, it is against the Missouri State laws and company policy to have clients inside the van.

  • Do I need a parking permit?

    The client is responsible to provide parking for the truck(s). If there is no loading area, the client should purchase “No Parking” Street signs from the from the applicable office entity, and the signs will be posted by the City. Arch Moving doesn’t post the signs, nor does it control the area where the signs were posted.

    When it might be needed:

    Buildings without loading docks. Difficult parking situations. Limited to no available alleyway parking.

    Please note we are not responsible for any parking tickets incurred.

  • Do you have a minimum?

    Yes, our standard minimum for all moves are of 2 hours! If your move takes longer than 2 hours you will get charged in 15 minute increments until your move is complete. Unfortunately, our minimum, hourly rates and travel fees are non negotiable.

  • What’s the Safest Way to Pack My Valuables?

    That depends entirely on what you’re packing. For large, fragile, and expensive items, we recommend custom crating services. When you have crates handmade according to your items’ dimensions, they’ll be far more protected than they would be in a cardboard box or simply wrapped up.

    Wardrobe cartons, specialty containers with dividers, and specialty packing materials can also keep your possessions protected in transit. Plus, these types of specialty containers will also make your packing process simpler and more organized.

  • I Have Plants—How Do I Move Them?
    We can transport your plants, but we are not responsible for any damage that could occur from this process. This includes but is not limited to other items that are damaged within the truck from the transportation of plants.
  • How Do I Move My Pets?

    We cannot transport your pets for you, so you’ll need to arrange transportation for them on your own.

    Since moving can be very stressful for animals, you may want to bring your pets with you in your personal vehicle to reduce their anxiety as much as possible. If you know you probably won’t have room, you can hire a professional pet transport service.

from the applicable office entity

OR call us at (314)860-8125

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