Moving help center

Plan a smoother move before the truck arrives.

Answers, packing guidance, specialty-item prep, senior move tips, route planning, and printable tools from Stars and Stripes Movers.

Stars and Stripes mover helping a senior customer with a delicate teacup

Start with confidence

Good planning protects your time, your belongings, and your peace of mind.

Use this page to prepare questions, spot specialty items early, label boxes clearly, and decide what needs personal handling before move day.

Customer tools

Helpful downloads for move planning.

Print these before packing starts so the quote, loading, unloading, and unpacking process stays organized.

FAQ

Answers that make your move easier to plan.

Start here for callbacks, walkthroughs, specialty items, packing, routes, and what to keep with you.

Can I just ask for a callback?

Yes. Leave your name, phone number, and a quick note about the move. We prefer to call so we can ask the right questions and help you decide whether a walkthrough is needed.

Can you schedule a walkthrough?

Yes. Walkthroughs can be handled by phone, video call, or in person. A walkthrough is especially helpful for long-distance moves, senior moves, antiques, pianos, safes, stairs, elevators, storage units, and specialty equipment.

Do you move antiques and china cabinets?

Yes, and we are happy to talk through the details ahead of time. Please mention glass shelves, mirrors, loose hardware, fragile contents, tight access, and whether packing help is needed.

Can you move pianos, safes, gym equipment, and oversized items?

Yes. Mention heavy and specialty items during the quote request so equipment, crew size, protection, loading order, and final placement can be planned early.

Do you help with senior moves?

Yes. Senior moves often need extra patience, clear labeling, downsizing support, careful packing, and room-by-room placement. Families can also request a walkthrough to plan timing and setup.

Do you offer veteran discounts?

Yes. Ask about veteran discount options when you request your callback or walkthrough.

What areas do you serve?

Stars and Stripes Movers has office hubs in Tampa, Valrico, and Columbus, and helps with moves throughout Florida, Ohio, and the East Coast.

What should not go on the moving truck?

Propane tanks, gasoline, flammable items, chemicals, aerosols, perishable food, plants, pets, animals, medications, documents, cash, jewelry, and irreplaceable personal items should stay with you or be handled separately.

Packing help

Packing yourself? Match the packing to the move.

Local, long-distance, and storage moves do not put the same pressure on boxes. Pack for how long items will be handled, stacked, and stored.

Local move packing

Label by destination room, keep boxes liftable, protect fragile items, and set aside an open-first box.

Long-distance packing

Fill empty space, reinforce bottoms, protect corners, and mark fragile/heavy boxes on at least two sides.

Storage packing

Use sealed boxes, avoid open food, protect against shifting, and label the side that will face the storage aisle.

Fragile packing

Wrap glass, china, mirrors, lamps, and collectibles individually with cushion on all sides.

Specialty prep

Tell us about anything that needs extra planning.

Photos and notes help the crew prepare for access, protection, equipment, and placement.

Specialty industrial equipment being prepared inside a moving truck

Heavy and specialty equipment

Share dimensions, weight if known, access points, stairs, ramps, and placement instructions.

Large antique armoire moved by Stars and Stripes Movers

Antiques and oversized furniture

Note glass, mirrors, removable pieces, sentimental value, tight turns, and whether packing help is needed.

Packed storage unit organized with boxes and household items

Storage and staged moves

Label what goes to storage, what unloads first, and which items should stay accessible.

Long-distance routes

Common East Coast routes.

Moves can go in either direction. Choose the closest route below, or ask for a callback if your city is not listed.

Ready for help?

Ask for a callback or walkthrough.

Tell us what you are moving, where it is going, and anything that needs extra care.

Schedule a callback