Moving to a new duty station can be an exciting yet stressful experience—one that comes with a lot of big decisions. According to Military OneSource, nearly 700,000 service members undergo PCS moves annually, making relocation choices a critical concern for military families. One of those key considerations is how to relocate.
Each method has its pros and cons, and the best choice for you depends on factors such as budget, convenience, time constraints, and the amount of belongings to move. Before diving into your options, make sure you've reviewed The Ultimate PCS Checklist and Timeline for Active Duty Military Personnel to ensure you're prepared for every aspect of your move. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you decide the best method for your next Permanent Change of Station (PCS).
1. Full PPM Option #1: Rental Equipment
If you prefer more flexibility and don't mind putting in some hard work, a "PPM" (Personally Procured Move) move may be the best option. With this option, you are fully in charge of your own move, including renting equipment, packing, loading, and transporting your household goods. For those preparing for this option, understanding what military movers won't pack is crucial even if you're doing it yourself.
Pros:
- Full Control: You have control over packing, loading, and the entire timeline. If you'd rather not deal with the packing or loading portions, you still have the option of outsourcing to a local packing crew.
- Flexible Scheduling: A PPM comes with more freedom in selecting your timeline and less reliance on external schedules. This includes more flexibility when planning move-in/move-out dates if you're buying or renting a new home.
- More Budget-Friendly: If your heart is set on a PPM, renting moving equipment will typically be the most affordable option.
- Quality Control: This option gives you way more oversight, allowing you to see that the packing job is done to your standards and your items are handled/packed with care.
Cons:
- Physical Labor: If you're choosing not to outsource the heavy lifting, moving furniture and boxes can be physically demanding and even dangerous, sometimes causing injury.
- Time-Consuming: Packing, loading, driving, and unloading take a significant amount of time and effort. Check our guide on preparing for movers for time-saving strategies that apply even to DIY moves.
- Up-Front Cost: Choosing a PPM means covering costs out of pocket throughout the moving process until you can be reimbursed on the back end. Understanding your PCS entitlements and benefits can help you plan financially.
- Rules & Regulations: According to VA.gov, familiarize yourself with all current government moving regulations—weight allowances, authorized expenses, travel timelines, tax implications, managing weight tickets/receipts, reimbursement rates, and so on. It's best to map out your expenses and use a reimbursement calculator to make sure this is right for you.
- Potential for Damage & Theft: If you're inexperienced, you may accidentally damage your belongings during the move. Rental trucks and trailers are also targets for theft, and are sometimes stolen out of places like hotel parking lots when the owners are not around. Be sure to research ways to protect your equipment.
- Insurance: Since you'll be transporting all of your things, keeping or adding insurance is a necessary step to protecting yourself from a catastrophic incident—ask your agent about coverage options. And always ask the rental company about types of coverage they offer as well—having your bases covered will give you peace of mind in transit.
When considering a full do-it-yourself PPM, this method is best for:
- Military personnel/families who have budgeted to fund a DIY move and are financially prepared for out-of-pocket costs
- Short-distance moves OR long-distance moves with motivated individuals who want to be paid back for their hard labor and efforts
- Those who have help from friends, family, or third-party packing crews
- Those wanting a flexible timeline or full control
2. Full PPM Option #2: Portable Containers & Freight Services
Portable container companies and self-moving freight services both offer a creative middle ground between DIY and full-service moves. It's an ideal option if you want full control over packing & loading without the hassle of driving a large moving truck, since they will transport the shipment on your behalf. However, military families should be aware that costs for these services will likely be higher than rental equipment, and sometimes might exceed reimbursement rates. The Department of Defense advises: Always check reimbursement rates and get moving quotes before choosing a method.
Pros:
- Convenience: Containers and freight companies deliver right to your home, and you can load/unload at your own pace within a given window.
- More Affordable than Full-Service: Generally cheaper than hiring professional full-service interstate movers.
- Storage Options: Many companies offer storage if you need time before unloading. This can be especially helpful when navigating temporary housing during your PCS move.
- Door-to-Door Delivery: In many cases, your items will go from origin to destination with few stops or transitions through warehouses. They also typically have more accurate transit times than military movers.
- Freight Services Billing Method: Many of the freight transport companies will only charge you for the amount of space used on the truck, as they can block it off and use the remaining space for other shipments.
Cons:
- Limited Flexibility: You must work within the company's schedule and you may have a set window to load and unload your items.
- Space Constraints: Portable containers may not work for larger moves as they come in fixed sizes, so you may need to pay for multiple units.
- Additional Costs: Expect higher costs than a full do-it-yourself move. Some charge extra for delivery, pickup, or storage. Be sure to also ask your container company what types of coverage they offer, if any, and discuss with your insurance agent about what other coverage may be needed.
- May Not Be Fully Reimbursed: For military members, this still falls under the "PPM" umbrella and you will be responsible for fronting these costs. Be sure to calculate reimbursement rates, as not all costs may be covered.
- May Not Service Your Area: Be sure to call and ask if they service your region, as not all companies will service every single part of the country.
Best For:
- Long-distance moves with somewhat flexible timing
- Those who need temporary storage
- Individuals looking for a semi-DIY option but have the budget to outsource the job
- Those who want to save money but avoid driving a moving truck
- Small furniture containers are ideal for smaller moves with less household goods. The larger freight containers/full truckloads are ideal for any size move.
3. Partial PPM: A Hybrid Option
A partial PPM is, in a sense, utilizing the best of both worlds: outsourcing the bulk of the work to military-contracted movers, while also opting to transport some things yourself. This approach is covered in detail in our Military PCS Quick Guide Q&A. You'll want to make sure you consult with the right offices to complete documentation, and you'll need to obtain empty/full weight tickets of your vehicle or rental equipment. Assuming all PPM regulations are met, you can be reimbursed for the weight and distance of the items moved on your own.
Be sure to separate these items and communicate with military movers about which items won't be getting packed and loaded on their truck. Some things people might choose to move themselves include: mattresses, bedding, medical equipment, suitcases & clothing, high-value or sentimental items, pet necessities, personal documents, basic kitchen items, and any other urgent or useful items. Creating a PCS Binder can help you keep these important documents organized during transport.
