À la carte movers offer an in-between option for a PPM/DITY move. Instead of the all-or-nothing choice of doing every bit of labor yourself or hiring a full-service mover, an à la carte service lets you pick and choose: packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking are typically offered as separate add-ons.
Want to save money? Select as few add-ons as possible. Don't want the hassle of a particular step? Pay to have professionals handle just that piece.
This can be a good fit if a full PPM feels like too much, but you still don't want to hand the whole move over to a full-service company. It's worth calling around, since which services are offered à la carte (and at what price) varies by company and by region.
Vet the company before you sign anything
You're still trusting someone else with your belongings for part of the move, so vet them the same way you would a full-service mover. Military OneSource's PPM fact sheet warns about “rogue operators” — movers who quote low, then inflate the price after loading your belongings, or hold your property until you pay more. It lists these red flags: low-ball quotes that are too good to be true; being contacted by a moving broker rather than the actual moving company; a demand for a cash or electronic bank deposit as a down payment before your move; and inconsistencies in how the company presents itself. Legitimate brokers do exist, so know which entity is arranging your move (the broker), which one actually transports it (the carrier), and which contract governs. Before you sign anything, get:
- The exact business name, address, and role of the actual carrier — verify it yourself on the FMCSA's Protect Your Move site.
- A written estimate with inventory, pricing basis, included services, and whether it's binding, nonbinding, or another defined form.
- Any deposit, cancellation, rescheduling, and payment terms in writing — Military OneSource lists a cash or electronic bank deposit demanded as a down payment before your move as a red flag.
- A copy of every document before your belongings leave — never sign a blank contract.
Don't hand over or wire a deposit to a company you haven't verified. Treat unusually low prices as a reason for extra scrutiny, and check Better Business Bureau reviews as a supplement, not a substitute, for the checks above.
Other PPM/DITY options:
Check it yourself
Mover registration, coverage, and red flags are described by these sources. Rules, prices, and instructions change and differ by service, installation, and provider — open the sources below, confirm the current details for yourself, and get your move's specifics from your transportation office in writing.
Helpful Hints
- Always ask for a military discount.
- Make sure you understand the Bill of Lading and any other documents you're asked to sign.
- Understand valuation before you sign. Under federal rules, full-value protection is the coverage a covered interstate mover must offer unless you waive it in writing; the no-cost waiver option (released value) pays only 60 cents per pound per article. Ask which applies to your selected services.
- Contact your local legal office and ask whether they can help if you need to file a damage claim against the company you select.