Full-service movers do pretty much everything. They'll send a team to pack everything in your house into boxes, disassemble beds and other items as needed, load the truck at origin, and unload it at destination. You can even ask them to unpack and haul away the boxes at your new home. Ask about all of these services when you talk to a company — some may cost extra.
Ensure the company you select will supply certified weight tickets — you'll need these to claim your reimbursement, and your TO can tell you the current requirements for how they need to be annotated.
Vet the company before you sign anything
Hiring a commercial mover means trusting them with everything you own, so vet them carefully. 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 (registration isn't an endorsement, but Military OneSource recommends using a mover registered with the federal government — check the site yourself).
- A written estimate with inventory, pricing basis, included services, and a clear statement of whether it's binding, nonbinding, or another defined form — and what permits a change.
- Any deposit, cancellation, rescheduling, payment, storage, and delivery-window terms in writing — and remember that 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 or a coerced revision.
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
- Full-service movers are good at estimating weight. Ask if they'll send someone out to give you an in-person estimate — it's usually quick, and the quote comes along with it.
- Always ask for a military discount. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It never hurts to ask.
- Make sure you understand the Bill of Lading and any other documents you're asked to sign.
- Understand valuation before you sign, not after something breaks. 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 regardless of an item's actual worth (FMCSA). Ask which one your estimate includes and what full-value coverage costs.
- Contact your local legal office and ask whether they can help if you need to file a damage claim against the moving company you select.