For the men and women who serve in our military, relocating is a part of life. And while the Department of Defense (DoD) stands ready to cover all the costs and logistics of your Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move, you do have the option of doing it yourself your own way: by initiating a Personally Procured Move (PPM).
Done right, a PPM can actually put some extra cash in your pocket. With some help from labor-only movers, you can pocket that cash without breaking your back. How? Let’s break it down.
The Difference Between HHGs and PPMs
There are a few more detailed differences between the types of moves, but in general, a Household Goods Move (HHG) is where the DoD takes care of everything, from the planning to the logistics to all the financial details.
But with a PPM, you tackle all that stuff yourself and get reimbursed afterward, up to 95% of what an HHG move would have cost (depending on your rank).
Important note: PPMs are generally limited to moves within the contiguous 48 states.
How much does an HHG move cost?
Put simply, the cost of an HHG move is based on weight and distance.
To calculate the cost of your HHG (the move where they do everything for you), the DoD already knows how far you’re moving, so what they need to know is how much your stuff weighs.
“The cost of transporting professional gear does not count against your reimbursement total, so [this gear] should not be included when you have your loaded truck weighed.”
On an HHG move, the moving truck they supply will be weighed before your belongings are loaded up, and weighed again after everything is loaded. The difference shown on the two weight tickets issued by the weigh station master will determine the cost of your move.
You can contact your installation Relocation Assistance office to go into more detail and the expected costs of your move.
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How much does a PPM move cost?
When you execute a PPM, you yourself will need to weigh your rental truck before you load up, weigh it again after you load, and then once more before you unload at your new home. After all that is done, you turn in your weight tickets. Be sure to keep copies of the tickets for yourself, as well as any other receipts.
Find a weigh station by entering your location here, or on the scale locator offered by Penske or CAT.
Get The Most Out of Your Reimbursement on a PPM Move
Maximizing your reimbursement means minimizing your moving expenses. The most cost-efficient PPM is one in which you do everything yourself: renting, loading, driving, and unloading. This works for some, but it’s not for everyone.
Save money and your back by hiring movers
A smart way to go is by hiring labor-only movers.
You still pay to rent a rental truck and then drive it, but your movers load your belongings at the origin and unload at the destination, taking that huge strain off your own back.
There is usually a two-mover, two-hour minimum, and depending on the going rates for movers in your location, this will run between $150-350. However, your home might need more movers or more time to load and unload all your things. There are a few ways to estimate how many movers you’ll need, but generally, the bigger your house, the more hands you need to hire.
“PPMs are generally limited to moves within the contiguous 48 states.”
However, if you compare this cost to even a conservative price estimate of full-service (they do it all for you) movers, you’ll likely come in considerably lower than the amount you’ll be reimbursed. And your back will be intact.
Using a portable storage container
Another option is renting a portable storage container instead of a truck. When you reserve a portable container, it’s delivered empty to your home, picked up when it gets loaded, and then delivered to your new home on the dates you request (within allowable time frames and barring any unforeseen obstacles).
While a portable container may cost a bit more than a rental truck, it’s still more cost-efficient than an HHG move. It also allows for more flexibility in terms of time: you load it at your own pace and have it delivered to your new home when you’re ready.
As with a rental truck, you can load your portable container yourself, or you can spend a couple hundred bucks to hire movers to load it and/or unload it for you. Either way, you’ll likely still be coming in below that reimbursement threshold.
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What Else You Can Be Reimbursed For
It turns out, a PCS involves expenses far beyond simply getting your belongings moved. Here are some more tips to help soften the blow of those extras and unforeseen circumstances.
Can I get help with travel and lodging expenses?
The DoD offers a Dislocation Allowance (DLA) to cover travel and transportation — among other things — for you and your family. Get started by visiting the Defense Travel Management Office’s website.
“There is usually a two-mover, two-hour minimum [for labor-only movers], and depending on the going rates for movers in your location, this will run between $150-350”
If you can’t move into your new home right away, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service offers a Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) to help cover lodging and meals during a stay in temporary housing.
What if I have a lot of important equipment?
Items necessary to perform your military duties are collectively referred to as “professional gear” and includes uniforms, books, manuals, medals and ceremonial uniform items, and special equipment. The cost of transporting professional gear does not count against your reimbursement total, so these should not be included when you have your loaded truck weighed.
Make sure to check out the wealth of information offered by Military One Source. They can help make it easier to execute your PPM while maximizing that reimbursement.
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Yes, the PCS is indeed a part of military life. Combining a PPM with the resources at your disposal and a labor-only move crew at your door you can make your next move both easy on your back and good for your pocket.