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. Official DoD guidance warns about “rogue operators” — movers who quote low, then inflate the price after loading your belongings, or hold your property until you pay more. Know which entity is arranging your move (a broker), which one actually transports it (the carrier), and which contract governs — legitimate brokers exist and aren't automatically a red flag, but you need to know who's who. 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 for an interstate mover its absence is a red flag).
- 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.
- The deposit, cancellation, rescheduling, payment, storage, and delivery-window terms in writing.
- A copy of every document before your belongings leave — never sign a blank contract or a coerced revision.
Treat unusually low prices and large cash-only demands as reasons for extra scrutiny, and check Better Business Bureau reviews as a supplement — not a substitute for the checks above.
Other PPM/DITY options:
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. Released-value liability (often the default) pays a fraction of a dollar per pound per article, regardless of an item's actual worth — full-value protection costs more but covers repair, replacement, or a cash settlement. Ask which one the estimate includes and what full-value coverage would cost.
- 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.