Military Storage

• Visit your military financial center to learn about available travel and transportation stipends.
• Consider whether you’ll move your belongings yourself or hire a moving company.
• The Do-It-Yourself (DITY) move program can reimburse you for moving your own items—offering more control and potential cost savings.

Ask yourself

• How much space will I need? Use a storage calculator to avoid paying for a unit that’s too large.
• What will I store? Small boxes, furniture, vehicles, or even boats?
• Will I need climate control for sensitive items?
• How important is security? Look for features like gated access, cameras, lighting, and onsite management.

• Many facilities offer military discounts for active-duty personnel and their families.
• Look for long-term rental specials if you’ll be deployed for extended periods.
• Ask about prepayment discounts to save money.

• Online and automatic payments—ideal for deployments in remote areas.
• Packing and moving supplies available onsite.
• Truck rental services—sometimes included at no extra cost.

DIY vs. Professional Movers

• DIY Move: More control and cost savings, but requires more labor and responsibility.
• Professional Movers: Faster, often safer for belongings, but higher cost and requires careful vetting to avoid scams.

Before contacting movers, know

• Your moving date (and if you can choose an off-peak day for possible discounts).
• Your origin and destination (local, cross-country, or overseas).
• The number of rooms and large items to be moved.
• Whether you want packing services or will handle small items yourself.
• The replacement value of your items for insurance coverage.

• Ask for recommendations from friends, family, or your real estate agent.
• Research companies online—look for independent review sites like Yelp and 123Movers.com.
• Avoid sites that sell your information to multiple movers.
• Verify licensing, insurance, and memberships (e.g., American Moving and Storage Association).
• Check records with the Better Business Bureau and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

• Get at least three to four in-home estimates—scammers often avoid in-person visits.
• Show movers everything you plan to move.
• Inform them of potential challenges like stairs, narrow hallways, or difficult driveway access.
• Don’t choose solely on price—reputation matters.

• Read every part of the contract—ask for clarifications, cross out unclear terms, and have changes initialed.
• Confirm arrangements a few days before the move.
• Attend all inventory counts and truck weigh-ins.
• Keep all documents in a safe place.