Moving Out Tips to PCS Like a Pro
We all know that the PCS journey can be full of ups and downs.
Making everything work while getting ready to PCS is stressful and even though at times, we rely on military resources to make it all work out it is always better to do as much preparing on your own for a smoother road ahead.
Here are some helpful tips to make your pcs process easier and more manageable when it comes to moving out:
1. Declutter your home!
Minimal is in, so take advantage of that latest Netflix show on house organization and declutter. This will make packing way simpler and you will not have to worry about every single piece in your home to account for. Something that helps is starting to sell stuff. Once you have hard orders or a pack out day spend a couple days separating the items that could be sold and have a yard sale or team up with your neighbors to have a block yard sale for a better and bigger turn out. If you cannot sell everything you can always donate the items you do not want to your local thrift stores or donations centers. If you do not have the time to drop off donations giving them away to a family who just moved to your neighborhood or posting a curb alert of your community’s Facebook page works too.
A resource that always helps is knowing your entitlements before you move and the weight limit allowed for your household. You do not want to go over your limit otherwise the excess comes out of your pocket. For more information on your entitlements you can check out https://move.mil/entitlements
2. Clean up!
Once you have a date for your move and have started decluttering it is a good idea to start doing some cleaning around your home so that in the end your house whether selling or renting will not have much to work on last minute. If you are living on military housing start making a list of things that need to be replaced such as blinds, door handles and stoppers; and home repairs that maintenance can take care of before you let your housing office know you are moving …work on making your moving out cost minimal. You can visit your leasing office and request a move out check list to know everything that will be expected from you when you leave.
3. One room at the time.
Life will be chaotic, do not make it a bigger mess. Start working on your move out check list one room at the time. Start decluttering, cleaning, labeling per room instead of making a huge mess in your living room or all over the house.
Start labeling items from each room to keep everything organized, color coding works too! Pack items how you want to find them as you unpack or put items together in groups for the movers to know they go together. Get rid of things you do not want packed otherwise the movers will put in a box for your next duty station.
4. Proof
We all know and have heard stories of pcs moves gone wrong, things getting damaged during shipping, items missing… take photos and make notes of the items you cherish, the items that are expensive and the items that have a bit too many pieces. Take photos of your TVs with the screen on, take photos of your collection pieces, your exercise equipment, anything fragile…
The claims process might be easier if you are better prepared.
5. Create a binder
Organization is key. You do not want to leave out anything important you might need. Creating a binder with all the information you might need during your move is very important and can be very helpful. You can have everything in it: passports, shot records, household goods inventory, copy of orders, marriage certificate, travel reservations, insurance documents and more.
HHG can take up to more than 6 weeks depending on where you are heading to. You really want certain documents on hand to get started once you arrive to your destination.
6. Moving out with children.
Make specific lists for your children, more so if they tend to like certain items that might make your life easier. That stuffed animal your baby sleeps with every night (don’t let the movers take him), the night light your daughter has to have on (staying with you), a light stroller for travel (don’t let it go), the tablets for games, the pacifiers, the headphones, activities for traveling (put them aside, you will need them).
7. Unaccompanied baggage.
You are entitled for unaccompanied baggage for Oconus moves. This is a small subset from your allowed weight that is expedited to your new duty station. Use unaccompanied baggage to pack items that you will need faster than your HHG. Many families pack some kitchen items like pots and pans, cutlery, bedding, towels, work uniforms, pack and plays, baby carriages, light housekeeping items…
Unaccompanied baggage is usually packed by movers prior to your set HHG pack out date. Make a check list for these items to know what you will need.
8. Show some appreciation!
The day your movers come show them a little appreciation and treat them to some lunch. Many families order pizza others have cold beverages and snacks available. Whatever it is showing that you appreciate their work goes a long way.
You can also ask them if they have a preference according to your budget. Some movers will not want anything but drinks. Good to ask.
9. Keep your receipts.
The military will cover most of your move, that means they will need your receipts to make reimbursements on your spending. Anything from hotel stays, per diem allowance for meals and incidentals and pov mileage. Keep receipts on your move out walk through inspection, utilities when closing accounts…
You do not want a local company billing you for service that you did not use and it is good to have proof.
10. Do not ship small valuables.
Things like cash and jewelry should be with you throughout your move. Do not have the movers pack it. Things like these can travel with you to your next destination.
Hopefully you can use these tips through out your move out experience to make things a bit less hectic. It is also great to use community pages such as this one to ask others about their own experience. The military community is always great at sharing information on what worked for them during their pcs.
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