DITY Movers

If you’re a military member, moving is a way of life. While you generally don’t have a say in where you move, you do have some control over how you move.

When faced with a PCS (permanent change of station), military families have to decide on what moving process makes the most sense for their family. This is where the moving experts at John Ferguson Moving & Storage can help.

As El Paso movers since 2006, John Ferguson Moving & Storage is well-equipped to help service members prepare for and carry out their next move. We can help you plan for your move and help you understand all of your options. If you are interested in saving money on your next military move, give us a call today.

Do-It-Yourself Military Move

A DITY move (or Do-It-Yourself move) is not exactly what it sounds like. The service member and family do not have to do all the work by themselves. This simply means that you are taking the reins on the move, rather than having the military move you.

There are pros and cons to a DITY move, also called a personally procured move (PPM). The biggest pro, and the reason this is a popular option, is that you could stand to walk away with a small profit on your move by taking charge yourself.

When the military issues its orders, service members are given certain parameters to work with. More specifically, if the military moves you on its trailers, you are given a weight limit, depending on your rank and other factors. For any weight that is above that amount, the military will charge you extra.

Another option is that you could opt for a DITY move, and you will be given a budget to work with. This is typically 95 percent of the cost that the military would spend if it moved you. If your move costs more than that amount, the additional cost will come out of your pocket. But if your move comes in at less than the amount the Department of Defense has offered for your PCS move, you get to keep the remainder.

Knowing this, many young military families decide to embark on a DITY move, hoping to have leftover funds for furnishing their new place, getting involved in activities in their new city or town — or even just putting the money in the bank for a rainy day.

Planning a DITY Move

The first question to ask when you are planning a DITY move is: How much will this cost? That is the only way to determine if the cost will be worth the extra effort involved on your part. We know the moving process is a lot of work.

However, there are plus sides, in addition to the potential for profit.

• Your timeframe is a little more flexible. With a DITY move, you are the one who schedules the actual moving day. This is helpful when you have a family member who is wrapping up work or children who are finishing a school session.
• You will pack your own items. Packing your own items means that you can handle your items with great care, and there is a certain level of extra security involved in knowing that you are the only ones who know what the boxes contain, so your valuables (whether monetary value or sentimental) are protected.

Of course, planning a DITY move is stressful, and changing stations is no walk in the park, as you have to learn a new job as well as make sure your family’s needs are considered.

Another option is a partial DITY move, where you pack your household goods and hire a moving company to transport them for you. Rather than having to rent a truck and lift the heavy furniture and other items yourself, you can call on a professional crew, such as the movers at John Ferguson Moving & Storage.

We can provide you with moving boxes, packing materials and packing tips. We also offer full-service packing and unpacking, should the workload become too much to handle.

We also offer long-term storage and short-term storage in our climate-controlled, secure warehouse. If you are moving overseas, you may decide to keep items in a secure vault for safekeeping.

Get A Free DITY Moving Estimate from John Ferguson Moving & Storage

If you are in the military and planning for an upcoming move, the professional movers at John Ferguson Moving & Storage can help you prepare for and organize your next move.

Since 2006, El Paso residents and military service members have relied on the trusted moving crew at John Ferguson Moving & Storage to help them save money and avoid headaches. We are grateful for your service and want to provide you with the best service we can provide in return.

To get a free, no-obligation DITY moving estimate, fill out this form or give us a call today at (915) 529-1980.