1. Cleaning, maintenance, and disassembling major appliances or backyard playscapes before you move can cost you more than you expected, so be sure to plan ahead.
2. It’s probably not a big surprise that breaking a lease can cause you to lose your security deposit, but under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), your PCS orders might qualify you to break your lease without losing your deposit. Consult your base legal office if you need additional help.
3. Remember, you’re responsible for paying shipping expenses for items that exceed DoD weight limits. So, now might be a good time to lighten the load by having a yard sale! This might also help you avoid or reduce the costs of long-term storage for the stuff you plan to leave behind.
4. It might make sense to purchase additional insurance on your household goods to cover potential losses beyond what the DoD will reimburse. Check with your renters or homeowners insurance provider to make sure you’re adequately covered.
5. The cost of house hunting is your responsibility. The good news is, your spouse can take permissive temporary duty (TDY) to do it! The bad news is the DoD doesn’t pay for travel or lodging expenses, so just like all the potential housing expenses we’ve covered today, you should budget accordingly.

While these five things certainly don’t cover all of the expenses you might incur before your move, making sure you at least address them, should be a big help.

Now that we’ve talked about potential housing-related expenses you might incur before a PCS, let’s “shift gears” and talk about some vehicle-related items.

A lot of this, will depend on where you’re moving to and how you plan to get your vehicles there.

Let’s first explore four vehicle-related items that will apply to all PCS moves. Then, let’s look at a handful of points specific to OCONUS moves, which are moves outside of the continental United States.

• Insurance
  Rates can vary from one location to the next. So, be sure to get informed and adjust your budget accordingly. Of course, you will also want to take this opportunity to notify your insurance provider that you’re moving so that you can get your policies updated.
• Maintenance
  Whether your PCS is stateside or overseas, now is probably a good time to get your vehicle ready for a safe trip or make sure it’s in good shape for when it gets to you. This could include things like getting new tires or brakes and getting an oil change. So, depending on the condition of your vehicle, you may need to set aside some money for this.
• Vehicle Stays Behind
  What if you’re not planning to take your vehicle, but instead plan to sell it or put it in storage? In this case, be sure to allocate money for transportation costs to get to your new location and, to get around once you’re there.
• Leases
  If you currently lease your vehicle, you may be able to break the lease under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. If this applies to you, check with your base legal office for more help.

Now let’s look at some additional considerations if your move is outside the continental United States.

• Number of Vehicles
  Think about how many vehicles you plan to take. If you’re moving more than one vehicle, YOU will likely be paying for the extras. The government only pays for the shipment of one vehicle to overseas assignments, and usually only pays what it would cost to drive one vehicle from station to station in the continental United States. There may be exceptions, so check first with your command and your Travel Management Office.
• Parts
  Consider purchasing extra maintenance-related parts before you leave, since it may be hard to find them overseas, they could cost more, or there could be added expenses if you need them shipped.
• Storage
  If you plan to store your car instead of moving it, the government will pay storage fees up front. There may be exceptions to this, so confirm with your Travel Management Office first. Keep in mind that stored vehicles must remain in storage for the duration of the authorization orders.
• Leased/Financed Vehicle
  If you have a leased or financed vehicle, you may not be allowed to move your car overseas. Check with your leasing or financing company to learn what is permissible in your situation.

Now, let’s talk about some expenses you might have to deal with. These could include things like dinners out, and goodbye parties with friends. Or, if you’re moving overseas, there are several additional items to consider.

We’re talking about things like medical screening for dependents, immunizations, prescription refills, wisdom teeth extractions or braces.

Remember additional expenses you might incur for your pets, like immunizations, transportation costs, and quarantine fees.

It’s a good idea to prepare for the costs associated with passports and visas when transferring overseas. These vary based on whether the passport is new or being renewed. Even though these costs may be reimbursed with command approval. It’s still something to be prepared for.

Also, be aware that passport applications for children under 16 require the presence of both parents, even if they are estranged. 

For more information on passport fees visit the State Department website at: www.travel.state.gov/passports.

That’s it for the major expenses before you PCS. 

Although there are many different costs associated with a PCS, it’s smart to try to calculate reliable estimates ahead of time to avoid surprises.