PCS Move Checklist: What to Do With Everything That Won't Fit in the Truck
For Fort Novosel & Daleville Military Families · Updated May 2026
PCS orders hit different when you're staring at a living room full of furniture and a move-out date that's two weeks away. You already know the military will ship your gear. What nobody tells you is what to do with the couch you bought at Walmart in 2021, the dryer that's "almost new," and the garage full of stuff you've been meaning to deal with for three years.
We've helped a lot of Fort Novosel families work through exactly this. Here's what actually works.
First: Figure Out What's Going and What's Staying
The moving company only covers so much weight. Most PCS moves have a weight allowance, and you don't want to burn it on a sectional sofa you're planning to replace anyway. Go room by room and be honest with yourself.
Three piles: ships with you, sells/donates, gets hauled. That last pile is where we come in.
Try to Sell First - But Give Yourself a Deadline
Fort Novosel has a huge Facebook Marketplace community. If something has value - a good dresser, a washer/dryer set, kids' furniture - list it. You can move stuff fast on post because there's always someone incoming who needs exactly what you're selling.
But here's the thing: give yourself a hard deadline. If it doesn't sell in 5 days, stop waiting on it. We've seen too many families lose their deposit because they were waiting on a varies Facebook sale that never came through.
When the deadline hits, call us. Same-day service is available.
What to Do With Appliances You Can't Take
Washers, dryers, refrigerators - these are the big ones. You usually can't take them because of weight, or because the next duty station comes furnished.
- If it works: List it on Fort Novosel's Facebook groups. Working appliances sell within hours.
- If it's broken or you can't sell it fast: We'll haul it. We disconnect it, carry it out, and dispose of it properly. You don't touch it.
- Don't leave it on the curb: That can come back on you with base housing and cost more than just calling someone.
The Garage and Storage Unit Problem
Garages and storage units are where PCS moves go sideways. Three years of accumulated stuff - tools, holiday decorations, kids' outdoor toys, random boxes from the last move - and you have two weeks to deal with all of it.
Don't try to sort through all of it box by box. Make a "keep" pile and put everything else out for us. One truck, one trip. We'll take the whole mess.
Timeline: When to Call for Junk Removal
Get orders. Make your three piles. List what you can sell on Facebook/Marketplace.
Sales deadline hits. Whatever's left - call us. We can often come same day or next day. Leave it for us, don't haul it to the curb.
Property should be clear. Walk-through with housing goes smooth. Deposit back in full.
We work around your timeline. If you need us there on a specific morning because that's when movers clear out and leave - tell us. We'll be there.
PCS orders just came in?
Call us now. We serve Fort Novosel, Daleville, and all of the Wiregrass. Same-day service available.
📞 Call (334) 643-1176Related: Junk Removal Near Fort Novosel · Daleville Junk Removal · Junk Removal Pricing
PCS Move FAQs
What should I do with furniture that won't fit my PCS weight allowance?
Sort everything into three piles — ships with you, sells or donates, or gets hauled away. Items you're planning to replace anyway shouldn't eat into your moving weight allowance.
Should I try to sell furniture before calling a junk removal service?
Yes, but set a hard deadline — Fort Novosel's Facebook Marketplace community moves items fast, but if something hasn't sold in about 5 days, stop waiting on it so you don't risk losing your move-out deposit over a sale that never comes through.
What should I do with appliances I can't take to my next duty station?
If the appliance still works, list it on Fort Novosel's Facebook groups — working appliances typically sell within hours. If it's broken or won't sell in time, have it hauled and properly disposed of rather than left on the curb.
Why shouldn't I just leave unwanted items on the curb before a PCS move?
Leaving items on the curb can come back on you through base housing rules and end up costing more than simply calling a junk removal service to handle it properly.
How should I handle a garage or storage unit full of years of accumulated stuff?
Don't sort through it box by box under a tight deadline — make a single “keep” pile and put everything else out for pickup in one truck, one trip.
