-
-
MilLife Topics
- Military Life Cycle
- Family & Relationships
- Moving & Housing
- Back to Menu
- Moving & Housing
- Moving
- OCONUS Moves
- Housing
- Financial & Legal
- Education & Employment
- Health & Wellness
- Recreation, Travel & Shopping
- Service Providers & Leaders
National Guard
- Benefits & Resources
- Benefits
- Tools & Resources
- Back to Menu
- Tools & Resources
- MilLife Learning
- Podcasts
- Webinars
- Websites
- Mobile Apps
- Popular Tools & Resources
- Moving Personal Property & DPS Login
- MilitaryINSTALLATIONS
- Plan My Move
- Products
- I am a…
- Confidential Help
24/7/365 Access to Support
No matter where you serve or live, free and confidential help is available.
In Crisis?
Call the Military Crisis Line at 800-273-8255 and press 1, or text 838255.
Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800−799−7233.
Log In
- 800-342-9647
- Call Us OCONUS
- Call Us TTY/TDD
- Live Chat
- About Us
-
Contact Military OneSource
Information and support for service members and their families. About the Call Center.
- 800-342-9647
- Call Us OCONUS
- Call Us TTY/TDD
- Additional Ways to Contact Us
Taking inventory of your belongings is one way to master your move and take control of your relocation to your new duty station. Don’t leave the tracking of your items up to the movers. Knowing exactly what you’ve got and where it’s stored can help make for a smooth transition when you unpack in your new home. Here are some tips on how to conduct an inventory:
Received PCS Orders? Make your move a smart move.
Once you receive your PCS orders, it’s important to coordinate your move immediately. Follow seven steps to make your household goods move a smart move.
- Take pictures and videos of your items.
- Record the serial numbers.
- Keep your inventory list in a safe place like the cloud or a safe deposit box.
- Update your list often.
The movers will inventory your household goods, but their list won’t account for the value or condition of your belongings. Making your own inventory is the best way to cover all your bases.
Technology makes it easy
You’ll just need a smartphone or a camera and a computer to make the list. You can also find free online home inventory mobile apps and software, or ask your insurance company for a recommendation. Here’s what to record:
- Item name, description and condition.
- Number of items, (for example, “12 silver forks”).
- Model and serial number, if applicable.
- Purchase information: where and when you bought it, the cost, an estimate of its current value, and whether you have the receipt (photograph or scan it if you do).
- Photo data, such as filename or number, and how it’s tagged in your files.
Now it’s time to take photos or videos of your valuables. Record specific brand names for any high-priced items. To get top-quality photos and video, follow these steps:
- Unclutter the area. Put away your stray socks and tidy up around the house before you photograph your valuables so they can be clearly seen.
- Capture every room and photograph everything. Photograph high-value items separately, and don’t forget small items; they can add up if you need to replace them all. Don’t forget to include the camera or digital device you’re using, too.
- Photograph from all sides to show the condition and any brand names. Write the serial number on an index card or sticky note to label the item before you photograph it.
- Open cabinets, drawers and closets. Get close-up shots of these areas for an overview of what’s inside them.
- Don’t forget the garage or attic. Take pictures both inside and outside to capture everything.
- Talk while you walk when shooting video. You can add a lot of details if you narrate your video. Make some notes beforehand so you don’t forget any details.
- Keep your list, photos and/or video somewhere safe. They won’t help you much if they get lost it in the move. Keep a flash drive copy in a fireproof safe or a safe deposit box, use a cloud storage site or ask your insurance company if they have an electronic storage option.
- Remember to update your inventory. Make sure to record any new items you get, especially high-value ones.
Make a list, update it and keep it safe. A strong inventory can make unpacking in your new home much smoother so that you can seize the adventure of your move.
Check out other ways you can master your move with Military OneSource »
Installation Program Directory
Find programs and services at your local installation.You are about to leave the Military OneSource site.The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense of non-U.S. Government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the Department of Defense may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for Department of Defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.
Your session will expire in 5 minutes.Click "Extend" below to stay logged in.
This site is for testing purposes only.If you are part of the general public, navigate to the public site. This site is soley for testing and approving site pages before they are released to the general public.