Military PCS moving costs at Dobbins ARB: what Wirks charges and why

If you are PCSing to or from Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia, your moving costs will depend on three things: which type of move you choose (government HHG, personally procured move, or a partial PPM), how much weight you are shipping, and what services you need beyond basic transportation. This guide explains how each move type works for Dobbins-area military families, what drives the cost of a privately hired mover like Wirks Moving and Storage, and when hiring a professional mover as part of a PPM makes financial sense versus when the government HHG route is the better call.

The short version: Dobbins ARB has no on-base housing, so every PCS move here involves an off-base destination in Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw, or the surrounding Cobb County area. For a PPM or partial PPM, the military reimburses you up to 100% of the Government Constructed Cost (GCC) for the weight you move. If you hire a licensed mover like Wirks to handle your PPM, your out-of-pocket cost is whatever Wirks charges minus whatever the government reimburses. Cost factors include distance, shipment weight, packing services, time of year, storage needs, and access difficulty at your origin and destination. Peak PCS season (May through August) is the most expensive and hardest to schedule window. This article breaks down each factor so you can run your own math before deciding.

In this guide

• What makes a Dobbins ARB move different
• The three PCS move types and how costs work for each
• What drives the cost when you hire a mover for a PPM
• The PPM math: how to figure out if hiring a mover works in your favor
• The storage gap: a common Dobbins PCS problem
• Honest trade-offs: when to hire a mover and when to let the government handle it
• Frequently asked questions
• Get a quote for your Dobbins ARB PCS move

What makes a Dobbins ARB move different

Dobbins Air Reserve Base is a multi-service installation in Marietta, Georgia, approximately 20 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta. It is home to the 94th Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve Command), the headquarters of Twenty-Second Air Force, Georgia Army National Guard aviation units, and Navy and Marine Corps Reserve units. More than 2,000 Reserve and civilian personnel are assigned to the base.

The critical detail for PCS planning: Dobbins ARB does not offer on-base housing. Every service member and family arriving on PCS orders will live off-base, using their Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to rent or buy in the surrounding communities. The most common off-base areas are Marietta, Smyrna, and Kennesaw, all within 10 to 15 minutes of the main gate. This means your move always involves a civilian address on at least one end, which is relevant to both the government HHG process and the logistics of a PPM.

Wirks Moving and Storage operates its Marietta headquarters at 1470 Field Park Circle NW, Marietta, GA 30066, approximately four miles from the Dobbins ARB main gate. We have handled moves in this area for 16 years and are familiar with the neighborhoods, apartment complexes, and HOA communities where Dobbins personnel typically live.

The three PCS move types and how costs work for each

1. Government HHG move

The military contracts a moving company (currently through the HomeSafe Alliance under the Global Household Goods Contract) to pack, ship, and deliver your household goods. You pay nothing within your authorized weight allowance. If your shipment exceeds your weight limit, you pay 100% of the overage out of pocket. You do not choose the mover.

Advantages

Zero upfront cost and a formal claims process if items are damaged.

Disadvantages

Less control over timing, packing quality, and which crew handles your belongings.

2. Personally Procured Move (PPM, formerly DITY)

You arrange your own move, using any combination of rental trucks, portable containers, or hired professional movers. The government reimburses you up to 100% of the Government Constructed Cost (GCC) for the actual weight you transport, verified by certified weight tickets. If you spend less than the GCC, you keep the difference. If you spend more, the overage is yours. The reimbursement is taxable income, but active-duty members can deduct unreimbursed moving expenses on IRS Form 3903.

Important for 2026

PPM reimbursement rates are now tied to HomeSafe Alliance contract rates, which may be lower than what it actually costs to hire a commercial mover. The automatic profit assumption from prior years is no longer guaranteed.

3. Partial PPM

The government ships most of your household goods via HHG, and you personally move a portion (typically high-value, fragile, or time-sensitive items). You receive PPM reimbursement for the weight you move yourself. This is often the most practical option for families who want the convenience of a government move for the bulk shipment but want personal control over specific items.

What drives the cost when you hire a mover for a PPM

Whether you hire Wirks or any other licensed mover for your PPM, the same set of factors determines your price. Understanding these factors is how you control your costs and how you compare quotes accurately.

The seven cost factors

Distance

What it means

Miles between your origin and destination.

How it affects your price

Local moves (under 50 miles) are priced hourly. Long-distance moves (over 50 miles or out of state) are priced by weight and distance.

Shipment weight / volume

What it means

How much stuff you are moving, measured in pounds or cubic feet.

How it affects your price

More weight means more labor, more truck space, and higher cost. Staying within your military weight allowance also keeps you from paying overages on the government side.

Packing services

What it means

Whether the movers pack your boxes or you do it yourself.

How it affects your price

Full-service packing adds significant cost but saves time and reduces damage risk. Self-packing is cheaper but not covered under government HHG damage claims.

Time of year

What it means

When your move happens.

How it affects your price

Peak PCS season (May through August) is the most expensive window. Movers are in highest demand, and scheduling flexibility is lowest. Fall and winter moves are typically easier to schedule and less expensive.

Access difficulty

What it means

Stairs, elevators, long carry distances, narrow hallways.

How it affects your price

Third-floor walk-ups, high-rise elevator reservations, and houses with long driveways all add time and labor.

Storage

What it means

Whether you need temporary storage between residences.

How it affects your price

If your move-out and move-in dates do not align, you need a storage solution. Wirks offers vaulted and palletized warehouse storage; costs are based on volume and duration.

Specialty items

What it means

Pianos, gun safes, pool tables, oversized furniture.

How it affects your price

Items requiring extra equipment or specialized handling are priced separately.

Wirks Moving and Storage does not publish a rate card because every move is different. For a detailed explanation of how local and long-distance moving costs are structured, see our pricing guide. For a quote specific to your PCS move, call (678) 290-9972 or use the online quote form. For complex or large moves, our video survey produces a more accurate estimate.

The PPM math: how to figure out if hiring a mover works in your favor

The financial logic of a PPM is simple in theory: the government gives you 100% of what it would have paid a contractor (the GCC), and if you can move for less than that amount, you keep the difference. In practice, the math has gotten tighter since the Global Household Goods Contract shifted PPM reimbursement calculations to HomeSafe Alliance contract rates rather than older commercial market rates. For some routes and weight classes, the GCC may be lower than the actual cost of hiring a professional mover on the open market.

How to run your own comparison before you decide

Step 1: Get a GCC estimate

Visit your Transportation Office (TMO) at Dobbins and get a GCC estimate for your specific weight, distance, and move date. This is the maximum the government will pay you for your PPM.

Step 2: Get written mover quotes

Get written quotes from two or three licensed movers (including Wirks if you would like) for the same scope of work.

Step 3: Compare the GCC to the mover quotes

If the GCC exceeds the mover's quote, you will pocket the difference minus taxes. If the mover's quote exceeds the GCC, you will pay the gap out of pocket.

Step 4: Factor in your other entitlements

Your DLA, MALT, per diem, and TLE are paid regardless of which move type you choose. They do not change the PPM math, but they do affect your total cash flow during the PCS.

If you are an E-5 or above with dependents, moving a moderate household (8,000 to 13,000 pounds) from another CONUS base to Dobbins, the GCC for that route may or may not cover the full cost of a professional mover. Get the numbers before you commit. A PPM with a hired mover is not automatically more expensive than a government HHG move, and it is not automatically cheaper. The only honest answer is: it depends on the numbers for your specific situation.

The storage gap: a common Dobbins PCS problem

Because Dobbins ARB has no on-base housing, your PCS almost certainly involves finding off-base housing in a competitive civilian market. Closing dates slip. Lease start dates do not always align with your report date. House-hunting leave (permissive TDY) gives you roughly 10 days, which is not always enough in a market like Cobb County where desirable rentals move quickly.

The result is a storage gap: your household goods arrive before your new home is ready, or your old lease ends before the movers can pick up. The government's Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) covers up to 14 days of hotel and meals for CONUS moves, but it does not cover storing your furniture.

Wirks Moving and Storage operates a 30,000-square-foot warehouse with 24/7 monitoring, offering vaulted and palletized storage options with a one-month minimum. If you are using Wirks for your PPM, your belongings stay with the same company from pickup through storage through delivery. There is no hand-off to a third party. For a PPM, storage-in-transit costs are reimbursable by the government with prior TMO approval, so make sure your storage plan is documented before your move.

Honest trade-offs: when to hire a mover and when to let the government handle it

A PPM with a hired mover like Wirks makes the most sense when:

• you want control over who handles your belongings and when;
• you have high-value or fragile items you do not want packed by a random government TSP crew;
• your move dates are tight and you cannot risk the scheduling uncertainty of a government HHG shipment;
• or you have run the GCC math and the numbers work in your favor.

A government HHG move makes the most sense when:

• you have a large household and the idea of managing a PPM for 12,000-plus pounds is not appealing;
• you are PCSing during peak season and cannot find a commercial mover with availability on your dates;
• the GCC for your route is lower than what commercial movers are quoting, which means a PPM would cost you money out of pocket;
• or you want the government's formal claims process as a safety net for damage.

A partial PPM is often the smartest middle ground:

Let the government ship the bulk of your household goods (furniture, heavy items) via HHG, and do a partial PPM for the items you want to personally control (electronics, firearms, valuables, irreplaceable family items). You receive PPM reimbursement for the weight you personally move, and you retain the government's damage claims process for the HHG portion.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Wirks Moving and Storage for a military PPM?

Yes. A PPM allows you to hire any licensed mover to handle your household goods. Wirks Moving and Storage holds MC 699457, USDOT 1942465, and GDPS 500873. You book and pay Wirks directly, then submit your receipts, weight tickets, and orders to your finance office for PPM reimbursement. Make sure you have TMO counseling and DD Form 2278 approval before the move.

How much does it cost to hire movers for a PCS at Dobbins ARB?

Cost depends on distance, weight, packing needs, time of year, and access at your origin and destination. For a local PCS move within Cobb County, costs are based on hourly labor. For a long-distance move from another base, costs are based on shipment weight and distance. Get a free estimate from Wirks by calling (678) 290-9972 or through the online quote form.

Is Dobbins ARB housing available on base?

No. Dobbins ARB does not offer on-base housing. All military personnel and families live off-base in surrounding communities such as Marietta, Smyrna, and Kennesaw. The Dobbins Housing Office can assist with finding housing; contact them at (678) 655-5000.

What is the PPM reimbursement rate for 2026?

As of fiscal year 2026, the PPM reimbursement rate is 100% of the Government Constructed Cost (GCC). The GCC is calculated based on HomeSafe Alliance contract rates for your specific weight, distance, and move date. The rate previously included a temporary 130% incentive that expired on October 1, 2025. Your TMO will provide a GCC estimate for your specific move.

Does Wirks offer storage for military PCS moves?

Yes. Wirks operates a 30,000-square-foot warehouse in Metro Atlanta with 24/7 monitoring. Storage options include vaulted and palletized storage with a one-month minimum. For PPM moves, storage-in-transit costs are reimbursable by the government with prior TMO approval. Visit the storage page for details.

When is the best time to schedule a PCS move near Dobbins ARB?

Peak PCS season runs May through August. Movers are in highest demand, scheduling is tightest, and costs are highest during this window. If your orders give you flexibility, a September through April move will be easier to schedule and typically less expensive. Book as early as possible regardless of season: 4 to 6 weeks for local moves, 8 to 10 weeks for long-distance.

Get a quote for your Dobbins ARB PCS move

Wirks Moving and Storage has operated from our Marietta headquarters, four miles from Dobbins ARB, since 2009. Over 16 years and 20,000-plus completed moves, we have built a 4.92-star average across 2,500-plus reviews and a 98% customer referral rate. Our credentials are publicly verifiable: MC 699457, USDOT 1942465, GDPS 500873, BBB A+.

Services relevant to military relocations include local moving, long-distance moving, packing services, and warehouse storage. We are available 24/7. For a free estimate, call (678) 290-9972 or fill out the online quote form.