Move Estimate Form
Enter your planned values. Use official counseling data for final decisions.
Example Data Table
| Scenario | Weight | Miles | Rate | Expenses | Estimated Profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small apartment move | 4,200 lb | 650 | $0.72 | $2,250 | $1,715 |
| Family household move | 8,500 lb | 950 | $0.74 | $4,240 | $1,730 |
| Long distance move | 10,500 lb | 1,700 | $0.68 | $6,950 | $3,181 |
These examples are for planning only. Replace every value with current counseling, orders, receipts, and certified weight ticket data.
Formula Used
Ticket weight: Gross weight − Tare weight.
Payable weight: Lower of actual move weight and authorized weight allowance.
Constructive cost: Payable weight ÷ 100 × move miles × rate per 100 lb per mile.
Gross incentive: Constructive cost × incentive percentage.
Fuel cost: Move miles ÷ MPG × fuel price.
Total expenses: Fuel + rentals + packing + labor + lodging + meals + fees + contingency.
Profit after tax: Gross incentive − estimated tax + reimbursable credit − total expenses.
Final deposit estimate: Net after tax + reimbursable credit − advance amount.
How to Use This Calculator
Start with your orders and transportation counseling notes. Enter the rank grade and dependent status. Then add your authorized weight allowance. Use certified gross and tare tickets when available. If you already know the household goods weight, enter it in the manual weight field.
Next, enter the distance between duty stations. Add a planning rate per 100 pounds per mile. This rate is only a user input. It should come from your own estimate or official counseling information. Adjust the incentive percentage, tax withholding, and advance percentage to match your planning assumptions.
Add every expense you expect to pay. Include truck rental, trailer rental, fuel, packing supplies, hired labor, tolls, lodging, meals, insurance, storage, scale tickets, and miscellaneous costs. Use the contingency field to protect your plan from surprise costs.
Press the calculate button. The result appears below the header and above the form. Review the estimated incentive, expenses, tax, profit, payable weight, and final deposit. Download the CSV for records. Use the PDF button for a printable planning summary.
Army DITY Move Planning Guide
What This Estimate Shows
A personally procured move can save money. It can also create risk. This calculator helps you compare the possible payout with the real cost of moving. It uses weight, miles, rates, taxes, and expenses. It then shows a practical profit estimate.
Why Weight Matters
Weight is the center of the estimate. Certified scale tickets are important. The tool subtracts tare weight from gross weight. That gives ticket weight. If you enter a manual household goods weight, the manual value is used instead. The payable weight is capped by your authorized allowance.
Why Expenses Matter
A high payout can still produce a weak result. Truck rental, fuel, labor, lodging, meals, and insurance can reduce profit fast. Small costs also add up. Tolls, scale tickets, storage, and supplies should not be ignored. The contingency field helps cover price changes and delays.
Understanding the Payout
The estimated constructive cost is based on weight, miles, and the entered rate. The incentive percentage adjusts the payout assumption. Tax withholding reduces the cash you may keep at settlement. An advance can help before travel, but it also lowers the final deposit.
Using the Chart
The chart separates major costs. This makes weak areas easy to see. Fuel may dominate a long route. Labor may dominate a heavy move. Lodging may rise when travel takes more days. Use the chart to test better choices.
Planning Tips
Get quotes early. Keep receipts. Save weight tickets. Avoid guessing when official numbers are available. Compare a full-service move with a personal move. Include your time and physical effort. A good estimate should be conservative. It should help you prepare, not promise a final payment.
Final Reminder
This calculator is not an official settlement tool. Rules and rates can change. Your transportation office and finance office make the final decision. Use this page to organize numbers before asking detailed questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does DITY move mean?
It means you personally arrange part or all of your household goods move. Many people now call it a personally procured move. You manage costs, receipts, weight tickets, and transport details.
2. Is this calculator official?
No. It is a planning tool only. Official payment depends on orders, counseling, certified weights, approved rates, receipts, and finance review.
3. Which weight should I enter?
Use certified gross and tare tickets when possible. The calculator subtracts tare from gross. If you already know the household goods weight, use the manual weight field.
4. What is payable weight?
Payable weight is the weight used for the payout estimate. This calculator uses the lower value between your actual move weight and authorized weight allowance.
5. Why include tax withholding?
Some incentive payments may have tax withholding. The calculator estimates this deduction so your after-tax planning number is more realistic.
6. What if I receive an advance?
An advance may help cover early costs. It is subtracted from the final deposit estimate because you already received that money earlier.
7. Why add contingency?
Moves often have surprise costs. A contingency amount helps cover fuel changes, delays, extra supplies, equipment upgrades, and storage needs.
8. Can I save my result?
Yes. Use the CSV download for spreadsheet records. Use the PDF button for a printable summary with main values and result details.