Flexible Portable Containers for Permanent Change of Station Moves & Temporary Storage
Relocating due to military orders can involve tight timelines, changing schedules, and detailed planning. Go Mini's of Austin provides portable moving containers for military moves in Austin, TX. We deliver the container to your location, you load your belongings on your schedule, and we pick it up for transport to your next location or secure off-site storage during your Permanent Change of Station move.
Portable moving containers allow you to pack at your own pace instead of following a single truck-loading date. This flexibility can create a more manageable moving experience for families handling large households, temporary lodging, or a gap between move-out and move-in dates.
Plan your customer-managed move around your reporting date and housing schedule. Get a free quote online or call (512) 675-5517 for container availability and pricing.
Government-Arranged Household Goods Moves vs. Personally Procured Moves
Household Goods Move
A household goods move is the government-arranged option. Under this process, a Transportation Service Provider generally manages packing, loading, shipment, and unloading according to the applicable military process. Scheduling depends on government procedures and provider availability.
This option can reduce the physical work required from military families because the assigned provider manages most of the shipment. However, scheduling flexibility may be limited because pickup and delivery must align with government timelines and contractor availability.
Personally Procured Move
A Personally Procured Move, also known as a DITY move, is organized by the service member or family rather than through a government-arranged household goods shipment. You remain responsible for arranging the move, retaining required records, following current Transportation Office instructions, and submitting any reimbursement request through the applicable military process.
A portable moving container can be used for a full or partial PPM when permitted for your orders. For a partial move, selected belongings can go into the container while the rest travel through a government-arranged shipment. Confirm authorization, storage rules, documentation, weight requirements, and eligible expenses with your Transportation Office before booking.
How Portable Containers Fit a Personally Procured Move
Our military moving service in Austin separates container logistics from the military process. We provide the container and related delivery, storage, and redelivery services, while you manage loading and all requirements connected to your orders.
The portable container process includes:
Container Delivery: We deliver a 12-foot, 16-foot, or 20-foot container to your selected location
Customer Loading: You pack and load your belongings during your selected rental period
Pickup: We pick up the loaded container when you’re ready
Delivery or Storage: We can move the container to the next location or place it in our secure off-site storage facility
Redelivery: We return the stored container when the destination is ready
We don’t manage household goods paperwork, determine reimbursement eligibility, provide packing labor, or submit claims on your behalf. Your Transportation Office or Military OneSource can explain the current requirements for your specific move.
Portable Container Benefits for Permanent Change of Station Timing Gaps
Flexible Loading Schedule
Portable containers remain at your location while you load. This allows you to organize belongings room by room and avoid the pressure of completing everything in a single day.
Flexible rental periods can also help families balance loading with work schedules, childcare responsibilities, out-processing, and travel planning. The available rental period depends on the arrangements made for the move.
Temporary Storage Between Homes
You may keep the container at your property or have the loaded container stored at our secure off-site facility until you’re ready for redelivery.
This option can accommodate a PCS housing gap when a family must leave one residence before the next home is available. Confirm whether temporary storage is authorized and how it’s treated under your move before making arrangements.
Keep orders, identification, medications, travel documents, uniforms, valuables, and immediate household necessities separate from anything placed in the container. Consider what your family will need during travel and temporary lodging because stored belongings won’t remain immediately accessible.
PPM requirements can vary based on the orders and current military guidance. Before reserving a container, ask your Transportation Office about authorized weight allowances, approved shipment methods, storage rules, required receipts, weight documentation, submission deadlines, and the process used through MilMove or another applicable system.
Reimbursement isn’t automatic, and using a portable container doesn’t guarantee approval, savings, or a particular payment. Keep contracts, invoices, receipts, and any other records your Transportation Office requires.
Moving Container Sizes for Military Households
The appropriate choice depends on the furniture, boxes, appliances, and outdoor belongings included in your full or partial move.
We offer three moving container sizes:
12-Foot Container: Suitable for apartments or small homes with two to three rooms and provides 768 cubic feet of space
16-Foot Container: Ideal for medium-sized homes with multiple rooms of furniture and boxes and provides 1,024 cubic feet of space
20-Foot Container: Designed for larger households with furniture and belongings from five to seven rooms and provides 1,280 cubic feet of space
Each container includes an 8-foot height to help maximize usable storage space. A partial PPM may require less capacity than a full household relocation, so inventory the major items you intend to load before selecting a size.
Container Features for Moving & Storage
Our containers combine steel construction with features designed for placement, storage, and movement.
Placement & Protection
Our portable containers sit eight inches above the ground. Elevated placement and pressure-treated flooring are designed to reduce moisture exposure while belongings remain in storage.
Built-in ventilation supports airflow inside the container. Belongings should still be clean and dry before loading, and items that are prohibited or unsuitable for portable storage should remain outside the container.
Containers include padded wheels designed to help protect driveways and paved surfaces during placement. Confirm that the delivery area has sufficient space and a stable surface before scheduling delivery.
Customer-Controlled Security
You control access to the container with your own lock. Built-in tie-down rings provide anchor points for securing furniture and boxes, but careful loading remains essential. Distribute weight throughout the container and secure items that could shift while it’s being moved.
Schedule a Portable Container for Your Permanent Change of Station Move
Go Mini's of Austin serves Austin, Pflugerville, Leander, Georgetown, Round Rock, and Cedar Park. Before requesting a quote, gather your intended delivery location, destination, preferred container size, storage needs, and timing.
Our military moving company in Austin provides the container while you retain control of loading and your PPM requirements. Verify military authorization and documentation with your Transportation Office before committing to the arrangement.
Need temporary storage while waiting for housing? Request a free quote online or call (512) 675-5517 to check container availability, storage options, and pricing.
"This was by far the easiest move I've ever made. The team at Go Mini's was polite, helpful, and didn't mind answering any of my questions."
Teri Wheat
c"Kara Hays was awesome!"
"Luisa made the entire experience amazing from start to finish!"
chase martin
J"Great Service from Go Mini's!"
"They quoted us the most competitive price and they have the largest container."
Javier Aldrete
E"The GoMini Team in Austin Is Amazing!"
"They were accommodating, professional, and very helpful."
Eden Fox
M"Stewart is great to work with"
"This was our second time using Go Mini’s Austin. Stewart is great to work with."
Mike Thompson
K"Prompt Return Call"
"I got bids from two national companies that beat the price but the service reps could answer questions beyond."
Kevin Brown
The easiest move I've ever made.
I've moved several times in my life, but this was by far the easiest move I've ever made. They arrived at my location with a Go Mini's container. I kept it for a month, filled it up, and they promptly picked it up. They brought it to my new location almost immediately and quickly picked it up once I was done. The team at Go Mini's was polite, helpful, and didn't mind answering any of my questions. I highly recommend them for your next move.
Teri Wheat
Kara Hays was awesome!
Kara Hays was awesome! Also, Luisa made the entire experience amazing from start to finish! I have already referred Go Mini's to a few others.
chase martin
Great Service from Go Mini's!
Great service from Go Mini's! They quoted us the most competitive price and they have the largest container. Also, they were super quick to respond to every question. Highly recommended.
Javier Aldrete
The GoMini Team in Austin Is Amazing!
The GoMini team in Austin is amazing! They were accommodating, professional, and very helpful. The entire process was quick and affordable. The manager delivered the pod on wheels that didn't hurt the pavement after being understanding of a bad weather reschedule.
Eden Fox
Stewart is great to work with
This was our second time using Go Mini’s Austin. Stewart is great to work with. We’ll use them again for the next remodeling project.
Mike Thompson
Prompt Return Call
They weren't the cheapest option (close), but I was able to speak with someone that knew the details I needed to know. I had questions about the delivery process (new driveway) and received a prompt return call from someone that knew how the service worked and put me at ease about the delivery. They provided me with the pod size I needed and were able to set up delivery just two days out. I got bids from two national companies that beat the price but the service reps could answer questions beyond the canned responses. I will recommend this company to my family and friends.
