PCS Move Checklist: Junk Removal Tasks to Complete Before You Leave Kitsap County

PCS Move Junk Removal Checklist: What to Do Before You Leave Kitsap County

A Permanent Change of Station move from Kitsap County — whether from NBK Bangor, NBK Bremerton, or off-base housing — involves a level of logistical complexity that makes even experienced military families reach their limit. Between coordinating the household goods shipment, managing family travel, clearing housing, and meeting your report date, junk removal is the detail that often gets left to the last week.

This checklist helps you plan junk removal into your PCS timeline from the start — so you are not scrambling the week before departure.

90 Days Out: Identify What Is Not Moving

Start this early. Walk every room, the garage, the shed, the storage unit, and the outdoor spaces. Make a preliminary list of items you know are not coming on the move:

• Furniture that will not fit the next duty station’s housing (particularly if you are going overseas or to a smaller unit)
• Appliances that are too old, too worn, or incompatible (voltage differences for OCONUS)
• Hot tubs, built-in structures, or permanent fixtures you added to off-base housing
• Sheds and outbuildings you erected on rented property
• Accumulated gear from Kitsap outdoor life — kayaks, bikes, camping equipment — that is too worn to keep
• Electronics too large or old to justify moving costs

The earlier you identify these items, the more options you have: sell, donate, or schedule professional removal with plenty of lead time. See our companion guide on what to do with items you cannot take on a PCS move.

60 Days Out: List and Sell Everything Saleable

Military families are natural buyers. Facebook Marketplace and the community pages at NBK Bangor and NBK Bremerton see constant activity from families arriving and departing. List your saleable items now — 60 days out gives you enough time to find buyers without the desperation that comes with a two-week deadline.

Realistic selling timelines in Kitsap County:

• Furniture in good condition: 1–3 weeks
• Electronics (gaming systems, TVs, monitors): 1–2 weeks
• Outdoor and sporting equipment: 2–4 weeks
• Vehicles: 2–6 weeks (start even earlier for vehicles)
• Hot tubs and specialty items: Very difficult to sell — plan for professional removal

Items that have not sold within 30 days of your departure should be moved to donation or junk removal. Do not spend the last two weeks of your PCS chasing buyers.

45 Days Out: Schedule Professional Junk Removal

Contact Silverdale Junk Co at 45 days out to secure your preferred date. We prioritise military households and can accommodate tight timelines, but the best dates fill quickly during peak PCS season (May through September). Tell us your report date when you call — we will work backward from there to find the right window.

Your junk removal appointment should be scheduled after your household goods pickup but before your housing inspection. A common sequence:

• Day -14 to -10: Household goods shipment picked up
• Day -7: Junk removal appointment (everything that was not in the HHG shipment)
• Day -3 to -1: Final cleaning
• Day 0: Housing inspection

30 Days Out: Coordinate Donation Pickups

Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Goodwill, and local Kitsap County organisations accept furniture, appliances, clothing, and household goods. Schedule pickups 30 days out for large items — donation pickup scheduling can have a 1–2 week lead time during busy periods. Items that do not get picked up by Day -10 should be added to your junk removal load.

Final Week: Confirm Your Appointment and Prepare Access

Three to five days before your junk removal appointment:

• Confirm the appointment with Silverdale Junk Co — call or text (360) 928-5949
• Ensure all items for removal are accessible and staged clearly
• Make sure your housing key or access arrangement is in place for the crew
• Clear any vehicles from the driveway that would block truck access
• Separate any items you are keeping from items for removal

Housing Inspection Preparation

Junk removal is one component of clearing housing. Ensure you also understand your housing office’s requirements for: cleanliness standards (usually “broom clean” as a minimum), lawn and exterior condition, any structures you added (sheds, decking, satellite dishes, fencing) that need to be removed, and utilities disconnected or transferred.

If you added a shed or structure to off-base property, remove it before the housing inspection — see our shed removal service. If you are clearing on-base housing, check your base housing office’s specific removal requirements.

Book Your PCS Junk Removal

Silverdale Junk Co serves military families across Kitsap County. Call or text (360) 928-5949 and mention your report date — we will make sure you are scheduled. See also: What to Do With Items You Cannot Take on a PCS Move and How Silverdale Junk Co Supports Military PCS Moves at NBK.