Total Packout Solutions

Dallas–Fort Worth — Displacement & ALE

Do You Have to Move Out? Here's the Honest Answer — Today.

Some losses you can stay through. Most you can't. Here's how to tell — and how to get ALE (Additional Living Expenses) approved by your carrier this week so you're not paying for a hotel out of pocket.

Talk Through Your Loss — Call NowText Us Instead

Where to start:how belongings are stored and tracked·how to keep belongings safe during a remodel

If You're Trying to Decide Whether to Stay or Go

If you're on this page right now, you're probably:

  • looking at a house that doesn't feel safe to live in but no one's told you to leave
  • worried about your kids, pets, or elderly family members staying in the damaged property
  • told by mitigation that demo starts tomorrow and you're not sure where you'll be
  • wondering if your insurance covers a hotel — and for how long
  • scared of leaving the property and having things go missing
  • trying to figure out what to pack and what to leave for the contents crew

ALE has to be requested and documented — carriers don't volunteer it. Every day you wait without filing for ALE is a day of hotel costs you may not get back.

You don't need to guess whether to stay or go.

You need a real assessment today — and a packout plan that lines up with ALE so you're not paying for storage or housing out of pocket.

Quick Answer

If you're trying to decide whether to move out:

  1. Confirm the property is safe — air quality, electrical, plumbing, contamination.
  2. Get the contractor's rebuild scope and timeline (how many weeks).
  3. Call your carrier and request ALE in writing — today.
  4. Decide based on scope: single room = usually stay; multi-room or kitchen = usually go.
  5. If you go, get a contents packout coordinated before you leave.
  6. If you stay, get contents in affected rooms cleared so crews can work.

Most homeowners wait a week before requesting ALE. By then they've paid for hotels and meals out of pocket — and reimbursement gets harder. Request ALE the same day the loss happens.

What Happens If You Move Out

Here's the order on a typical displacement — and where we step in:

  1. 01
    Carrier approves ALE for hotel, meals, and pet boarding
  2. 02
    We document, inventory, and pack out contents the day you leave← This is us
  3. 03
    Contents go to climate-controlled storage during the rebuild
  4. 04
    Reconstruction handles demo and rebuild on the property
  5. 05
    We pack-back, place, and reassemble when you move home← This is us

You handle the family move. We own the contents end-to-end.

Who This Is For

For the Homeowner Looking at Displacement

You don't move twice — you move out, then move back. We pack everything, store it, and bring it back when the house is done. ALE covers the housing. We coordinate timing with your contractor.

  • ALE guidance — what to request and how
  • packout coordinated with your move-out date
  • climate-controlled storage during the rebuild
  • pack-back, placement, and reassembly when you move home

You handle the family. We handle the contents.

For the Adjuster Approving ALE

Packout and storage line items aligned with ALE timeline. Monthly invoices clean. Move-back coordinated with rebuild completion — no extended storage charges.

We keep the contents portion clean while you handle ALE.

Pick the Path That Fits

If this is fire or smoke damage, see fire damage contents cleaning →

If this is a slab leak with floors involved, see what happens after a slab leak →

If you need a packout today, see same-day packout services →

If you need long-term storage, see climate-controlled storage →

If this is an insurance claim, see how billing and docs work →

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

what is ale?

Additional Living Expenses — your homeowners policy covers reasonable hotel, meals, and pet boarding costs while your home is unlivable due to a covered loss.

how do i request ale?

Call your carrier the day the loss happens. Ask for ALE in writing. Keep every receipt — hotel, meals, pet boarding, mileage.

do i have to move out for water damage?

Single-room losses usually don't require it. Multi-room losses, kitchens, or contamination often do.

how long does ale last?

Typically through the rebuild — but every policy has limits. Confirm the daily and total caps with your carrier when you open the claim.

can you coordinate the move-out and pack-back?

Yes. We handle packout the day you leave and pack-back the day you move home — no double moves.

Keep Going — Related Answers

You handle the family move.

We handle the contents — packout, storage, and pack-back.

We respond within minutes — call or text 214-718-1685.

Text Us — We'll Tell You What To Do NextCall 214-718-1685

Need immediate help? Start a packout request

CallQuote