Our picks for veteran-owned moving companies
Here are our top two picks for veteran-owned moving companies, along with what each one offers.
| Company | Customer rating | Company type | Cost | Moving services | Additional offerings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Two Men and a Truck | Learn More | 2.2 | National franchise | Varies depending on location | Local moves, long-distance moves | Junk removal, packing supplies, temporary storage |
 Safe Ship Moving Services | Get a Quote | 4.3 | Licensed interstate broker (third-party carrier does the move) | Varies; long-distance moves start at $1,500 | Local moves, long-distance moves, corporate moves, military moves, international moves | Packing and storage |
5 more veteran-owned movers to consider
The veteran-owned moving companies have a service-first mindset and give military families the information and support they need to move with confidence. For example, movers that offer free in-home estimates make it easy to know what you’re getting into before moving day. In addition to our top picks, these veteran-owned movers are worth a look:
1. Safeway Moving
Safeway Moving is a veteran-owned mover specializing in long-distance and interstate moves, offering flat-rate binding estimates, barcode inventory tracking and personalized customer support. It owns its trucks and employs its own crews, which means direct accountability from pickup to delivery.
What we like:
- Available nationwide
- Accurate estimates
- Real-time tracking
2. Veterans Moving America
Veterans Moving America serves the Dallas-Fort Worth area and handles moves throughout Texas. It employs an all-veteran workforce, with background-checked staff and trucks equipped with air-ride suspension to protect items in transit. Flat-rate pricing and free in-home estimates make it easy to know what you’re getting into before moving day.
What we like:
- All-veteran workforce
- Flat-rate pricing
- Free in-home estimates
3. Ace Moving
Ace Moving is a veteran-owned mover in Minnesota serving the Twin Cities metro from locations in Coon Rapids and Rochester. Its affiliation with Atlas Van Lines extends its reach to interstate and international relocations, while its core services cover local residential and commercial moves, full-service packing and climate-controlled storage.
What we like:
- Lots of experience
- Climate-controlled storage available
4. Veteran Movers NYC
Veteran Movers NYC serves the five boroughs and the broader tri-state area, handling local, long-distance and interstate moves — including last-minute and emergency relocations. It also offers all-in pricing with no hidden charges.
What we like:
- Price transparency
5. Stars and Stripes Movers
Based in Valrico, Florida, this Marine Corps veteran-owned company covers the Tampa Bay and Central Florida region within roughly 150 miles. It specializes in loading and unloading PODS and rental trucks, with packing services also available. Veterans, law enforcement and first responders qualify for discounts.
What we like:
- Packing services available
- Discounts available
Benefits of hiring a veteran-owned moving company
Military training builds skills that translate well to moving: leadership, punctuality, planning, logistics and staying calm when things go sideways.
Nick Friedman, co-founder of College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, headquartered in Tampa, Florida, said that’s exactly what sets veteran-owned companies apart. “Crews are more structured, more prepared and more consistent in how they operate, which reduces a lot of the uncertainty customers feel,” he noted.
Reliability and communication
Veteran-owned moving crews tend to run on schedule, be upfront about costs and timelines and follow through on their promises. Traditional moving companies don’t always have a built-in culture of accountability the way military-trained operators do. For customers, that usually means fewer surprises on moving day.
“When you have that kind of cohesion, jobs move faster, issues get solved in real time, and the experience is smoother,” said Friedman.
Empathy on moving day
Many veterans have relocated multiple times during their service, so they understand firsthand how stressful a move can be. That personal experience often shapes how they run their crews — less transactional and more attuned to what customers are going through.
Community and veteran hiring
Recruiting within the military community is common among veteran-owned movers, which reinforces a consistent standard across the entire crew. According to Friedman, about 20% of College HUNKS franchise owners are veterans, with much of the recruiting happening through military job boards and referrals.
Veteran-owned movers cost and pricing
Veteran-owned moving companies generally price in line with the rest of the industry, with most local movers costing $80 to $100 per hour for a two-person crew. “Rates vary by market, but a reputable mover should explain how it calculates time and labor,” said Friedman.
What affects your final cost
These factors can push your total cost higher:
- Move size: The more rooms and belongings you have, the longer the job takes (and the more you’ll pay).
- Time of year: Peak season from May through September drives rates higher.
- Accessibility: Stairs, long carries and tight streets can add to your total.
- Specialty items: Oversized or fragile items, such as pianos, gun safes and hot tubs, usually involve extra charges.
- Packing services: Full packing can add up, especially in larger homes.
- Storage: In-transit storage is an added monthly cost if your dates don't align.
- Fuel surcharges: These are common on longer moves or during periods of high fuel prices.
How the main pricing types compare
| Pricing type | Best for | Common fees | What cost really means | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly local | Short, simple local moves | Travel fee | Labor and truck by the hour | Typically with a 2- to 3-hour minimum |
| Flat rate local | Predictable budgeting | Fees for added items | Fixed price | Based on inventory and distance |
| Long-distance binding | Those who want price certainty | Overweight charges if inventory changes | Locked-in total | Priced by weight and distance |
| Long-distance non-binding | Lighter, well-inventoried moves | Final weight adjustments | Estimated cost | Subject to change based on final weight |
| Labor only | Budget-conscious or DIY movers | Hourly rate, travel fee | Loading and unloading only | You must supply the truck or container |
» MORE: DIY vs. professional movers
How to find and choose a veteran-owned moving company
Searching “veteran-owned movers near me” online is a starting point, but it won’t always surface the best options. Here are six steps to find a moving company you can trust.
1. Start your search
Check these sources before you start cold-searching online:
- The National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) or the VA’s VetBiz portal lists certified veteran-owned businesses.
- Military base relocation offices often keep referral lists of local movers they’ve worked with.
- Veteran service organizations and military community networks are good for word-of-mouth recommendations.
- State moving associations sometimes flag veteran-owned members in their directories.
» RELATED: Best military moving companies
2. Watch for lead aggregators
Lead aggregators collect your contact information and sell it to third-party movers — and they’re easy to mistake for legitimate companies.
Friedman advised paying attention to what a site shows you. “If it lacks a clear brand identity, physical location or dedicated crews, that’s often a sign you’re not dealing with the mover itself,” he said. A legitimate company will have a verifiable address, a registered United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) number and background-checked crews it employs directly.
3. Verify licensing and insurance
First, look up the company’s USDOT number on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website to confirm it’s active and licensed. For interstate moves, this is a legal requirement. You can also ask the company for veteran ownership certification, such as a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) certificate, or look for verified veteran-owned badges on its website.
Next, understand your insurance options. Basic liability pays out a fixed amount per pound per item — not much if something valuable breaks. Full value protection covers the actual replacement cost, and for high-value items, a separate third-party policy is an option.
4. Check reviews and complaint history
Friedman recommended looking up a company’s complaint history with federal and state agencies before making any decisions. The FMCSA database is the best starting point for interstate movers. It shows whether a company is registered and flags any complaints on record. For local moves, your state’s consumer affairs agency serves the same purpose.
Verified customer reviews can fill in gaps that regulatory databases miss. Look for patterns — recurring mentions of damaged items, unexpected charges and late deliveries are red flags.
5. Ask about specialty services
If your move involves pianos, antiques or fine art, not every mover is equipped to help.
Before booking, ask:
- Do you regularly move fragile or oversized items? If so, what equipment do you use?
- Do you offer packing materials, and can you store my belongings if needed?
- If my move-in date gets pushed back, are climate-controlled storage options available?
- Do you handle specialty items yourself or bring in outside help?
6. Review the estimate and contract
“The contract should outline deposit requirements, cancellation policies, delivery windows and liability limitations,” said Friedman. The bill of lading (legal contract between you and the mover) must include the company’s name, address and USDOT number. A trusted company will ask for a small deposit to hold your date, not the full amount upfront.
Pro tip
Ask about the cancellation deadline and any associated fees before you sign. A good mover will have no trouble putting that in writing.
FAQ
Can veterans get free movers?
Yes, free moving help is available for veterans. Organizations like Two Men and a Truck run donation and labor initiatives for veterans in need, and local veteran service groups can often point you toward additional resources.
Are veteran-owned movers more expensive than regular movers?
No, veteran-owned movers aren’t always more expensive. What you pay has more to do with how far you’re moving and what you need than who owns the company. Active-duty service members, veterans and military family members may also qualify for discounts, so don’t forget to ask when gathering quotes.
How far in advance should I book a veteran-owned mover?
For local moves, a six-week lead time is a reasonable target. For long-distance or summer moves, give yourself about three months.
Do veteran-owned movers offer storage services?
Most full-service, veteran-owned movers offer storage, with flexibility on how long you need it — from a few weeks to several months.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- Armed Services YMCA, "Why Do Military Families Move So Much?" Accessed April 3, 2026.
- Military Friendly®, "Recruiting and Hiring Employees: Tips and Best Practices for Military Talent – An Insider Look." Accessed April 3, 2026.
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, "Home · VetBiz Portal." Accessed April 3, 2026.
- National Veteran-Owned Business Association, "Who We Are." Accessed April 3, 2026.
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, "State Movers Associations." Accessed April 3, 2026.
- GIVE Foundation, "A Complete List of Moving Companies with Military Discounts." Accessed April 3, 2026.
