Best Women-Owned Moving Companies Guide

Our picks for the best women-owned moving companies

While the moving industry has historically been a male-dominated space, the number of women-owned businesses in the transportation and warehousing industries increased 10% from 2014 to 2019, according to Ventureneer. The growing number of women-owned businesses means customers have more options to choose from and can compare quotes and services between different companies.

These three women-owned moving companies stand out for their service quality, reliability and range of offerings.

1. NorthStar Moving Company

Founded in 1994 by Laura McHolm, NorthStar Moving Company built its name on delivering a tailored, hands-on approach to moving. It serves California, Arizona and Texas, with options for local, long-distance and international relocations.

NorthStar pairs eco-conscious practices with high-end service. It uses biodiesel trucks and sustainable packing materials, has earned 10 “Best Places to Work” awards and has handled high-profile moves for clients like the Getty Museum.

NorthStar Moving Company offers a range of additional services, including luxury packages, home staging, setup options and pet transport. The company is fully licensed and insured and has over 30 years of experience in the industry.

2. Worldwide Moving Systems

Toni Jones started Worldwide Moving Systems in 1973 with two trucks. Today, it’s a woman-owned, family-operated business based in Waldorf, Maryland. It handles local, long-distance and international moves for both residential and commercial clients.

The company has deep experience in military and corporate relocations. Services include full-service packing and unpacking, office moves, industrial equipment transport and containerized storage.

Worldwide Moving Systems is registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation and licensed through the FMCSA. In addition to traditional moving services, this company also offers shipping and storage containers, which can lower total moving costs.

3. Titan Relocation Services

Titan Relocation Services is a women-owned moving company serving the Phoenix area, with Jaymie Cummings as the owner and operator. It does local and long-distance residential and commercial moves, with packing, unpacking and storage rounding out its core offerings.

Titan takes a white-glove approach. Its residential and commercial moving services include moving supplies such as shrink wrap, protective padding, ramps and dollies. It also prides itself on transparent pricing with no hidden fees.

Titan Relocation Services carries all the licenses and registrations needed to perform interstate moves. In addition to its moving services, the company also offer junk removal and storage options.

Additional women-owned moving companies

In addition to our top three picks listed above, some other women-owned moving companies to consider include:

• Architects of Moving (available across Massachusetts)

• Gentry Moving & Storage (available in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut, and offers long-distance moves from Maine to Florida)

• University Moving and Storage Co. (available in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana)

Women-owned movers’ services and specialties

Many women-owned moving companies offer the same core services as other movers, plus a range of specialty and concierge services.

Local and long-distance moves

Women-owned movers offer both local and long-distance relocations. For local jobs, companies usually charge by the hour based on crew size and truck usage. For long-distance moves, pricing often depends on shipment size (measured in the weight or volume of your belongings) and distance (measured by the mile).

Residential and commercial moves

Women-owned companies serve both households and businesses. Some specialize exclusively in one or the other. Patricia Marx, chairperson of the board at New World Van Lines in Chicago, Illinois, said her company focuses on corporate clients and uses the same crew from packing to delivery whenever possible to ensure consistency.

Packing and unpacking services

Full-service packing is standard, but many women-owned movers go further with concierge-style support on both ends of a move.

“These services include pre-move planning (decluttering, home staging, donation coordination) as well as post-move home organization like unpacking, room setup and light cleaning,” Ana Maria Jones, owner and president of Jensen Movers & Storage in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania, told us. “​​We also provide white‑glove support for high‑end homes and assistance with estate sale planning and preparation.”

Storage and portable containers

Timing doesn’t always work out perfectly on moving day. Most full-service women-owned movers offer short- and long-term storage for that reason. Containerized storage is a popular option; belongings go into a portable unit and stay at a secure facility until you’re ready. Some moving companies offer short-term storage at no additional cost, but pricing for this benefit will vary between companies.

Specialized items and vehicle hauling

Specialty moves demand equipment and planning that not every mover can deliver.

“We’ve had unusual requests that require additional specialized packing for art, trophies or unique possessions,” Marx said. “A customer once requested that their shipment be moved on refrigerated trucks because their items are sensitive to heat and humidity. Moving pieces of art, firearms, cars, jet skis — you name it, we’ve come across it.”

Pricing factors for women-owned moving companies

Women-owned companies generally price moves the same way any other professional movers would.

That said, several factors can push costs above expectations. For example, “Crews frequently arrive to find rooms still unprepared, which adds hours and increases costs,” said Jones. Customers can reduce costs by packing ahead of time, decluttering early and handling logistics before moving day.

Moving cost factors

Here are other factors that affect your final moving cost.

• Distance: The farther you’re moving, the more you’ll pay. Long-distance moves also factor in shipment weight, so volume matters as much as mileage.

• Home size and inventory: A bigger home and more belongings mean more labor hours and a heavier shipment. Both push the total higher.

• Crew size: A bigger or more specialized crew comes at a higher hourly rate, but can make up for it by getting complex moves done faster.

• Specialty items: Vehicles, hot tubs, pianos and fine art require special equipment and extra handling time, which adds to the bill.

• Packing materials and services: If the mover packs for you, expect charges for labor, boxes and custom crating for fragile or high-value items.

• Stairs and access: Long carries, narrow hallways, multiple levels of stairs and no elevator access add labor time and can increase hourly costs.

• Storage: Holding belongings between move-out and move-in dates incurs a monthly storage fee in addition to moving costs.

• Shuttle fees: Sometimes a full-sized truck simply can’t get close enough to a property. When that happens, the crew has to transfer the load to a smaller vehicle first. That extra step adds to your bill.

• Timing: Summer fills up fast, and so do end-of-month dates when real estate closings cluster together. Book early if you have a specific date in mind.

• Insurance: Moving companies offer basic moving insurance at no additional cost, but this level of coverage only provides $0.60 per pound per item. You can upgrade to Full Value Protection for more comprehensive coverage, but that will increase your total costs.

Women-owned moving companies vetting checklist

Before booking a mover, Jones and Marx recommended verifying the following.

• DOT number: Look up the company’s USDOT (United States Department of Transportation) number on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website to confirm it’s active. For any move that crosses state lines, this is a legal requirement.

• State licensing: Every state has its own rules for licensed movers. For example, in Pennsylvania, movers need a Public Utilities Commission (PUC) license with an approved tariff on file. Be sure to check what's required in your state and confirm the moving company holds the proper licenses.

• Insurance: Many people skip past the insurance details and regret it later. Ask about the available coverage options and get the specifics in writing.

• Industry certifications: Membership in the ProMover program is a good sign. Both screen members for professional and ethical standards.

• Background checks: Ask whether crews are W-2 employees or subcontractors. Subcontracted crews are less likely to be screened, which is worth knowing before you let anyone into your home.

• Dispute and claims policies: Ask how the company handles damaged or missing items. Get the claims process in writing so you know what to expect if something goes wrong.

• References: “Ask for three references from customers who used their services within the last 18 months,” Jones advised. “Call each one and ask about service quality, professionalism, reliability and pricing transparency.”

• Reviews: Cross-reference what you find online with those direct conversations. Just keep in mind that “online reviews are often weaponized, with customers blaming movers for issues that were outside the mover’s control,” said Jones.

• Written estimate: Request a document that spells out the price, pickup and delivery windows, deposit amount, cancellation policy and fees for specialty items or tricky access situations. Confirm whether the estimate is binding or if it could fluctuate between now and moving day.

• Bill of lading: Read this front to back before signing. It outlines each party’s responsibilities and is the legal contract between you and the mover.

• Inventory process: “Be present when the crew is there to ensure they’re inventorying everything properly,” said Marx.

• Scam red flags: Watch for movers without a physical address, unmarked trucks or an unwillingness to explain their licensing, insurance or pricing structure. Other common red flags include high-pressure sales tactics, demands for a large upfront deposit or a refusal to perform an on-site inspection of your belongings before moving day.

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