Table of Contents >> Show >> Hide
- What “Women-Owned” Means (and How to Confirm It)
- How to Vet Any Moving Company Before You Book
- 10 Women-Owned Moving Companies to Consider in 2025
- 1) NorthStar Moving Company (California)
- 2) Bohren’s Moving & Storage (New Jersey)
- 3) University Moving & Storage (Michigan and Midwest reach)
- 4) Nilson Van & Storage (Southeast / Carolinas base)
- 5) Walker Transfer-Powell (West Virginia with national/international capability)
- 6) Oakley Relocation (Southern California)
- 7) Move Solutions (Texas base; corporate relocation expertise)
- 8) Alison’s Relocations (Alaska + Lower 48 connections)
- 9) Worldwide Moving Systems (Maryland; long-distance and broader reach)
- 10) Gentry Moving & Storage (Rhode Island / Southern New England)
- How to Compare Quotes Without Losing Your Mind
- of Real-World Moving Experiences (What People Learn the Hard Way)
- Conclusion: Book With Confidence in 2025
Moving is one of life’s great adventuresright up there with assembling furniture without instructions and finding the end of a roll of packing tape.
If you’re planning a relocation in 2025, choosing a women-owned moving company can be a smart, values-aligned way to get the job done
while supporting entrepreneurs who are reshaping a historically male-dominated industry.
This guide highlights 10 women-owned moving companies across the U.S., plus practical, no-nonsense advice for vetting any mover
(because “trust me, bro” is not a binding estimate). You’ll also get questions to ask, red flags to avoid, and real-world moving experiences at the end
so you can book with confidence.
What “Women-Owned” Means (and How to Confirm It)
“Women-owned” typically means a business is at least 51% owned, controlled, and operated by one or more women.
Some companies back that up with third-party certificationscommonly WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council) and/or
WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business) through programs aligned with federal contracting standards.
Quick tip: If a company is a franchise or has multiple locations, ownership can vary by branch.
When in doubt, ask whether your specific location is women-owned or certified, and request documentation if it matters to you.
How to Vet Any Moving Company Before You Book
Whether you choose a women-owned mover or not, the fundamentals stay the same. A reputable mover should be transparent, licensed, and willing to put
details in writing. Here’s a quick checklist you can use in 15 minutes (aka the time it takes to lose a box cutter).
1) Confirm licensing and identity
- Interstate move? Ask for the mover’s USDOT number and verify it through official databases.
- In-state move? Requirements varycheck your state’s moving or transportation regulator.
- Watch for “look-alike” names and websites that feel copy-paste.
2) Demand a written estimate (and know what type it is)
- Binding estimate: locks in the price for listed services/items (changes require a revised agreement).
- Non-binding estimate: the final cost can rise based on actual weight/servicesstill should be documented.
- Either way, get it in writing with clear terms.
3) Avoid classic scam signals
- Huge deposit demands up front (especially cash, wire, or gift cards).
- Refusal to provide a physical address, USDOT number (for interstate), or written paperwork.
- Too-good-to-be-true pricing without a walkthrough or inventory review.
- Brokers who won’t clearly explain whether they’re a broker or the actual carrier doing the move.
4) Ask about protection and claims
- What valuation coverage is included? What upgrades are available?
- What’s the claims process and timeline?
- Do they offer (or participate in) dispute resolution or arbitration options?
10 Women-Owned Moving Companies to Consider in 2025
The companies below publicly describe themselves as women-owned and/or cite women-owned certifications, leadership, or recognized women-owned business status.
Availability, service areas, and offerings can changeso treat this list as a starting point, then confirm details for your route and dates.
1) NorthStar Moving Company (California)
Best for: Full-service packing, storage, and long-distance moves with a strong reputation for customer experience.
NorthStar is widely recognized as a woman-owned moving and storage company and has been featured on women-owned business rankings.
If you want a mover that’s used to handling complex logisticslike tight apartment elevators, office relocations, or cross-state timingthis one is worth a quote.
Smart questions to ask: What packing levels do you offer (partial, full, fragile-only)? How do you handle storage-in-transit if closing dates shift?
2) Bohren’s Moving & Storage (New Jersey)
Best for: East Coast moves with a long operating history and a women-led ownership story.
Bohren’s describes itself as a women-owned, multi-generation business and notes women leadership within the family ownership.
If you like the idea of a mover that’s done this for decadesand still sweats the detailsput them on your shortlist.
Smart questions to ask: Are you using your own crews for packing and hauling? What specialty handling do you offer for antiques or art?
3) University Moving & Storage (Michigan and Midwest reach)
Best for: Midwest local-to-long-distance moves, plus corporate and institutional relocations.
University Moving & Storage highlights women-owned business status and women-owned business certification language.
This is a solid option if you need a mover comfortable with structured processesthink inventory discipline, labeled cartons, and schedules that don’t drift.
Smart questions to ask: Do you offer dedicated move coordinators? What’s your process for protecting floors, door frames, and elevators?
4) Nilson Van & Storage (Southeast / Carolinas base)
Best for: Moving + storage needs in the Southeast, including households and businesses.
Nilson Van & Storage publicly notes women-owned certification and women-owned/operated language.
If your move involves staging (declutter now, store half, deliver later), ask specifically about storage terms and retrieval fees.
Smart questions to ask: Is storage climate-controlled? Are there monthly minimums, access fees, or redelivery charges?
5) Walker Transfer-Powell (West Virginia with national/international capability)
Best for: Families and businesses that want a certified women-owned mover with broad service capability.
Walker Transfer-Powell describes itself as a certified women-owned moving company and references certification history.
This is a strong fit for people who want a mover that can scale uphouseholds, corporate relocations, and longer-distance routes.
Smart questions to ask: What is your process for long-distance delivery windows? How do you track shipments and communicate updates?
6) Oakley Relocation (Southern California)
Best for: Local-to-international moves with women-owned business recertification highlighted for 2025.
Oakley Relocation has publicly discussed being re-certified as a women-owned business in 2025.
If you’re coordinating a move with tight timinglike military/government schedules or corporate relocationask about dedicated coordination and documentation.
Smart questions to ask: Do you provide binding estimates for my move type? What documents will I receive and when?
7) Move Solutions (Texas base; corporate relocation expertise)
Best for: Office moves, commercial relocations, and logistics-heavy projects.
Move Solutions emphasizes that it has been woman-owned and led since 1987.
If you’re moving a businessIT racks, files, modular furniture, conference roomsthis is the kind of mover that tends to have checklists for the checklists.
Smart questions to ask: Do you offer after-hours/weekend moves? Can you coordinate IT disconnect/reconnect timing and floorplan-based placement?
8) Alison’s Relocations (Alaska + Lower 48 connections)
Best for: Alaska moves and routes between Alaska and the Lower 48 that require specialized coordination.
Alison’s Relocations publicly notes women-owned small business certification language and discusses its origin story and operating scope.
For Alaska moves especially, ask about seasonal constraints, port/linehaul timing, and how shipments are staged.
Smart questions to ask: What’s the expected transit timeline by season? How do you handle delays due to weather or transport schedules?
9) Worldwide Moving Systems (Maryland; long-distance and broader reach)
Best for: Customers who want a women-owned company with long operating history and wide service scope.
Worldwide Moving Systems describes women ownership through its leadership and company history.
If you’re moving long-distance, prioritize clarity: inventory, delivery windows, and what happens if access issues arise (stairs, parking permits, elevator reservations).
Smart questions to ask: Who is the actual carrier performing the move? Do you handle packing and storage directly or via partners?
10) Gentry Moving & Storage (Rhode Island / Southern New England)
Best for: Local and regional moves in Southern New England with a women-owned business identity.
Gentry Moving & Storage describes itself as a woman-owned moving and storage company.
This can be a great fit for people doing a “not far, but complicated” movelike a condo-to-condo transfer where loading zones, stairwells, and timing matter more than mileage.
Smart questions to ask: What’s included in your hourly rate? How do you handle travel time, stairs, and bulky-item fees?
How to Compare Quotes Without Losing Your Mind
When you’re comparing movers, don’t focus only on the final number. Focus on what the number includes.
A slightly higher quote can be cheaper in reality if it includes packing materials, furniture protection, and a realistic labor plan.
Quote comparison checklist
- Inventory detail: Does the estimate list major furniture and approximate box counts?
- Access variables: Stairs, elevators, long carries, parking permits, building COIsare these noted?
- Timing: Pickup and delivery windows, guaranteed dates (if offered), and what counts as a delay.
- Protection: Valuation coverage options and how claims work.
- Fees: Storage, shuttle service, fuel/travel, bulky items, packing supplies, long carry.
of Real-World Moving Experiences (What People Learn the Hard Way)
If you’ve never moved before, here’s the secret: the actual move is rarely the hardest part. The hardest part is the two-week stretch where your life is
half in boxes, your phone is full of reminder alarms, and you’re eating cereal out of a mug because the bowls are…somewhere.
The good news is that most moving disasters are preventable with a little planning and a lot of labeling.
One common experience people share is the “estimate surprise.” It often happens when the quote is based on a quick phone call, but moving day reveals
extra variablesthree flights of stairs, a couch that absolutely refuses to pivot, or a building that requires an elevator reservation you didn’t know existed.
Folks who feel best about their move usually say the same thing: “We did a walkthrough, the estimate was detailed, and there were no weird last-minute add-ons.”
The lesson: make it easy for the mover to be accurate. Send photos, do a video survey, and mention the awkward stuff (tight hallways, no parking, oversized items).
Another very real experience is the “essentials box victory.” Seasoned movers swear by packing one clearly marked box (or suitcase) with the things you need
the first 24 hours: chargers, meds, toiletries, toilet paper, a towel, a change of clothes, a basic tool, pet supplies, and a snack you won’t regret.
People who skip this step usually end the night doing flashlight archaeology through random boxes labeled “kitchen-ish.”
For families, the biggest stress point is often timingespecially when closing dates don’t align perfectly. That’s where storage and flexibility matter.
Many movers offer storage-in-transit or short-term storage options, but the details can vary: access fees, redelivery charges, minimum storage terms,
and how your goods are vaulted or palletized. The best moving experiences tend to come from asking these questions earlybefore your stuff is on a truck
and you’re negotiating with one hand while holding a cat carrier with the other.
People also talk about the emotional side of moving more than you’d expect. Even happy moves can feel disorientingnew neighborhood, new routine, new commute,
and the mild panic of not knowing where the nearest grocery store is. A good moving crew can’t fix that, but they can reduce the chaos.
Customers often describe standout movers the same way: clear communication, careful handling, and a crew that treated their home like it mattered.
That’s one reason some people intentionally seek out women-owned companiesthey’re looking for leadership styles that emphasize communication, planning,
and customer care. Does every company deliver that? Of course not. But when you find one that does, it changes the whole day.
Finally, there’s the universal moving moment: the final walk-through. People who do the last sweep slowlychecking closets, drawers, garage corners,
and behind doorsalmost always avoid leaving something behind. People who don’t…eventually buy a second shower curtain rod because the first one is still
in the old apartment. Moving teaches you many things. Mostly, it teaches you to label the box with the shower curtain rod.
Conclusion: Book With Confidence in 2025
A successful move isn’t about finding a magical company that makes moving “fun” (although coffee helps). It’s about choosing a mover that’s legitimate,
transparent, and organizedthen confirming everything in writing. The women-owned moving companies above are a strong place to start your search in 2025,
especially if you value leadership diversity and customer-first service. Get multiple quotes, compare apples to apples, and don’t be shy about asking
detailed questions. Your future selfstanding in a new living room surrounded by boxeswill thank you.