Military / GSA Moves
Military & Government Moving Services
Moving & Storage Solutions is a family-owned moving company in Bellingham, WA, and we offer military moving services through our affiliation with Wheaton World Wide Moving. If you are a service member, a military family member, or a government employee preparing for a relocation, our team can explain our services, answer your questions, and show you where we fit into the official booking process for your move.
A permanent change of station (PCS) or government relocation comes with firm dates, paperwork, and a lot of moving parts. You should not have to figure it out alone. Since 1995, we have helped families in Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island, and Snohomish counties move with care, and as an agent for Wheaton World Wide Moving, we can support household goods shipments across the country and around the world.
Experienced Support for Military Relocations
A military move is different from a typical residential move. Orders set the timeline, and that timeline can change. Several parties are involved, including the service member, the installation transportation office, and the moving provider. Everything has to line up: packing, inventory, transportation, delivery, and sometimes storage in between.
These are the challenges military families tell us about most often:
- Tight or shifting reporting dates that leave little room for delay
- Coordination between the service member, the transportation office, and the moving company
- Detailed packing, inventory, transportation, and delivery requirements
- Temporary storage needs when housing is not ready at the new duty station
- The need for clear, consistent communication from start to finish
We built our approach around those realities. Our certified moving consultants and customer care team stay in touch with you through the move, so you know what is happening and who to call with questions. As a Wheaton World Wide Moving agent, we are part of a national network of agents and long-haul drivers that shares our commitment to treating military families with the respect they have earned.
Our standing backs that up. We have been accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 1998 and hold an A+ rating. We are an AMSA Certified ProMover, and customers rate us an average of 4.6 stars on Google Reviews.
Military PCS and Household Goods Moving
Most military moves come down to two things: a PCS order and a household goods (HHG) shipment. This section explains both in plain language so you know what to expect.
What Is a Military PCS Move?
A permanent change of station, or PCS, is an official reassignment of a service
member to a new duty station. A PCS move can be domestic, within the United States, or international, to an overseas location. Either way, the military authorizes the transportation of the service member’s household goods, and a moving provider handles the physical shipment.
The moving provider’s job is to pack, load, transport, and deliver those authorized household goods safely. The rules about what is authorized, how much weight is allowed, and how a shipment is booked come from the military, not from the moving company. Your installation transportation office is the right place to confirm your entitlements before you start planning.
Household Goods Moving Services
Through our Bellingham office and our Wheaton affiliation, we can support the main stages of a household goods shipment:
- Packing and preparation: Full, partial, and fragile-item packing and unpacking, where it applies to your shipment. Our crews use professional materials and techniques to protect furniture, electronics, and keepsakes.
- Loading and transportation: Trained crews load your belongings, and Wheaton’s long-haul fleet carries them to your new home.
- Delivery coordination: We work with you on delivery timing so your belongings arrive when you can receive them.
- Inventory and shipment communication: Your items are inventoried, and you can reach our team when you need an update on your shipment.
- Storage options: Where authorized and available, we can store your household goods in our climate-controlled Bellingham storage facility.
Not every service is authorized or available for every shipment. Packing, storage, and other options depend on the type of move and the program rules that apply. When you contact us, we will tell you which services apply to your situation.
Domestic and International Military Relocations
Our reach comes from the Wheaton World Wide Moving network. For domestic military relocations, that network lets us support moves from our Bellingham area to destinations across the United States. For international assignments, our international relocation services allow for smooth military relocations through our network.
We believe in telling you plainly what we can and cannot do. Whether we can support a specific origin, destination, or shipment type depends on the move itself and on the booking process that applies to it. Call us at 360-676-5267 with your orders and dates, and we will give you a straight answer. If your household goods are moving to or from Canada, you should also know that cross-border moves are a specialty of ours.
For moves of any distance within the U.S., you can also read about our long-distance moving services.
GSA and Government Employee Relocation Services
Not every government move is a military PCS. Civilian federal employees and agency staff relocate under different rules and programs than uniformed service members, and the way a move is authorized and booked can differ from one agency to the next.
Our role in government-related moves is to provide household goods transportation and related moving services where we are authorized and equipped to do so. We do not administer government benefits, and we cannot accept every government-funded move. What we can do is talk through your relocation, explain our services, and help you work out whether we are the right fit.
Our experience with government work extends beyond household goods. Our commercial team has moved offices for government organizations, including the Social Security Administration, the Department of Fisheries, and Homeland Security. If your agency is planning an office relocation, see our commercial and office moving services.
If you are a government employee planning a relocation, here is how to get started:
- Review your relocation authorization. Your agency’s relocation or travel office can tell you what your move includes and how to book it.
- Confirm the booking process. Ask whether your agency assigns a mover, uses an approved program, or lets you choose a provider.
- Contact us. Share your origin, destination, and expected dates, and we will confirm whether we can support your move and how.
Military PCS shipments and civilian federal employee relocations are separate. If you are active-duty military, start with your installation transportation office. If you are a civilian government employee, start with your agency’s relocation office. Either way, we are glad to answer questions about our services.
How Our Military Moving Process Works
A clear process takes the guesswork out of a move on a deadline. Here is how working with Moving & Storage Solutions typically unfolds. The details can vary by program and shipment type.
- Discuss your relocation. Call us or send a request with your orders information, origin, destination, and expected dates. We will explain our services and answer your questions.
- Confirm the booking process. Work with your installation transportation office or the authorized booking channel for your move to establish shipment authorization and provider assignment. A quote inquiry with us does not replace official booking.
- Prepare for packing and pickup. We review the schedule, inventory requirements, any special handling needs, and the items you plan to carry with you instead of shipping.
- Coordinate transportation. We explain how you will receive updates and who to contact with questions while your belongings are on the road. The exact arrangement depends on the service you are using.
- Prepare for delivery. We coordinate delivery with you and, if your housing is not ready, talk through any storage arrangements that apply.
Military OneSource identifies the installation transportation office as a key resource for understanding your entitlements, arranging your shipment, and resolving issues. Please keep them in the loop at every step.
Military Moving and Storage Options
Orders do not always match housing availability. Your lease may end before you can move into base housing, your new home may not be ready, or your family may be staying behind while you report. Storage can bridge those gaps.
Temporary Storage During a PCS Move
Temporary storage can help in many PCS situations. You may be waiting on a home closing, between leases, or waiting for a delivery date at the new duty station. Eligibility for storage and how it is authorized depend on your shipment and the program that applies. Ask your transportation office what you are entitled to, and then talk to us about how we can help.
Secure Household Goods Storage in Bellingham
Our storage facility is designed to protect household goods through every season. Here is what you can expect:
- A 16,000-square-foot climate-controlled facility in Bellingham
- 24-hour video surveillance
- Fire and burglar protection
- Rodent and pest control systems
- Specially constructed 5′ x 8′ x 8′ wooden vaults that are carefully packed and protected from dust and other damaging elements
- A professional, trained warehouse management team
Our storage page lists military relocations and military-approved storage among the uses our facility is built for. Because eligibility depends on your shipment, confirm your options with your transportation office and with us before you plan around storage.
Planning Around Delayed Housing or Delivery
If your housing or delivery date slips, contact your transportation office first to find out what storage arrangements are available for your shipment. Then call us at 360-676-5267 to talk about timing, availability, and how we can help. The sooner we know about a delay, the more options we can usually offer.
Why Choose Moving & Storage Solutions for a Military Move?
Service members deserve a mover that is clear about what it offers and reliable about delivering it. Here is what you can count on from us:
- Wheaton World Wide Moving affiliation: We are an interstate agent for Wheaton World Wide Moving, which gives us access to a national network of agents and a long-haul fleet. U.S. DOT No. 70719 | MC 87113.
- Customer care: Our certified moving consultants and customer care team keep you informed, with a single point of contact throughout your entire relocation.
- Local Bellingham knowledge: We have been moving families in Bellingham and the surrounding communities since 1995. We know the roads, the ferries, the weather, and the neighborhoods, and we serve all areas within 50 miles of Bellingham.
- Moving and storage under one roof: We offer local moving, long-distance moving, international moving, packing services, and secure storage in a single place.
- Credentials you can verify: BBB A+ rating and accredited since 1998, AMSA Certified ProMover, and an average of 4.6 stars on Google Reviews.
You can read what our customers say on our reviews and testimonials page. If you are a veteran planning your own move, we also offer specialized veteran moving services for you.
Request Information About Your Military Move
We are here to help you plan your move with confidence. Tell us where you are moving from, where you are going, and when you expect to move, and our team will explain the next steps and answer your questions.
Military/GSA Moving FAQs
What is a military PCS move?
A military PCS move is a permanent change of station, meaning an official reassignment of a service member to a new duty station. The military authorizes the transportation of the service member’s household goods, and a moving company packs, loads, transports, and delivers them. A PCS can be within the United States or overseas.
Does Moving & Storage Solutions handle military PCS moves?
Yes, Moving & Storage Solutions offers military moving services through our affiliation with Wheaton World Wide Moving. We are a Bellingham, WA moving company and an interstate agent for Wheaton. Official shipment authorization and booking happen through the military’s process and your installation transportation office. We can explain our services and confirm whether we can support your move. Call 360-676-5267.
Can I choose my own mover for a military move?
It depends on the type of shipment and the program rules in effect. In some cases the military assigns the moving provider, and in others you may have options. These rules change, so confirm your choices with your installation transportation office. If you want to talk about moving with us, contact us and we will explain what we can offer.
What is the difference between a military PCS move and a GSA move?
A military PCS move is the relocation of a uniformed service member under military orders, booked through the military’s household goods process. A GSA or government move generally refers to relocations for civilian federal employees and agencies, which follow separate programs and authorization steps. The booking and authorization processes differ. Check with your installation transportation office for a PCS or your agency’s relocation office for a civilian move.
Can my household goods be stored during a military move?
Often, yes, depending on your move, your authorization, and the service arrangements. We operate a climate-controlled storage facility in Bellingham with 24-hour video surveillance, fire and burglar protection, and pest control. Ask your transportation office what storage you are entitled to, and contact us to discuss availability.
Does Moving & Storage Solutions offer international military moves?
Through the Wheaton World Wide Moving network, we can help with international household goods relocations. Whether we can support a specific overseas destination or assignment depends on the shipment and the booking process that applies. Contact us with your orders information and we will tell you what we can do. You can also read about our international relocation services.
How do I arrange a military move?
Start with your installation transportation office, which handles official shipment arrangements and can explain your entitlements. Then contact Moving & Storage Solutions at 360-676-5267 or through our quote form to discuss our services, scheduling, and availability.
Where can I get help with military moving entitlements or a damaged shipment?
Your installation transportation office is the first stop for questions about entitlements, claims, and shipment problems. Military OneSource also offers official moving resources, which you can reach by live chat or by calling 800-342-9647. For anything related to the work we performed on your belongings, contact our customer care team at 360-676-5267.