Moving is no easy feat, and that’s why many U.S. families and companies hire moving companies to help them relocate. If you’re interested in starting a moving business, you’re in good company. Americans move every five years, and the national moving industry has a market size of $14 billion.
Moving services can generally be broken down into residential, commercial, or structural movers, which relocate entire buildings. Fun fact: In 1985, San Antonio’s Fairmont Hotel was moved to a new location. This largest recorded structural move took six days to shift the 1600-ton structure half a mile.
The point? There’s always a need for all sorts of moving companies. No matter what kind of moving business you plan to start, this guide can help you plot your route.
In 2019, about 31 million Americans moved their home or office — that’s about 10% of the U.S. population. Ongoing demand can translate into a stable career with good job security.
A moving company can also be recession-proof. When the economy is good, people move to bigger homes and offices. When it’s bad, people downsize to condos and smaller office spaces.
Plus, startup requirements are fairly low. To start your own moving business, you don’t need an advanced degree, a metric ton of experience, or a costly storefront. You can get rolling with basic moving equipment, moving trucks, and a website.
Knowing your startup’s path to success can help you start your moving company with all the right turns. Use the startup checklist below to help you get your new business on the road.
Your moving company will need a business plan. In as little as a few pages, your business plan explains how your company will run and grow, and can be essential when seeking outside funding. It’s a crucial step for first-time business owners, and it gives you the best path toward success, and away from critical mistakes.
When writing a business plan, consider including the following information:
When you launch your new moving business, you need to decide how to structure it. Business owners in the moving industry often pick between a sole proprietorship or a limited liability company (LLC).
✔ Need more information about business entity types? Check out this guide that compares the pros and cons of different business structures →
Costs for procuring and maintaining one or more moving trucks will generally start at several thousand dollars per truck, depending on factors such as size and condition. Other durable and consumable supplies may cost a few thousand dollars.
Ongoing costs may include payroll expenses, payroll taxes, and insurances, such as health insurance, liability insurance, and vehicle insurance. Also budget for a website and other marketing, such as printing business cards or running ads.
✔ Business costs may seem overwhelming to calculate. Learn how to calculate your small business costs in this guide →
Federal loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA) have a lengthy process, but they can be a solid path for startup capital.
✔ What funding options do you have as a business owner? Learn how to fund your business in this guide →
Do you have a business name in mind? Moving companies can have fairly simple names, like Flatrate Moving, or Two Men and a Truck. Wondering how to name your LLC? In most states, the name must include “Limited Liability Company” or “LLC” in its title, and another company can’t already be using the name. You can get around printing LLC on all your marketing materials with a DBA as the name for your moving company.
Once you’ve selected the name for your own moving company, register your business structure with the state. This usually means filing LLC formation documents and paying any filing fees. A business formation service can also take this off your plate.
Go to the IRS website and request an employer identification number (EIN). Your EIN is required to open bank accounts, apply for a loan, pay employees, and pay taxes.
A moving company typically needs liability insurance and auto insurance. Some companies also need cargo insurance. Consider working with a local agent to get the right coverage.
Opening business bank accounts keeps your personal and business finances separate. Also consider working with an attorney to draft a standard services contract for customers.
✔ Learn all you need to know to set up a business checking account in this guide →
At this stage, many moving companies also register the company’s domain name so they can set up a business website. If you’re using social media platforms such as Facebook or LinkedIn to market your moving company, you can set up those accounts, too.
Equipment your new moving company may include:
Before you buy equipment, talk to another moving company owner or employee to ask about essential gear. Stay within your budget, and consider starting with the bare essentials. Take a look at the equipment that professional movers use in a list from Olympia Moving.
A marketing plan can move your startup toward success by helping you attract potential customers.
It’s a smart play to start with a simple Wix or Weebly website. These prepackaged options are relatively inexpensive, easy to maintain, and present a professional appearance.
You can also post useful content to social media accounts, complete with pictures of current jobs and testimonials from happy clients. Moversville has a great piece on writing moving company social media posts that get traffic and build client lists.
Joining online directories such as Google My Business and YellowPages can help more people find your local moving company too.
Don’t forget word of mouth. Ask customers for referrals — and reward those who refer you to another client.
✔ Learn what you can do to effectively market your business here →
When it comes to your moving company, there are different types of moving businesses you can start as well as niches you could specialize in based on the opportunities around you. Consider:
A moving company is a type of business that can be easy to start. There’s a low barrier of entry, startup costs are minimal, and moving services are always in demand. Starting any new business can take time to get off the ground, but with some patience, the opportunity to grow into a successful moving company is there.
A business formation company can make setting up your business a breeze.
Since a moving company is fairly easy to start, the biggest challenge is often competition. As you complete jobs, it’s a good idea to ask customers for referrals and encourage them to review your work. Review sites can sway a potential customer’s decision, so adding positive reviews to your profile can help set you apart from competitors.
On average, movers charge between $55 to $320 per hour, with the national average landing at $100. Additional fees can be added outside a certain radius. Moves that are more than 50 miles outside of the city, for example, can increase by $20 to $30 per hour.
Any specialty or oversized item that needs to be moved can be quoted separately, such as a hot tub, high-value art, pool table, or playground.
The standard rate is $100 an hour, and most smaller moves are quoted at four hours. Each move can bring in about $400. However, that’s not all profit. Estimate about $100 for gas, repairs, and depreciation on your truck. Plus, you’ll need to pay employees.
A moving company can be set up to generate passive income as well. Your business can reach a point where you simply manage it, or minimally manage it, and have others do all of the heavy lifting. It could take a few years to reach this scale, but it’s something to keep in mind for your long-term business plans.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
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