Moving Service

Startup Costs: $10,000 - $50,000
Part Time: Can be operated part-time.
Franchises Available? Yes
Online Operation? No

If you're tired of being trapped behind a boring desk all day and have a strong back (or know how to hire people with strong backs), starting your own moving company could be the perfect way to break free and grow your wealth.

Residential or commercial moving rates currently range from $60 to $90 per hour for two movers and a truck, which means this service has the potential to be incredibly lucrative. And if you play your cards right - by hiring additional help to handle more jobs and increase your billable hours - you can take your profits to new heights. Plus, offering extra services like packing and unpacking, as well as supplying cardboard boxes, garment boxes, tape, and bubble wrap, can bring in even more revenue and boost your bottom line.

Is the moving services industry growing?

Ram Katalan, CEO and Co-Founder of NorthStar Moving Company Franchising explains: The pandemic stay-at-home protocols forced us to evaluate our homes in new ways, and as a result millions of people wound up moving, and continue to do so. More are also working from home, and therefore have more flexibility as to where they reside.

The result is that the number of people moving long distances is rising markedly. The percentage who relocated to a different county (40%) or to a different state (17%) in 2021 represented the highest numbers scene since the early 2000s. According to the latest figures from the American Moving & Storage Association, 11.2% of Americans move annually, which equates to about 35.1 million people, or 15.3 million households.

What are the current trends in the industry and what type of person is a great fit to try this?

You must be smart, have a sense of urgency, place a high value on integrity and be able to both inspire people doing intense physical labor and instill a sense of pride in a job well done. It’s vital to also embrace the concept of under-promising and over-delivering — to make certain that every client you move will want to use you as “their mover for life.”

We also look for someone with the following characteristics: passion about work; attention to detail; a readiness to get down and dirty and work hard; and enthusiasm for a fast-paced environment, because every day is full of multitasking.

Related: Want to Be Your Own Boss? Learn How to Launch Your Side Hustle Fast.

How much money can a person expect to make in the first year and in five years?

Income potential depends entirely on how you run your business and how big a company you want to be. You can have just one moving truck, or a dozen… or more. The great thing about owning this type of enterprise is that you have control over its scale. It’s all up to you.

One vital aspect to consider is the required investment; new trucks and equipment are very costly, and even secondhand trucks and equipment in good condition will set you back thousands. As a result, you need to carefully research the market and plan in order to minimize risk and maximize potential for success. Additional concerns include liability insurance, workers' insurance and a moving and storage license because some municipalities require that such companies, regardless of size, be licensed.

What kind of experience/training do you need?

You don’t need direct experience in the moving business. As mentioned above, you do need to be a great leader, have the skillset to oversee and manage a fast-paced, service-oriented operation and a dedication to customer service. You’ll also need D.O.T. authorization, along with any other licenses that your state law requires, such as the Bureau of Household Goods and Services license in California.

Related: Need One-on-One Help? Book a Session with an Entrepreneur Expert.

Are there any resources you recommend that were extremely valuable in getting your business off the ground?

Yes, it’s very valuable to network. When starting a company, join your state’s moving agencies and chamber(s) of commerce. Get involved with the community, including building relationships with banks, mechanics, vendors and other professionals. Make yourself known to local homeowner associations and realtors, as well as to office parks. Essentially, build a community around your business so that you have resources available when needed and most importantly, to get the word out about your services.

Related: Get the No.1 Guide to Starting Your Own Business

The Market

Individuals or businesses who need to move from one location to another.