Starting A Moving Business - Background Info:
 Running a moving business can be physically demanding but very rewarding. A typical day may start very early arriving at a home.
After you arrive, you may need to pack items and household goods into boxes. After packing them into the boxes, you will have to stack and organize the boxes to fit them inside your truck, trailer or van.
Finally, you will have to drive to the new location and unload the boxes and furniture into the new house.
Moving Business Considerations:
There are a few things to consider before starting a moving business. First, determine your delivery radius. Some moving companies may not leave their city or state. Others move people all around the country. Secondly, think about your vehicles. Some specialize in large box trucks. Others use semi-trucks to haul equipment. Also, think about whether to offer storage and truck rental services. Finally, you may want to think about buying a franchise such as Two Men and a Truck.
Tasks, Skills, and Issues, Needed:
Whether you do all the work yourself, hire, or subcontract, here's a list of tasks, skills, and issues that need attention:
- Keeping track of invoices and expenses
- Scheduling pickups, loading and delivery
- Customer Service
 Money Management- Maintaining licenses and insurance
- Advertising/promotion
- Large vehicle handling
- Truck and/or van upkeep and maintenance
- Ordering of shipping/packing supplies
- Keeping an accurate Mileage Log
- Packing various articles to fit together in one space well for travel
- Packing items appropriately, i.e. additional care and packing for delicate items
Approximate Daily Hours Needed To Run This Business:
 General Hours of Operation:
You may have an office that is open during normal business hours, 9 to 5. However, a day of moving may start very early (6 am) and end late at night or even a few days later (coast to coast moves)
Hours Needed to Prepare:
You may need two to three hours at the beginning and end of the day. This time is for loading/unloading the proper equipment, vehicle checks, logbook maintenance, and planning for the next move.
Employees Needed:
During the start up phase, you and one more person to help you move furniture can run this business. Once your business is up and running successfully, you may need to hire the following:
- Packers and Movers
- Drivers
- Record/Bookkeeping
- Receptionist
Employees Needed To Run This Business:
During the Start Up Phase: You can start this business yourself and one other person to help you move furniture, appliances, and boxes.
Once Your Business is up and running successfully, you may need to hire the following:
- Website maintenance
- Record/Bookkeeping
- General office
- Customer Service
- Drivers
- Packers and Movers
Skill Requirements:
- Great with people, good salesmanship skills
 Ability to lift very heavy items- Have good stamina; physically fit
- Ability to work through very hot or very cold weather conditions
- Excellent driving skills
- Ability to follow directions; know the area or use a map/GPS
- Good organizational skills
Required Licenses:
In addition, to a Business License, you will need a Federal Employee Identification Number (EIN), insurance and possibly incorporation paperwork such as an LLC.
You will also need business insurance, commercial vehicle insurance, cargo insurance, as well as insurance for damage that may occur during the move. Depending on the size of your trucks a commercial driver's license (CDL). Some states require permits for moving companies.
Approximate Minimum Start up Cost:
Entrepreneur Magazine estimates that the average startup costs for a moving service is between $10,000 USD and $50,000 USD. However, this will depend on if you have a truck and trailer already or if you have to buy one.
Necessary Equipment:
- Moving truck
- Dollies
- Blankets
- Straps
- Rope
- Boxes
- Computer
- Printer
- Cell phone
- Safety equipment (such as road flashers and flares)
- First-aid kit
- Tape
- Packing materials such as 'Packing Peanuts'
- Bungee cords
Supplementary Equipment: - Equipment or helpful products that you can acquire to once your business is off and running:
- CB or other radio equipment
- GPS system built into the vehicle
- Warehouse for any needed storage
- Backup vehicles (or just more of them)
- Hitched trailer(s)
- Website
Moving Business Monthly Expenses To Consider:
- Vehicle Payments
- Insurances
 Rent/Lease for parking space and office (possibly)- Fuel
- Vehicle maintenance
- Wages
- Phone/cell phone
- Utilities
- Permits
- Advertising/Marketing
Pros And Cons of Opening A Moving And Delivery Business:
The Pros of Running a Moving And Delivery Business:
 You can work alone- Your hours are more or less your own, depending on the schedule you set for each job
- You get to travel and meet new people
- The moving business is stable; people and businesses are often relocating
- It is easy to incorporate a related sideline business
The Cons of Running a Moving And Delivery Business:
- Physically demanding
- You may have to work in inclement weather
- Pickups and deliveries can be delayed due to road conditions or road construction
- You are completely liable for the loss or breakage of your load
- You may have to work long nights, weekends, and holidays
Type of Customers You Need to Attract:
Your customers are people who are in the process of relocating. They are easy to find through realtors and through garage sale ads in the newspaper. Military bases are very good resources for finding customers as military personnel relocate often.
In addition, you can find customers who are business owners by posting ads and handing out business cards to business owners at local functions and network meetings.
Moving And Delivery Business Statistics:
Because the moving and delivery business is so diversified, see Moving Services Industry Research in the US by IBIS World for current statistics for your particular niche.
Revenue:
 Interesting fact: Berger Transfer and Storage is a $90 million company handling more than 25,000 moves a year. However, it started out 100 years ago with just one man, one horse and one trailer.
Today, with so many fluctuations in the economy, the moving business pulls in approximately $90,000 a year for a one-man operation.
Moving And Delivery Business Resources:
Equipment and Supplies:
RentaCrate
Forums:
Moving Scam (it isn't---but some are)
Franchises:
Two Men and a Truck.
Associations:
American Moving and Storage Association
Software:
MovePro
 Businesses To Related to a Moving And Delivery Business:
See Also:
 Starting A Business Checklist: This section helps you cover all bases when you are getting in to your own business.
 Complete List of Business Ideas - A list of all our business ideas that you can use to stimulate your entrepreneurial spirit. Choose from over a hundred detailed pages.
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