moving companies business plan

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Moving Company Business plan

If you are planning to start a new moving company business, the first thing you will need is a business plan. Use our sample business plan created using upmetrics business plan software to start writing your business plan in no time.

Before you start writing your business plan for your new moving company business, spend as much time reading through some examples of transportation-related business plans .

Reading sample business plans will give you a good idea of what you’re aiming for. Also, it will show you the different sections that different entrepreneurs include and the language they use to write about themselves and their business plans.

We have created this sample for you to get a good idea about how perfect a moving company business plan should look and what details you will need to include in your stunning business plan.

Moving Company Business Plan Outline

This is the standard business plan outline which will cover all important sections that you should include in your business plan.

• Keys to Success
• Financial Summary
• 3 Year profit forecast
• Business Structure
• Startup cost
• Products and services
• Market Analysis
• Market Trends
• Target Market
• Market Segmentation
• SWOT Analysis
• Advertising Strategy
• Pricing Strategy
• Sales Forecast
• Financial Plan
• Important Assumptions
• Brake-even Analysis
• Profit Yearly
• Gross Margin Yearly
• Projected Cash Flow
• Projected Balance Sheet
• Business Ratios

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After getting started with upmetrics , you can copy this sample business plan into your business plan and modify the required information and download your moving company business plan pdf and doc file . It’s the fastest and easiest way to start writing your business plan.

Download a sample moving company business plan

Need help writing your business plan from scratch? Here you go;  download our free moving company business plan pdf  to start.

It’s a modern business plan template specifically designed for your moving company business. Use the example business plan as a guide for writing your own.

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Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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Moving Company Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Moving Company Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their moving companies. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a moving company business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is a Moving Company Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your moving company as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Moving Company

If you’re looking to start a moving company, or grow your existing moving company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your moving business in order to improve your chances of success. Your moving company business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Moving Companies

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a moving business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business.

Personal savings is the other most common form of funding for a moving business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for moving businesses.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a moving company.

If you want to start a moving company or expand your current one, you need a business plan. Below are links to each section of your moving company business plan template:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of moving business you are operating and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a moving business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of moving businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the moving company industry. Discuss the type of moving company you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.  

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of moving business you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types of moving businesses:

• Packing Service Moving Company : this type of moving company focuses on packing items safely and moving them from a home or storage unit into a vehicle or trailer, and sometimes an unloading service as well, but does not provide vehicles, trailers or transport services.
• Local Moving Company: this type of business focuses on providing packing and/or transport services for local moves within a certain radius.
• Long Distance Moving Company: this type of moving company provides packing and/or transport services for long distance or cross country moves.

In addition to explaining the type of moving business you will operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, number of positive reviews, etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the moving company industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the moving company industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy, particularly if your research identifies market trends.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your moving company business plan:

• How big is the moving company industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your moving company? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your moving company business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, couples, families, homeowners, renters and business owners.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of moving company business you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than families, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve. Because most moving company businesses primarily serve customers living in their same city or town, such demographic information is easy to find on government websites.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other moving businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes truck and trailer rentals. You need to mention such competition as well.

With regards to direct competition, you want to describe the other moving businesses with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be moving companies located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What types of moves do they facilitate?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide better packing and transport services?
• Will you provide services that your competitors don’t offer?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a moving company business plan, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of moving company that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering. For example, in addition to a moving service, will you provide shipping, vehicle or trailer rental or any other services?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the location of your moving company. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, is your moving business located in a busy retail district, shopping plaza, etc. Discuss how your location might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your moving company marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertising in local papers and magazines
• Reaching out to local websites
• Social media marketing
• Local radio advertising

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your moving company, including talking to potential customers, scheduling moves, performing moves and maintenance equipment.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to sell your 100th move, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your moving company to a new city.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your moving company’s ability to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing moving businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing moving companies or successfully running small businesses.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your a financial statement for the next five years broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement : an income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your profit and loss statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you sell thirty new moves per month or per quarter? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets : Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your moving business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a moving company:

• Location build-out including design fees, construction, etc.
• Cost of equipment and supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or schedules of moves you are working on.  

Putting together a business plan for your moving company is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the moving company industry, your competition, and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful moving company.

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How to Start a Moving Company: Cost, Planning and Profit Potential

Back to All Business Ideas

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on November 24, 2021

Investment range

22,750 - $106,800

Revenue potential

$104,000 - $416,000 p.a.

Time to build

1 – 3 Months

Profit potential

$41,000 - $83,000 p.a.

Industry trend

Key considerations to keep in mind when opening your moving company:

• Vehicles — Invest in reliable and appropriately sized moving trucks. Consider both box trucks and larger vehicles to accommodate various moving needs.
• Equipment — Purchase essential moving equipment , such as dollies, moving blankets, straps, ramps, and toolkits for disassembling and assembling furniture. Ensure your team has the necessary safety gear, such as gloves, back braces, and non-slip shoes, to prevent injuries.
• Services — Decide on the range of services you will offer, such as local and long-distance moves, residential and commercial moves, packing and unpacking services, and storage solutions. Consider offering specialized services like piano moving, art and antique moving, and assembly/disassembly of furniture to attract a wider range of clients.
• Register your business — A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple. Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the best LLC services on the market.
• Insurance — Secure liability insurance, cargo insurance, and worker’s compensation insurance to protect your business, employees, and customers’ belongings.
• Legal business aspects — Register for taxes, open a business bank account, and get an EIN .
• Hire staff — Hire experienced and reliable staff, including drivers, movers, and administrative personnel.
• Learn from real entrepreneurs who run a successful moving company:

Unpacking Success with OneShotMove’s Alexander Shvetz

Interactive Checklist at your fingertips—begin your moving company today!

You May Also Wonder:

How much should I pay my moving employees?

The average hourly rate for a mover is $12-$15 per hour depending on location. You want to find reliable workers who will stick with you, so you should consider paying on the high-end to boost employee retention.

How profitable is a moving company?

The profitability of a moving company can vary depending on factors such as location, competition, pricing strategy, efficiency, and the volume of business. However, a well-managed moving company can be profitable due to the consistent demand for moving services.

How do I market my moving company?

Market your moving company by utilizing online platforms such as a professional website and social media, implementing search engine optimization techniques, listing your company on local directories, leveraging customer reviews and testimonials, offering referral programs, and networking with real estate agents and other industry professionals.

How do you scale a moving company?

Scale a moving company by investing in additional resources such as moving trucks and equipment, hiring and training more employees, expanding your service area or offering specialized moving services, implementing efficient operational processes, leveraging technology for scheduling and logistics, and maintaining a strong focus on customer satisfaction to generate positive word-of-mouth and repeat business.

How can I differentiate my moving company from competitors in the market?

Differentiate your moving company by emphasizing factors such as excellent customer service, reliability, efficient handling of belongings, transparent pricing, insurance options, specialized services like packing or storage, eco-friendly practices, and showcasing any industry certifications, awards, or affiliations that demonstrate your company’s professionalism and trustworthiness.

How can I establish relationships with real estate agents and other industry professionals to secure consistent business?

Establish relationships with real estate agents and other industry professionals by attending networking events, offering special discounts or incentives for referrals, providing educational materials or seminars on moving-related topics, participating in local community events, and maintaining regular communication to stay top-of-mind when they encounter clients in need of moving services.

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

No business comes without pros and cons. You should consider them carefully to decide if a moving company is right for you.

• Rewarding – Make people’s lives easier and less stressful
• Simple Model – Good money for straightforward services
• Profit Potential – Scale by adding trucks, employees; the potential is unlimited
• Recruiting – Turnover is high; finding reliable workers could be difficult
• Fatigue – Labor-intensive work and potentially long days
• High costs – Moving truck is crucial, and a sizable expense

Moving industry trends

The US moving industry has recovered from the pandemic slowdown, and demand is unlikely to decline anytime soon. The average American moves about a dozen times in their lifetime, according to the US Census Bureau.(( https://www.census.gov/topics/population/migration/guidance/calculating-migration-expectancy.html ))

Industry size and growth

• Industry size and past growth – Research firm IBISWorld values the US moving industry at more than $19 billion in 2022, with the pandemic restraining its growth to an average of 1% per year over the past 5 years.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/moving-services-united-states/ ))
• Growth forecast – The US market is expected to grow further at 2% per year through 2026.(( https://www.technavio.com/report/moving-services-market-size-industry-in-the-US-analysis )). 
• Number of businesses – There are more than 18,000 moving services providers in the US.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/moving-services-united-states/ )) 
• Number of people employed – The industry employs around 115,000 people.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/moving-services-united-states/ ))

Trends and challenges

Trends in the moving industry are:

• Increasing use of technology to enhance customer experience and complete moving operations
• Remote work arrangements are prompting US residents to relocate to areas with lower cost of living
• Strong housing market(( https://www.morningstar.com/articles/1034818/rising-rates-and-prices-wont-doom-the-us-housing-market )) is also driving demand for moving services

Challenges in the moving industry include:

• High cost of relocation
• Hiring and retaining qualified workers

What kind of people work in the moving industry?

• Gender – 51% of moving consultants in the US are female, while 49% are male.(( https://www.zippia.com/moving-consultant-jobs/demographics/#gender-statistics ))
• Average level of education – Half, or 52%, of moving consultants hold a bachelor’s degree.(( https://www.zippia.com/moving-consultant-jobs/demographics/#age-statistics ))
• Average age – The average age of a moving consultant is 44 years old,

How much does it cost to start a moving company?

Startup costs for a moving company range from about $20,000 to well over $100,000, with an average of about $65,000. Assuming you don’t already have one, your largest initial expense will be the truck. It’s a good idea to keep costs low by purchasing a used truck and building out your fleet with newer models later.

You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your moving company. Here’s a list to help you get started:

• Moving pads
• Rope and furniture straps
• Packing supplies

How much can you earn from a moving company?

Your per-hour costs for a local move should come to about $60, including overhead and labor, and you should be able to charge $100 per hour, resulting in a 40% profit margin. Moving companies generally pay their workers $12-$15 per hour while charging their customers twice that amount per worker hour.

If you’re able to do five four-hour moves per week, you’d bring in more than $104,000 in annual revenue and $41,000 in profit, assuming that 40% margin. As your brand gains recognition and you add another truck, sales could climb to 20 moves per week. You’d also need to rent a commercial space and hire more staff, which would cut your margin down to about 20%. With expected annual revenue of $416,000, you’d still come away with a tidy profit of more than $83,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a moving company Your biggest challenges will be:

• Expenses – The cost of a truck can be high
• Maintenance – Trucks, especially when used, need regular maintenance
• Reputation – Building a brand people trust takes time

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Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a moving company, it’s a good idea to hone your idea in preparation to enter a competitive market.

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

Research moving companies in your area to see what they offer . Are there services you could offer that other companies don’t? Perhaps there are no “bargain” movers and you could provide a low-cost alternative. Or you could go to the other end of the range and offer a whole suite of specialty moving services, which might include packing and unpacking or securely packaging valuable items such as art and antiques.

What? Determine your services

To increase your revenue, you can add services beyond just moving, such as:

• Packing and unpacking
• Long-distance moving
• Relocating businesses
• Junk removal
• Valuables packaging and moving

How much should you charge for moving services?

The average hourly price for a local move is between $80 and $200. In the beginning, you may need to be at the lower end of the range until you build brand recognition. For long-distance moving, you could charge $250 per hour or more. The average price for packing up a home is $1,000, but of course, it varies widely.

Once you know your costs, you can use our profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Determine your target market based on your service offerings and desired brand. Do you want to be a bargain or a high-end mover? If you choose to be a bargain mover, your target demographic is likely to be college students and young professionals. You might market to them on Instagram and TikTok, rather than Facebook.

Where? Choose your business premises

In the early stages, you could keep costs low by running your business from home, assuming you have a place to park your truck. But as your business grows and operations intensify, you’ll likely need to hire workers and rent out an office or warehouse. Find commercial space to rent in your area on Craigslist , Crexi , and Commercial Cafe .

When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:

• Central location accessible via public transport
• Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
• Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
• Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed

Step 3: Brainstorm a Moving Company Name

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better
• The name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “moving” or “movers”, boosts SEO
• Choose a name that allows for expansion: “Flex Movers” over “Apartment Movers”
• A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

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Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that set your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Moving Company Business Plan

Here are the key components of a business plan:

• Executive Summary: A concise overview of your business plan, highlighting its key points and objectives.
• Business Overview: A summary of your moving company’s mission, vision, and its legal structure, such as whether it’s a sole proprietorship or LLC.
• Product and Services: Detailed descriptions of the services your moving company offers, including residential, commercial, long-distance, or specialty moving services.
• Market Analysis: An assessment of the moving industry, including trends, potential customer demographics, and the demand for moving services in your target area.
• Competitive Analysis: Evaluation of your competitors in the moving industry, their strengths, weaknesses, and how your business will differentiate itself.
• Sales and Marketing: Strategies for promoting your moving services and acquiring customers, including online marketing, referrals, and partnerships.
• Management Team: Information about key team members, their roles, and their qualifications for running the moving company effectively.
• Operations Plan: Details about how your business will operate, including logistics, equipment, facilities, and processes for conducting successful moves.
• Financial Plan: Projections for your moving company’s revenue, expenses, and profitability, including startup costs and financial forecasts.
• Appendix: Any additional supporting documents or information, such as resumes, licenses, permits, and legal agreements relevant to your business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business!

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to moving services. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state.

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your moving company will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely.

Here are the main options:

• S ole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have.

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Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN.

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans : This is the most common method, but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans : The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants : A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Venture capital : Offer potential investors an ownership stake in exchange for funds, keeping in mind that you would be sacrificing some control over your business.
• Friends and Family : Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding : Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal : Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a moving business.

Step 8: Apply for Moving Company Licenses and Permits

Starting a moving company business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you will need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your moving business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account.

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of any of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business.

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks. We examine several of them below.

You may want to use industry-specific tools such as MoveitPro , SuperMove , and elromco , to help with scheduling, estimates, marketing, and more.

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero .
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using services like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Local SEO: Ensure your online presence is optimized for local searches; focus on keywords related to your city or region to enhance visibility in local search results. Regularly update your Google My Business and Yelp profiles to strengthen your local search presence.
• Partnerships with Realtors: Forge partnerships with real estate agents and agencies, offering them special rates or incentives for referring clients to your moving services.
• Referral Programs: Implement a referral program that rewards existing customers for referring friends, family, or colleagues, fostering word-of-mouth marketing.
• Social Media Engagement: Leverage social media platforms to share moving tips, success stories, and behind-the-scenes content, creating a personable brand and engaging with potential customers.
• Specialized Services Promotion: Highlight any specialized services you offer, such as furniture assembly or fragile item packing, to attract customers with unique needs.
• Community Involvement: Actively participate in local community events or sponsor local sports teams to enhance brand visibility and build a positive reputation within your target market.
• Mobile Advertising: Invest in mobile advertising, utilizing platforms like Google Ads and social media ads to reach potential customers on their smartphones.
• Online Reviews Management: Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on popular review sites like Yelp and Google, and promptly address any negative feedback to showcase your commitment to customer satisfaction.
• Seasonal Promotions: Offer seasonal promotions or discounts during peak moving periods, attracting budget-conscious customers and maximizing business during high-demand seasons.
• Branded Merchandise: Distribute branded merchandise such as pens, notepads, or keychains in your local area to increase brand recognition and stay top-of-mind with potential customers.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your moving services meet their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your moving business could be:

• Specialty moving for your most precious goods
• Reliable discount movers
• Guaranteed safe moving
• Your family-owned local movers

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a moving business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in a moving company for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in moving services. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. Online businesses might also consider affiliate marketing as a way to build relationships with potential partners and boost business.

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may only need a few employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a moving company would include:

• Movers – Pack, move items
• General Manager – Customer estimates, scheduling, supplies, staff oversight
• Marketing Lead – SEO strategies, social media marketing

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need.

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Moving Company – Start Making Money!

Very few people enjoy moving. But relocation might be necessary because of a new job. Others move to find cheaper housing and live in a place with a lower cost of living. As a mover, you can lift their burden and end their stress with your outstanding services. This is an industry that will never go away because people will always need to move! 

With a moving company, you have unlimited potential to grow and make healthy profits. And now that you have all the information you need, you’re ready to make the move and launch your successful moving company.

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Moving Company Name
• Create a Moving Company Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund your Business
• Apply for Moving Company Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Moving Company - Start Making Money!

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How to Write a Moving Company Business Plan + Template

Creating a business plan is essential for any business, but it can be especially helpful for moving businesses who want to improve their strategy and/or raise funding.

A well-crafted business plan not only outlines the vision for your company, but also documents a step-by-step roadmap of how you are going to accomplish it. In order to create an effective business plan, you must first understand the components that are essential to its success.

This article provides an overview of the key elements that every moving business owner should include in their business plan.

Download the Ultimate Business Plan Template

What is a Moving Company Business Plan?

A moving company business plan is a formal written document that describes your company’s business strategy and its feasibility. It documents the reasons you will be successful, your areas of competitive advantage, and it includes information about your team members. Your business plan is a key document that will convince investors and lenders (if needed) that you are positioned to become a successful venture.

Why Write a Moving Company Business Plan?

A moving company business plan is required for banks and investors. The document is a clear and concise guide of your business idea and the steps you will take to make it profitable.

Entrepreneurs can also use this as a roadmap when starting their new company or venture, especially if they are inexperienced in starting a business.

Writing an Effective Moving Company Business Plan

The following are the key components of a successful moving company business plan:

Executive Summary

The executive summary of a moving company business plan is a one to two page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan.

• Start with a one-line description of your moving company
• Provide a short summary of the key points in each section of your business plan, which includes information about your company’s management team, industry analysis, competitive analysis, and financial forecast among others.

Company Description

This section should include a brief history of your company. Include a short description of how your company started, and provide a timeline of milestones your company has achieved.

If you are just starting your moving business, you may not have a long company history. Instead, you can include information about your professional experience in this industry and how and why you conceived your new venture. If you have worked for a similar company before or have been involved in an entrepreneurial venture before starting your moving firm, mention this.

You will also include information about your chosen moving company business model and how, if applicable, it is different from other companies in your industry.

Industry Analysis

The industry or market analysis is an important component of a moving company business plan. Conduct thorough market research to determine industry trends and document the size of your market. 

Questions to answer include:

• What part of the moving industry are you targeting?
• How big is the market?
• What trends are happening in the industry right now (and if applicable, how do these trends support the success of your company)?

You should also include sources for the information you provide, such as published research reports and expert opinions.

Customer Analysis

This section should include a list of your target audience(s) with demographic and psychographic profiles (e.g., age, gender, income level, profession, job titles, interests). You will need to provide a profile of each customer segment separately, including their needs and wants.

For example, the customers of a moving company may include:

• Corporate and commercial businesses 
• Property management firms
• Other moving companies (you may target those who need help with overflow or those who are looking for a new provider)

You can include information about how your customers make the decision to buy from you as well as what keeps them buying from you.

Develop a strategy for targeting those customers who are most likely to buy from you, as well as those that might be influenced to buy your products or moving services with the right marketing.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis helps you determine how your product or service will be different from competitors, and what your unique selling proposition (USP) might be that will set you apart in this industry.

For each competitor, list their strengths and weaknesses. Next, determine your areas of competitive differentiation and/or advantage; that is, in what ways are you different from and ideally better than your competitors.

Below are sample competitive advantages your moving business may have:

• You may have been in business for a longer time than your competitors, and so have more experience.
• You may have a larger fleet of trucks or more storage space.
• You may use newer technology to help with the moving process, making it more efficient.
• You may have better customer service or sales policies.
• You may be able to provide a more comprehensive moving service than your competitors (i.e., packing, unpacking, storage).

Marketing Plan

This part of the business plan is where you determine and document your marketing plan. . Your plan should be clearly laid out, including the following 4 Ps.

• Product/Service: Detail your product/service offerings here. Document their features and benefits.
• Price: Document your pricing strategy here. In addition to stating the prices for your products/services, mention how your pricing compares to your competition.
• Place: Where will your customers find you? What channels of distribution (e.g., partnerships) will you use to reach them if applicable?
• Promotion: How will you reach your target customers? For example, you may use social media, write blog posts, create an email marketing campaign, use pay-per-click advertising, launch a direct mail campaign. Or, you may promote your moving business via word-of-mouth, PR, or another method.

Operations Plan

This part of your moving company business plan should include the following information:

• How will you deliver your product/service to customers? For example, will you do it in person or over the phone only?
• What infrastructure, equipment, and resources are needed to operate successfully? How can you meet those requirements within budget constraints?

The operations plan is where you also need to include your company’s business policies. You will want to establish policies related to everything from customer service to pricing, to the overall brand image you are trying to present.

Finally, and most importantly, in your Operations Plan, you will lay out the milestones your company hopes to achieve within the next five years. Create a chart that shows the key milestone(s) you hope to achieve each quarter for the next four quarters, and then each year for the following four years. Examples of milestones for a moving business include reaching $X in sales. Other examples include adding new locations, launching a new product/service, or hiring new staff.

Management Team

List your team members here including their names and titles, as well as their expertise and experience relevant to your specific moving industry. Include brief biography sketches for each team member.

Particularly if you are seeking funding, the goal of this section is to convince investors and lenders that your team has the expertise and experience to execute on your plan. If you are missing key team members, document the roles and responsibilities you plan to hire for in the future.

Financial Plan

Here you will include a summary of your complete and detailed financial plan (your full financial projections go in the Appendix). 

This includes the following three financial statements:

Income Statement

Your income statement should include:

• Revenue: how much revenue you generate.
• Cost of Goods Sold: These are your direct costs associated with generating revenue. This includes labor costs, as well as the cost of any equipment and supplies used to deliver the product/service offering.

Net Income (or loss): Once expenses and revenue are totaled and deducted from each other, this is the net income or loss

Sample Income Statement for a Startup Moving Company

Balance sheet.

Include a balance sheet that shows your assets, liabilities, and equity. Your balance sheet should include:

• Assets : All of the things you own (including cash).
• Liabilities : This is what you owe against your company’s assets, such as accounts payable or loans.
• Equity : The worth of your business after all liabilities and assets are totaled and deducted from each other.

Sample Balance Sheet for a Startup Moving Company

Cash flow statement.

Include a cash flow statement showing how much cash comes in, how much cash goes out and a net cash flow for each year. The cash flow statement should include:

• Cash Flow From Operations
• Cash Flow From Investments
• Cash Flow From Financing

Below is a sample of a projected cash flow statement for a startup moving business.

Sample Cash Flow Statement for a Startup Moving Company

You will also want to include an appendix section which will include:

• Your complete financial projections
• A complete list of your company’s business policies and procedures related to the rest of the business plan (marketing, operations, etc.)
• Any other documentation which supports what you included in the body of your business plan.

Writing a good business plan gives you the advantage of being fully prepared to launch and/or grow your moving company. It not only outlines your business vision but also provides a step-by-step process of how you are going to accomplish it.

If you’re seeking funding, a well-written business plan will also give investors and lenders the confidence that you know what you’re doing and that you are invested in the success of your moving company.  

Finish Your Moving Company Business Plan in 1 Day!