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How to Start a Moving Company Business

What it takes to legally start a moving company business in the US — licensing, structure, EIN, taxes, insurance, and your first customers. The steps are the same everywhere; the forms and fees depend on your state, so pick yours below for the exact links.

Typical startup cost
$10,000–$50,000 (truck lease/buy, equipment, insurance, authority)
Licensing
state + local — varies
Best structure
LLC for most
First customers
referrals + local search

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  1. Check the licensing for moving company work

    In-state household-goods movers usually need state authority (often the PUC); moving across state lines requires FMCSA registration (USDOT + MC number) and specific insurance filings. This is the part that varies most by state — some require a state license or registration before you can advertise, others leave it to the city or county. Confirm both your state board and your local government before you take a job.

  2. Decide what the business needs to open

    Local and long-distance household moving, sometimes with packing and storage. The setup areas that usually matter for a moving company business: State mover/household-goods authority (PUC), USDOT/MC number for interstate, Cargo + auto insurance, Truck and equipment, Booking and estimates. Typical cost to get operational: $10,000–$50,000 (truck lease/buy, equipment, insurance, authority).

  3. Pick a structure — sole proprietor or LLC

    You can start as a sole proprietor with no filing, or form an LLC (usually $50–$300 depending on your state) for liability protection. For hands-on trade work where something can go wrong on a customer's property, most owners choose the LLC.

    LLC filing fee and steps by state ↗

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  4. Get a free EIN from the IRS

    An Employer Identification Number is free and takes a few minutes online. You need it to open a business bank account and to hire.

    IRS — Apply for an EIN ↗

  5. Register for state taxes and get insurance

    Register with your state's tax agency if you'll collect sales tax, then line up general liability insurance — most contracts and license boards require proof of coverage.

  6. What moving company businesses charge

    Local by the hour — 2 movers + truck $110–$160/hr (3-hr minimum), 3 movers $150–$220/hr. Long-distance by weight and distance. Packing, materials, and heavy items (piano, safe) are add-ons. Heavily seasonal — May through September is roughly 60% of annual volume, month-end and weekends peak. Apartment-complex preferred-vendor lists and realtor referrals bring off-season work.

  7. Get your first moving company customers

    Google + reviews, Yelp, U-Haul/Bellhop-style marketplaces, and realtor/apartment referrals. Reviews are everything in moving — one bad review costs jobs. Apartment complexes, realtors, and senior-move partnerships bring repeat volume.

    Getting customers for a moving company business ↗

  8. The mistake most first-year moving company owners make

    Treating reviews as marketing instead of survival. In moving, one visible one-star about a scratched floor or a late crew can dry up bookings for a month — damage-claim handling and crew vetting are the actual growth levers.

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Frequently asked

How do I start a moving company business?

Check the licenses for moving company work in your state, pick a structure (sole proprietor or LLC), get a free EIN from the IRS, register for state taxes, open a business bank account, get general liability insurance, then set up a Google Business Profile and line up your first jobs. The order and the exact forms depend on your state.

Do I need a license to start a moving company business?

In-state household-goods movers usually need state authority (often the PUC); moving across state lines requires FMCSA registration (USDOT + MC number) and specific insurance filings.

How much does it cost to start a moving company business?

Plan for $10,000–$50,000 (truck lease/buy, equipment, insurance, authority) to get operational, plus $50–$300 if you form an LLC (varies by state). An EIN is free, and general liability insurance runs a few hundred dollars a year for most solo operators.

What should I charge for moving company?

Local by the hour — 2 movers + truck $110–$160/hr (3-hr minimum), 3 movers $150–$220/hr. Long-distance by weight and distance. Packing, materials, and heavy items (piano, safe) are add-ons.

How much do moving company businesses make?

It depends on your rates, your utilization, and your area. See the income and pricing breakdown for a moving company business for typical owner take-home and what to charge.

How much does a moving company business license cost?

It depends on your state and exactly which license applies — a state professional license commonly runs $50–$300 plus any exam or renewal fee, and a local city/county business license is often another $25–$100. That's separate from the $50–$300 LLC filing fee if you form one. Use the License Finder tool with your state for the exact fee for moving company work.

How much does moving company business insurance cost?

General liability insurance for a solo moving company operator typically runs $300–$800 a year, more with commercial auto coverage or a higher liability limit. Most contracts, landlords, and license boards require proof of coverage before you can start.

Where do the first moving company customers come from?

Google + reviews, Yelp, U-Haul/Bellhop-style marketplaces, and realtor/apartment referrals.

Official sources

Fees and timelines are commonly-cited figures last reviewed September 2026 and can change — always confirm on the official site. This is educational information, not legal or tax advice.

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AI-generated guidance is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or investment advice. Disclosures · Trust center