A moving company packs, loads, transports and unloads people’s belongings. Most new companies start local: moves within a city or region, priced by the hour. Some later add long-distance moves, which bring more paperwork and federal rules but larger tickets.
Demand is steady because people move for jobs, family and housing every month of the year, with a strong summer peak. According to FreightWaves’ 2026 pricing guide, local moves typically cost $110 to $170 an hour for a two-person crew and truck, and LawnStarter puts the average move at about $1,340. This guide covers licensing, equipment, pricing, crews, a worked example and how to win customers.
A moving company at a glance
Table of Contents
| Topic | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Startup cost | Moderate: a moving truck (bought, leased or rented), pads, dollies, straps, insurance and marketing |
| Licenses | State mover licensing in many states; USDOT number and household goods authority for interstate moves |
| What customers pay | About $110 to $170 an hour for two movers and a truck, more for larger crews (FreightWaves, 2026) |
| Busy season | Late spring through summer, plus month-end peaks all year |
| Best for | Physically capable, organized people who can lead crews and keep customers calm on a stressful day |
Who a moving company suits
Moving suits people who are physically strong, well organized and good with people under stress. On moving day you are handling someone’s entire home, often on a tight schedule, so calm communication matters as much as lifting.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics groups movers with hand laborers and material movers, about 6.95 million workers with a median pay of $37,680 in May 2024. As an owner, your income comes from the margin between what customers pay per crew hour and what the crew, truck and insurance cost.
Licensing: local and interstate
Rules depend on where your moves go:
- In-state moves: many states license or register household goods movers through a transportation or public utilities agency, and some set rules on estimates and rates. Check your state before advertising.
- Interstate moves: you need a USDOT number and household goods operating authority from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, plus a process agent filing and insurance on file.
- Commercial trucks: trucks over 10,001 pounds in interstate commerce must follow federal safety rules, and trucks of 26,001 pounds or more require drivers with a CDL.
Interstate household goods movers have consumer-protection duties: they must give written estimates (binding or non-binding), provide the federal "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move" information, explain liability options and offer a dispute settlement (arbitration) program. FMCSA’s Protect Your Move site explains these rules from the customer’s side, and it is worth reading as a mover.
Liability options: explain them clearly
Interstate movers must offer two levels of liability. Full value protection makes the mover responsible for the replacement value of lost or damaged items, subject to the terms; released value is the minimum, set by federal rules at 60 cents per pound per article, at no extra charge. Many customers do not understand the difference until something breaks, so explain it before the move and document the choice. Local rules vary by state.
Startup costs to plan for
| Item | What to budget for |
|---|---|
| Truck | 20- to 26-foot box truck with ramp or liftgate; rent or lease at first if needed |
| Equipment | Furniture pads, dollies, hand trucks, straps, tools, mattress and TV boxes |
| Insurance | Commercial auto, general liability, cargo and workers’ compensation |
| Licensing | State mover registration; USDOT and household goods authority if interstate |
| Software | Estimates, scheduling, invoicing and payments |
| Marketing | Website, Google Business Profile, truck graphics |
Use our startup cost calculator for your total.
What customers pay
| Pricing | Typical 2026 figures |
|---|---|
| Two movers and a truck | $110 to $170 an hour (FreightWaves); $120 to $180 (Bellhop) |
| Three movers | $150 to $240 an hour (FreightWaves) |
| Four movers | $200 to $320 an hour (FreightWaves) |
| Average move | About $1,340, typically $690 to $2,240 (LawnStarter) |
| Minimums | Two to four billable hours is common (Bellhop) |
Local moves are usually priced by the hour for a crew and truck, plus a travel charge and materials. Long-distance moves are usually priced by weight and distance. Whatever you choose, give a clear written estimate that explains how the final price is calculated; surprise charges on moving day are the fastest route to bad reviews.
A worked example: two trucks, owner plus three movers
These are illustrative assumptions, not predictions.
| Assumption | Monthly | |
|---|---|---|
| Local moves | 44 moves a month, average 4.5 hours at $150 an hour | $29,700 |
| Packing services and supplies | Added to about a quarter of moves | $2,600 |
| Revenue | $32,300 | |
| Crew wages and payroll costs | 3 movers including payroll taxes | $(11,800) |
| Truck payment, fuel and maintenance | Two trucks | $(5,200) |
| Insurance | Liability, cargo, auto and workers’ compensation | $(2,700) |
| Marketing and lead sources | $(2,500) | |
| Moving supplies and equipment replacement | $(900) | |
| Software, phone and office | $(500) | |
| Profit before owner pay and taxes | $8,700 |
That leaves about $8,700 a month before the owner’s pay and taxes on about $32,300 of revenue in a busy month. Winter months can be much slower, so build cash in summer and use quiet months for maintenance and training.
Building a crew customers trust
Your crew is your product. Hire for reliability and attitude, check backgrounds, and train every mover in lifting technique, padding and wrapping, protecting floors and door frames, and loading a truck so nothing shifts. Pay fairly and on time; good movers are hard to find in peak season, and turnover leads to damage and complaints.
Uniforms, a short arrival call and a final walk-through with the customer make a professional impression and reduce disputes.
How to get customers
- Reviews: most people compare movers by Google reviews. Ask every satisfied customer and reply to every review.
- Google Business Profile and website: clear prices, service areas and an online quote form. Run our Local SEO Check to see how you appear in local search.
- Real estate agents, apartment managers and senior living communities: they recommend movers constantly.
- Repeat and referral customers: a thank-you note and a referral discount go a long way.
Handling damage claims well
Even careful crews occasionally scratch a table or break a lamp. How you handle it decides whether the customer leaves a fair review or an angry one.
- Walk through the home with the customer before and after the move, noting existing damage.
- Photograph valuable items and existing scratches before wrapping them.
- Explain the liability option the customer chose, in writing, before the move starts.
- When something is damaged, acknowledge it, document it and explain the next steps the same day.
- Resolve small claims quickly; arguing over a minor repair can cost far more in lost reviews.
Track every claim. Patterns, such as damage on stairs or with one crew member, show where training is needed.
Adding long-distance moves later
Long-distance moves bring larger tickets but more complexity: federal household goods authority, weight-based pricing, written estimates under federal rules, longer driver hours and scheduling return trips so trucks do not come home empty. Many local movers start by partnering with an established interstate carrier, earning a fee for local packing and loading, before applying for their own authority. Others join a van line as an agent, which provides brand, dispatch and long-distance capacity in exchange for fees.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Giving low estimates to win jobs, then charging much more on moving day.
- Skipping licensing or interstate authority.
- Underinsuring, especially workers’ compensation for a physically demanding job.
- Hiring untrained day laborers in peak season.
- Ignoring the winter slowdown when planning cash flow.
Your first 90 days
- Days 1-30: check state licensing (and FMCSA rules if interstate), form your company, buy insurance and set your pricing.
- Days 31-60: rent or buy a truck, buy equipment, hire and train two reliable movers, launch your website and Google Business Profile.
- Days 61-90: complete your first moves, ask every customer for a review and meet local real estate agents and property managers.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a moving company?
Less if you rent or lease a truck at first; more if you buy. Insurance and equipment are the other main costs.
Do I need a license to start a moving company?
Many states license household goods movers for in-state moves, and interstate moves require a USDOT number and FMCSA household goods authority.
How do movers charge for local moves?
Usually by the hour for a crew and truck. FreightWaves reports about $110 to $170 an hour for two movers and a truck in 2026, with higher rates for larger crews.
Can I start a moving company without a truck?
Yes. Many start with labor-only moves, loading and unloading trucks and containers customers rent, then add a truck later.
What is the busiest season for movers?
Late spring through summer, along with the end of each month when leases turn over.
What liability do movers have for damage?
For interstate moves, federal rules require movers to offer full value protection and a minimum released value of 60 cents per pound per article. Local rules vary by state.
Should I join a van line?
Some local movers become agents for a national van line to gain long-distance work and brand recognition. It brings training and dispatch support, but also fees and standards to follow.
Keep learning
- Moving and storage industry data
- How to start a labor-only moving help business
- How to start a piano moving business
- Local SEO Check
Sources
- FreightWaves Checkpoint, How much do movers cost? (2026)
- Bellhop, Average cost of local movers in 2026
- LawnStarter, How much do movers cost in 2026?
- FMCSA, Protect your move (household goods)
- FMCSA, Registration: get authority to operate
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hand laborers and material movers
Last reviewed November 2, 2026. Startup costs are estimates; check local prices, licensing and tax rules before you commit money.
