Top questions to ask when starting a moving company

Starting a business is an exciting thing. There’s a world of possibilities and about a million questions to ask before you can even get started.

But when you’re starting a moving business, there are certain questions that come up more often than others. We’ve listed a few here to help you get some quick answers.

What are the different types of moving companies?

Local movers

Focus on moving within a 100-mile radius and within the same state or province. These companies usually charge by the hour.

Interstate movers (long-distance or long-haul movers)

Like the name suggests, these movers cross state or provincial lines, and typically travel more than 100 miles. These movers charge based on the weight of your shipment.

Commercial movers

When businesses or other companies have to relocate to a different office or warehouse. Commercial movers will almost always pack the office items as well as move them.

Residential movers

These movers help people move their homes, whether it’s an apartment or a house. Though most people pack their belongings themselves, residential movers do sometimes offer packing services.

When is peak moving season?

For starters, the start (1-2) and end (30-31) of every month can be quite busy since that’s usually when renters have to move.

And of course, weekends, since people don’t like to take time off of work to move, so Fridays through Sundays are also busy times.

Lastly, the summer is when you can expect around 80% of all moves in the U.S. This can be attributed to several reasons: the nicer weather means it’s easier to get around and kids being on summer break.

How to price moving jobs?

How you price your moving jobs depends on the type of moving services you offer. Typically, local moves are priced by the hour whereas long-distance movers charge by the total weight. 

What is the cost to start a moving business?

The cost to start a moving company can vary depending on what types of services you offer. There are certain things movers must have, such as moving blankets, dollies, stretch wrap and, of course, a truck.

Some of these costs can be spent when they’re needed – like a truck. You don’t have to purchase a cargo van or a box truck right away. Those can be rented at first. But other items, like the blankets and dollies, you’ll probably want to invest in right away since you’ll need those.

There’s also the cost of getting the right permits and insurance coverage, and registering your business at the state and/or federal level.

*The following sections serve as general answers and should not be construed as legally binding. Please consult with a lawyer to ensure you have the right information for you and your business.

*What licenses or permits are needed to start a moving company?

Requirements are different depending on whether you operate a local or long-distance moving company, and in what state you operate. Some states require a federal identification number from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and/or meet the standards of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), while other states do not require this. It’s best to check with your state’s department of transportation and/or commerce commission to be certain.  

*What are some moving company policies and procedures? 

Your company policies help keep your customers informed of what to expect when working with you. This includes (but is not limited to):

• Cancellation: What happens if you or the customer cancels the job?
• Deposits: What is your expectation for deposits?
• Minimum charges: Do you have a minimum charge for all jobs?
• Extra charges (stairs, appliances, etc): Are you going to charge extra for particularly tricky moves?
• Method of payment: What payment methods do you accept?
• Damage claims and insurance coverage: How will you manage damage claims if they come up?
• What you do and don’t move: Is there anything that is out of scope for your crew (ie. fine art, grand pianos, or pets)?
• Customer responsibilities: What is the customer agreeing to when they sign the contract? Ie. Do you offer packing services or is it their responsibility to pack up before your crew arrives?

Starting a moving company brings up a lot of questions

The more questions you ask early on in your business, the better off you’ll be in the long-run. Asking these questions (and finding the answers) will help you build a strong foundation for your moving business.

Learn more about what kind of moving company software you need when starting a moving company. Contact Supermove today.

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