Starting your own house-moving business can be a great way to become your own boss and make some extra income. In the United States, the national average cost of hiring a professional moving company is around $1,400. For moving to a different state, the average price is higher at around $2,200–$5,700. This means that there is a lot of potential money to be made in the moving industry. You’ll surely attract customers if you can provide a similar service at a lower cost. If you’re thinking of starting your own moving business, there are five things you should keep in mind.

1. Get Some Training

Although you don’t need a degree to start a moving business, having some industry experience is helpful. You can get training by working for an established moving company or by taking some courses at a local community college. This will give you the skills and knowledge you need to start your own business.

Additionally, you’ll need to be familiar with the equipment you’ll need to use, such as trucks and dollies. You should also know how to properly pack and load a truck. Fortunately, you don’t need to be an expert to get started; you can learn as you go.

2. Get the Right Insurance

When starting a business, you must ensure you’re adequately insured. This will protect you if something goes wrong during a move (e.g., damage to property or customer injuries). Ensure you understand what insurance policies are available and how much coverage you need.

For instance, you’ll need liability insurance to protect yourself from lawsuits if something goes wrong during a move. You should also get workers’ compensation insurance if you have employees. In some states, workers’ compensation is required, so check with your local government to see if you need it.

3. Choose Your Services Wisely

There are many different services you can offer as you start your business. So it’s essential to choose the right ones for your company. For example, if you’ve just recently opened your doors to customers, you might only want to focus on local moves. Alternatively, you could also offer this service if you have experience with long-distance moves.

You should also decide if you want to offer storage services. This can be a valuable service for customers who need to. Storage services provide an option for customers who may not have the space to store all their belongings during a move. Plus, starting a storage service alongside your moving service is an excellent passive income source.

Besides all this, be realistic about the services you can offer. Even better, you must ensure they’re in demand in your area. For one, some families might not need storage services since they have a lot of space in their new homes. But those who are downsizing might appreciate this service.

4. Invest in Good Equipment

Having high-quality equipment is essential for any moving business. This includes things like furniture dollies, blankets, and straps. Not only will this make your job easier, but it will also give your customers peace of mind knowing that their belongings are in good hands.

Another thing your moving business might need is vehicle scales. Of course, you can get a scale for your facility, but you can better serve your customers if you bring a mobile vehicle scale onsite.

Vehicle scales can help you estimate how much your customers’ belongings weigh. This information is vital for calculating the cost of a move and ensuring that your truck can transport the load safely. Furthermore, you can help your customers get an accurate move estimate, saving them time and the hassle of estimating the cost themselves.

5. Market Your Business

Once you’ve set everything up, it’s time to start marketing your business. As a start, you can include online advertising, print advertising, and word-of-mouth referrals when marketing your business. Often, a combination of traditional marketing and digital marketing is the most effective approach.

For example, you can create a website for your business and use search engine optimization (SEO). SEO ensures that your site appears in search results when potential customers are looking for moving services. You can also create social media accounts and run paid ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

In addition to online marketing, don’t forget traditional marketing methods, such as print ads in local publications and flyers distributed in the community. You can also promote your business by offering special deals and discounts to customers.

All in all, these efforts ensure potential customers know about your services and why they should choose your company over others in the area.

Starting your own moving business can be a great way to become your own boss and earn extra income. But where do you start? By getting some training, investing in good equipment, choosing your services wisely, and marketing your business effectively! Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to success in no time!