How to Start a Professional Moving Company
Starting a professional moving business gives you an opportunity to add brawn to your entreprenurial skills. Startup capital will be relatively low, and with the right equipment you can build a successful business quickly. Target homeowners, college students moving into dorms, and small businesses seeking to relocate their offices.
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Instructions
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Do a business plan and raise start-up funding. Decide whether you want to operate full-time or part-time, and your coverage area. Contact your local government office or business agency to find out which licenses, insurance, and permits you'll need to run your moving business.
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Purchase or lease equipment. Determine the size moving van you'll need by how much you can afford and what types of jobs you'll be doing. For small, local moves, a small panel truck might be sufficient. Make sure to maintain your van so that it's always reliable and ready to go. You'll also need a dolly and ramps or wooden planks for moving furniture down steps, protective coverings, and a toolkit.
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Commit yourself to professionalism in your operation. This will be the most important factor in defining your business vis-à-vis your competitors. Be courteous and on time. Do not promise more you can deliver. Do not damage or lose any items you are moving. When customers trust you with their belongings, they'll want to be sure their movers are professional and careful.
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Hire staff who are in good physical shape, as they'll need to lift and bend a lot while hauling heavy items. Make sure to have backup staffers who can step in for large jobs or in case of emergency. Your employees should have basic knowledge of how to disassemble and reassemble furniture as well as how to efficiently load a truck or van.
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Plan your moves around what kinds of material are being moved and any time deadlines. Map out long-distance drives, factoring in rest stops. This way, you'll be able to let your customers know a realistic time of arrival.
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Market your business to target audiences. You can approach local colleges through their student services department, since students need to move in and out of dorms. Keep in mind that this could mean long-distance moves. Market to apartment complexes through landlords, as apartment dwellers often move at the end of their leases. Give your business information to real estate agents who often suggest movers to clients.
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Tips & Warnings
Add services to your company such as selling packing supplies or opening a self-storage business.
References
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