7 steps to a successful moving company business plan

Key takeaways

• When creating a moving company business plan, highlight your team’s credentials to build trust
• Understand and showcase the unique value your company brings to both your local market and target audience
• Use well-researched financial projections to prove you can overcome the high costs of starting a moving business

Just more than 40 million Americans move each year, according to American Community Survey (ACS) data. That equates to about 13% of Americans moving annually, meaning entry into the moving industry can be a highly profitable venture. Standing out from existing moving services in your market takes strategic business planning—so don’t rush to launch.

It can cost an average of $37,000 to start a moving company, so it’s important to take the time to create a complete moving company business plan to serve as your roadmap for the next five years. Use this guide to learn about the key sections to include in your business plan template and how to fill them out.

1. Executive summary

Whether they’re lenders, investors, business owners, or colleagues, your audience is busy. They don’t always have time to read a 30-50 page business plan, which is why every business plan should start with an executive summary.

Your executive summary is a compelling, one-page summary of your moving company. Use this portion of your business plan to lay out the basics of your business and services, and share your mission statement, which is a brief, inspirational phrase. For example, it could be “to help moving families start the next chapter of their lives, stress-free.”

This section should highlight the most enticing facts and figures from the rest of the moving company business plan, so sometimes it’s helpful to write the executive summary last. The research and planning you’ve done will already be carefully laid out, which allows you to choose the most compelling parts to include in the executive summary. 

2. Company summary

Your company summary is your opportunity to show off your skills and experiences. Start by providing an overview of what your company does. Are you a long-distance moving and storage company? Or do focus on services for local moves? 

If you’re already registered with a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) number or have any other required licensing, this is a good place to highlight it. Investors or potential business partners will appreciate a fully prepared moving company that can start earning revenue right away.

You also want to give an overview of your operational plans. Include whether your company has a physical location or works remotely, and outline how many people are on your team, be it drivers, packers, accountants, sales representatives, or other positions.

You can also use your company summary to highlight your unique value proposition, which is how your moving company stands out in the face of competition. It’s all about making your company look its best.

Target market

Your company summary is also a great section to include details about your target market. Identify who your company will serve. For example, if you’re running a commercial moving company, you could focus on reaching small to midsize local business owners who are looking to relocate. As a residential moving company, you could target middle-class suburban families or seniors looking to downsize.

Be specific about how your moving company will uniquely address your ideal client’s needs, and fill in any gaps in the industry. For inspiration, research what your competition is doing—or isn’t doing—in the marketplace. 

3. Moving services

Investors and business partners will expect you to dive beneath the surface of your moving company and detail the exact services you will provide. Do you offer packing, loading, and driving services? Do you offer storage services once transportation is complete? Mention any full-service packages you might have.

It’s important to give details like moving truck sizes, insurance options, and the number of movers who are involved in each service, as well as how long each service would typically take. You can highlight the pricing of your moving services in this section, or save that for the marketing strategy section of your business plan.

4. Market analysis

The market analysis section of your moving company business plan shows potential investors that you understand the challenges and opportunities in your market, as well as how to navigate them.

Research trends in the moving industry and the housing market in your service area. For instance, you’ll want to highlight statistics on how many people are moving in or out of your area, and whether spending on moving services is increasing or decreasing. You’ll also want to research your competition.

Close out this section by mentioning why you will succeed despite the challenges. For example, you may have a niche audience that no other local business is targeting, or perhaps your team may offer the fastest loading and unloading services in your area. Include any relevant research you’ve done to support your statements.

5. Sales and marketing strategy

Every moving business needs a strong sales, marketing, and advertising strategy to reach as many potential customers as possible. Your audience doesn’t consistently need moving services—and many of your past clients may have moved states away—so a strong flow of leads is critical to your business.

Begin this section by outlining some of your marketing strategies for launching your own moving business. Will you depend on family and friends for referrals? Or will you create social media pages and claim your Yelp Page to build your online presence? Explain where and how you’ll use online advertising to give your business a larger, targeted promotional boost.

Once you’ve done that, delve into the strategies you’ll continue using over time to generate leads and engage both existing and potential clients. For example, you may create a review management strategy or send newsletters and personalized email marketing campaigns. You might also partner with apartment complexes for referral business. 

This section is critical for showcasing how you’ll drive your initial sales and continue to grow revenue.

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6. Business structure

Your moving company business plan should give readers insight into your tax responsibilities and liabilities. You don’t have to go in-depth—after all, you are presenting to potential lenders and business partners, so they are likely educated in the business world. Just state your moving company‘s legal business structure (for example, sole proprietorship or LLC).

Your business structure should clarify who is on your leadership team. Identify the business owner and managers, including yourself, and highlight their experience and any accomplishments, certifications, or education that could help them perform the role successfully. For example, you may have successfully managed your own business in the past or your marketing manager may have won awards for a past social media campaign. If anyone outside your management team has equity in the company, make sure to mention it.

Some moving companies will also include a broader organizational chart in this section, defining your management structure and supervisory roles of your professional movers and admins. As a whole, this section of your business plan should present a well-organized, professional team that has the knowledge and ability to turn a business idea into a profitable venture.

7. Financial summary

Your financial summary is an important end to your moving company business plan. It shows your reader how well you understand your business expenses, as well as how your projected sales will realistically exceed those costs.

Start this section with a list of startup costs for your small business, which could include the cost of starting an LLC or purchasing a moving truck, dollies, and office equipment. Once that’s established, outline the recurring costs you’ll face in your day-to-day operations, like the cost of non-reusable moving supplies, gas, insurance coverage, salaries, wages, and rent.

The last few pages of this section will outline your financial projections for the next few years. Create visuals that showcase your sales growth and mock up what your financial documents (such as your profit and loss statement) will look like over time. Working with an accountant or financial planner can help you calculate specific and realistic numbers to impress your potential investors. Ultimately, a financial summary demonstrates your moving company‘s ability to be a successful revenue-generating business.

Think ahead with a moving company business plan

Your road to running a successful moving business starts long before you launch the company. When you create a moving company business plan, you give yourself the time to think about the future and be proactive about moving toward your new business goals. When you’re ready to launch, learn more about how to market your business and attract new customers.