How to Start a Moving Company: DOT Numbers Insurance and Crew Pay

Moving is regulated at federal and state levels and rules change — verify current requirements with the FMCSA and your state. This isn’t legal advice.

Why moving can be a good business

Demand is constant (people always move), startup can be relatively lean (a truck and crew), and there’s room to grow into storage, packing, and commercial moves. The catch is regulation and reputation: movers face specific licensing, and the industry’s trust problems mean an honest, well-reviewed mover stands out (business plan).

DOT numbers & licensing

1. Interstate moves: if you move goods across state lines, you generally need a USDOT number and FMCSA operating authority (MC number) as a household-goods mover — with specific requirements. This is the big regulatory gate.
2. Intrastate moves: many states have their own mover licensing/registration for moves within the state — confirm your state’s rules (state requirements vary).
3. Form your entity (LLC vs S-Corp) and register (licenses & permits).

Insurance (critical for movers)

• Commercial auto for your trucks (commercial auto).
• Cargo insurance — covers customers’ belongings in transit (essential).
• General liability and workers’ comp — moving is physical, injury-prone work (GL, workers’ comp).
• Required liability/valuation coverage per regulations.

Trucks, equipment & startup

• Moving truck(s) — buy or lease (buy vs lease).
• Equipment — dollies, straps, blankets, ramps, packing supplies.
• Software for scheduling/estimates and reviews (website).

Crew pay

Your crew makes or breaks the customer experience (and your reviews). Pay considerations:

• Hourly plus tips is common; some add performance incentives (pay structures).
• Classify correctly — movers are usually W-2 employees, not 1099 (classification).
• Reliable, careful crews reduce damage claims and earn better reviews — worth paying for.
• Manage seasonal demand — moving peaks in summer (seasonal staffing).

Getting customers

1. Google Business Profile & reviews (GBP).
2. Local SEO & ads (lead gen).
3. Realtor & property-manager partnerships (partnerships).
4. Reviews on every move.

Reviews are everything in moving

Moving has a serious trust problem — horror stories of damaged goods, hostage loads, and surprise fees. That makes reviews the single biggest factor customers use to choose a mover, and an honest company with strong reviews wins easily. Building that base fast is priority one. Tailwind gathers reviews automatically after every move — see how it works.

Move customers, earn their trust. See how Tailwind works.