Small dispatch office serving a fleet of truckers
Run a small office with a few dispatchers covering many owner-operators, with extended hours and back-office support.
- C$5k-20k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A dispatch company with a small team and a rented office or shared space. Dispatchers are assigned to groups of trucks, cover different hours and time zones, and you add services like invoicing, paperwork and compliance reminders.
Your first three steps
- Work as a dispatcher or in freight first, or partner with someone who has experience, to learn rates, lanes and broker relationships
- Rent a small office or flexible workspace, and set up dispatch software, business phone lines and shared load board accounts
- Sign your first few trucks on trial agreements and use their results to win more carriers by referral
Who pays
Owner-operators and small fleets that want a full-service dispatcher instead of finding loads themselves.
How it makes money
A percentage of load revenue or a weekly fee per truck, plus optional extras like invoicing and bookkeeping support. Income grows with the number of trucks you serve.
Skills that help
- Experience in dispatching or freight
- Hiring and training dispatchers
- Building trust with drivers and brokers
- Basic bookkeeping and contract writing
Watch out for
- Check whether broker registration or bonding is needed for the type of work you do, especially with cross-border loads
- Rules on employees, payroll, WCB/WSIB coverage and overtime differ by province, so check before you hire
- Check municipal zoning and business licence rules for your office
- Commercial general liability and errors and omissions insurance are worth checking
- Income depends on a few large clients, so a driver leaving can hurt, and rates change with the market and season
- Fraud risks: verify brokers, shippers and payment terms before booking loads
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: small dispatch office serving a fleet of truckers
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Delivered instantly. By buying you agree it is delivered right away, so the 14-day cancellation right ends once you get it. Not delivered or broken? Full refund, see Terms.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a truck dispatch office?
Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $20,000, depending on office space, equipment, software and how many dispatchers you hire at the start. This is an estimate, so get quotes for rent and tools before committing.
How much can a small truck dispatch office earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on how many drivers and trucks you serve and the rates you agree. The estimate assumes at least about 40 hours a week. Income can depend on a few large clients, and these are estimates, not guarantees.
What rules should I check before opening a dispatch office?
Check whether broker registration or bonding is needed for your type of work, especially cross-border loads. Also check provincial payroll, WCB/WSIB and overtime rules before hiring, municipal zoning and business licence rules for your office, and insurance options.
Other ways to run this business
Similar transport ideas
Local business delivery service
Deliver goods from local suppliers and shops to businesses and households around your town with your own van.
- C$3k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Mobile horse trailer servicing and repair
Visit barns and farms to inspect, service and repair horse trailers before the riding season.
- C$4k-20k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Bike hire delivered to hotels and rentals
Deliver and collect hire bikes at hotels, campgrounds and short-term rentals, with no shopfront needed.
- C$5k-20k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Seasonal paddleboard and kayak rental by trailer
Rent paddleboards and kayaks from a trailer at lakes, beaches and campgrounds during the warm months.
- C$5k-20k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile boat repair and maintenance
Travel to marinas, docks and driveways to service engines and fix fittings for boat owners.
- C$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Pre-booked airport transfers in your own car
Drive travellers between the airport and their home or hotel in a clean car or SUV, booked ahead at a fixed fare.
- C$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Out and about
