Small moves with your own van or truck

Apartment renters, college students, people buying furniture online, small offices, and estate sale or resale sellers.

Hourly rate that covers the truck and 1 to 2 movers, or a flat price for small jobs. Add mileage or fuel charges for longer trips.

• Safe driving with loaded vehicles
• Packing a truck efficiently
• Quoting jobs and handling bookings

• Commercial auto insurance, general liability and cargo or damage coverage, since personal auto insurance usually excludes business use
• Some states require a moving company license or permit even for local moves, so check with your state's transportation or consumer agency
• Moves across state lines generally involve federal registration (USDOT number via FMCSA), so check before accepting them
• Damage claims from broken or scratched items, so use written estimates, blankets and photos

Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on whether you buy a cargo van, pickup with trailer or small box truck, plus insurance and moving equipment. Treat this as an estimate and compare vehicle options.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on how many jobs you take, your pricing and whether you work with a helper. Written estimates help avoid disputes and damage claims.

Check commercial auto, general liability and cargo coverage, since personal auto insurance usually excludes business use. Some states require a moving license or permit, even locally. Check federal registration (USDOT via FMCSA) before accepting interstate moves.