Showing posts with label How to Start a Moving Company. Show all posts
Showing posts with label How to Start a Moving Company. Show all posts

Monday, July 30, 2012

Starting a Moving Business – Business Guide

Starting a Moving Business, Business Advices

Starting a Moving Business.
Are you planning to start a moving company business? Clever choice! A number of families move at least once every five years and many circumstances require the help of a mover. A moving company can be a lucrative business, but Starting a Moving Business may not be as easy as you think.

In reality, a moving company entails as much preparation as any other sort of small relocating business. It requires many hours of research, financing, and most of all a solid business plan. Aside from these, starting a moving company has unique requirements.
The list of requirements can be long, but here are the key points:

Know the state regulations for moving companies

You must have a thorough knowledge on all the moving company laws and regulations that are enforced in the areas you intend to serve. In California, the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulates the laws on moving companies.

Some of the violations that can get you fined are advertising and starting your operations without permit, failing to meet with consumer protection rules, hiring employees without proof of workers’ compensation insurance coverage, operating as a sub-carrier without obtaining the necessary permit, failing to supply information for the household goods you are moving, and failing to issue the “Important Notice About Your Move” document.

Aside from the state regulations, there are also county and city regulations as well. Make sure that you comply with the list. To have a higher chance of your business to succeed you must follow the rules; else you could end up with a lot of lawsuits and bankruptcy.

Acquire necessary permits

Special licenses and permits are required by some states. The requirements may vary depending on the state, but all licensing and permits are designed to ensure that moving companies are legal and trustworthy enough to deal with the public’s valuables.

Get a reliable vehicle

In starting up a moving company, the first order of relocating business is procuring a reliable vehicle. Since you may be relocating valuable things, it is crucial that your truck is equipped with proper moving gears, such as ramps, tie downs, straps, packing blankets, and others.

Hire adequate manpower

The next requirement that should be taking care of is your manpower. If your plan is to do it yourself, you have to assess your physical capability. The fact is, even if you are that sturdy it is physically impossible to run your  moving company business without hiring at least one employee to help you move heavy furniture and bulky objects. Before accepting your first job, be sure that you have hired an extra hand.

Be insured when Starting a Moving Business

Bear in mind that accidents are going to happen regardless of how careful you are. Just one minor slip and valuables turn to worthless debris. To keep you covered, nail down an insurance policy that gives you a reasonable amount of coverage.

Now, you must have a fairly good idea that starting a moving company requires more than a strong back and a heavy-duty truck, but don’t lose heart. All business ventures involve risks Starting a Moving Business.

How to Start a Moving Company in California

Moving Company in California

moving company in california
Moving Company in California, Start a moving businessMoving companies in the United States have existed for many years, with many of them as family operated businesses. Until the present, moving companies have continued to thrive. With its growth and the likelihood of the business becoming lucrative, many are drawn into it.

California is becoming one of the most populous states in the U.S., so if you are planning to put up your moving company here, this can be a good thing. Studies also show that majority of the immigrants settle in California; this means a lot of people relocating to new homes and therefore a high demand for movers.

The first thing that you have to know when starting a moving company is that it takes more than just a sturdy truck and a strong back to succeed. Here are a few tips that could be helpful to you.

How to Start a Moving Company in California? Start a moving business and establish a business plan in writing. The plan must specify the type of moving company that you would establish. Would you want to concentrate on residential or commercial consumers? It would be wise to develop a niche in order to withstand competition. Likewise, indicate all other important aspects, such as the area you will be covering and your target market.

Study the state and city regulations for moving companies. 

In California, motor carriers for household goods must obtain a license from California’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC), while motor carriers of other goods aside from household items must get their license from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If you would be serving customers across states, you must secure a license from the U.S. Department of Transportation License.

You can visit the Frequently Asked Questions page of the PUC website www.cpuc.ca.gov. The PUC also maintains a public counter where you can be assisted with licensing matters. The counter is located at 505 Van Ness Avenue, Room 2104, San Francisco. They are open from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.

Remember that the moving business is an extremely regulated one. Be sure to comply with all the requirements to avoid serious consequences along the way.

4 Reasons You Should Hire a Moving Company When Relocating

Acquire moving equipment for Moving Company in California. 

Of course, the first thing you would need in setting up a moving business is reliable transportation. Determine whether it would be best for you to lease or to purchase equipment. A moving business would require at least one truck and sufficient amounts of rope, furniture sliders, dollies, bubble wraps, boxes, moving pads, etc.

Evaluate your staffing needs. 

Be realistic with your evaluation, if possible, over estimate it. A moving company with only one person is unrealistic with bulky furniture and heavy objects to carry. You can start at least with two people and add staff as needed. Aside from meeting physical requirements, your staff must be properly screened as to background and criminal records. Remember, you would be dealing with people’s belongings.

Develop a marketing strategy for Moving Company in California. 

In the moving industry it is important for you to be recognized. Create marketing strategies that would inform the public of your presence and of your company moving services. A comprehensive website, for example, would be helpful to your business.

Get a good insurance for your Moving Company in California. 

This is a very crucial part since the business entails a lot of risks. Just one minor trip can cause you thousands of dollars. Make sure that you are sufficiently covered, or else you can end up with lawsuits or pay outs that can result to bankruptcy. So now you know more about How to Start a Moving Company in California

California Moving Companies