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How to Start a Moving Company in California

A moving company can start with one truck and a two-person crew. Whether you cross state lines matters most: interstate household goods moves are federally regulated, and many states regulate moves within the state too. Damage claims, insurance and reliable crews decide whether you last.

Reviewed November 5, 2026 · Sources linked inline

California requirements for this business

  • Movers transporting household goods within California must be licensed by the Bureau of Household Goods and Services (BHGS) before operating. [source]
  • A BHGS household mover permit application requires a nonrefundable $500 filing fee. [source]
  • Applicants need liability coverage of at least $250,000 for injury or death of one person, $500,000 for more than one person, and $100,000 for property damage (or a $600,000 combined single limit), plus $20,000 per-shipment cargo insurance and workers' compensation for all employees. [source]
  • Applicants must pass an open-book exam on the Max 4 Tariff with a score of 70%, with three opportunities to pass. [source]
  • BHGS conducts enforcement sweeps against unlicensed movers; a 2026 sweep produced 30 business citations totaling $110,230. [source]

Statewide steps for every California business — forming an LLC or registering a business name with the California Secretary of State — are on our state licensing directory.

FirstBizGuide is not a government agency: any license or registration fees are paid directly to the agency named in each source. These are the California facts we have verified so far, not a complete list. City and county rules vary — check with your local government before opening.

Startup costs

We haven't found a reliable published cost range for this business, so we don't show one. Costs vary widely by market, equipment and whether you buy new or used. Plug your own quotes into the worksheet:

Open a moving company cost worksheet →

SBA 7(a) loans in this industry

Used Household and Office Goods Moving (NAICS 484210): 232 loans approved in FY2024–FY2026. Median loan $159,500; middle half $69,100–$350,000.

Loan size is not startup cost — these loans also fund acquisitions, real estate and working capital. Full breakdown and caveats →

How much competition is there?

Census industry: Used Household and Office Goods Moving (NAICS 484210)

In California: 1,356 employer establishments (2023) and 6,217 businesses without employees (2024). Nationwide: 9,436 employer establishments (2023) and 70,299 businesses without employees (2024).

The count of businesses without employees is for the broader Census group “Specialized Freight Trucking” (NAICS 4842), so it includes related businesses, not only this one.

See counts for your county → Counts aren't a measure of saturation — see the caveats on the tool page.

Equipment and supplies

  • Box truck with lift gate or ramp
  • Appliance dolly, furniture dollies and hand trucks
  • Moving blankets, straps and shrink wrap
  • Tools for taking apart furniture
  • Wardrobe and mattress boxes for sale
  • Floor and door-frame protection

Licenses and registration

  • If you form an LLC or corporation, register it with your state; if you use a business name other than your own, file a trade name (DBA) where your state requires it (in some states that's the county).
  • Interstate household goods movers need operating authority from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and must file proof of both liability and cargo insurance to get it. [source]
  • Many states also regulate moves within the state — ask your state's transportation or public utilities agency.
  • Larger trucks can trigger commercial driver's license (CDL) and vehicle safety rules; check the weight rating before you buy.
  • Get a free Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS if you will hire employees or form an LLC or corporation. Beware of sites that charge for this. [source]
  • Register an LLC or corporation with your state's business registration office (sole proprietors usually register a trade name/DBA instead). [source]

Insurance to consider

  • Commercial auto
  • Cargo insurance
  • General liability
  • Workers' compensation (lifting injuries are common)
  • Inland marine or storage coverage if you store goods

Get quotes from several carriers or an independent agent; coverage needs depend on your contracts, state and staff.

Financing options

  • SBA 7(a) loans — the SBA's main guaranteed loan program, made through participating lenders. [source]
  • SBA Microloans — smaller loans delivered through nonprofit intermediary lenders. [source]
  • SBA Lender Match — a free tool that connects you with interested SBA lenders. [source]
  • Free counseling from your local SBDC or SCORE chapter can help you build the business plan lenders ask for. [source]

Estimate payments with the loan calculator, then check runway with the cash flow projection.

Ongoing operating expenses

  • Fuel and tolls
  • Truck payments, maintenance and tires
  • Crew wages
  • Insurance
  • Supplies
  • Booking software and marketing

Use the break-even calculator to see how many jobs or sales cover them, and the employee cost calculator for staffing.

Common mistakes

  • Quoting without seeing the inventory
  • Crossing state lines without federal authority
  • Underinsuring cargo
  • No written estimate or bill of lading
  • Hiring crews without checking driving records

Finding customers

  • Google Business Profile with reviews
  • Realtors, apartment managers and senior living communities
  • Small jobs (single items, junk) that fill the calendar
  • Repeat business from offices

Startup checklist

Ticks are saved on this device and appear on My plan.

Compare with other businesses

Sources