How Much Does It Cost to Start a Moving Company in Georgia?

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Starting a Moving Company in Georgia typically costs between $28,200 and $282,000, with a median estimate of $94,000. Georgia’s cost of living is 6% below the national average, which helps reduce operating expenses like commercial rent and labor. LLC formation in Georgia costs $100 to file. Most moving company businesses take 2-5 months to launch.

Last updated: March 2026

Moving Company startup costs illustration — typical equipment and setup

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Moving Company in Georgia?

Low

$28,200

Medium

$94,000

High

$282,000

National average: $30,000 – $300,000

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Moving Company in Georgia

Budget:

Moving Trucks

$47,000

Moving Equipment

$5,640

FMCSA Authority & DOT Number

$1,410

Insurance

$14,100

Moving Software & Quoting System

$2,350

Marketing & Lead Generation

$4,700

Working Capital Reserve

$14,100

Moving Supplies & Packing Materials

$1,880

Options

Include 3 months working capital

Employees:Just Me1–34–10

One-Time Costs

$91,180

Monthly Costs

First Year Total

$91,180

Full Cost Breakdown

Cost Category	Low	Medium	High	Notes
Moving Trucks	$14,100	$47,000	$141,000	A used 26-ft box truck costs $20,000-$50,000. New trucks run $60,000-$100,000+. Renting trucks initially reduces capital requirements.
Moving Equipment	$1,880	$5,640	$14,100	Moving pads ($15-$25 each × 100-200 = $1,500-$5,000). Appliance dolly ($200-$400). Piano board ($200-$500). All essential.
FMCSA Authority & DOT Number	$282	$1,410	$4,700	Broker authority costs $300 (one-time). Carrier authority costs $300. USDOT registration is free. Interstate moves require FMCSA authority.
Insurance	$4,700	$14,100	$47,000	Cargo insurance ($100,000 coverage) is legally required for interstate moves. Budget $8,000-$20,000/year for a 2-truck operation.
Moving Software & Quoting System	$470	$2,350	$7,520	MoveHQ, SmartMoving, and Oncue are popular moving company platforms at $50-$200/month.
Marketing & Lead Generation	$940	$4,700	$18,800	Moving company leads cost $5-$50 each from services like MovingHelp.com. Google Ads for movers convert well at $30-$100/lead.
Working Capital Reserve	$4,700	$14,100	$47,000	Moving is seasonal — peak season is May-September. Budget for slower winter months.
Moving Supplies & Packing Materials	$470	$1,880	$4,700	Packing supplies can be resold to customers or included in full-service moves.
Total Startup Cost	$27,542	$91,180	$284,820	Required costs only

Licenses & Permits in Georgia

General Business License

Georgia does not have a statewide general business license. Businesses must register their entity with the Georgia Secretary of State and may need to obtain a sales tax number from the Georgia Department of Revenue. Individual counties and cities in Georgia issue occupational tax certificates (business licenses) which are required for businesses operating within their jurisdiction. Atlanta, Savannah, and other municipalities have their own licensing requirements.

Industry-Specific Licenses

Food Service Permit — Georgia Department of Public Health or County Health Department
Cost: $50-$500 • Renewal: Annual
General Contractor License — Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors
Cost: $200-$800 • Renewal: Biennial
Cosmetology Shop License — Georgia State Board of Cosmetology and Barbers
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual
Real Estate Broker License — Georgia Real Estate Commission
Cost: $170-$400 • Renewal: Every 4 years
Child Care Learning Center License — Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL)
Cost: $50-$300 • Renewal: Annual
Retail Alcohol License — Georgia Department of Revenue — Alcohol and Tobacco Division
Cost: $1,000-$5,000 • Renewal: Annual
Medical Practice License — Georgia Composite Medical Board
Cost: $200-$600 • Renewal: Biennial
Motor Carrier Registration — Georgia Department of Public Safety
Cost: $150-$500 • Renewal: Annual

Home-Based Business Rules

Georgia municipalities regulate home-based businesses through local zoning ordinances. Most Georgia cities and counties allow home occupations in residential zones with restrictions on exterior signage, non-resident employees, and customer traffic. Unincorporated county areas, particularly in rural Georgia, often have more permissive rules for home-based businesses. Georgia law supports cottage food operations from home kitchens with direct consumer sales.

Resources

Monthly Operating Costs

After launch, plan for these ongoing monthly expenses for your Moving Company:

Low

$5,000/mo

Medium

$15,000/mo

High

$45,000/mo

Revenue Potential

Annual Revenue Range

$100,000 – $1,000,000 (annual)

Profit Margins

10-25%

Break-Even Timeline

6-18 months

How Georgia Compares to Neighboring States

Georgia is one of the more affordable states for launching a Moving Company, with a cost-of-living index of 93.9 (national average is 100). Compared to neighboring Tennessee ($92,000 median startup cost), Georgia has higher costs for a Moving Company.

State	Est. Cost	LLC Fee
Georgia (current)	$94,000	$100
Tennessee	$92,000	$300
North Carolina	$96,000	$125
South Carolina	$96,000	$110
Florida	$103,000	$125
Alabama	$88,000	$200

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1
Not obtaining FMCSA operating authority before doing interstate moves — $10,000+ fines for unlicensed interstate transport
2
Underestimating cargo insurance requirements — one damaged piano or artwork claim can exceed $10,000
3
Starting without a proper quoting system — visual surveys are more accurate than phone estimates
4
Hiring unreliable labor — one bad move crew destroys reputation and triggers Yelp reviews
5
Not collecting payment at delivery for local moves — chasing collection after the truck is unloaded is very difficult

Next Steps to Launch Your Moving Company

1
Form your LLC in Georgia — moving companies handle valuable customer property and face significant cargo damage claims (filing fee: $100)
2
Register with FMCSA to obtain a USDOT number and Motor Carrier (MC) number — required for all interstate moves and most Georgia intrastate operations
3
Obtain a Georgia motor carrier permit for intrastate moves — required in most states even for local moving companies
4
Get cargo insurance ($1,000–$3,000/year) and commercial auto insurance for your moving trucks — required by FMCSA for interstate operations
5
Purchase or lease a 16–26 ft box truck — cargo vans work for small moves; larger jobs require a proper moving truck with lift gate
6
File your tariff (rate schedule) with Georgia Public Utilities Commission if required — some states regulate moving company rates
7
Set up moving company software (HireAHelper dispatch, Movegistics, or MoveitPro) for estimates, crew scheduling, and invoicing
8
Obtain a $10,000–$25,000 surety bond if required by your Georgia — some states require bonds for moving company licensing

Frequently Asked Questions

Starting a moving company costs $30,000 to $300,000. A small local moving operation with one used truck and 2 employees can launch for $30,000-$60,000. A 2-truck moving company with proper equipment and marketing typically costs $80,000-$150,000. A full-service moving and storage company can exceed $300,000.

Local movers typically need: business license, state moving company license (required in most states), and commercial auto insurance. Interstate movers additionally need: FMCSA operating authority (MC number, $300), USDOT number (free), and cargo insurance ($5,000 minimum, legally required). Some states require moving company bonds.

Local moving rates: $100-$250/hour for 2-3 movers and a truck. Long-distance moves are priced by weight and distance — typically $2,000-$8,000 for a 3-bedroom home going 500+ miles. Packing services add $300-$1,000. Storage: $80-$250/month for most items. Specialty items (pianos, art) cost extra.

The most effective channels: (1) Google Ads for 'movers near me' and 'local moving company' (high purchase intent), (2) Moving.com, Yelp, and Angi lead platforms, (3) partnerships with real estate agents who can refer clients, (4) corporate relocation coordinator relationships, and (5) Google Business Profile reviews — reputation is everything in moving.

Moving is a good business with strong demand and moderate startup costs. The main challenges are: high labor cost (30-40% of revenue), equipment maintenance, and high injury risk requiring strong workers comp coverage. Successful moving companies differentiate on reliability, care for belongings, and professional uniformed crews. Peak season (May-August) is extremely profitable.

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Start a Moving Company in Other States

See the national overview for Moving Company or browse all businesses you can start in Georgia.