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

Compare in another state:

Starting a Moving Company in Montana typically costs between $31,800 and $318,000, with a median estimate of $106,000. Montana’s cost of living runs 6% above the national average, which increases commercial rent and labor costs. LLC formation in Montana costs $70 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 Montana?

Low

$31,800

Medium

$106,000

High

$318,000

National average: $30,000 – $300,000

Interactive Startup Cost Calculator

Startup Cost Calculator

Moving Company in Montana

Budget:

Moving Trucks

$53,000

Moving Equipment

$6,360

FMCSA Authority & DOT Number

$1,590

Insurance

$15,900

Moving Software & Quoting System

$2,650

Marketing & Lead Generation

$5,300

Working Capital Reserve

$15,900

Moving Supplies & Packing Materials

$2,120

Options

Include 3 months working capital

Employees:Just Me1–34–10

One-Time Costs

$102,820

Monthly Costs

First Year Total

$102,820

Full Cost Breakdown

Cost Category	Low	Medium	High	Notes
Moving Trucks	$15,900	$53,000	$159,000	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	$2,120	$6,360	$15,900	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	$318	$1,590	$5,300	Broker authority costs $300 (one-time). Carrier authority costs $300. USDOT registration is free. Interstate moves require FMCSA authority.
Insurance	$5,300	$15,900	$53,000	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	$530	$2,650	$8,480	MoveHQ, SmartMoving, and Oncue are popular moving company platforms at $50-$200/month.
Marketing & Lead Generation	$1,060	$5,300	$21,200	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	$5,300	$15,900	$53,000	Moving is seasonal — peak season is May-September. Budget for slower winter months.
Moving Supplies & Packing Materials	$530	$2,120	$5,300	Packing supplies can be resold to customers or included in full-service moves.
Total Startup Cost	$31,058	$102,820	$321,180	Required costs only

Licenses & Permits in Montana

General Business License

Montana does not have a statewide general business license. Businesses must register their entity with the Montana Secretary of State and register with the Montana Department of Revenue for withholding taxes. Montana has no sales tax, which simplifies business registration. Some Montana cities and counties require local business licenses. The state's outdoor economy and tourism industry influence many licensing requirements.

Industry-Specific Licenses

Food and Drug Establishment License — Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services — Food and Consumer Safety
Cost: $50-$400 • Renewal: Annual
Contractor Registration — Montana Department of Labor and Industry — Employment Relations Division
Cost: $70-$250 • Renewal: Annual
Cosmetology Salon License — Montana Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual
Real Estate Broker License — Montana Board of Realty Regulation
Cost: $100-$300 • Renewal: Annual
Outfitter License — Montana Board of Outfitters
Cost: $200-$800 • Renewal: Annual
Child Care Facility License — Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services — Child Care Licensing
Cost: $50-$200 • Renewal: Annual
Beer or Liquor License — Montana Department of Revenue — Liquor Control Division
Cost: $400-$10,000 • Renewal: Annual
Pesticide Dealer License — Montana Department of Agriculture
Cost: $50-$150 • Renewal: Annual

Home-Based Business Rules

Home-based businesses in Montana face minimal regulation in rural and unincorporated areas, which make up most of the state's land area. Bozeman, Missoula, Billings, and Great Falls regulate home occupations through local zoning ordinances with standard restrictions on signage and customer traffic. Montana's cottage food law supports home-based food production. Remote home-based businesses are common in Montana's scattered rural communities.

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 Montana Compares to Neighboring States

Montana is a higher-cost state for starting a Moving Company, with a cost-of-living index of 105.6 (national average is 100). Compared to neighboring North Dakota ($99,000 median startup cost), Montana has higher costs for a Moving Company.

State	Est. Cost	LLC Fee
Montana (current)	$106,000	$70
North Dakota	$99,000	$135
South Dakota	$97,000	$150
Wyoming	$100,000	$100
Idaho	$103,000	$100

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 Montana — moving companies handle valuable customer property and face significant cargo damage claims (filing fee: $70)
2
Register with FMCSA to obtain a USDOT number and Motor Carrier (MC) number — required for all interstate moves and most Montana intrastate operations
3
Obtain a Montana 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 Montana 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 Montana — 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.

Related Businesses in Montana

Storage Unit Facility

Real Estate

$200,000 – $2,000,000

View in Montana →

Cleaning Business

Home Services

$1,500 – $37,000

View in Montana →

Trucking Company

Transportation & Logistics

$30,000 – $200,000

View in Montana →

Courier & Delivery Service

Transportation & Logistics

$8,000 – $55,000

View in Montana →

Handyman Business

Home Services

$2,000 – $33,000

View in Montana →

Start a Moving Company in Other States

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