How to start a moving company in Canada: 10-step guide

Published Tuesday 21 April 2026

Table of contents

• Why start a moving company?
• Moving company pros and cons
• Ten steps for starting a successful moving business
• FAQs on starting a moving business

Key takeaways

• Develop a detailed business plan before launching, covering your target market, competitive positioning, and financial projections, so you can spot potential challenges early and set a clear path to profitability.
• Recognize that starting small with a single truck is a viable entry point, since the moving industry has low barriers to entry and allows you to scale your equipment and service area as your revenue grows.
• Prioritize legal compliance from day one by registering your business, obtaining the required provincial permits and licences, and setting up a GST/HST account with the CRA if you charge GST/HST for more than 30 days.
• Choose the right business structure early, as it directly affects your taxes, liability, and day-to-day operations, and note that the CRA no longer accepts business number registrations by phone as of 3 November 2025.

Why start a moving company?

A moving company lets you build a profitable business with relatively low startup costs and strong market demand. Here's why this business model appeals to entrepreneurs:

• Be your own boss: Control your schedule and business decisions
• Low startup requirements: Start with just one truck or van
• High profit potential: Especially for those with industry experience
• Flexible operations: Choose your service area and customer types

Before you launch, consider these realities:

• Legal requirements: Provincial registration, permits, and licences are mandatory
• Startup costs: Equipment, marketing, and operational expenses add up quickly
• Ongoing challenges: Stress and hard work are part of business ownership

Success requires more than driving skills. You'll need solid planning and full compliance with legal requirements, such as contacting the CRA if you charge GST/HST for more than 30 days before registering for a GST/HST account.

Moving company pros and cons

Moving company pros and cons come down to weighing steady demand and profit potential against physical demands and operational complexity. Understanding both sides helps you make an informed decision.

Here are the key advantages to consider.

Advantages of starting a moving company

High market demand: Moving services are consistently needed across all economic conditions.

• Consistent need: People and businesses always need moving services
• Growing market: Population mobility drives steady demand
• Recession-resistant: Essential service even during economic downturns

Low barriers to entry: You can start small and grow over time.

• Minimal startup requirements: Start with one truck or van
• Flexible investment: Scale equipment based on budget
• Simple business model: Straightforward service offering

Profit potential: Moving businesses can generate strong returns.

• Good margins: Average profit margins between 10% and 15%
• Cash business: Many customers pay immediately
• Growth opportunities: Expand services and service areas

There are also challenges to consider before starting.

Disadvantages of starting a moving company

Physical demands: The work requires significant physical effort.

• Heavy labour: Physically demanding work
• Injury risk: Higher chance of workplace injuries
• Seasonal fluctuations: Busier summers, slower winters

Operational challenges: Running a moving company involves ongoing costs.

• Equipment costs: Trucks and tools require significant investment
• Maintenance expenses: Vehicle upkeep and repairs
• Insurance requirements: High liability and commercial coverage needed

Competition and market factors: The moving industry has significant competition.

• Established competitors: Compete against well-known national chains
• Price pressure: Customers often choose lowest bidder
• Reputation dependence: Bad reviews can significantly impact business

Ten steps for starting a successful moving business

Starting a moving company requires completing ten essential steps, from business planning through insurance coverage. Follow this roadmap to launch a legally compliant, profitable moving business:

1. Develop a business plan

A business plan maps out your moving company's services, target market, competitive positioning, and financial projections. It helps you identify challenges before they become problems and serves as your roadmap for launch.

Your business plan should include several key components.

Essential business plan components

Executive summary: The most critical section that captures your entire business vision. Include these elements:

• Company vision and goals: Your long-term objectives
• Achievement strategies: Your approach to reaching goals
• Market need: Why customers need your services
• Financial potential: Expected revenue and profitability

Company overview: Define your specific moving services and target market.

Local moving companies: These businesses focus on moves within a limited geographic area.

• Service area: 25–100 miles from headquarters
• Benefits: Lower startup costs and fewer employees needed, which simplifies payroll administration
• Licensing: Simpler permit requirements within one province
• Focus options: Commercial moves (businesses) or residential moves (families)

Note: Employee deductions must be received by the 15th of the following month for regular remitters.

Specialty service movers: These businesses handle valuable or delicate items.

• Services: Niche moving for valuable items
• Examples: Art, pianos, antiques, fragile goods
• Benefits: Higher profit margins, less competition

Your business plan also needs several analyzes to support your strategy.

Required analyzes

Industry analysis: Research the broader moving industry.

• Purpose: Examine the moving industry and identify growth opportunities
• Focus: Market trends, demand patterns, seasonal fluctuations

Customer analysis: Understand who you'll serve.

• Target identification: Define your ideal customers
• Reach strategy: Your methods for finding and attracting them
• Needs assessment: What problems you'll solve for them

Competitive analysis: Know your competition.

• Competitor research: Identify other moving companies serving your target market
• Competitive advantage: Develop your unique selling point (USP)
• Differentiation strategy: Your approach to standing out from competitors

Operations and financial planning: Plan how you'll run and fund your business.

• Business goals: Your objectives as a professional mover
• Achievement methods: The specific steps to reach your goals
• Funding strategy: Your plan for financing startup costs

2. Choose your business structure

Business structure determines your legal entity type and affects taxes, liability, and operations. Choose the right structure before registering your moving company.

Note that the CRA will no longer accept business number registrations by phone effective 3 November 2025.

FAQs on starting a moving business

Here are answers to common questions about starting a moving company.