Transportation · LLC guide · updated
How to start an LLC for a moving company
Movers handle a customer's most valuable things inside their home. Claims for broken furniture, damaged floors and injured crew members are a normal part of the business. An LLC keeps those claims against the company, and FMCSA's household goods rules give interstate movers a specific paper trail to follow.
Our registered agent is optional: $74.25 a year, the same at renewal. Questions first? Ray or Vinny picks up at (954) 470-8356.
- EIN
- USDOT number
- Household goods authority
- BOC-3
- Cargo coverage
Moving Company businesses in the U.S.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2022 (NAICS 484210) and U.S. Census Bureau, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 (NAICS 4842), the latest U.S. totals.
Why moving company owners form an LLC
Damage and loss claims
Federal rules set how interstate movers must handle loss and damage claims. Intrastate claims follow state rules.
Crew injuries
Lifting injuries are common; workers' comp is required in most states once you have employees.
Property damage at the home
Scraped walls, doorframes and driveways lead to claims against the mover.
An LLC keeps the company's debts and claims away from your personal assets when you run it as its own business: its own bank account, contracts signed in its name, and no mixing of money. It does not cover your own negligence, and lenders often ask for a personal guarantee. Insurance comes first.
Licenses and registrations for a moving company
Federal items link to the agency's own page. State and local rules vary, so pick your state at the top for your state's business portal. Tick items off as you go; the list remembers your progress on this device.
- We do thisForm the LLC and get its EINAlmost every registration above asks for the company's legal name and EIN, so this comes first. We file the LLC with your state for $123.75 plus the state fee, and can get the EIN for $41.25; the IRS also issues it free online.
Insurance and taxes to plan for
Insurance
- Auto liability
Commercial auto in the LLC's name for every truck.
- Cargo / valuation
Covers the customer's goods. Interstate movers must offer full value protection or the lower released value option.
- Workers' compensation
Required in most states once you hire a crew.
Taxes
- Crew classification
Moving crews are usually employees, not 1099 contractors, because you set their hours and direct the work. Misclassifying them is one of the most costly mistakes in this industry. IRS / agency page
- Sales tax on boxes and supplies
Packing materials you sell are often taxable even when the moving service is not.
Customers look movers up on FMCSA's database before they hire. If your website, estimates, trucks and FMCSA record show different names, you lose the job. Register the LLC name, then put that exact name, plus any DBA, on every record.
Forming the LLC itself: 7 steps in every state
- 1. Check the name
- 2. Name a registered agent
- 3. File with the state
- 4. Sign an operating agreement
- 5. Get an EIN
- 6. Open a bank account
- 7. Keep it in good standing
The filing office, fee and yearly report change by state. Open your state's step-by-step guide.
What it costs to form a moving company LLC
| Cost | File it yourself | With Vermilion Vitez |
|---|---|---|
| State filing fee (paid to the state) | $35 to $520 | $35 to $520 |
| Filing service, operating agreement included | $0 | $123.75 |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | $0 yourself, or $41.25 if we get it |
| Registered agent, per year (optional) | $0 if you serve yourself | $74.25 |
State fees as charged at our checkout. Industry licenses, permits, bonds and insurance above are separate and set by each agency. Checkout shows the card processing fee before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need federal authority if I only move people within my state?
Not from FMCSA, but most states regulate intrastate movers and many require a license. Check with your state's transportation or utilities commission.
Can a moving company LLC hire day laborers as contractors?
Usually not. Crew members you schedule, supervise and pay by the hour are generally employees for tax purposes. Ask a CPA before you pay anyone on a 1099.
What is the difference between a mover and a moving broker?
A mover performs the move with its own trucks and crew. A broker sells the move and hands it to a mover, and needs broker authority to do that across state lines. Both need to be clear about which one they are on every estimate.
Does the LLC protect me from damage claims?
It keeps a judgment against the company away from your personal assets. Cargo coverage and a written estimate and inventory are what actually pay and settle the claims.
How much does it cost to form an LLC for a moving company?
Your state's filing fee ($35 to $520 depending on the state) plus $123.75 if we file it, with the operating agreement included. Industry licenses, bonds and insurance are extra and set by each agency.
Is this page legal or tax advice for my moving company?
No. It summarizes public rules in general terms, with links to the agencies that set them. For your situation, talk to a licensed attorney or CPA, or book a free call with us.
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Ready when you are
Have us file your Moving Company LLC
$123.75 plus your state's filing fee, with the operating agreement included. Checkout shows the full total, card processing fee and all, before you pay.
Rather talk first? Call Ray or Vinny at (954) 470-8356.