Helping People Move

Because of rising inflation and a shaky economy, people are starting to notice that the price of many consumer goods items is slowly becoming more and more out of reach.

It’s probably why nearly 44% of Americans are on the lookout for side hustles to make ends meet. The internet is awash with all kinds of side gigs promising people fast cash with little to no effort.

One job, however, is proving to be more lucrative than many others: helping people move. Yet, not many are talking about it.

So, today, we’re exploring this rewarding side gig and how you can make it worth your while.

An Overview of Helping People Move: A Primer

Moving from one place of residency to another is a huge job. The whole process can be stressful and extremely time-consuming.

Then, there’s the actual physical labor that goes into moving everything from the old home to the truck. Then, you have to move everything back out again once you reach the new residence.

For many, it’s simply impossible to do it on their own without outside help. That’s why it shouldn’t come as a surprise that moving services are constantly in demand. In fact, many professional moving companies are booked weeks in advance.

This is where you, the friendly neighborhood mover, can come in to save the day. For just a few hours every couple of days, you can start getting paid to help people move.

How Much Can Helping People Move Earn You?

Professional moving services cost a little more than $2,000 to move a home with 2–3 bedrooms locally. More rooms mean more furniture, which can raise the cost to $7,5000 on average.

However, if the move is long-distance, then the average cost would be more than double. In some cases, it can reach as high as $5,500–$17,000, depending on the distance and amount of furniture you’re moving.

If you’re just starting out, you’ll need to charge by the hour. So, expect to set your hourly prices between $25–$30.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Side Hustle Helping People Move?

Helping people move is probably one of the most profitable side hustles with the lowest start-up costs.

You can get your side job up and running for around $2,000–$3,000. You can even set it up for even less. After all, you’ll only need one truck, some moving equipment, packing supplies, and storage containers.

It’s worth mentioning that a moving truck requires a moving company license and insurance depending on the type of moving company you want to start. Make sure you check with your local government agencies because each state has different regulations and requirements for moving companies.

Where Can You Find Gigs Helping People Move?

Interested in starting out with this exciting side gig? Read below to find out where you can expect to find work.

Where to Independently Find Gigs Helping People Move

As an independent mover, you can find jobs online via a handful of reputable and trustworthy sites.

For example, you can create a posting on Craigslist. You can also become a Tasker on TaskRabbit or list your moving services on Jobble, which also offers house-cleaning services.

These sites allow you to set your own hours and rates, and take home 100% of your earnings.

Gig Economy Companies That Offer Gigs Helping People Move

Gig economy companies are independent contractors that provide an array of services for clients. Plus, the sign-up process is easy and seamless.

One of the more popular is Dolly, which typically hires two kinds of workers: helpers and hires.

Helpers are responsible for driving the trucks. They also make sure that everything gets safely moved into and out of the truck to where it needs to go.

Hands ride along and help out with the carrying and arranging the furniture.

Bellhop is another leading company in this industry. It’s more of a large-scale moving service for local areas rather than an independent contractor. When you’re called for a job you’ll meet the team leader and fellow movers at a specific location where you’ll all go to the job site together.

Other companies that offer similar moving jobs include:

• Lugg
• Buddytruk
• Hire a Helper
• Unpakt

Why You Should Consider Helping People Move As a Side Hustle

• More financial security: A side hustle like helping people move allows for multiple income streams. It means you don’t have to be at the mercy of one paycheck, which is a step towards securing your financial future.
• Provide career-changing opportunities: By helping people move, you get to meet new people and grow your network. It also helps develop certain skills like discipline, work ethic, and communication.
• Boost your self-confidence: When you have the freedom to try out new things and take chances, like starting a new side hustle, you build up your confidence. Then, when you succeed in your venture, you feel a sense of personal achievement, pride, and fulfillment.

Problems With Helping People Move

• Answering phone calls is time-consuming: While texting customers is easier, not everything can be decided over a text. However, the average moving customer call is around 6 minutes. So, if you’re taking several calls a day, it can quickly add up to an hour, maybe more.
• The business is always on the go: A moving service means you’re spending a lot on the road or moving furniture from and to the truck. While it can be exciting at first, it can get exhausting if not handled right. Plus, you often have to deal with carrying heavy items, which can cause a strain on your back.
• Lead follow-up is difficult: According to statistics, if you take 10 minutes or more to reply to a lead, your chances of closing a lead drop by 80%! Yet, it can be a struggle to respond consistently to leads, which can lead to missed business.

Frequently Asked Questions