South Carolina is booming. More people are moving here than almost anywhere else in the country, with twice as many people searching to move IN versus OUT of the state. Cities like Conway, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Columbia are seeing record growth.
This creates a huge opportunity for anyone thinking about starting a moving company. With affordable living costs, beautiful coastlines, and a strong job market, South Carolina isn’t slowing down anytime soon. But before you buy your first truck and start taking customers, there’s a lot you need to know.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything it takes to start a successful moving company in South Carolina—from licenses and insurance to startup costs and how to get your first customers.
Why South Carolina is a Great Place to Start a Moving Company
Let’s look at the numbers. South Carolina ranks as the #1 state for moving interest in 2025, with a 2.10 move-in to move-out ratio. Translation? For every person leaving, more than two are moving in.
The Palmetto State offers:
- Lower cost of living (10.7% below the national average)
- No sales tax on groceries and tax-friendly policies for retirees
- Miles of beaches and outdoor recreation
- Growing job market especially in manufacturing, healthcare, and tech
- Mild weather that makes year-round moving easier than northern states
Cities like Conway, Rock Hill, Charleston, Greenville, and Columbia are experiencing rapid population growth. More people moving in means more demand for moving services. And with barriers to entry being relatively low, this is one of the best times to launch a moving business in South Carolina.
Legal Requirements: Licenses and Permits You’ll Need
Starting a moving company in South Carolina means dealing with regulations at both the state and federal level. Don’t skip this part—operating without proper licensing can result in fines, lawsuits, and your business getting shut down.
State Requirements
South Carolina regulates all local moves (moves within state lines). Here’s what you need:
Class E Certificate from the Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS)
All household goods carriers must hold this certificate to legally operate in South Carolina. The ORS provides regulatory oversight of the licensing process. Your ORS certificate number must be displayed on both sides of your moving trucks.
You can verify other moving companies’ licenses and check complaints by calling ORS Consumer Services at (803) 737-5230 or toll-free at 1-800-922-1531.
Local Business License
South Carolina has turned over business licensing to local governments. You’ll need to contact your county, city, or town to get the proper business license where you’ll operate. Each jurisdiction has different requirements and fees.
Intrastate USDOT Number
If your moving trucks weigh 10,001 pounds or more, you’ll need an intrastate USDOT number according to South Carolina’s commercial vehicle regulations. Most moving trucks fall into this category.
Federal Requirements (for Interstate Moves)
If you plan to move customers across state lines—even just to neighboring North Carolina or Georgia—you’ll need federal registration:
USDOT Number
Register with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This number identifies your commercial vehicles for record-keeping and regulatory purposes.
MC Number (Motor Carrier Authority)
An MC number is required for transporting regulated commodities across state lines. You’ll need this if you’re doing interstate household goods moving.
Insurance Requirements
South Carolina law requires moving companies to carry specific insurance coverage:
- Liability Insurance: Minimum $500,000 for vehicles under 10,000 pounds; $750,000 for vehicles over 10,000 pounds
- Cargo Insurance: Protects customer belongings during transport (inland marine policy)
- Commercial Auto Insurance: Covers your moving trucks
- General Liability Insurance: Protects your business from accidents and property damage
- Workers’ Compensation: Required if you have employees
Most moving companies need between $750,000 and $5,000,000 in total liability and cargo insurance coverage. You’ll also need a $75,000 surety bond to apply for your moving company license.
Other Legal Steps
Form Your Business Entity
Choose your business structure. Most moving companies in South Carolina register as an LLC (Limited Liability Company) because it:
- Protects your personal assets from business debts
- Offers pass-through taxation (avoiding double taxation)
- Provides flexibility in management
- Is relatively easy to set up through the South Carolina Secretary of State
Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS. You’ll need this to hire employees, open a business bank account, and file taxes.
Register for State Taxes
Sign up for South Carolina state taxes including income tax and sales tax if applicable to your services.
Startup Costs: How Much Money Do You Need?
Starting a moving company requires significant upfront investment. Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you’ll spend:
Moving Trucks
This is your biggest expense. You have a few options:
Buy New Trucks: $30,000 – $60,000+ per truck depending on size Buy Used Trucks: $15,000 – $35,000 per truck (inspect thoroughly first) Lease Trucks: $800 – $1,500 per month per truck
For a small startup, plan on at least one 16-20 foot box truck. As you grow, you’ll want 24-26 foot trucks for larger moves.
Equipment and Supplies
- Moving blankets: $15-25 each (need 50-100)
- Dollies and hand trucks: $100-300 each (need several)
- Straps and tie-downs: $200-500
- Tools: $300-500
- Furniture pads and shrink wrap: $200-400
- Ramps: $150-400
Budget at least $3,000-5,000 for a complete set of professional moving equipment.
Insurance and Licensing
- Initial licensing fees: $200-500
- First year insurance premiums: $8,000-15,000 depending on coverage
- Surety bond: $75,000 (usually costs $750-1,500 annually)
Marketing and Branding
- Website: $500-3,000 (or use affordable DIY options)
- Google Business Profile: Free (but essential)
- Truck decals and signage: $500-1,500 per truck
- Business cards and marketing materials: $200-500
- Initial advertising budget: $500-2,000
Office and Administrative
- Moving company software/CRM: $50-300 per month
- Office supplies: $200-500
- Phone system: $30-100 per month
Total Startup Costs
Minimum to start (one truck, basic setup): $25,000-40,000 Comfortable start (two trucks, full equipment): $60,000-100,000
Many moving company owners start small with one truck and grow over time. You don’t need to have everything perfect on day one—but you do need proper licensing, insurance, and reliable equipment.
Getting Your First Customers
You can have the best trucks and equipment in South Carolina, but without customers, you don’t have a business. Here’s how to get those first bookings:
1. Claim Your Google Business Profile
This is free and absolutely critical. When someone in Charleston or Greenville searches “movers near me,” you want to show up. Fill out every section completely, add photos of your trucks and team, and start collecting reviews immediately.
2. Build a Simple Website
You don’t need anything fancy. Your website should include:
- Your services (local moving, long-distance, packing, etc.)
- Service area (which SC cities you cover)
- Contact information and quote request form
- Your ORS license number and insurance information
- Customer reviews and testimonials
Make sure it works well on mobile phones—most people search for movers on their phone.
3. Get Reviews Fast
Reviews are gold in the moving industry. After every successful move, ask satisfied customers to leave a Google review. Offer small incentives like $10 off their next move if they leave honest feedback.
Even 10-15 five-star reviews will help you compete against established companies.
4. Network Locally
Connect with:
- Real estate agents (they can refer clients who just bought homes)
- Apartment complexes (property managers need reliable movers)
- Storage facilities (customers often need movers when using storage)
- College housing offices (University of SC creates huge demand)
Offer these contacts a referral fee for sending business your way.
5. Use Social Media
Post before-and-after photos of moves, share moving tips, and engage with local South Carolina community groups on Facebook. This builds trust and keeps you top of mind.
6. Start with Competitive Pricing
Research what other South Carolina moving companies charge. In SC, movers typically charge $50-75 per mover per hour. For your first few months, consider pricing on the lower end to build up reviews and experience.
What to Charge: Pricing Your Services
Understanding how to price your moves is crucial to profitability. Here’s what South Carolina customers typically pay:
Local Moves (within 50 miles)
- Studio/1-bedroom: $300-600 (2 movers, 2-4 hours)
- 2-bedroom: $450-950 (2-3 movers, 3-5 hours)
- 3-bedroom: $700-1,400 (3-4 movers, 5-7 hours)
- 4-bedroom+: $1,200-2,500+ (4-5 movers, 7-10 hours)
Most South Carolina movers charge $138-150 per hour for a two-person crew (that’s $69-75 per person per hour).
Long-Distance Moves (out of state)
Long-distance pricing is typically based on:
- Weight of items: $0.50-1.00 per pound
- Distance traveled: $0.75-1.25 per mile
- Total volume: Cost per cubic foot
A typical long-distance move from South Carolina to another state costs $2,500-8,000 depending on distance and load size.
Additional Services
Charge extra for:
- Packing services: $25-40 per hour per packer
- Packing supplies: Mark up boxes and materials 50-100%
- Heavy items: $75-300 for pianos, pool tables, safes
- Storage: $50-150 per month depending on space needed
- Long carry fees: $50-100 if movers must walk more than 75 feet
- Stair fees: $25-75 per flight of stairs
Don’t Forget Your Costs
When setting prices, factor in:
- Labor costs (pay your movers $15-20/hour)
- Fuel (trucks get 7-10 mpg on diesel)
- Insurance
- Truck payments/maintenance
- Marketing expenses
- Your profit margin (aim for 25-35%)
Common Mistakes New Moving Companies Make
Learn from others’ mistakes:
1. Underpricing to Get Jobs
It’s tempting to offer rock-bottom prices, but you’ll go broke. Make sure every job covers your costs plus a reasonable profit.
2. Not Getting Everything in Writing
Always provide a written estimate and bill of lading. South Carolina law requires this, and it protects both you and your customer.
3. Hiring Unreliable Crews
Your movers represent your company. One bad crew member can destroy your reputation. Do background checks and train everyone thoroughly.
4. Skipping Insurance
“I’ll save money by not getting full coverage” is how companies go out of business. One damaged antique or injury can bankrupt you without proper insurance.
5. Poor Communication
Keep customers updated throughout the process. Most complaints happen because companies go silent when problems arise.
6. Not Using Technology
Invest in moving company software or a CRM. It helps you track leads, schedule jobs, send estimates, and manage everything in one place. The time savings pay for itself immediately.
Growing Your Moving Business in South Carolina
Once you’re established and consistently booking jobs, here’s how to scale up:
Expand Your Service Area
Start in one city like Charleston or Columbia, then gradually expand to nearby areas. South Carolina’s geography makes it easy to cover multiple cities from one central location.
Add More Trucks and Crews
Each additional truck lets you handle more jobs simultaneously. Make sure you have the demand first—don’t buy trucks that sit empty.
Offer Additional Services
- Packing and unpacking
- Storage solutions
- Specialty moves (pianos, antiques, commercial)
- Junk removal
More services mean more revenue per customer.
Build Strong Systems
As you grow, document your processes:
- How to answer the phone and qualify leads
- How to conduct estimates
- How to pack and load efficiently
- How to handle customer complaints
This makes training new employees easier and keeps quality consistent.
Focus on Reviews and Reputation
In the moving industry, reputation is everything. Companies with 100+ five-star reviews can charge premium prices and stay booked year-round. Always deliver excellent service and ask for reviews.
The South Carolina Moving Company Opportunity
South Carolina’s population boom isn’t slowing down. People are choosing the Palmetto State for its affordability, jobs, weather, and quality of life. Every one of those new residents needs help moving.
Starting a moving company here in 2025 gives you the chance to build a profitable business in a growing market. Yes, there’s competition—but there’s also plenty of demand for reliable, professional movers who treat customers right.
The keys to success are simple:
- Get properly licensed and insured
- Invest in good equipment
- Hire trustworthy people
- Provide excellent service
- Market consistently
- Use technology to stay organized
Most moving companies fail not because of competition, but because they cut corners, provide poor service, or don’t manage their money well. Do those things right, and you’ll stand out in South Carolina’s moving industry.
Ready to manage your moving business more efficiently? Consider using a CRM system designed for moving companies to track leads, schedule jobs, send estimates, and keep everything organized as you grow.