What Is a Moving Company Worth? EBITDA Multiples Explained
Local moving businesses typically trade at 2.5x–4.5x EBITDA. Here's what drives valuation up or down in the lower middle market.
Moving companies in the $1M–$5M revenue range typically sell at 2.5x–4.5x trailing twelve-month EBITDA. Valuation is heavily influenced by fleet condition, customer diversification, DOT compliance history, and owner dependency. Businesses with recurring corporate relocation contracts, modern fleets, and professional management command premiums, while owner-operated shops with aging trucks and seasonal revenue trade at the low end of the range.
Moving Company EBITDA Multiple Ranges by Tier
| Business Tier | EBITDA Range | Multiple Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distressed / Turnaround | $100K–$200K | 2.0x–2.5x | Aging fleet, DOT violations, high owner dependency, or concentrated customer base. Requires immediate capital and operational fixes post-close. |
| Average Owner-Operated | $200K–$350K | 2.5x–3.5x | Solid local brand, 3–6 trucks, mixed residential and commercial base. Owner still active in dispatch or sales with limited management depth. |
| Established Regional Operator | $350K–$600K | 3.5x–4.0x | Professional staff, diversified revenue, 5+ trucks in good condition, 4.5+ star reputation, and some recurring corporate or military contract revenue. |
| Premium Platform Business | $600K+ | 4.0x–4.5x | Scalable operations, storage revenue, management team in place, recurring contracts, modern fleet, and minimal owner reliance. Attractive to PE consolidators. |
What Drives Moving Company Multiples
Fleet Condition and Age
High impactBuyers heavily discount businesses with aging or deferred-maintenance trucks. A modern, well-documented fleet signals lower near-term capex and supports higher multiples.
Customer Concentration
High impactAny single account representing 30%+ of revenue — especially a corporate or military contract — creates risk. Diversified customer bases command meaningfully higher valuations.
Owner Dependency
High impactOwners acting as sole dispatcher, estimator, and sales lead suppress multiples. Businesses with an operations manager or crew lead in place transfer more reliably and price higher.
DOT and FMCSA Compliance
Medium impactClean regulatory history, current operating authority, and no pending violations increase buyer confidence and reduce post-close liability exposure in due diligence.
Recurring Revenue Mix
Medium impactStorage contracts, corporate relocation agreements, and military accounts reduce seasonality risk. Predictable recurring revenue justifies higher multiples versus purely transactional residential moves.
Recent Market Trends
Rising insurance premiums and workers' compensation costs are compressing EBITDA margins in 2024, pushing some buyers to apply tighter multiples unless the seller demonstrates stable loss ratios. Meanwhile, regional PE-backed consolidators are active, creating competitive bidding for well-run operators with 5+ trucks and clean compliance records. SBA 7(a) financing remains the dominant deal structure for sub-$3M transactions.
Sample Moving Company Transactions
Owner-operated residential mover, 4 trucks, suburban metro market, seasonal revenue, owner in dispatch daily, no recurring contracts
$210,000
EBITDA
2.8x
Multiple
$588,000
Price
Established local mover, 6 trucks, mix of residential and corporate relocation accounts, operations manager in place, 4.7-star Google rating
$420,000
EBITDA
3.8x
Multiple
$1,596,000
Price
Regional moving and storage operator, 9 trucks, military and corporate contracts, climate-controlled storage revenue, minimal owner involvement
$680,000
EBITDA
4.3x
Multiple
$2,924,000
Price
EBITDA Valuation Estimator
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Industry: Moving Company · Multiples based on 2.5x–3.5x (Average Owner-Operated)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What EBITDA multiple should I expect when selling my moving company?
Most moving companies sell at 2.5x–4.5x EBITDA. Your position in that range depends on fleet condition, customer diversification, management depth, and compliance history.
How is EBITDA calculated for a moving company valuation?
Start with net income, add back owner compensation above market replacement salary, depreciation, interest, taxes, and one-time expenses like legal fees or non-recurring repairs.
Does fleet ownership versus leasing affect my moving company's valuation?
Owned, well-maintained trucks are viewed positively, but buyers adjust for upcoming capex. Leased fleets with favorable terms can also support clean EBITDA without heavy asset write-downs.
Can I use an SBA loan to buy a moving company?
Yes. Moving companies are SBA 7(a) eligible. Most deals under $3M use SBA financing with 10–20% buyer equity, a seller note for gap financing, and a 10-year loan term.
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