Establish a moving company

In order for a moving business to succeed, the entrepreneur needs to do massive advertising and branding. File Photo 

In Summary

You have combed the streets, in search of that dream job in an air-conditioned office but none has come through.
Two or more years you are still searching?
A moving company, or van line is a company that helps people and businesses move their property or goods from one place to another, writes Dorothy Nakaweesi

By Dorothy Nakaweesi

Like they say if plan A fails try Plan B. Consider starting your own business, be your own boss and fulfil your dreams.

Today, we are taking you through on how you can establish and earn from a moving/movers business.

Ideally, a moving company, removalist or van line is a company that helps people and businesses move their property or goods from one place to another.
It offers all inclusive services for relocations like packing, loading, moving, unloading, unpacking, arranging of items to be shifted.

So what does it take to start a moving business?
Starting a moving business may not exactly be a dream job for many people but those who started it are counting millions in the bank.
So then, if you do certain things right, this business will guarantee you clean money and shower you with fortune that you will never regret.
Mr Newton Buteraba, the chief executive officer House of Wealth, a local firm that offers business advisory services and motivational speaking says: “Starting a moving business is profitable and does not require a lot of money to start.”

Investment capital
Ideally, like any other business, drawing up a business plans is very key because it is your guide on how to run and manage this business profitably.
Buteraba suggests that depending on how big one wants the business, starting capital varies but it would be advisable to start small and later grow to the stage of owning trucks to help you in your operations.
Business experts say if one is equipped with about Shs1m, he or she can start this business.

Breaking this down, you will have to spend about Shs300,000 for printing business cards, receipt books and fliers to market your business and services. Then Shs200, 000 will be spent on buying and branding the business items and uniforms for your casual employees.

Then the remaining Shs500, 000 is your operating capital-to pay salaries, hire trucks if you don’t own some and packaging materials.
“All one needs is to invest heavily in advertising and marketing your services through printing fliers and need be move door-to-door,” Buteraba shared.
It would be advisable to look out for the up-coming residential areas with estates in Naalya, Ntinda, Kira, Bweyogerere, Kireka, Kyaliwajala and Seeta especially for those who are starting small.

Know-how
In Uganda, a couple of companies have been established and judging from the demand there is still opportunity for you to join the business.
Uganda Movers and Packers is one of those already established in the business at least for the last 10-years.
Sharing their journey in this business with Prosper Magazine, Mr Henry Kasoma, the operations manager of the company say: “Because we deal with mostly handling people’s properties one sure way to be successful in this business is to employ trusted employees who exercise utmost confidentiality and discipline.”

For their business to grow and last this long, they started it on a good footing where all pioneer employees were siblings.
“As siblings, we know and trust each other and in case of any problem we know where to find each other,” Kasoma shares.
This has helped them to grow the business. But eventually they had to bring on board other people whom they have inculcated into the discipline. The company handles from simple move of household which cost Shs400, 000 to big ones which go up to Shs5, 100,000 for a distance within eight miles radius.

“However, these prices are intended to be used as an approximation cost of your move. The rates include wrapping materials, standard boxes, transportation, delivery/unloading, setting up items at the new premise and insurance,” Kasoma shared.
On average, the company which now has four trucks makes three trips daily and in a month this comes to 90 trips, which bring in a monthly turnover about Shs67.5 million from each trip which cost Shs750, 000.

Challenges
This business, like others also has its own challenges and if not handled carefully its survival in the market could be short lived.
Kasoma shares that because they move mostly people’s properties from one location to another damage is inevitable.
“If your business is not insured then it means the company incurs the losses,” he adds.
He says sometimes clients allege that their property was lost in the process of moving, which may not be true.

Advice
Mr Buteraba says permits or police letters which authorise them to do this kind of business are a must.
Because this business involves handling property, insuring it will save you during the rainy day.
When doing inventory make sure you take photos of all the items you have packed and let the client sign before and after you have delivered them.
Hire a lawyer to guide you in crafting a standard agreement or contract that you will sign with your clients.
Make it a point to inspect the clients’ old and new place before moving them. This will help you to plan well on how those items will be carried and also organizing them after the move.