Get ready for a moving company buyer
- Your state mover registration and, for interstate work, USDOT number and operating authority
- Revenue split by local, long distance, military, commercial and storage
- Each truck and trailer with title, mileage and maintenance records
- Claims history for damaged goods, and how each was settled
- Crew leaders and drivers who plan to stay after the sale
Registrations a buyer will check first
Movers that do household moves inside Florida must register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Interstate work also needs a USDOT number and operating authority from federal regulators.
Whether those carry over depends on how the deal is shaped. If the buyer acquires your company, they usually stay with it. If the buyer takes only the assets, it may need its own. Ask your attorney before you settle on the structure.
Military moves from NAS Jax and Mayport
With NAS Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport and Kings Bay just over the Georgia line, permanent change of station moves are a big part of the local market. They run heaviest in summer.
Military household goods moves are booked through the Defense Department's program, and many local movers do the work as agents for larger carriers. Show buyers how much revenue comes this way and what agreements make it possible.
The van line question
If you operate as an agent of a national van line, your agency agreement is one of your most important assets. Buyers ask whether it can be assigned, what the van line must approve and how much of your revenue depends on it.
Independent movers face a different question: how do customers find you? A strong review history, repeat commercial accounts and referral relationships with realtors and apartment managers all count.
Trucks, storage and the real estate
Trucks and trailers are usually a large share of the asset list. Florida taxes motor vehicles when the new owner registers them, even in a sale of the whole business. See sales tax on the assets you sell for how that affects the price split.
Buyers like steady storage revenue. If you own the warehouse, decide whether to sell it, lease it to the buyer at a market rate or keep it. Buyers underwrite at market rent, so a cheap lease from yourself can lower the value of the business.
Seasons, claims and crews
Moving is seasonal. Summer and month end are busy, and winter is slower. Buyers look at a full year or more so they can see the cycle, and they look at whether you kept good crews through the slow months.
Keep claims records clean and organized. A few settled claims are normal. A pattern of damage complaints affects reviews, insurance cost and how much a buyer will pay.
Florida tax steps at closing
Movers carry payroll and a fleet, so the state unemployment account matters. Our guide to reemployment tax after a sale explains the transfer. Security companies face similar crew issues; see security guard companies.
To get a sense of value, send the two step form or call (904) 555-0129.