Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
A local mover needs a truck, dollies and enough pads to protect every piece. Interstate moves bring federal rules, so start local.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Box truck, owned or leased | The biggest cost and the size of each move | Varies by brand |
| Moving pads | Wrapping furniture | $45 (U-Haul furniture pads, value pack of 6, U-Haul) |
| Furniture dollies | Rolling heavy pieces | $19.95 (U-Haul furniture dolly, U-Haul) |
| Hand truck and appliance dolly | Appliances and stacks of boxes | Varies by brand |
| Ratchet straps and load bars | Securing the load | Varies by brand |
| Stretch wrap and tape | Keeping drawers and pads in place | Varies by brand |
| Tool kit for taking apart furniture | Beds, tables and cribs | Varies by brand |
| Floor runners and door jamb protectors | Protecting the home | Varies by brand |
Pro kit: what a busy shop adds
Add these when the calendar is full and the starter kit is slowing you down. Most movers buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Lift straps and a stair climber hand truck | Heavy items on stairs | Varies by brand |
| Piano board | Pianos and safes | Varies by brand |
| Wardrobe boxes and mattress bags in bulk | Packing service | Varies by brand |
| Second truck | Two crews | Varies by brand |
Van stock: what you restock every week
Parts and supplies that let you finish on the first visit. Keep a short list on your phone and restock on the same day each week.
- Boxes, tape and paper. Packing add-ons.
- Mattress covers and TV boxes. Common items.
- Hardware bags and markers. Keeping parts with furniture.
- Spare pads and straps. Every move.
What a moving kit costs
The 2 starter kit items we could price add up to $65 at the maker's listed price, out of 8 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
None of the 4 pro kit items has one maker's list price we could check, because brands and sizes vary so much. Price them with your supplier.
The truck swings the total most. Many new movers lease or rent trucks until bookings are steady.
Prices are the ones shown on each maker's own site on the date in the sources. Dealers and sales change them, so treat them as a starting point.
Where to buy it
Most movers buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our moving suppliers list names the distributors and pro programs for this trade, and the Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro page compares the two big-box programs row by row.
With Koira: the office side of the kit
The kit gets you to the job. Koira runs the rest: estimates with signing and deposits, invoices and card payments and your day plan, all on the free Office plan. Start with the moving services list to set your prices.
Sources
- U-Haul: U-Haul furniture pads, value pack of 6, checked October 9, 2026
- U-Haul: U-Haul furniture dolly, checked October 9, 2026
- eCFR: 49 CFR 375.101, who must follow the household goods rules, checked October 8, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.