Can a moving company get a business loan?

Yes. Moving companies finance box trucks and moving vans through equipment financing, use working-capital lines of credit to cover off-season payroll (November–February), and access SBA 7(a) for expansion. Interstate movers require FMCSA DOT registration, which is a lender eligibility checkpoint.

Moving company financing options

Moving companies (NAICS 4841 — General Freight Trucking, Local and NAICS 4842 — Specialized Freight Trucking) use three main financing tools:

Equipment financing — covers box trucks ($40,000–$120,000 depending on size), moving vans ($50,000–$150,000), appliance dollies, furniture pads, and specialty equipment. Lender holds the vehicle title as collateral; terms run 48–72 months.
Working-capital lines of credit — used to cover off-season payroll and operating expenses during slow months (November–February when residential moves slow significantly). A revolving line means you draw only what you need and repay as peak-season revenue comes in.
SBA 7(a) — for established movers (2+ years) purchasing additional trucks, opening a new market, or refinancing higher-rate vehicle notes.

Seasonal cash flow — the moving company lender challenge

Residential moving demand peaks May–September (summer moves, end-of-school-year relocations) and hits troughs in November–February. Lenders underwrite on the full 12-month average, not peak-season revenue. A company with $80K/month in summer and $15K/month in winter produces roughly $50K/month average — that's the revenue base lenders use for DSCR. Document your seasonal pattern with 12+ months of bank statements to help underwriters contextualize the swing.

Local vs. interstate movers — different regulatory requirements

Local movers (intrastate only) operate under state DOT and PUC regulations — requirements vary by state. Interstate movers (crossing state lines) must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), obtain a US DOT number, and carry FMCSA-mandated insurance coverage (minimum $750,000 for household goods carriers). Lenders verify DOT and FMCSA registration status before funding interstate operators. A lapsed DOT number can stop an application.

What underwriters look for

12 months of bank statements showing full seasonal cycle — lenders want to see how you manage winter.
FMCSA DOT registration (for interstate movers) — current, no compliance violations.
Commercial auto insurance — minimum $750,000 liability for interstate household goods.
Customer review profile — lenders in the moving space sometimes check BBB and Google reviews for fraud/dispute patterns (unauthorized charges, damage claims).
Use-of-proceeds clarity — truck purchase, expansion, or working capital needs a specific breakdown.

Apply at ClearValue Lending

ClearValue Lending connects moving companies with equipment lenders, working-capital providers, and SBA lenders that understand transportation seasonality. Apply through the ClearValue Lending portal — bring 12 months of bank statements, your DOT registration, commercial insurance declaration, and a truck purchase quote if applicable.

Sources

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires all interstate household goods movers to register, obtain a US DOT number, and maintain minimum liability insurance of $750,000 — a compliance requirement lenders verify before funding. — FMCSA — Household Goods Registration
NAICS codes 4841 (General Freight Trucking, Local) and 4842 (Specialized Freight Trucking) classify moving companies; lenders use these codes to determine applicable SBA loan programs and insurance requirements. — US Census Bureau — NAICS Lookup
The Federal Reserve Small Business Credit Survey 2024 shows that transportation sector firms with seasonal cash flow swings are more likely to seek working-capital lines of credit than term loans — consistent with moving companies' off-season cash need. — Fed SBC Survey 2024
SBA 7(a) loans can finance commercial trucks and related equipment; for equipment with a useful life of 10+ years, SBA allows loan terms up to 10 years, reducing annual debt service for long-haul truck purchases. — SBA — 7(a) Loan Program

Key takeaways

Moving companies use equipment financing (box trucks $40K–$150K) and working-capital lines of credit (for November–February off-season).
Lenders underwrite on 12-month average deposits — bring a full year of bank statements to show the seasonal cycle.
Interstate movers must have current FMCSA DOT registration and $750,000+ commercial liability insurance — lenders verify both.
SBA 7(a) works well for established movers (2+ years) adding trucks or expanding to new markets.
Peak-season revenue alone doesn't determine approval — lenders want to see how you manage winter cash flow.