Buy a Moving Company in Columbus, OH

The Columbus Moving Market

Columbus is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest. The metro area added over 100,000 residents in the past decade, and that growth shows no signs of stopping.

Moving companies follow people. Population growth, apartment turnover, corporate relocations, and student move-ins at Ohio State all create consistent, recurring demand. Columbus has all of it.

That makes this market different from a shrinking Rust Belt city where a moving company's revenue depends on people leaving, not arriving. You are buying into a market with structural tailwinds.

Deal Economics

The national dataset covering 244 moving company listings tells a clear story. Median asking price sits at $1M with median cash flow around $350K, putting the average deal at a 2.8x multiple.

That is squarely inside the SBA sweet spot of 3x to 5x EBITDA, actually on the lower end, which is a good thing.

Here is what a representative deal looks like at median figures:

• Asking price: $1,000,000
• Annual cash flow: $350,000
• Implied multiple: 2.8x
• SBA loan (85%): $850,000
• Seller note (5%, full standby at 0%): $50,000
• Buyer cash (5%): $50,000
• Approximate annual debt service: ~$109,000 (10-year term, ~11% rate)
• DSCR: ~3.2x

These are rough estimates based on market data. Actual terms depend on individual qualification and lender.

The standout here is the DSCR. At 3.2x, there is real cushion. Even if cash flow compresses in a softer year, you are unlikely to hit a debt service problem. That is what a 2.8x multiple buys you.

Note on cash flow: the $350K figure comes from listing data, which typically uses SDE (Seller Discretionary Earnings). SDE is seller-friendly and includes the owner's salary and discretionary expenses. A realistic buyer-adjusted cash flow is often 15% to 30% lower. Run the debt service math on a discounted figure, not the headline number.

What to Look For

Moving companies have more moving parts than most service businesses. The due diligence checklist is different.

Fleet condition matters more than almost anything. Trucks are expensive, break down, and drive insurance costs. Get a full fleet inspection and ask for maintenance records going back at least three years. A fleet of fully depreciated trucks with deferred maintenance is a hidden liability.

Revenue concentration is a common issue. Many small moving companies do 30% to 50% of revenue with one or two corporate relocation contracts. If one of those clients leaves post-close, your cash flow model breaks. Map out the top ten customers by revenue and understand what keeps them.

Licensing and DOT compliance. Moving companies that operate interstate need DOT authority and a valid USDOT number. Violations, pending audits, or lapsed authority can complicate SBA underwriting. Pull the FMCSA safety rating before you get deep in diligence.

Seasonality. Moving is seasonal by nature, peaking in summer. Verify that the business has enough liquidity to cover slow months without straining operations. A business that looks fine on an annual basis can have cash flow problems in January and February.

Financing a Columbus Moving Company

SBA 7(a) is the standard path for acquisitions in this range. For a $1M deal, the structure looks like this:

• 10% equity injection: $100,000 total, split as $50,000 buyer cash plus a $50,000 seller note on full standby at 0% interest
• SBA loan: $850,000 to $900,000, depending on the lender
• 10-year repayment term
• Current rates: approximately 10% to 11% (based on current WSJ Prime plus lender spread)

The seller note on full standby is key. Full standby means no payments on that note during the SBA loan term. The lender counts it as equity, which is how you get to 90% financing with only 5% out of pocket in cash.

Regalis Capital achieves full standby seller notes on over 90% of the deals we close. It is negotiable, but most sellers will agree if the deal is structured correctly from the start.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to buy a moving company in Columbus, OH?

Based on national listing data, the median asking price for a moving company is $1M, with a range from roughly $84,900 to $16M. Columbus-area deals will generally track the national median, though local competition and fleet quality will influence pricing. Most SBA-eligible deals in this space fall between $500K and $3M.

What cash flow should I expect from a moving company acquisition?

The median cash flow across 244 national moving company listings is $350K annually, implying a 2.8x multiple at median asking price. That figure is typically reported as SDE, which includes the owner's salary and add-backs. Expect real buyer-adjusted cash flow to be 15% to 30% lower after accounting for a market-rate manager salary or your own compensation.

Can I use SBA financing to buy a moving company in Ohio?

Yes. Moving companies are eligible for SBA 7(a) financing. The standard structure is 85% SBA loan, 5% seller note on full standby, and 5% buyer cash, totaling a 10% equity injection. Ohio has an active SBA lending community and Columbus-based businesses qualify under standard 7(a) guidelines. DOT compliance issues can complicate underwriting, so clean those up before applying.

What is the biggest risk when buying a moving company?

Fleet condition and customer concentration are the two largest acquisition risks. A fleet of aging trucks can generate six-figure repair and replacement costs in the first two years of ownership. Customer concentration above 30% in a single account creates revenue fragility. Both risks are identifiable in due diligence if you know what to ask for.

How long does it take to close on a moving company acquisition?

A typical SBA-financed acquisition takes 60 to 90 days from signed letter of intent to close. Moving companies with DOT authority transfers, fleet appraisals, and multiple entity structures can run longer. Having a well-prepared buy-side team shortens the timeline and keeps the lender process on track.

Talk to Regalis Capital About Moving Company Acquisitions in Columbus

If you are seriously looking at buying a moving company in Columbus, the deal economics are favorable. The 2.8x median multiple, strong DSCR math, and Columbus's population growth make this a category worth pursuing.

Regalis Capital's deal team reviews 120 to 150 deals per week and can help you find, evaluate, and finance the right moving company acquisition in the Columbus market.

Start with a free deal assessment at Regalis Capital