Buy a Moving Company in Dallas, TX
The Dallas Moving Market
Dallas is one of the most active relocation markets in the United States. U-Haul has ranked Texas the top moving destination for multiple consecutive years, and the DFW metro absorbs a significant share of that volume. Corporate relocations, apartment turnover, and suburban sprawl into Frisco, McKinney, and Allen all drive consistent, recurring demand for moving services.
That demand translates directly into deal flow. There are currently 37 active moving company listings in Texas, with Dallas-area operators representing a large portion of that inventory. Asking prices range from $299,999 to $4,000,000, so the market has entry points for buyers at different capital levels.
Deal Economics
The median asking price for a moving company in this market is $1,075,000. Median cash flow is $313,025, which puts the implied multiple at roughly 3.4x. That is slightly above the SBA sweet spot of 3x to 5x EBITDA, but well within range for a clean deal.
A note on the cash flow figure: this data likely reflects SDE (Seller Discretionary Earnings), which is broker-friendly and often inflated. In practice, we apply a 15% to 30% discount to SDE when underwriting a deal, which gets you to a more realistic owner-operator cash flow number.
Here is what a deal at median looks like:
- Asking price: $1,075,000
- Cash flow (SDE, discounted ~20%): ~$250,000
- Implied multiple (on discounted CF): ~4.3x
- SBA loan (80%): ~$860,000
- Seller note (10%, full standby at 0%): ~$107,500
- Buyer cash (5%): ~$53,750
- Estimated annual debt service: ~$108,000 (10-year term, ~10.5% rate)
- Estimated DSCR: ~2.3x
These are rough estimates based on market data. Actual terms depend on individual qualification and lender.
The median asking price for a moving company in Dallas is $1,075,000 with median cash flow of $313,025. According to Regalis Capital's deal team, after applying a standard SDE discount, a buyer using SBA 7(a) financing with 10% equity injection ($53,750 cash plus a seller note on standby) can expect a debt service coverage ratio near 2.3x at current interest rates.
SBA Financing for a Moving Company
SBA 7(a) is the standard vehicle for acquisitions in this range. The 10% equity injection is structured as 5% buyer cash plus a 5% seller note on full standby, meaning no payments on the seller note during the SBA loan term. We achieve full standby seller notes on over 90% of the deals we work.
One thing worth knowing about moving companies specifically: lenders look closely at asset concentration. If the business owns a fleet of trucks, those assets can actually help the loan profile. Trucks are tangible collateral, and SBA lenders generally like that. The flip side is that deferred maintenance on a fleet can kill a deal or require an equipment reserve holdback at closing.
SBA 7(a) financing for a moving company acquisition requires a 10% equity injection, structured as 5% buyer cash and a 5% seller note on full standby at 0% interest. On a $1,075,000 acquisition, that means roughly $53,750 out of pocket. Based on Regalis Capital's analysis of recent acquisitions, full standby seller notes are achievable in the vast majority of SBA-financed moving company deals.
What to Look for in a Dallas Moving Company
Fleet condition and age. Request maintenance logs and the age of every truck. A fleet averaging over 200,000 miles with no records is a red flag. Budget $15,000 to $40,000 per truck for near-term replacement if the equipment is aging.
Revenue mix. Local residential moves are high-volume but low-margin and seasonal. Commercial contracts and long-distance moves carry better margins and smoother cash flow. A book of business that is 30% or more commercial is generally worth a higher multiple.
Licensing and DOT compliance. Moving companies require USDOT numbers, FMCSA registration, and in some cases state-specific licensing. Verify that all registrations are current and transferable. Any open violations are a negotiating lever and a liability.
Employee versus subcontractor model. Many operators run lean by classifying crews as 1099 subcontractors. This creates real misclassification risk that can follow a buyer post-close. Understand the labor model before signing an LOI.
Customer concentration. If more than 25% of revenue comes from a single corporate relocation contract or referral partner, that is a concentration risk. Confirm contract assignability before you get deep into diligence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to buy a moving company in Dallas?
The median asking price for a moving company in the Dallas market is $1,075,000 based on current Texas listings. The range runs from roughly $300,000 to $4,000,000 depending on fleet size, revenue, and whether the business holds commercial contracts. Most deals in the $500,000 to $2,000,000 range are financeable through SBA 7(a).
What cash flow can I expect from a Dallas moving company?
Median cash flow across Texas moving company listings is $313,025, though this figure reflects SDE before any management compensation adjustment. After applying a realistic discount of 15% to 30%, expect actual annual owner-operator earnings closer to $220,000 to $265,000 on a median deal.
Can I get SBA financing to buy a moving company in Texas?
Yes. Moving companies are eligible for SBA 7(a) financing, and the physical assets involved (trucks, equipment) can strengthen the loan profile. The minimum equity injection is 10%, structured as 5% buyer cash plus a 5% seller note on full standby. At the median asking price, that is roughly $53,750 out of pocket in cash.
What due diligence items are most important for a moving company acquisition?
Fleet condition and maintenance records are the top priority, since deferred truck maintenance is the most common hidden liability. Beyond that, verify DOT and FMCSA compliance, review the labor classification model for misclassification exposure, and confirm that any key commercial contracts are assignable to a new owner.
How long does it take to close on a moving company acquisition?
A typical SBA-financed acquisition closes in 60 to 90 days from a signed LOI, assuming clean financials and no surprises in diligence. Moving company deals with fleet appraisals or environmental assessments on a storage facility can add two to four weeks. Having a lender pre-identified before you make an offer helps compress the timeline.
Ready to Buy a Moving Company in Dallas?
Dallas has real deal flow and strong underlying demand for moving services. The economics work at current asking prices, particularly for buyers who can negotiate a full-standby seller note and come in with a clean 5% cash equity injection.
Regalis Capital's deal team reviews 120 to 150 deals per week. If you are looking for a moving company in Dallas, we can help you find the right deal, run the numbers, negotiate terms, and get to close.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to buy a moving company in Dallas?
The median asking price for a moving company in the Dallas market is $1,075,000 based on current Texas listings. The range runs from roughly $300,000 to $4,000,000 depending on fleet size, revenue, and whether the business holds commercial contracts. Most deals in the $500,000 to $2,000,000 range are financeable through SBA 7(a).
What cash flow can I expect from a Dallas moving company?
Median cash flow across Texas moving company listings is $313,025, though this figure reflects SDE before any management compensation adjustment. After applying a realistic discount of 15% to 30%, expect actual annual owner-operator earnings closer to $220,000 to $265,000 on a median deal.
Can I get SBA financing to buy a moving company in Texas?
Yes. Moving companies are eligible for SBA 7(a) financing, and the physical assets involved (trucks, equipment) can strengthen the loan profile. The minimum equity injection is 10%, structured as 5% buyer cash plus a 5% seller note on full standby. At the median asking price, that is roughly $53,750 out of pocket in cash.
What due diligence items are most important for a moving company acquisition?
Fleet condition and maintenance records are the top priority, since deferred truck maintenance is the most common hidden liability. Beyond that, verify DOT and FMCSA compliance, review the labor classification model for misclassification exposure, and confirm that any key commercial contracts are assignable to a new owner.
How long does it take to close on a moving company acquisition?
A typical SBA-financed acquisition closes in 60 to 90 days from a signed LOI, assuming clean financials and no surprises in diligence. Moving company deals with fleet appraisals or environmental assessments on a storage facility can add two to four weeks. Having a lender pre-identified before you make an offer helps compress the timeline.
Note: Deal economics, pricing, and cash flow figures referenced on this page are estimates based on aggregated listing data and general SBA acquisition math. Actual deal terms vary by business, market conditions, and lender requirements. This content is informational only and does not constitute financial advice.
Looking to buy a moving company in Dallas? Regalis Capital's deal team reviews 120 to 150 deals per week and can help you find, finance, and close the right acquisition.
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