Buy a Moving Company in Denver, CO

The Denver Moving Market

Denver's population has grown faster than almost any major U.S. city over the past decade, and that growth has not slowed enough to stop the churn.

People move into the city. People move out. People move within the metro as neighborhoods gentrify and rents shift. All of that is revenue for a local moving company.

The metro area also has a disproportionate share of corporate relocations, driven by the technology and aerospace presence along the I-25 corridor. Commercial moves carry better margins than residential and often come with repeat contracts.

From what we have seen across Colorado listings, this is a category where the economics hold up. Five active listings in the state range from $200,000 to $1,450,000, with a median asking price of $699,000 and median cash flow of $219,296, averaging a 2.9x multiple across the market.

Deal Economics

The median listing data points to a market trading near 2.9x cash flow. The $699,000 asking price and $219,296 cash flow figures come from different listings in the dataset, so they should not be divided together to produce an implied multiple. Use the 2.9x average as the reliable benchmark.

At 2.9x, you are buying a dollar of cash flow for $2.90. That is a reasonable entry point for a business with tangible assets, recurring seasonal demand, and a local customer base.

Here is how the deal math looks at the median asking price:

The SBA loan is 90% of the purchase price at roughly 10.5% over 10 years. The seller note is 5% of the deal on full standby, meaning no payments while the SBA loan is outstanding. The buyer brings 5% cash, or approximately $34,950 at the median price.

At $219,296 in annual cash flow against $82,200 in estimated debt service, the DSCR comes out around 2.67x. That is well above our 2x target and meaningfully above the 1.5x floor.

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

What to Look For in a Denver Moving Company

Revenue verification is where deals fall apart in this category. Moving companies are cash-heavy and booking records can be inconsistent. Ask for QuickBooks files, bank statements, and dispatcher logs going back at least three years.

Fleet condition matters as much as the financials. A business with $700,000 in revenue running on aging trucks with deferred maintenance is not a $699,000 asset. Get a mechanic's inspection on every vehicle before you close.

Customer concentration is a real risk. If 40% of revenue comes from one corporate account or one apartment complex partnership, that is a deal structure conversation, not a reason to walk.

Look at seasonality. Denver moving companies typically see volume peaks in May through September. A seller showing strong annual cash flow built almost entirely on summer months needs a 12-month trailing average reviewed carefully, not just the trailing twelve as reported.

Also check DOT compliance and any out-of-state authority if the business handles long-distance moves. Clean DOT records matter to SBA lenders.

Financing a Denver Moving Company

SBA 7(a) is the standard vehicle for acquisitions in this price range.

The structure we target: 90% SBA loan, 5% seller note on full standby at 0% interest (acting as equity), and 5% buyer cash. We achieve this structure on over 90% of the deals we work on.

Full standby means the seller receives no payments on their note while the SBA loan is active. SBA lenders require this when the seller note is being counted as part of the equity injection. It protects the lender's position and reduces your out-of-pocket cash on day one.

At the median price of $699,000, the buyer needs approximately $34,950 in liquid cash at closing. The seller note of $34,950 converts to a payment obligation only after the 10-year SBA term expires.

SBA lenders will underwrite the deal on recasted cash flow, not SDE as presented by the broker. If the seller's broker is quoting SDE, apply a 20% to 35% discount before you run your own DSCR. Moving companies often carry owner-operator expenses and vehicle perks that inflate SDE well above actual free cash flow.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to buy a moving company in Denver?

Colorado moving companies currently list at a median asking price of $699,000, with a range from $200,000 to $1,450,000. Smaller operations with one or two trucks often come in under $300,000, while larger companies with commercial contracts and a full fleet can exceed $1,000,000.

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

The median cash flow across Colorado moving company listings is $219,296, reflecting a 2.9x average multiple. That said, cash flow figures from broker listings are often SDE, which can overstate actual earnings by 20% to 35%. Always recast the financials before building your DSCR model.

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

Yes. Moving companies are strong SBA candidates because they have tangible assets (trucks, equipment) that support collateral requirements. The standard structure is a 90% SBA 7(a) loan with 10% equity injection, split as 5% buyer cash and 5% seller note on full standby at 0% interest.

What do SBA lenders focus on when underwriting a moving company acquisition?

Lenders look at three years of tax returns, fleet age and condition, customer concentration, and DOT compliance history. Clean DOT records and diversified revenue across residential and commercial moves are the strongest indicators of a deal that will clear underwriting without major retrading.

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

A typical SBA 7(a) acquisition closes in 60 to 90 days from signed letter of intent, assuming the seller's books are in order and there are no title or DOT compliance issues. Deals with messy financial records or fleet title problems can stretch to 120 days or longer.

Thinking About Buying a Moving Company in Denver?

Regalis Capital works with buyers pursuing acquisitions exactly like this one. Our deal team reviews 120 to 150 deals per week, runs the deal math, negotiates the structure, and manages the SBA financing process from start to finish.

If you are evaluating moving companies in Denver or elsewhere in Colorado, start with a free deal assessment. We will tell you whether the numbers work and what a realistic offer structure looks like.

Start your deal assessment at Regalis Capital