If you want to grow beyond one-off residential jobs, you need to learn how to get moving contracts. Contracts provide predictable revenue, higher average job values, and long-term relationships that feed your pipeline month after month. Here's how to position your company to win them.
Quick answer
To get moving contracts, target four sources: property managers and real estate agents for recurring residential work, businesses and commercial property managers for office moves, corporate HR and relocation management companies for employee transfers, and government agencies through SAM.gov and the GSA Schedule. Win them with professional proposals, proof of insurance, references, and consistent follow-up.
1. Types of Moving Contracts
Residential contracts come from property managers or real estate agents who need a reliable mover for their clients on an ongoing basis. Commercial contracts cover recurring office relocations and warehouse logistics. Government and military contracts are awarded through formal bidding — often via the GSA Schedule — and tend to be high-volume with strict compliance requirements. Corporate relocation contracts come from companies transferring employees between offices. Each type requires a different approach, but they all reward professionalism and dependability.
| Contract type | Who awards it | How to get it | What they expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential referral contracts | Property managers, apartment communities, real estate agents | Local networking, chamber of commerce, a one-page partnership proposal | Reliable scheduling, competitive rates, consistent communication between moves |
| Commercial contracts | Business owners, facility managers, commercial property managers | Monitor business journals and procurement portals; submit detailed bids | Evening and weekend availability, insurance certificates, references |
| Government and military contracts | Federal, state, and local agencies; the Defense Personal Property Program | Register in SAM.gov, pursue the GSA Schedule, apply to military household goods programs | Weight certifications, formal claims processes, strict performance standards |
| Corporate relocation contracts | HR departments, relocation managers, relocation management companies (RMCs) | Direct outreach to HR; become an approved vendor with RMCs | Dedicated account manager, streamlined billing, white-glove service |
2. How to Bid on Commercial Moving Jobs
Monitor local business journals, commercial real estate listings, and procurement portals for opportunities. Submit detailed proposals with itemized costs, insurance credentials, references, and a clear timeline. Emphasize your ability to execute moves during evenings or weekends to minimize downtime. A strong marketing strategy that positions your brand as the go-to commercial mover helps these opportunities come to you.
3. Build Relationships With Property Managers and Real Estate Agents
A single property manager overseeing hundreds of units can send you dozens of moves per year. Offer competitive rates, reliable scheduling, and a seamless experience every time. Attend local networking events, join your chamber of commerce, and reach out with a one-page partnership proposal. Once you land these relationships, focus on generating a steady stream of moving leads from these partners by staying top-of-mind with consistent communication.
4. Getting Government and Military Contracts
Register in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and obtain a Unique Entity ID (UEI), which replaced the DUNS number. For military household goods moves, apply through the Defense Personal Property Program. For broader federal work, getting on the GSA Schedule allows agencies to hire you directly. These contracts require strict adherence to weight certifications, claims processes, and performance standards — but the payoff is consistent volume for years at a time.
5. Corporate Relocation Partnerships
Target HR departments and relocation managers at companies in your area. Offer a dedicated account manager, streamlined billing, and white-glove service. Corporate clients value consistency, so having a team that can convert leads into booked jobs quickly and deliver a flawless experience is essential. Partnering with relocation management companies (RMCs) can funnel significant volume your way as well.
6. Create Professional Proposals and Estimates
The quality of your proposal often matters more than your price. Include a company overview with credentials, a detailed scope of work, itemized pricing, a timeline with milestones, references, and clear terms. Invest in branded templates you can customize for each opportunity. Pairing polished proposals with an outsourced sales team that follows up consistently will dramatically increase your close rate.
7. Use a CRM to Manage Your Contract Pipeline
Winning contracts requires organized tracking and timely follow-ups. A CRM built for moving companies lets you track every opportunity from initial contact through final decision, set follow-up reminders, and attach proposals to contact records. With the right CRM features, your team stays aligned and no opportunity slips through the cracks.
8. Build a Reputation That Wins Repeat Contracts
The easiest contract to win is one from a client who already trusts you. Ask satisfied clients for reviews and testimonials to include in future proposals. Maintain communication between jobs so clients think of you first. Invest in proper training, uniforms, and equipment so every move reflects the professionalism contract clients expect. Combine a strong reputation with a purpose-built CRM to keep your pipeline organized and your follow-ups on schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you get commercial moving contracts?
- Commercial contracts come from relationships and visible proposals. Monitor local business journals, commercial real estate listings, and procurement portals for upcoming relocations, then submit a detailed bid with itemized pricing, insurance certificates, references, and a timeline. Emphasize evening and weekend availability so the client avoids downtime, and follow up promptly after every submission.
- How do I get government moving contracts?
- Register your company in the System for Award Management at SAM.gov and obtain a Unique Entity ID. For military household goods moves, apply through the Defense Personal Property Program. For broader federal work, pursue a GSA Schedule contract so agencies can hire you directly. Expect strict requirements around weight certifications, claims handling, and performance standards in exchange for steady volume.
- What should a moving contract proposal include?
- A winning proposal includes a short company overview with licenses and credentials, a detailed scope of work, itemized pricing, a timeline with milestones, proof of insurance, at least two references from similar jobs, and clear payment terms. Use a branded template so every proposal looks consistent, and customize the scope and pricing for each opportunity rather than sending a generic document.
- How do I get property managers to refer moving jobs?
- Start with a one-page partnership proposal that explains your rates, scheduling reliability, and insurance coverage, then deliver it in person or through local networking events and your chamber of commerce. After the first few moves go smoothly, stay top of mind with regular check-ins. A single property manager overseeing hundreds of units can send dozens of moves a year.
- What is a relocation management company (RMC)?
- A relocation management company is a third-party firm that corporations hire to coordinate employee moves, from home sales to household goods transport. RMCs contract with a network of movers to handle the physical relocation, so becoming an approved vendor with one can send you steady corporate volume. They expect consistent service quality, prompt reporting, and clean billing.
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