THE SHORT ANSWER
Reconcile supported annual earnings, necessary owner replacement and included fleet, then seek relevant transactions on the same basis. BizBuySell’s mixed national 2021–2025 moving/shipping sold sample reports a 2.38x median owner-discretionary earnings multiple. It is not moving-only, EBITDA, a current company appraisal or an automatic DOT-authority, reputation or storage premium.
Use the scoped historical sold earnings table
BizBuySell’s category includes movers, haulers and parcel delivery through larger shipping operations.
(BizBuySell: moving and shipping sold-business benchmarks)| 2021–2025 reported sold owner-earnings statistic | Multiple |
|---|---|
| Lower quartile | 1.80x |
| Median | 2.38x |
| Mean | 2.52x |
| Upper quartile | 3.11x |
Compare actual work, territory, owner duties, financial period, fleet and delivery terms with relevant sold transactions. Do not apply the upper quartile automatically for storage, online reviews or a longstanding brand. The observed sample does not verify a price for the company being evaluated.
Support annual earnings and ongoing owner replacement
SEC adjusted-measure guidance is an issuer-reporting presentation reference.
(SEC: non-GAAP financial measure interpretations)Have the accountant identify actual deducted expenses, starting period/measure and future business use. Draws, debt principal, fleet acquisitions and every vehicle or renovation cost are not automatic add-backs. Reconcile job/crew reporting to annual results rather than annualizing selected profitable moves.
Include necessary quoting, scheduling, driving, crew supervision, dispatch and complaint replacement consistently using the earnings-basis guide. A generic company-size threshold does not settle SDE versus managed earnings. Separate recurring repair costs, necessary investment, financing and cash delivered at closing.
Review actual roles, claims and storage economics
FMCSA distinguishes interstate household-goods movers and arranging brokers.
(FMCSA: interstate movers and brokers)Review actual role, entity, territory, customer/provider arrangements and continuing conditions with responsible authorities and advisors. A credential or database entry is not a complete business-permission or ownership-change decision.
Review achieved referrals, inquiries converted to paid moves, cancellations, credits and claims. Separate collected storage service from customer-owned goods in custody and future release duties. Assess actual usable premises, staffing and costs. Storage can add obligations as well as revenue; reputation does not itself supply a transferable right or fixed premium.
Define the included fleet and closing obligations
SBA sale guidance addresses agreement assets and liabilities.
(SBA: closing or selling a business)Verify fleet title, liens, leases, condition, maintenance, handling equipment and necessary investment. Identify customer-owned, leased and personal items separately. Determine what an earnings-based price includes before adding all vehicles again at replacement cost.
Define receivables, payables, deposits, open moves, storage custody and complaints using the closing delivery guide. Resolve actual contract/provider/lease conditions using the consent register. Use the moving seller guide for evidence. The scenario tool computes assumptions; it does not certify an appraisal or verify actual buyer pricing.
Owner questions
What does the sourced 2.38x median describe?
Reported 2021–2025 sold owner-discretionary earnings in a mixed national moving/shipping sample, not moving-only EBITDA.
Does storage revenue automatically increase the multiple?
Review actual collections, premises and staffing costs, customer custody and release obligations.
Should all trucks be added to earnings-based value?
Define included fleet and closing terms first to avoid double counting.
Sources and review scope
Source review completed . The sources below support the identified concepts or rules; they do not validate hypothetical amounts or a valuation of your business.
- BizBuySell: moving and shipping sold-business benchmarks
National mixed moving/shipping category includes local movers, haulers and parcel delivery through larger operations. Primary 2021–2025 reported sold owner-discretionary earnings table reproduced; asking/revenue and financial/sector summaries separate. Not moving-only, a dedicated courier/platform sample, EBITDA or current company appraisal.
- SEC: non-GAAP financial measure interpretations
Staff interpretations last updated December 2022: recurring operating costs and distinguishing EBITDA from adjusted measures. SEC reporting context, not a universal private-sale rule or automatic acceptance of add-backs.
- FMCSA: interstate movers and brokers
April 27, 2026 consumer guidance distinguishes interstate household-goods movers from arranging brokers and their registration/provider roles. Supports actual role and responsible-operator review. Full linked rules, state/local moves, applications, sale transfer and proposed operating clearance not reviewed.
- SBA: closing or selling a business
Valuation approaches, sale agreements, assets and ownership transfer.
Confirm tax, legal, accounting and lending applications with the relevant professionals. Historical market observations describe the stated period and reported sample.
This is educational material. Industry figures and program rules can change; check the original sources and your advisors before applying them to a transaction. Calculator scenarios are not appraisals, lending decisions, or offers.
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