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The short answer
A house moving business in Nigeria needs reliable vans or trucks (owned or hired), trained loaders, packing materials and a quoting method based on volume, distance, floors and time. Price each job from a site survey: add van, labour, materials and fuel, then a margin of roughly a quarter to a third, and put damage and cancellation terms in writing.
Why moving is a real business, not a side hustle
Tenants in Nigerian cities move often, usually around the date rent falls due, and many families move after a job change or school change. Most moves are still done by informal "carriers" found at the motor park. That leaves room for a business that turns up on time, wraps furniture properly, gives a written price and answers the phone if something breaks. Reliability, not the lowest price, is what most customers will pay extra for.
The van: own, hire or partner
You do not need to buy a truck to start. Many operators begin by hiring vans by the day and only buy once they have steady weekend bookings.
| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Hire a van and driver per job | Your first months | Availability on month-end weekends; agree the price before the day |
| Hire-purchase a used van | Four or more jobs a week | Total repayment cost, tracker and insurance terms |
| Buy outright | Steady volume and spare capital | Idle days still cost parking, insurance and licences |
| Partner with a truck owner | Large or interstate moves | Clear split of fuel, tolls and damage liability |
If you own the vehicle, it needs vehicle licence, roadworthiness and at least third-party insurance. NAICOM's third-party premium circular effective 1 January 2023 set ₦20,000 a year for "own goods" vehicles and ₦100,000 for trucks and general cartage; no newer circular was found when we checked in October 2026. Our guide to vehicle papers and insurance for a transport business covers each document.
Labour and packing
A typical flat move needs a supervisor and three or four loaders. Train them to wrap before lifting, label boxes by room, protect door frames and stairwells, and photograph valuable items before they are loaded. Pay per job or per day, agreed before the job, and pay promptly; good loaders are the reason customers recommend you.
- Materials: cartons in two or three sizes, bubble wrap, stretch film, packing tape, blankets, mattress bags and marker pens.
- Tools: screwdrivers and Allen keys to take apart beds and wardrobes, a trolley, straps and ropes.
- Records: an inventory sheet the customer signs at loading and again at delivery.
How to quote a move
Quote from a survey, in person or by video call, never from a phone description alone. Customers forget the storeroom, the balcony and the generator.
- List the rooms and the big items: beds, wardrobes, fridge, freezer, cooker, sofas, generator, water tanks.
- Estimate the van loads needed and the number of loaders.
- Note the floors at both ends, whether there is a lift, parking distance and estate gate rules.
- Measure the distance and expected traffic time for the day and hour of the move.
- Add materials, fuel, any tolls and a contingency, then your margin.
- Send a written quote stating what is included, the deposit, cancellation terms and what happens if the job runs late.
Worked example: a two-bedroom flat across town
This is an example with assumed costs. Use real quotes from your van owner and loaders.
| Line | Example cost |
|---|---|
| Van and driver for the day, fuel included | ₦80,000 |
| Four loaders at ₦15,000 each | ₦60,000 |
| Packing materials | ₦35,000 |
| Total direct cost | ₦175,000 |
| Margin (₦75,000, 30% of the price) | ₦75,000 |
| Price quoted to customer | ₦250,000 |
The ₦75,000 margin has to cover your phone, marketing, the supervisor's time, breakages you pay for and days with no booking. If the customer's flat is on the fourth floor with no lift, add a loader or a second hour rather than absorbing it. Ask for a deposit when the customer accepts, for example 30% (₦75,000 here), and the balance on delivery.
Insurance and damage
Third-party motor insurance covers damage your van does to other people, not the customer's goods. For goods, ask a licensed insurer about goods-in-transit cover, and check any insurer you use is licensed by NAICOM; the commission warned in February 2025 that some operators selling motor policies were not licensed. If you do not carry goods cover, say so in your terms and agree a limit for breakages you will pay for yourself.
Getting bookings
- Estate agents and property managers see tenants moving every week; offer them a referral fee.
- Office moves pay better than home moves and often happen on weekends.
- Post before-and-after photos of wrapped furniture and well-packed vans.
- Month-end and the weekend after are peak days; raise prices for them and offer a discount mid-month.
Keep a simple booking diary for every job: survey date, quote sent, deposit received, loaders booked and balance paid. After a few months it shows which areas, flat sizes and referral sources make money, and which jobs you underquoted.
Where Pryme fits
Take deposits and send invoices from a Pryme Business Account, pay your loaders after each job with bulk payouts, and set money aside for van repairs in a separate sub-account. Our guide to driver remittance for fleet owners helps once you own vans.
Questions people ask
How much should I charge to move a two-bedroom flat in Lagos?
There is no set rate. Add the van, loaders, materials and fuel for the job, then a margin. In our labelled example, ₦175,000 of costs and a ₦75,000 margin gives a ₦250,000 quote.
Do I need a truck to start a moving business?
No. Many operators hire vans with drivers per job until they have enough bookings to justify hire purchase or buying.
Does third-party insurance cover the customer's furniture?
No. Third-party motor insurance covers damage to other people and their property. Ask a NAICOM-licensed insurer about goods-in-transit cover for items you carry.
What should a moving quote include?
The items and rooms covered, number of loaders, materials, date and time, deposit, cancellation terms, breakage limits and what happens if the job runs late.
Sources
- NAICOM third-party motor premiums from 1 January 2023 (TheCable, 24 Dec 2022) · accessed Oct 2026
- NAICOM warns against illegal insurance operators (The Guardian, 25 Feb 2025) · accessed Oct 2026
- askNIID: Nigerian Insurance Industry Database policy check · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.