Hi Oddies,

Jen Glantz here. Last week, I moved apartments. I wrote about the drama of all that here.

Moving is a real shitshow. It’s exhausting. It’s sad. It beats you up and down.

But my money-making brain was cranked all the way up during our move and it pushed me to think of odd ways to make cash in the moving industry.

For example, we moved into someone’s apartment down the hall. He’s taking the year to be a digital nomad. He waited until the very last minute to put things in storage so when he had to move out, he ended up putting a TON of very expensive furniture on the STREET. You should have seen the people in the neighborhood crowding around the pile and lugging things home.

If I had the time and the energy, I would have grabbed items and sold them for $$$. Which made me think, a great side hustle is to walk or drive around neighborhoods and grab items people leave out for trash pickup and sell them (idk how legal this is so pls look into that of course before doing any of this!!!).

But there are lots of other ways to make money off moves. Here’s a longer list below.

Ps. My favorite ways to make side hustle money on a chilly weekend:

Make Money Stack:

• Poshmark: I sell clothes and other items around the house

• Etsy: Dreaming up what to sell on this platform.

• Survey Junkie: Get paid to take surveys

• Howl: How I get affiliate/brand deals as a creator

How to Make Money Moving

From full-service moving companies to specialized packing experts, we've compiled 18 promising ways to build a successful business around people's relocation needs. Whether you have a knack for organization, a talent for logistics, or simply enjoy helping others, there's likely a niche for you in this growing market.

1. Moving company services

Description: Offer full-service moving assistance, including transportation, loading, and unloading.

How it works: Customers book your services for local or long-distance moves.

Tools/skills needed: Moving truck, dollies, furniture pads, physical strength, organizational skills.

Getting started: Obtain necessary licenses and insurance, purchase or rent equipment.

Potential earnings: $50,000 - $200,000+ per year, depending on scale of operation.

Learn more: Search for "American Moving and Storage Association" for industry information and resources.

2. Packing and unpacking assistance

Description: Help clients pack belongings securely before a move and unpack at the new location.

How it works: Offer hourly or flat-rate services for packing, labeling, and organizing items.

Tools/skills needed: Packing materials, organizational skills, attention to detail.

Getting started: Purchase packing supplies in bulk, create service packages.

Potential earnings: $25 - $50 per hour or $200 - $800 per day.

Learn more: Look up "Professional organizers associations" for training and certification options.

3. Furniture assembly and disassembly

Description: Assist with taking apart and reassembling furniture for moves.

How it works: Offer services before moving day to disassemble items and after to reassemble.

Tools/skills needed: Basic tools, knowledge of furniture construction, problem-solving skills.

Getting started: Familiarize yourself with common furniture types, create a toolkit.

Potential earnings: $30 - $60 per hour.

Learn more: Search for "Furniture assembly business guides" for tips on starting and growing this service.

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4. Cleaning services for old and new homes

Description: Provide deep cleaning services for homes being vacated or moved into.

How it works: Offer comprehensive cleaning packages for pre-move-out or post-move-in.

Tools/skills needed: Cleaning supplies, equipment like vacuums and mops, attention to detail.

Getting started: Invest in quality cleaning supplies, create a checklist of services.

Potential earnings: $25 - $50 per hour or $200 - $400 per home.

Learn more: Look up "ISSA - The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association" for industry standards and training.

5. Storage facility rentals

Description: Offer secure storage units for people in transition between homes.

How it works: Rent out various sizes of storage units on a monthly basis.

Tools/skills needed: Secure facility, surveillance system, management software.

Getting started: Acquire or lease a property, set up security measures, obtain necessary permits.

Potential earnings: $15,000 - $100,000+ per year, depending on facility size and location.

Learn more: Search for "Self Storage Association" for industry insights and best practices.

6. Junk removal and disposal services

Description: Help movers dispose of unwanted items before or after their move.

How it works: Collect and properly dispose of or recycle items clients don't want to keep.

Tools/skills needed: Truck or van, knowledge of local disposal regulations, physical strength.

Getting started: Obtain necessary licenses, research local recycling and disposal facilities.

Potential earnings: $200 - $800 per day or $50,000 - $100,000+ per year.

Learn more: Look up "National Waste & Recycling Association" for industry standards and resources.

7. Home staging for quicker sales

Description: Prepare homes for sale by arranging furniture and decor to maximize appeal.

How it works: Consult with homeowners or realtors to enhance the appearance of properties for sale.

Tools/skills needed: Design skills, inventory of furniture and decor items, eye for detail.

Getting started: Build a portfolio, network with real estate agents, invest in versatile decor pieces.

Potential earnings: $300 - $600 per staging job or $50,000 - $100,000+ per year.

Learn more: Search for "Real Estate Staging Association" for certification and networking opportunities.

8. Relocation consulting services

Description: Guide clients through the entire moving process, from planning to settling in.

How it works: Offer comprehensive support, including timeline creation, service coordination, and area orientation.

Tools/skills needed: Excellent organizational and communication skills, knowledge of moving industry.

Getting started: Develop a network of service providers, create comprehensive moving checklists and guides.

Potential earnings: $75 - $150 per hour or $50,000 - $100,000+ per year.

Learn more: Look up "Worldwide ERC" for relocation industry resources and professional development.

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9. Handyman services for minor repairs and touch-ups

Description: Provide minor repairs and touch-ups for homes being sold or moved into.

How it works: Offer a range of small repair services like patching walls, fixing leaks, or touching up paint.

Tools/skills needed: Basic tools, variety of home repair skills, problem-solving ability.

Getting started: Obtain necessary licenses, create a list of services offered, stock up on common repair supplies.

Potential earnings: $50 - $100 per hour or $50,000 - $80,000+ per year.

Learn more: Search for "Association of Certified Handyman Professionals" for industry standards and certification.

10. Box and moving supply rentals

Description: Rent out reusable moving boxes and supplies to eco-conscious movers.

How it works: Deliver clean, sturdy boxes before the move and pick them up after unpacking.

Tools/skills needed: Inventory of durable moving boxes, delivery vehicle, scheduling system.

Getting started: Invest in high-quality reusable boxes, create a rental/return system, market to eco-friendly customers.

Potential earnings: $500 - $2,000 per month, depending on inventory size and market demand.

Learn more: Research "Sustainable moving supplies" for eco-friendly product options and business models.

11. Professional home organizing

Description: Help clients organize their belongings before or after a move.

How it works: Assess clients' needs, create organizational systems, and implement them in the new home.

Tools/skills needed: Organizational skills, knowledge of storage solutions, patience, and empathy.

Getting started: Develop a portfolio of before-and-after projects, create service packages.

Potential earnings: $50 - $150 per hour or $40,000 - $100,000+ per year.

Learn more: Look up "National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals" for training and certification.

12. Interior decorating for new homes

Description: Assist clients in decorating their new homes after a move.

How it works: Consult with clients on their style preferences, create design plans, and implement them.

Tools/skills needed: Design skills, knowledge of color theory, sourcing ability for furniture and decor.

Getting started: Build a portfolio, network with real estate agents and moving companies.

Potential earnings: $50 - $200 per hour or $50,000 - $150,000+ per year.

Learn more: Search for "American Society of Interior Designers" for industry resources and networking.

13. Errand running and concierge services

Description: Offer various services to help clients settle into their new homes and neighborhoods.

How it works: Provide services like grocery shopping, picking up dry cleaning, or setting up utilities.

Tools/skills needed: Reliable transportation, time management skills, local area knowledge.

Getting started: Create a list of services offered, set up a scheduling system, market to new residents.

Potential earnings: $25 - $50 per hour or $30,000 - $60,000+ per year.

Learn more: Research "Concierge and Lifestyle Management Association" for industry standards and best practices.

14. Temporary housing arrangements

Description: Help clients find short-term housing solutions during their transition.

How it works: Source and manage temporary accommodations like furnished apartments or extended-stay hotels.

Tools/skills needed: Network of housing providers, negotiation skills, knowledge of local rental markets.

Getting started: Build relationships with property managers and hotels, create a database of available properties.

Potential earnings: $1,000 - $3,000 per placement or $50,000 - $100,000+ per year.

Learn more: Look up "Corporate Housing Providers Association" for industry insights and networking opportunities.

15. Utility setup and transfer assistance

Description: Help clients set up or transfer utilities and services in their new homes.

How it works: Coordinate with local utility companies to ensure seamless transitions for electricity, water, internet, etc.

Tools/skills needed: Knowledge of local utility providers, organizational skills, patience for customer service interactions.

Getting started: Research local utility companies and their processes, create checklists for different types of moves.

Potential earnings: $50 - $100 per service or $30,000 - $60,000+ per year.

Learn more: Search for "Utility management services" to understand the industry and potential partnerships.

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