How to introduce moving services that generate revenue to your property management operations

You already manage the controlled chaos of moving day. From coordinating cleaners to handling the key handoff, you are on the front lines of every resident transition. By offering residential moving services, you can formalize that work and create a new revenue stream from tasks you are already performing.

This post will walk you through what services to offer, how to price them, and how to set up repeatable systems that add to your bottom line without adding to your staff. You will learn how to build a program that makes moves easier for residents and more profitable for your business.

What We’ll Cover:

• Why moving services are a natural extension of your property management work
• What services to offer, from utility setup to turn coordination
• How to price and package services for maximum revenue
• Tools and workflows that make this scalable without adding staff

Why Moving Services Belong in Your Property Management Playbook

Moving day consistently ranks as a high-stress event for tenants. As a property manager, you’re already on the front lines, fielding calls and coordinating vendors to manage the controlled chaos of resident transitions. Instead of just managing the headaches, you can formalize these efforts to create new revenue while making the moving process better for everyone.

For property managers, offering moving services is all about coordination. Think of your role as a move coordinator, connecting residents with vetted moving companies, managing utility transfers, and overseeing the turn process. You’re likely doing parts of this already. Structuring these activities as a formal service offering opens up new income opportunities from your existing operations.

The work is a natural extension of your current skillset. You manage maintenance vendors, handle complex schedules, and handle important paperwork such as insurance certificates. Applying these competencies to residential moving services allows you to expand your business without starting from scratch. With the right approach, you can introduce these services and start seeing a return, which starts with deciding exactly what to offer.

5 Moving Services Property Managers Can Offer

Your menu of moving services can start with a few simple options and grow as you figure out what works best for your portfolio. Some property managers stick to basic coordination, while others develop comprehensive programs that generate multiple revenue streams throughout the entire moving process.

1. Move-in Concierge and Coordination

A move-in concierge service helps take the guesswork out of arrival day for a new resident. This service can involve handling pre-arrival unit setup to make sure the space is clean and ready. It also includes scheduling a specific time for the key handoff and leaving a welcome packet with building rules and local information. A first-day walkthrough helps residents get acquainted with their new home’s features, which can prevent future maintenance calls.

2. Utility Setup and Billing

Coordinating utilities is one of the most common move-in headaches for tenants and a straightforward way for you to generate recurring revenue. With an automated utility transfer service, you can manage the process for residents when they move in and out. Offering consolidated billing simplifies payments for them, while you can collect a setup fee or an ongoing management fee.

Tools from the Buildium Marketplace, such as Nutiliti®, can integrate with your property management operations to handle this. Utility partners consolidate multiple utilities into a single resident invoice, and partners offer revenue-share programs that reduce your team’s admin workload.

3. Turn Coordination with Vendor Support

The unit turn process between tenants creates a clear opening for service fees and vendor markups. You’re already coordinating cleaners, painters, and repair technicians. Formalizing this into a turn coordination service lets you charge for your project management time while keeping a close eye on the quality of the work.

Specialized tools such as PropUp® can help by integrating with your existing software to automate vendor scheduling and progress tracking. You can then handle vendor payments through your core accounting software. You can add a markup to vendor invoices or charge a coordination fee directly to the property owner, all while working to reduce vacancy time.

4. Preferred Mover and Storage Referral Program

Developing a network of vetted moving companies and a reliable household mover offers value to everyone involved. Your residents get access to pre-negotiated rates from a trusted local mover, and the moving companies get qualified leads. In return, you can earn a referral fee for each move you send their way.

You can start by identifying two or three dependable moving companies in your market and establishing your commission structure. Some property managers also build relationships with a local storage facility for residents who need a secure storage unit during their transition.

5. In-Building Moves and Elevator Reservations

When residents move between units in the same building, they have different needs than those coming from across town. These in-building residential moves require careful coordination, such as elevator scheduling and collecting certificates of insurance (COIs).

You can create a simple system to manage this process. Set standard reservation windows for elevators, and require a deposit for potential damage. Coordinating with building staff to protect common areas with railing covers or floor runners during the move can prevent problems. You can charge a small administrative fee for this move management work while avoiding the confusion that comes with unplanned moves.

How to Introduce New Services Effectively

Setting up moving services might seem like a lot of work, but you can build upon the processes you already use. The key is to create repeatable systems that don’t demand constant oversight from you or require you to hire more staff.

Set Policies, Mover COIs, and Damage Prevention Standards

The first step is to establish clear policies that protect your properties and limit your liability. Every moving company that works in your buildings should have a current certificate of insurance that names your company as an additional insured party.

Damage prevention standards are just as important for protecting common areas and individual units. You can require floor runners in hallways and padding in elevators. Documenting any existing damage before a residential move begins and using a simple inspection checklist can prevent disputes later.

Finally, your vendor agreements should spell out expectations. Include response times, insurance requirements, and quality standards. Having these agreements in place before you need them helps you avoid scrambling when issues come up.

Define Clear Workflows for Tasks, Communication, and Inspections

Property management tools can turn move coordination into a systematic process. Buildium’s workflow automations can standardize multi-step move processes. You can configure move-related workflows with assigned steps and due dates around key lease events.

Automated resident communications can also keep everyone informed without manual follow-up. You can set up email templates for move-out instructions, vendor coordination, and resident confirmations. Inspection checklists help make sure nothing gets missed during move-in and move-out walkthroughs, and the results can be logged directly in your records.

Set Up Your Vendor Roster, SLAs, and Response Time Standards

Your vendor roster is the foundation of your residential moving services. It’s a good idea to build relationships with multiple providers in each category, including moving companies, cleaners, and repair technicians.

Service level agreements (SLAs) set clear expectations for performance. In these agreements, you can specify response times for different types of requests. Documenting quality standards and after-hours contacts also helps your team handle any situation that arises. With these operational pieces in place, you can start thinking about how to price your services.

How to Price and Package Moving Services to Grow Revenue

Pricing your moving services properly involves balancing market rates, the value you deliver, and your profit margins. You can package services according to your portfolio and local market.

Before introducing your services, be sure that they’re compliant with all the laws that apply to your area. It’s a good idea to consult a local legal professional, if you’re in doubt.

Resident-paid Fees and Move-in Admin Charges

Administrative fees for move coordination are common in many markets. Residents often understand that professional coordination is a valuable service. It’s helpful to position these fees as an investment in a stress-free move.

You can package your services into different tiers. A basic coordination package might include the key handoff and move-in instructions. A premium moving package could add utility setup and moving company referrals. Optional services let residents choose the level of support they want while allowing you to capture revenue from those who need extra help.

Owner-paid Coordination and Turn Management Fees

Property owners may prefer paying for professional turn management instead of coordinating vendors themselves. You can charge a project management fee as a flat rate or as a percentage of the total turn costs.

A markup on vendor services can create another revenue stream. You can add your management percentage to cleaning, painting, and repair costs. This markup covers your coordination time and vendor vetting.

Partner Revenue Share and Allowable Markups

Referral commissions from moving companies and storage facilities can add up. A typical moving company might offer a flat fee or a percentage of the total move cost for each referral.

Utility management fees through partners can create recurring revenue. You might earn a setup fee for each new account plus an ongoing monthly management fee. These small amounts per unit can generate significant income when applied across hundreds of doors.

ePay Convenience Fees Where Allowed

Offering online payment processing for move-related fees opens another revenue possibility. For instance, Buildium’s payment processing capabilities let you collect fees electronically.

Where regulations permit, you can offer online payment options. When residents handle payments online, they can pay through your portal without needing to visit in person. It’s always a good idea to check local and state regulations about these fees. Requirements vary by location, so check with a legal professional in your area. With your pricing strategy set, the next step is to measure your success.

How to Calculate ROI and Track KPIs

Measuring your success requires tracking both revenue and any efficiency gains. Without clear metrics, it’s hard to prove the value of your moving services to owners or know where to optimize your program.

Inputs to Track in Buildium Reports

It’s helpful to set up your chart of accounts to track each revenue type separately. You can create specific general ledger codes for move-in coordination fees, utility setup charges, and referral commissions. This granular tracking shows which services are generating the most profit.

Time saved per move can be just as important as direct revenue. You can track how long moves took before and after you implemented formal residential moving services. Documenting a reduction in resident complaints or faster unit turns can also help justify your fees to owners.

A Simple ROI Example Using Your Portfolio

Let’s walk through the math for a 100-unit portfolio. If you assume a 30% annual turnover, that’s 30 moves per year. A $150 move-in coordination fee would generate $4,500 in direct revenue. Adding a $50 utility setup fee per move brings in another $1,500. A 10% markup on an average turn cost of $1,000 yields $3,000. Finally, moving company referrals at $100 each could add another $3,000.

In this example, your total annual revenue from moving services could reach $12,000. The coordination work was likely already happening; you’ve just formalized it into a revenue-generating service.

Targets and Timelines to Hit in 90 Days

Setting realistic goals for your first quarter can help you stay on track. You might start with one or two services, such as move-in coordination fees, and add others later.

The first month can focus on setup: creating policies, building vendor relationships, and configuring your property management tools. After month one, roll out services in phases to collect feedback before broader launch. By months two to three, expand services broadly and communicate them to existing residents and owners. With solid data to back you up, you’ll be ready to tell people about your new services.

How to Market Moving Services to Owners and Residents

Clear communication about your residential moving services is what drives adoption and satisfaction. Different audiences will care about different things, but everyone should understand the value you’re offering.

Owners and Prospects Messaging

Property owners typically care about a few key benefits when it comes to professional moving services. These often include reduced vacancy time, higher tenant satisfaction, additional revenue, and professional vendor management.

It’s helpful to frame your moving services as an investment in their property’s performance. Show them how coordination fees can be offset by faster lease-ups. Demonstrate how professional turn management helps maintain the property’s condition. When you can make a clear business case with numbers, owners are more likely to see the value.

Residents and Applicants Messaging and Templates

For residents, the message should focus on how your moving services make their lives easier. You can create welcome email templates that explain the available services. Listing specific benefits, such as pre-negotiated moving rates or simplified utility setup, can be very effective.

A simple services menu in a PDF format can also clearly show the options and prices. Including this in application packets and resident portals makes it easy for residents to see what’s available.

Highlighting Services on Listings and Portals

Your rental listings can mention moving support as an amenity. Just as you would highlight other features, professional residential moving services can differentiate your properties.

Your resident portal can also serve as a showcase for your services. If you have a tenant portal set up, use announcements and shared pages to promote and highlight your moving-related services. Effective marketing depends on having the right tools to deliver on your promises.

Tools to Run Moving Services Without Adding Staff

Starting out with the right tools and partners can make your moving services scalable from day one. You don’t need a dedicated move coordinator when you have the right tools and relationships in place.

Buildium Features

Task automation can take care of much of the manual coordination work. For example, in Buildium, you can configure event-triggered workflows with assigned tasks, deadlines, and instructions.

Communication templates can also be a big help. You can build templates for move-out instructions, vendor coordination, and resident confirmations. Vendor management tools help you track performance and simplify payments by keeping all vendor information in one place. Finally, financial reporting for your service revenue helps prove the success of your program.

Marketplace Support: Citizen, Nutiliti, and PropUp

Partners from the Buildium Marketplace can automate some of the more complex parts of residential moving services. Nutiliti manages utility setup and ongoing resident billing; Citizen Home Solutions focuses on utility setup and concierge services with revenue sharing.

An integration means resident data can flow between systems without you having to enter it twice. PropUp specializes in turn coordination, with automated vendor scheduling and progress tracking. These partnerships allow you to offer comprehensive services without having to build the infrastructure from scratch.

Build Momentum Without Extra Headcount

Offering moving services is a practical way to increase your revenue per door while also improving the tenant experience. You can start with one or two services that address your biggest pain points and then expand based on what works for your portfolio. The combination of clear processes, strategic partnerships, and property management automation can make this achievable without hiring additional staff.

Key Takeaways:

• Moving services can generate revenue through coordination fees, markups, and partner commissions.
• You can start small with services such as utility setup or turn coordination before expanding.
• Your existing vendor relationships and property management tools can help you minimize additional work.
• Tracking your return on investment from day one helps demonstrate value to owners.

Ready to add moving services to your property management operations and button up your systems for growth? You can schedule a guided demo of Buildium to see how the platform can support your new revenue streams, or sign up for a 14-day free trial to get started right away.

Frequently Asked Questions About Property Manager Moving Services

Is It Legal for Me to Charge a Move-in Administration Fee?

Many areas allow administrative fees if they reflect actual coordination work, but it’s always best to check your local regulations and disclose all fees in the lease agreement. Since laws can vary by state and locality, it’s a good idea to consult with a qualified legal professional if you’re in doubt.

Should I Coordinate Third-party Movers or Hire My Own Moving Crew?

Most property managers find more success working with vetted moving company partners, which limits liability and offers professional service without the overhead of maintaining your own moving trucks and staff.

How Should I Handle Mover COIs, Elevator Reservations, and Damage Claims?

Establish clear requirements upfront, such as requiring COIs before scheduling a move. It’s also helpful to document any existing damage with photos and process claims immediately to maintain vendor accountability. Since laws can vary by state and locality, it’s a good idea to consult with a qualified legal professional if you’re in doubt.

How Can I Track Revenue and ROI for Moving Services in My Property Management Software?

You can set up specific general ledger codes and use custom fields to track service-specific income. Running monthly reports that compare your moving service revenue to any associated costs will give you a clear view of your ROI.

What’s a Good Way to Keep Residents from Flooding the Office on Move-in Day?

Scheduling staggered move-in times and using digital communication for most of your coordination can help. Online portals and automated messaging can reduce office visits while keeping residents informed.