How to Make $500+ Every Weekend Helping People Move with Your Truck

1. 01

   Step 1: Set Your Rates and Service Boundaries

   

   Before you take your first job, decide what you'll charge and what you will and won't do. Most moving helpers with trucks charge $50 to $80 per hour with a two-hour minimum, depending on the city. If you're just starting out, $50 per hour is fair; as you gain reviews and experience, you can raise it to $65 or $75.

   Be clear about what's included: loading, transport, unloading, and basic furniture protection (blankets, straps). Decide upfront whether you'll take stairs (many charge an extra $20 to $40 for second-floor moves), handle pianos or gun safes (usually a flat 'no' unless you have equipment), or provide packing services. Write down your boundaries so you can communicate them clearly when someone books.

2. 02

   Step 2: Gather Basic Moving Supplies

   

   You don't need a full moving company's worth of gear, but a few basics make the job safer and faster. Pick up a set of furniture blankets ($40 for a dozen), ratchet straps ($25 for a four-pack), a dolly ($60 to $100 for a sturdy one), and work gloves. If your truck bed doesn't have a liner, a tarp protects items from dirt and moisture.

   Keep these supplies in your truck so you're ready for same-day jobs. If you plan to do this regularly, add a toolkit with a screwdriver set and Allen wrenches—many furniture pieces need quick disassembly to fit through doors. Total startup investment: $150 to $200, which you'll recover after three or four jobs.

3. 03

   Step 3: List Your Services on Lumo and Other Platforms

   

   Open the Lumo app, select the Worker mode on the welcome screen, and add 'Moving help' to your list of services. Set your job-alert radius to cover the areas you're willing to drive to—start with 15 miles and adjust based on demand. Fill out your profile with your truck's bed size (6-foot or 8-foot bed matters to customers), your hourly rate, and any limits (no third-floor walkups, for example).

   Also list on TaskRabbit, Thumbtack, and Craigslist. Each platform brings different customers: Lumo sends instant alerts when someone nearby needs a mover, while TaskRabbit lets customers compare profiles. Turn on your job alerts Friday afternoon so you catch weekend requests. When you accept a job in Lumo, use the in-app messaging to confirm pickup and drop-off addresses, floor levels, and any large or fragile items.

4. 04

   Step 4: Walk Through the Job Before You Start

   

   When you arrive, spend five minutes walking through the space with the customer. Look at what needs to move, measure doorways if something looks tight, and ask about any items that need extra care. This is when you catch surprises—a sleeper sofa that weighs 300 pounds, a narrow spiral staircase, or a grandfather clock that needs special handling.

   If the job is bigger than described, it's fair to renegotiate on the spot: 'This is going to take four hours instead of two, so the total will be $200 instead of $100. Does that work for you?' Most people appreciate the honesty. If they can't pay more, you can walk away—you're running a business, not a charity. Once you've agreed, load strategically: heavy items low and toward the front of the bed, tie everything down with straps, and put blankets between furniture pieces to prevent scratches.

5. 05

   Step 5: Drive Carefully and Unload Methodically

   

   With a loaded truck, take turns slowly and avoid sudden stops. Check your mirrors more often than usual—your center of gravity is higher and items can shift. If you're driving more than a few miles, pull over halfway to check that straps are still tight.

   At the destination, unload in reverse order of how you loaded (last in, first out). Place items where the customer directs, not just inside the door. If you're unsure whether a couch goes in the living room or the bedroom, ask. Offer to reassemble anything you took apart. Before you leave, do a final walk to make sure nothing was left in the truck and ask if they want any boxes or trash hauled away (this is an easy upsell for $20).

6. 06

   Step 6: Ask for Reviews and Build Your Reputation

   

   As soon as you finish, ask the customer to leave a review: 'If I did a good job today, a five-star review really helps me get more work.' In Lumo, customers are prompted to rate and review after each job; the more five-star reviews you collect, the higher you'll appear when people search for movers.

   Save contact info (with permission) for repeat customers. Many people need moving help two or three times a year—seasonal storage swaps, furniture deliveries, or helping adult kids move. Send a simple text every few months: 'Hi, it's Jake with the truck. Let me know if you need any hauling or moving help.' Repeat customers are the easiest money because they already trust you, and they'll refer friends.

7. 07

   Step 7: Track Earnings and Manage Your Schedule

   

   At the end of each weekend, add up your earnings, subtract gas (budget about $10 to $15 per job), and set aside 25% for taxes if you're earning more than a few thousand dollars a year. In Lumo, your earnings land in your in-app wallet and you can pay them out whenever you want. Keep a simple spreadsheet or notebook: date, customer name, hours worked, and amount earned.

   As you get busier, block out your available hours clearly. If you only want to work Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., set those as your working hours in the app so you don't get pinged at 7 p.m. on a Sunday. You can pause alerts when you're booked, then turn them back on when you have an opening. Once you're doing four or five jobs every weekend, you're easily clearing $500 to $600—and that's before tips.

Photos are illustrative. Service prices are typical ranges and vary by city. How we write our guides.