Transport and delivery

Bakkie hire, small moves and furniture deliveries

Use your bakkie or trailer for small moves, furniture deliveries, rubble removal and collections, charging a minimum plus a rate per kilometre.

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

See how this fits you, freeAbout 6 minutes, no sign-up.

Is this for you?

Best for

People with a bakkie or trailer, a valid licence and strength or a helper.

In South Africa: Strong in metros and towns.

What you need

  • A phone is enough to start
  • Works on everyday data
  • No camera needed
  • No cold selling
  • At least 6 hours a week · age 18+

The money

What it can earn

  1. Pocket money
  2. A top-up
  3. A second income
  4. Can become a full income

Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.

What people charge

R350 to R500 per minimum per job

Published rates: from R350 (QikTruck); R350 plus R12.68 a km for a 1-ton bakkie (MarketDirect). We do not model monthly income.

Costs to plan for

Start-up
R0 to R3 000
Every month
Fuel, maintenance, insurance, straps and blankets.
Payment fees
Cash or EFT before unloading.
Margin
Fuel and wear are real costs: include them.

How it is paid: Minimum fee plus a rate per kilometre. Our viability score for it: 65 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

  1. Test it cheaply Before you spend

    • Work out your cost per kilometre with fuel and wear
    • Offer delivery to five Marketplace sellers
    • Success signal: five paid jobs a week

  2. First week Days 1 to 7

    • Set your minimum and per-kilometre rate
    • Buy straps and blankets
    • Tell your insurer you carry goods for reward

  3. First month Days 8 to 30

    • Post daily in Marketplace and community groups
    • Keep a job log

  4. By three months Days 31 to 90

    • Partner with a furniture shop or hardware store
    • Add rubble removal with a licensed dump site

Jobs can start this week. First income usually takes 2 to 30 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

Bakkie hire, small moves and furniture deliveries: your step-by-step start

18 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Students, renters, Marketplace buyers and sellers, small shops.

Moving big things without hiring a truck.

Is there demand?

Bakkie services publish rates: from R350 (QikTruck) and R350 plus R12.68 a km for a 1-ton bakkie (MarketDirect).

Marketplace furniture deliveriesStudent movesRubble and garden waste removal

Getting customers

Facebook Marketplace sellers and buyers, WhatsApp groups and hardware shops.

Word of mouth and referralsDirect messagesResponding to enquiriesPartnerships with other businesses

Risks and rules

Watch out for

  • Damage to goods: strap and cover everything
  • Injury lifting: use a helper
  • Dumping rubble illegally carries fines: use registered dump sites

Competition: Moderate.

Room to grow: Grows with a second vehicle or trailer.

Legal and tax in South Africa

  • Carrying goods for reward may affect your insurance: tell your insurer.
  • Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start bakkie hire, small moves and furniture deliveries in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R0 to R3 000. Recurring costs: Fuel, maintenance, insurance, straps and blankets.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 7 days, and between 2 and 30 days. Jobs can start this week.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

Carrying goods for reward may affect your insurance: tell your insurer. Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Sources (3)

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Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy