For haulers · live in Hampton Roads, VA and Richmond, VA, expanding city by city
Tired of paying Thumbtack $20 for a lead that goes nowhere?
Poof Haul is bid-based. No lead fees. No subscriptions. You keep 88% of every job you win. Our 12% comes out of the customer's payment, not yours.
We launch each metro once enough local haulers commit. Outside our active metros? Apply to be first in your city →
No lead feesIndependent haulersLive in Hampton Roads and Richmond, expanding
This is a platform for 1099 contractors with their own truck and liability insurance. If you're looking for W-2 employment, hourly pay, or dispatched routes, this isn't that. You pick the jobs you want, nobody assigns work here. Keep scrolling somewhere else.
How it works, start to finish
- 1. Customer posts a job with photos.
- 2. You bid what you want.
- 3. Customer picks a bid, you get paid on completion.
What you actually make on a $400 job
Poof Haul
- Customer pays
- $400.00
- Platform fee (12%)
- −$48.00
- You keep
- $352.00
On jobs under $42, the platform fee is a flat $5 (not 12%).
Paid via Stripe. Standard ACH (2 business days) is always free. Instant payouts (debit card in 30 minutes) cost 1.5% of the payout amount, your choice each time.
Thumbtack / Angi / other lead platforms
- Lead fees (avg 5 leads/job)−$75 to −$150
- No guarantee the customer ever books
- You pay whether you get the job or not
On a $400 job, Poof Haul costs you $48. Thumbtack can cost you $150 before you've touched a piece of furniture.
What you need
To apply (anywhere in the US)
- A truck or trailer (pickup, box truck, or trailer rated 1/2 ton or higher)
- Valid driver's license
- 18 or older
We launch each metro once enough local haulers commit. Live today in Hampton Roads, VA and Richmond, VA; outside that area, your application saves your spot and you'll get an email when your market opens.
Before your first job
- General liability insurance, $1M minimum combined single limit (we'll help you get this if you don't have it yet. Typical policies run $500 to $800 per year for a $1M/$2M policy through direct-to-policy carriers; we work with brokers who specialize in independent haulers)
- Stripe Connect account (takes 5 minutes, we'll walk you through it after your application is approved)
You don't need an LLC. You don't need a CDL. You don't need a business license in most cities we serve. We'll tell you if yours is the exception.
Questions you probably have
These answers reflect Virginia regulations as of 2026-04. PoofHaul operates city by city as compliance allows; if we open in your state, the local checklist may look different. Verify your jurisdiction's rules with your DMV, city licensing office, or a local attorney before you take work.
Applying
Can I apply without GL insurance?
Yes. If you don't have a policy yet, still fill out the application. We'll point you at brokers who work with independent haulers. Typical policies run $500 to $800 per year for a $1M/$2M general liability policy. Next Insurance, Hiscox, and Thimble are good places to start; Thimble even offers per-day coverage if you only haul occasionally. You won't be able to take your first job until your policy is active, but we'll help you get there.
What truck or trailer size do I need?
Minimum: a half-ton pickup with a standard 6-foot bed, or a trailer rated 1/2 ton or higher. A full-size pickup (F-150, Silverado 1500, Ram 1500) is ideal. Box trucks and larger trailers let you take bigger jobs and bid higher. Vans and SUVs are fine for small loads if they can be cleaned out between jobs. If you're not sure whether your rig qualifies, apply and tell us what you have. We'll tell you what jobs you can take.
Do I need a commercial driver's license (CDL)?
Almost never. CDLs are for vehicles over 26,001 lbs; nothing we ask you to do on the platform will require one. A standard driver's license covers everything you'll haul. State and local rules vary, so verify your DMV or a local attorney before you take work, and we'll send you the metro-specific checklist after your application is approved.
Do I need a business license?
Depends on your city. In the Hampton Roads cities we currently serve, Newport News, Hampton, and Norfolk require a business license for self-employed haulers (usually $30 to $50 per year); Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Portsmouth don't require one for solo operators. Other metros vary widely (Richmond city + counties have their own rules; Northwest Arkansas city licenses range from $0 in Siloam Springs to $25 in Bella Vista). We'll send you a checklist specific to your city after your application is approved. We're not your lawyer; verify locally before you take work.
Do I need to form an LLC?
No. You can operate as a sole proprietor. That's what most haulers start as. If you grow into multiple trucks or want to limit personal liability, forming an LLC later is straightforward in most states. Filing fees vary: Virginia $100, Arkansas $50. We're not tax or legal advisors. Talk to a CPA if you're unsure.
Where does PoofHaul operate?
Hampton Roads, VA and Richmond, VA are live today. We're recruiting the founding cohort in Northwest Arkansas, AR now (hauler applications open; customer jobs launch once enough local haulers commit). We launch each new market only after we've cleared the local rules around waste hauling, contractor licensing, and 1099 classification. If your zip is outside that list, you can still apply: we'll save your contact and email you if your area opens up.
Getting jobs
How do I get notified about new jobs?
Text message and email, within 2 minutes of a customer posting a job in your service area. You can set quiet hours if you don't want 2am SMS alerts. You can also log in and browse open jobs at any time.
Can I see photos and details before I bid?
Yes. Every job posting includes photos from the customer, the pickup address, a description of what needs to go, and any access notes (“third floor walkup,” “narrow driveway,” etc.). You bid with full information.
How do I know what to bid?
You set your own price. For now, we recommend pricing for: your time, fuel, dump fees, and a profit margin you're happy with. A rough starting point for a half-bed load is $150 to $250; a full pickup bed with stairs or furniture runs $250 to $450. Once the platform has more data, we'll show you what similar jobs in your area have been winning bids at.
Can I decline jobs?
Yes. You only take jobs you bid on; nothing is assigned to you. You're never penalized for not bidding.
What areas do you serve?
Hampton Roads, VA today: Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Poquoson, Gloucester, and neighboring towns. Richmond, VA: Richmond city, Henrico, Chesterfield, and Glen Allen. Recruiting in Northwest Arkansas, AR (Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale, Bella Vista, and surrounding cities). We launch each new market once we've cleared the local regulatory and licensing requirements. Outside our current coverage? Apply anyway, we'll save your contact and email you if your area opens up.
Payment
When do I get paid?
Stripe deposits your cut directly to your bank account. Two options:
- Standard (free): 2 business days after the job completes.
- Instant (1.5% fee): On your debit card within 30 minutes. You opt in per-payout from your Stripe dashboard.
How does the 12% work?
Customer pays their bid amount through Stripe when they accept. We take 12% as our platform fee (minimum $5). You keep the rest. On a $400 job, that's $48 to us, $352 to you. We don't charge you anything upfront, no subscription, no lead fees. We only make money when you make money.
What tax paperwork do I get?
If you earn $2,000 or more in a calendar year, you'll get a 1099-NEC from Poof Haul in January. You're responsible for tracking your own expenses (fuel, dump fees, insurance premiums, equipment) and reporting on Schedule C. We recommend keeping receipts and talking to a CPA your first year.
On the job
How do I communicate with the customer?
Once your bid is accepted, we share the customer's phone number with you and yours with them. Call or text to confirm arrival window, access details, and anything else you need.
Can I bring a helper?
Yes. You're responsible for paying your helper. We don't get involved. If your helper is going to be on the customer's property regularly, make sure your GL policy covers them.
What about dump fees?
You handle dump logistics and costs. Price them into your bid. Hampton Roads facility reference:
- Peninsula Transfer Station (Newport News): Construction debris, furniture, appliances. ~$85/ton, mattress surcharge $20.
- Bethel Transfer Station (Hampton): Similar rates. Residents only; bring a utility bill.
- SPSA Regional Landfill (Suffolk): Covers Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake. ~$65/ton.
- Virginia Beach Landfill & Resource Recovery: Appointment for large loads. ~$70/ton.
- Tires: $2 to $5 each at most facilities above.
- Refrigerators/freezers: $20 to $40 (freon reclamation).
- Paint, solvents, hazmat: NOT accepted at landfills. Newport News and Virginia Beach both run HazMat drop-off events (appointment only, residential quantities free).
Call ahead. Rates and accepted items change. Price for your worst-case dump run.
What items can I refuse to haul?
Anything you're not comfortable or not equipped to move. Common refusals: pianos (need specialized equipment), hot tubs (require disassembly), hazardous materials, anything over your truck's payload capacity, items that won't fit through doorways. If a posting includes something you won't haul, skip the bid. No penalty.
What if the job is bigger than described on-site?
Common scenario. Before you start hauling, text the customer: “Actual load is bigger than posted. I'd need to adjust to $X to do the full job. Or I can do the original scope at the original price. Or we can call it, and I'll take a $50 trip fee for the drive out.” Customer picks. Email us to update the bid amount in Stripe, we handle the rest.
Disputes & damage
What if I damage something during a job?
Damage under $200: most haulers absorb it to preserve their rating, or split the cost with the customer (call us and we'll help mediate). Over $200: this is what your GL insurance is for. File a claim with your carrier. We'll provide documentation if needed. PoofHaul does not require either choice; the means and manner of resolution is yours.
What if the customer claims damage that wasn't my fault?
Customers have 48 hours after job completion to raise a dispute. If they do, payment is held until we investigate. You send your side (photos, statement, witness if you had a helper). Customer sends theirs. We judge. If the claim is unsubstantiated, you get paid in full. Take photos at the start and end of every job. they protect you.
What if the customer cancels after accepting my bid?
If they cancel before you've left for the job: no fee to you, no fee to them. If they cancel after you're en route or on-site: you keep a $40 trip fee.
What if I need to cancel a job I already accepted?
Call the customer as early as possible. Cancellations happen, life happens. Repeat cancellations (more than 2 in a rolling 30 days) affect your platform rating and can get you removed.
Apply now
Takes about 2 minutes. You’ll get a confirmation email right away. First haulers in get first pick when we go live.