How Much Do Movers Cost in Canada? Rates by City

Movers in Canada charge either by the hour or a flat rate, and the total depends mostly on how much you are moving, how far it goes and how easy the access is at both homes. Rates also differ by city. At Forge Movers, a two-person crew with a truck costs $139 an hour at our standard rate in Guelph, $149 in Toronto, $149 in Vancouver and $115 in Montreal, before tax. The rest of this guide explains how those numbers are built so you can compare quotes fairly, wherever you live.

How do movers in Canada charge?

There are two common ways to price a move.

Hourly pricing charges for the crew’s time. You pay a rate per hour that depends on how many movers come and whether the truck is included. Most companies set a minimum number of hours, and many add a truck or travel fee. Ours is a 3-hour minimum, then 15-minute steps, plus a $99 truck fee. Hourly pricing is a good fit when the move is small, the distance is short and you are packed and ready.

Flat-rate pricing is one fixed price for the whole job. The mover works it out from your inventory, the distance between homes and the access at each end. You know the price before moving day, and if the day runs long, the price does not change. Flat-rate is a good fit for larger homes and longer routes.

Neither is automatically cheaper. A fast, well-prepared move can cost less hourly. A complicated move with many stairs usually benefits from a flat rate. If you are unsure, ask for both; our guide to hourly vs flat-rate movers goes deeper.

What do movers cost in each city?

Local moving rates follow the cost of living and labour in each market, so Vancouver and Toronto tend to sit higher than Montreal or the Prairies. Here are our own rates in each city where we have a crew. Nearby towns are served by the closest crew, with a travel charge of $3 a km past 40 km:

Peak covers Fridays to Sundays, the last three and first two days of each month, and any day from May to September. Off-peak is Monday to Thursday from November to March. In Quebec, the days around July 1 are priced separately because so many leases end then; see our guide to moving to Montreal.

Taxes differ too. Ontario and Nova Scotia charge HST, Alberta charges GST only, Quebec adds GST and QST, and other provinces add GST and any provincial tax that applies. Always check whether a quote is shown before or after tax. Our pricing page has the full rate card.

What changes the price of a move?

Seven things move the number up or down:

1. Volume. More furniture and more boxes mean more crew time and a bigger truck.
2. Distance. A move across town and a move from Calgary to Edmonton are very different jobs, even with the same belongings.
3. Access. Stairs, long carries from the truck to the door, narrow hallways and elevator waits all take time. A walk-up third-floor apartment costs more than a ground-floor one. See what adds to a moving quote.
4. Packing. If the crew packs for you, that adds labour and materials. See our packing service.
5. Specialty items. Pianos, safes, hot tubs and very heavy appliances may need extra people or equipment; see how to move a piano.
6. Timing. Month-end, summer weekends and closing days are the busiest. In Quebec, the weeks around July 1 are the busiest of all.
7. Insurance and extras. Higher coverage, storage or disposal services add to the total.

How do I read a moving quote?

A good quote is short and specific. Check that it lists:

• The pricing model (hourly or flat-rate) and the exact rate or price
• The date, arrival window and both addresses
• The number of movers and what truck is included
• Minimum hours and truck or travel fees, for hourly quotes
• What is included (wrapping, blankets, disassembly) and what is extra
• Insurance coverage and how to make a claim
• The mover’s business name, address and phone number
• Whether tax is included

If a quote is a single number with no detail, ask for more. A quote that is much lower than the others is a warning sign, not a bargain. Our guide on how to compare moving quotes walks through it line by line.

What protects me when I hire a mover?

It depends on the province. Ontario has the most specific rules: a contract for moving services over $50 must be in writing, and a mover generally cannot charge more than 10% above the estimate unless you agree to extra services (Ontario.ca: Hiring a mover). In Quebec, the Office de la protection du consommateur publishes advice for people hiring movers. Elsewhere, general consumer protection law applies. Our guide to your rights when hiring movers covers each province we serve.

Wherever you are, get the estimate in writing before moving day, read it and keep a copy.

How can I get an accurate quote?

The best quote comes from the best information. Before you ask:

• List what you are moving, including the big items and anything unusual such as a piano or a workshop.
• Note the access at both homes: floors, stairs, elevators, parking and the distance from the door to where the truck can stop.
• Give your exact date and how flexible it is.
• Decide what you will pack and what you want help with.

Then compare quotes on the same details. A mover who asks detailed questions is usually a mover who will give you a reliable number. Forge Movers quotes are free and come in writing; request yours and you will get a preliminary estimate by email right away for local moves.

How can I lower the cost of my move?

• Declutter first. Every item you do not take is time and space you do not pay for.
• Pack early and label boxes. On an hourly move, packed boxes mean a shorter day.
• Clear the path. Reserve parking, book the elevator and clear stairs and driveways.
• Choose an off-peak date. A weekday in the middle of the month, outside summer, is the cheapest time to move with us.
• Be honest about the details. Surprises such as a third-floor walk-up or a huge sectional cost more on the day than they do in a quote.

Our tips to save money on your move has twelve more.

What about long-distance moves?

Local moves, within one city or between nearby cities, are priced on crew time. Long-distance moves, such as Toronto to Ottawa or Calgary to Vancouver, are usually flat-rate because distance, fuel and drive time are part of the price, and we confirm them on a short call. Our long-distance moving page explains how those moves work, and our residential moving page covers local ones.

Next step

The most useful thing you can do is compare real quotes for your move. Get a free quote from Forge Movers, or call (226) 706-4130 and tell us about your move. We will give you hourly and flat-rate options in writing, so you can choose.