Moving can be all at once an exciting and stressful time. Packing up all of your belongings, moving them to your new home, and getting settled in a new location can be a lot of work. While hiring a moving service makes the physical act of moving easier, it can come with a different set of stresses. Follow this guide to learn what you can expect to pay for a house moving service and how to hire the right company for the job to ensure your move goes as smooth as possible.
Moving Costs
How Much Does it Cost to Move?
The overall size of your home is the largest factor to consider when calculating the house moving cost. The below chart shows the average prices for a move based on average hourly rates charged by local moving companies. This includes the truck rental cost and the hourly rate charged by professional movers. There may be additional services and fees for things like long-distance moving, packing your items for you, storing items, and moving oversized items.
| Size of House | Estimated Time of Move | Average Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment | 3-5 hrs | $260-$655 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartment | 5-7 hrs | $525-$900 |
| 3 Bedroom House | 7-10 hrs | $735-$1,300 |
| 4 Bedroom House | 10+ hrs | $1048-$2,600+ |
Cost of Moving Other Items (i.e. Cars and Pianos)
If you’re planning on moving large and heavy items, such as a piano, it’s important you realize this can cost you an additional $200 to $1048. If the movers need to use a crane to lift the piano this can cost up to an additional $3,200.
Certain items that are heavy and bulky that take up extra space in the moving truck will also cost more. These items include:
- Pool tables
- Swing sets
- Motorcycles
- Lawn tractor
- Extra large furniture
If you need to move a car, you will need to hire a separate car transport service. Professional car-shipping companies usually charge based on the distance they need to travel to deliver the vehicle. For short distances, the cost is typically less than $1,300 per vehicle. As for long distance transports, the typical cost is $1,300 to $2,600 per vehicle.
Factors That Affect Cost
There are many factors that can affect the cost of your move. The two biggest factors are your current location and the distance of the move. Some other factors that may affect your final cost include:
Moving and Packing Estimates
The more work you have the professionals do for you, the higher your total cost will be. If you hire a full-service company to pack, load, unload, and unpack all your items, you can expect to pay an additional $520 in hourly costs. While this is a high cost, it’s a good option for those who are too busy to pack or need assistance to pack quickly.
Keep in mind that this average cost can differ considerably depending on factors such as the size of your home, the amount of items to be packed, and any other special requirements you may have. Be sure to check with your company whether or not this rate includes standard packing materials.
Moving Van & Truck Rental Costs
If you’re looking to move on a budget, a good option is to consider renting a truck or van and enlisting the help of your family and friends. The cost of a rental van or truck can vary considerably depending on the size needed, time to complete the move, and the price of gas. The average cost to rent a truck or van can range from under $65 to over $2,600.
While this can be a cheaper option, it’s important to take into consideration just how much money you will be saving versus the amount of effort and physical labor you will have to do. Sometimes the savings do not outweigh the amount of time and labor you will have to put in.
Access to Pickup/Dropoff Locations
It’s important both you and the moving company are aware ahead of time of any difficulties there may be in loading or unloading your boxes. There can be extra charges if the movers have to carry items a considerable distance, go up and down several flights of stairs, or use a window to hoist items in and out. This is why it’s a good idea to have the moving professionals visit both locations (if possible) before moving day so that they can add any of these factors into their quote.
Timing of the Move
Due to the fact summer is the busiest season for movers, it’s also the season with the highest rates. As movers will be extra busy in summer months, you can expect to pay sometimes as much as two times more for moving services during summer. Moving rates are also typically higher on holidays. Take the time of your move into consideration and see if you can wait until later in September to move instead of at the beginning of August.
Moving Insurance
Generally most professional moving companies will include basic liability coverage. This coverage is for approximately 60 cents per pound per item. If you require full-value protection, the cost will be higher.
Moving Company Costs
Cost of Hiring a Moving Company
If you’re in the process of moving furniture across Canada and other essentials of your home, you’re probably curious just how much it will cost to hire movers. The average cost of hiring movers for a local move can range from $600 to $1700.
Keep in mind there are many different factors that can affect the cost of your move. For example, if you opt to have the movers pack your belongings in addition to moving them, this will come at an additional cost. Timing is another factor: are you moving during peak season? On the first or last day of the month? Keep all of these factors in mind as you continue to read through this guide and plan your move.
Common Moving Company Estimates
It’s important you hire a reputable moving company you feel comfortable working with. Most moving companies provide an in-home estimate to get an idea of how much stuff you actually have so they can properly quote the price for moving or shipping household goods within Canada. An in-home estimate also helps them see the layout of your home and if there will be any difficulties moving items out.
Typically there are three types of estimates that a moving company will provide you with:
- Binding Estimate
Requires you to pay only the stated price, even in cases when the shipment weighs more or less than the original estimate. Does not cover shipping extra goods. - Non-Binding Estimate
Does not guarantee final moving cost, but the mover cannot require you to pay more than 110% of the estimate amount at the time of the move. You must pay any additional charges for extra services within 30 days of delivery. - Not-To-Exceed Estimate
Bases the price on the binding estimate or the actual final cost, whichever is lower. Often referred to as “guaranteed prices” or “price protection.”
Tips On Hiring
Trusting a company with all of your possessions is no small task. It’s important you feel comfortable with the company you’ve hired and trust their quality of service. The best way to find a reputable moving company in your area is to check HomeStars. You can read reviews from previous clients to learn more about the company and if there were any issues. You can also directly reach out to companies to get quotes and find the best company for your needs.
Keep these tips in mind to help alleviate some of the stress of hiring movers:
- Read Reviews
Whether you’ve gotten a referral from a friend or you saw a lawn sign for a company, it’s important you check their rating and credentials to learn more about them before you hire. HomeStars has thousands of reviews for moving companies across Canada, written by real homeowners who have hired these companies in the past. - Get Multiple Estimates
Some experts suggest comparing 10 different companies. Get estimates from at least three or four to make sure you’re getting the most competitive prices and to find the movers with policies that meet your needs. - Ask Questions
Get as many details as you can about factors such as the rate structure and payment terms, extra fees and hidden costs, the history of the company, and whether it works with subcontractors. Other helpful things to know about include packing services, storage services, insurance, and what to expect on the day of the move.
Tipping
Tipping is not required but it is a great way to show your appreciation to the moving professionals if they’ve done an exceptional job. A fair amount to tip is between 10-20% of the overall cost of the move. If you had a complicated move and the company really stepped up to help you, consider tipping a bit more. Depending on the overall time spent and how difficult the move was, on average a tip can range between $10-$40 per person for a local move.