Moving is a big part of city living. In Toronto, almost 50% of households are renters. Being one of the major centers of migration in the country, thousands of people move to the Toronto Metropolitan Area yearly.
To support the huge demand in this area, many moving companies offer a variety of moving services to cater to every type of move and budget.
Why Hire Movers in Toronto for Your Move?
Whether you are moving for the first time or the 9th time, the question of hiring movers or doing it yourself always inevitably comes up.
This isn’t surprising because inflation has made everything so expensive; people want to save as much as possible.
But did you know that making a DIY move can cost you more in the long run? But before we get into that, let us first give you a few important reasons why it pays to hire movers for your move.
Saves Time and Energy
Preparing for a move is time-consuming and exhausting. Packing up stuff, loading them, driving to the destination multiple times, and unloading and unpacking are tasks you will be doing over days or weeks.
Professional movers can streamline the entire process so you can focus on the other important aspects of your relocation such as setting up utilities, new schools for the kids, cleaning up, and settling into your new home.
Professional Handling
Movers can help with your packing to ensure your things don’t get damaged during the move. They can load and unload heavy boxes using the proper equipment. Their training on the proper packing techniques prevents damage of your goods.
Care of Special Items
Some moves need special care for pianos and other musical equipment, glass, electronics, and other fragile items.
Movers are trained in the proper handling and care of such items to prevent damage.
Reduces Risk of Injury
You can get hurt lifting heavy boxes and furniture, Movers use straps, ramps, and dollies to lift and move items safely.
Speed and Efficiency
Experienced movers can work more quickly and get the move completed faster than you can.
Insurance Protection
Licensed moving companies carry insurance for liability against loss or damage. This gives you peace of mind.
Savings
While movers will cost you upfront, you can actually save money from truck rental, equipment rental, fuel, and moving supplies. You also save on time and effort.
If you ask relatives or friends to help you move, you will be obliged to offer them pizza and beer after the move.
Moving is a lot less stressful with professional movers. You can also customize your moving services based on your needs and budget.
Consider hiring professional movers to move into your new apartment or home in Toronto. Fill out the form on this page with no obligation to compare free quotes and save money!
Average Moving and Packing Costs in 2025
The most common question people ask when planning a move is “How much will it cost?” We understand that you need to know the accurate price for proper budgeting.
There is a very simple formula that moving companies use to calculate the price:
| Hourly Rate | x Number of Hours | + Extra Fees/Services | = Total Moving Cost |
Below is a guide that breaks down the average prices for moving services to help you make an informed decision.
What is the average hourly rate for movers in Toronto?
The average cost to hire movers for a local move is about $120 to $150 an hour. Keep in mind, however, that rates among moving companies vary based on factors such as low or peak season, insurance, destination, size of the move, etc.
By doing a thorough research and comparing different quotes, you can find movers to suit your needs and budget.
How much do movers cost for professional packing services?
The standard rates charged by companies is for a moving truck plus movers. If you need help with packing, you will be charged extra fees.
How much do movers charge for packing services?
Movers in Toronto usually charge about $300 to $800 for packing for a 1-bedroom apartment. Larger apartments and homes will cost much more, often reaching between $1,000 and $2,000 for packing alone. The price will depend on the number of movers needed and the size of the home.
To save money, you can choose to pack your personal items such as clothes and leave the hard-to-pack items such as kitchenware, appliances, books, etc. to professional packers.
Moving Rates Based on Season
| SEASON / MONTH | RATE FOR 2 MOVERS Hourly Rate | RATE FOR 3 MOVERS Hourly Rate |
| Peak Season (May, June, July, August) | $120 – $150 | $180-$250 |
| Low Season (September-February) | $90-$120 | $250-$300 |
The months of May to August are the busiest time for moving in Toronto. Movers charge higher rates during these months.
If you want to save money and reduce stress, you can plan a move in April to September when the demand is low and moving companies charge lower rates.
You can also get a good idea of the moving cost in Toronto based on the type of home:
| Type of house | Number of movers | Average duration of the move | Average Cost |
1-bedroom apartment | 2 | 2 hours | $400-$500 |
| 2-bedroom apartment | 2 | 4 hours | $480-$960 |
| 3-bedroom apartment | 3 movers | 6-8 hours | $1,000-$1,500 |
| 1-bedroom home | 2 movers | 5 hours | $583-$900 |
| 2-bedroom home | 3 movers | 8 hours | $1,200-$1,500 |
| 3-bedroom home | 6 movers | 10 hours | $1,500-$2,700 |
*Prices are for illustration only and are not actual quotes from our moving partners.
Of course, these prices can be lower or higher depending on several factors including your location, time of moving, amount/volume of belongings to be moved, your choice of moving company, and other moving services you require such as piano moving, etc.
Some moving companies also offer flat rates for moving. You can plan your budget more easily with flat rates so make sure to request free quotes.
To get the best moving rates, compare now and save money by filling out our short online form, free of charge.
Long Distance Moving Services in Toronto
Moving in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) includes municipalities surrounding Toronto like Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, and more. Movers will charge moving rates including travel time.
Long-distance moves such as from Toronto to Ottawa are more complicated. Movers will factor in mileage, travel time, size of truck, number of movers, etc.
For most moving companies, a move of over 500-km is considered a long-distance move. The moving rates for long distance moves are higher than local moves.
On average, a long-distance move can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $12,000 in Toronto. The price depends on your point of origin and destination and the number of boxes and other belongings you need to move. Other factors that increase the cost are additional services like professional packing, specialty items, etc.
Getting specific moving estimates without contacting a mover can be tricky. However, we can simplify that for you as we have many professional movers in our network!
Just fill out the short online form on this page at no cost and receive multiple moving quotes to compare based on the details of your move.
Hourly and Fixed-Rate Moving Fees
The most common pricing method used in the Greater Toronto Area by moving companies is hourly rates. Customers pay for the total number of hours to complete the move.
Hourly rates vary among movers based on the season. Hourly pricing allows you to get an accurate estimate based on how long the movers can finish the job. Professional movers will always want to do a physical inspection of your home before the move so they can accurately estimate the duration of the move and the equipment needed.
Local moves are typically charged hourly rates. Know that most moving companies have a minimum time charged, usually 3 hours.
Flat Rate Pricing
Most movers charge flat rates for long distance moving such as from Toronto to Vancouver. Specialized moving services such as moving a piano can also be charged flat rates.
How is a long distance move calculated? The moving company will give an estimate based on:
- The distance of travel
- The items to be moved
- Miscellaneous services such as packing and storage
Movers also factor in potential issues such as delays due to the weather.
Are you making a long-distance move? Our moving partners serve all of Toronto and Ontario and can move your belongings anywhere in Canada.
Fill out the short online form today to receive FREE and NO OBLIGATION quotes from reputable moving companies.
Why is hiring the cheapest mover not a good idea ?
You know the saying you get what you pay for? This is so true when it comes to hiring movers.
Of course you want to get the lowest possible price but know that the cheapest is not always the best option.
Quality movers charge more because they carry the right insurance to protect your move in case of damage or loss.
Good movers also have complete equipment, right-sized and properly-maintained trucks, and well-trained moving crew.
Some movers can give unusually low prices because they cut corners. This could cause you stress and headache, especially when your items arrive later than promised or get lost or damaged.
Don’t choose a moving company based on price alone; make sure to compare their moving services, customer service, moving reviews, etc.
Pay the right price for your move by finding the best movers using our short online form!
What to expect when hiring movers in Toronto
When hiring a moving company, expect to get an on-site assessment from the movers. They will then give you a moving quote based on the size of your move.
If you are making a move in-between homes, you can request for storage services.
Your movers will inform you what time they will arrive to load your belongings and how long it will take for them to complete your move at the destination.
Depending on your type of move, you can receive free moving supplies before your move so you can start packing.
Check the license and insurance of the moving company and inquire about their policies regarding overtime (if movers are unexpectedly delayed in transit), lost items, damage, cancellations, etc.)
Do you pay movers before or after?
First-time movers may want to know when to pay a moving company.
Ideally, once the move has been completed and you have checked that your belongings arrived safely and without damage, you have to pay the movers.
Most moving companies ask for an upfront fee when you book their services because they will reserve the date and time of your move. The deposit must be minimal. The remaining balance is paid after the move.
To pay a moving company, always use a debit or credit card rather than cash. Be wary of movers who ask to be paid in cash.
Use our Free Moving Quotes to find the best Moving Rates
Is it time to book your move? Find your moving company from our network using our short online form.
It is best to book a mover early, especially during peak season. You can book as early as 1 or 2 months before if you are moving in the busy spring and fall season. In doing so, you can compare more movers until you are satisfied with your choice.
Moving services in Toronto have become notorious for being expensive. Planning ahead and comparing multiple quotes can help you find affordable rates from good moving companies.
Fill out our short online form today to receive free estimates from 5 moving companies in your area.