Most people compare the price of a truck rental to the price of a mover’s quote and call it a day. That’s the wrong math.
A truck rental listed at $150 a day doesn’t necessarily include mileage, fuel, insurance, or equipment. Add those in, and you’re within a few hundred dollars of hiring two movers, who run from $120 to $200 an hour.
That doesn’t mean renting a truck always wins. It means the answer depends on each move, not on which option looks cheaper on a rental site.
- This article shows you how to figure out which option saves you money.
What are the pros and cons of using a moving truck versus hiring movers?
Without further consideration, a truck rental wins on price. Movers cost more, but somebody else does the lifting, the driving, and takes on the risk if something gets dropped and damaged.
Which one’s better? It comes down to how many friends are available to help you out, how much stuff you have, where you’re going, how far, and how much of the physical work you’re up for.
Pros and cons of renting a moving truck
Renting a truck is the cheaper option almost every time, and you’re not tied to anyone else’s schedule. The trade-off is that you’re the one doing the lifting, the driving, and absorbing whatever goes wrong along the way.
| Pros of renting a moving truck | Cons of renting a moving truck |
|---|---|
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Pros and cons of hiring professional movers
Hiring movers means you’ll need to book ahead and might pay more, but for a lot of people, it’s a hundred percent worth it.
| Pros of hiring professional movers | Cons of hiring professional movers |
|---|---|
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Cost comparison for renting a moving vehicle versus hiring a service
For a local move, renting a moving truck costs between $300 and $1,200, all-inclusive. As for hiring professional movers, for the same move, we’re talking about an average price of $400 to $1,500.
That gap gets a lot smaller once you’re talking long-distance or interprovincial, though, enough that a DIY move stops being the obvious money-saver.
Truck rental cost breakdown
The rental itself is only the starting cost. What adds up is everything on top of it. Here’s what to expect.
| Cost item | Average price range |
|---|---|
| Rental | $30 - $300 |
| Mileage | $0.50 - $1.40/km |
| Fuel | $100 - $500+ (distance-dependent) |
| Insurance (basic to full protection) | $15 - $70/day |
| Equipment (dolly, straps, blankets) | $20 - $100 |
Professional movers cost breakdown
The cost of delegating a move to a professional company depends on two factors. First, how much stuff needs to be relocated to the new address, and second, how far the new place is from the old one.
| Home size | Local move | Long-distance move |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bedroom | $400 - $900 | $1,500 - $3,000 |
| 2/3-bedroom | $900 - $2,000 | $3,000 - $6,000+ |
| Larger home | $2,000 - $4,000+ | $5,000 - $10,000+ |
If you’re up for doing the full math, you might be surprised that the cheapest option might not be what you expected. And that’s the whole point of comparing numbers instead of speculating.
What hidden costs do people forget to factor in?
Nobody budgets for that stuff, but they should. Lost wages, a scratched dresser, a strained back, and an extra rental day are what make a DIY move cost more than initially planned.
Time and lost income
Time is the one people underestimate the most. A DIY move always takes longer than you think. As a matter of fact, two or three times longer isn’t unusual. And if that means missing work, that’s money out of your pocket.
Damage and injury risk
Damage is the other big one. A dent in the wall or a cracked TV screen happens more often than people admit.
Last-minute extras
Then there’s the small stuff that adds up on moving day itself: an extra day on the rental because packing ran long, a last-minute run for more boxes, replacing whatever got broken along the way.
Is it cheaper to rent a moving truck or hire professional movers in Canada?
To relocate yourself into a one-bedroom apartment, which entails a short traveling distance of less than 50 kilometers, renting a truck is very economical.
However, this is not the case for a bigger move. The added hours, days, fuel expenses, and let’s not forget the stress will almost certainly sway a good number of Canadians in favor of changing their mind about the cost of hiring movers.
When DIY moving is more affordable
DIY makes the most sense when the move itself is small and simple. If most of these apply to you, renting a truck is probably your best bet.
- Small apartment or studio
- Staying in the same city or neighbourhood
- You've got friends or family who'll show up
- Tight budget, and you've got the time to spare
When hiring movers is worth the extra cost
Unquestionably, when you prioritize time, safety, or distance, the extra charge is justifiable. If you find yourself in this category, be sure to get between 3 and 5 estimates before deciding on a DIY mission.
- You're short on time
- You've got something heavy or genuinely valuable
- It's a long-distance move
- Heavy lifting isn't something your body can handle right now
Is a hybrid approach cheaper than going all-in on one option?
Yes, and not many people know it’s a possibility. What is this hybrid approach about? You rent the truck and drive it yourself, then hire movers by the hour just to load and unload the big items.
It’s a good option for local moves where driving a truck doesn’t intimidate you. But it doesn’t make as much sense long-distance.
How can you save money no matter which option you choose?
A few decisions matter more than the truck-vs-movers choice itself. When you book, how much you get rid of beforehand, and whether you bothered to compare quotes at all.
- If there's one thing worth doing no matter which option you pick, it's booking outside the busy season, on a weekday, and in the middle of the month. It genuinely makes a difference.
- It also helps to get rid of stuff. So work through that donation pile before moving week.
- And honestly, the simplest money-saver is to request multiple quotes. Prices for both trucks and movers fluctuate more than you’d expect between companies. Comparing 3 to 5 estimates before committing to one will enable you to save money.
3 Common mistakes that turn a "cheap" move into an expensive one
Most people don’t overspend because they picked the wrong option, but because of a handful of avoidable mistakes.
Mistake #1. Renting a truck that's too small.
It looks like the responsible, budget-friendly thing to do, but if you end up making a second trip or scrambling to rent a bigger truck last-minute because nothing fits, you've spent more than if you'd just sized up in the first place.
Mistake #2. Neglecting insurance is the one people regret most.
It feels like an easy cost to cut, right up until something breaks and you're covering the full replacement cost yourself. If you're hiring movers, it's worth confirming with the Canadian Association of Movers that they're actually insured and registered before you book.
Mistake #3. And then there's timing again.
Waiting until the last minute to book is risky. When there are fewer options to choose from, people tend to have to pay more.
Quick decision guide to decide which option fits your move
Short on time, moving long-distance, or short on help? Movers are probably worth it. Small, local move with reliable people to help you? A truck rental will almost always save you money.
Note: keep in mind that the only purpose of this tool is to guide you. Ask for free quotes to compare real costs and make an informed decision.
Still unsure? Compare free quotes from movers near you and find out!
The only way to know which option will SAVE YOU MONEY is to see what movers near you and anywhere in Canada charge you.
- Fill out our short form and find out. It won’t cost you a thing, and there is no obligation.
After all, aren’t you as curious as we are?
FAQ - Renting a moving truck vs Hiring movers
1
Is it cheaper to rent a truck or hire movers?
For small and local moves, renting a truck is usually cheaper. For bigger homes or long-distance moves, the gap narrows enough that movers often work out to a similar or better deal.
2
How much does it cost to rent a moving truck for one day?
Before adding mileage, fuel, and insurance, base rental goes from $30 to $300 a day. Those extras easily double the price you saw advertised.
3
How much do professional movers cost on average in Canada?
A local move lands between $400 and $2,000 depending on home size. Long-distance or interprovincial moves cost anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000 or more.
4
What hidden fees come with truck rental?
Mileage, fuel, insurance, equipment rental (dollies, blankets, straps), and extra rental time are the main ones.
5
Is it worth hiring movers for a long-distance move?
Often, yes. Once you tally up fuel, lodging, and multiple days on the road, a DIY long-distance move lands close to a mover's quote anyway, minus the exhaustion of driving it yourself.
6
Can I move a 2-bedroom apartment myself?
With reliable help and a full day to spare, sure. Just expect it to be more physically demanding and take longer than you're picturing. If you’re curious to know how much it would cost to get it done professionally, ask for free quotes.