Not every move involves a full truck, three movers, and a three-bedroom house. Maybe you’re moving out of a studio apartment, a single room, or you just need a hand moving a few pieces of furniture.
Whatever the size, you still deserve a reliable crew that shows up on time and won’t charge you the price of a regular residential move.
- In GTA, there are moving companies in Toronto that specialize in small-scale relocations, with tailored services and pricing.
What is considered a small move in Toronto?
Small moves refer to relocations involving a few items, typically weighing less than 2,000 pounds. They are mostly studio or small apartment moves with 1 or 2 pieces of furniture and personal belongings.
Typical examples of small moves in Toronto include:
- Studio or One-Bedroom Apartment: Minimal furniture or personal items.
- Single-Item Transport: Moving a large item like a piano, sofa, or appliance.
- Office Equipment: Transferring essential office items such as desks and computers.
- Moving to a university or college
- Senior moving (assisted facility or senior housing)
Specialized movers offer more economical and flexible moving packages for small moves compared to large homes.
What are the Top 10 best Small Moving Companies in Toronto?
Looking for a small mover in the Toronto area? Here are ten reputable movers specializing in small-scale relocations.
| Company | What Sets Them Apart |
|---|---|
|
Easy Moving
|
CargoTaxi pricing tiers ($69.99 vs $89.99/hr), 10-min quote response |
|
Cargo Cabbie
|
Express service, 3 tiers (Basic/Premium/White Glove), CAM certified |
|
GIG Moving
|
Since 2000, no stairs/long-walk surcharges, fully equipped 24–26ft trucks |
|
You Move Me
|
Pre-move Operations Director check-in, free wardrobe packing, AI quote tool |
|
Hercules Moving
|
Elevator/COI/loading dock logistics handled for you, dedicated moving concierge |
|
One Day Movers
|
7 days/week 8AM–8PM, compact urban vehicles, WSIB covered |
|
Rent-A-Son
|
Specialty/antique/art moves, estimates within 1% of final invoice, 7x HomeStars winner |
|
Energy Crew
|
No fuel surcharge, no travel time, no minimum hours, from $180 |
|
Miracle Movers
|
All-inclusive hourly rate, 15-minute billing increments after minimum |
|
Firemen Movers
|
North American Van Lines agent, furniture donation program, since 2008 |
Easy Moving
Toronto, ON
Easy Moving has been handling small moves in Toronto and the GTA since 2001. They offer two CargoTaxi options for small moves — $69.99/hr with self-loading, or $89.99/hr with crew assistance, plus a $119 one-time fee. Same-day service is available, quotes come back within 10 minutes, and they cover single items, studio apartments, last-minute moves, and in-building relocations. With optional packing and wrapping on every job, they are fully insured.
Cargo Cabbie
Etobicoke, ON
Cargo Cabbie has been voted Best Moving Company in Toronto every year since 2012, with awards from HomeStars, Houzz, ThreeBestRated, and BlogTO. Their Cargo Cabbie Express service handles single-item and small moves fast including furniture deliveries, single-item pickups, last-minute calls. To suit every move, they have three service tiers available: Basic, Premium, and White Glove. They're also a Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) certified member, fully bonded and insured, with climate-controlled storage in Etobicoke.
GIG Moving
North York, ON
GIG Moving and Lumping has been in business since 2000 and specializes in apartment moves across Toronto and the GTA. Their 24 - 26 ft trucks come equipped with moving blankets, dollies, straps, wardrobe boxes, and mattress bags. There’s no hidden fees and no extra charges for stairs or long walks. They offer full-service packing, fragile-only packing, DIY packing supplies, storage, vehicle shipping, and piano moving. Fully licensed and insured, they have all their employees background-checked.
You Move Me
Toronto, ON
You Move Me Toronto covers local, long-distance, senior, commercial, and packing services with friendly, uniformed crews and clean, move-ready trucks. Their process includes a pre-move check-in from their Operations Director one week before moving day, so there are no hiccups. At You Move Me, they offer three packing tiers: single-item, kitchen packing, or full-service, plus free wardrobe packing on every move. Quotes are available virtually, in-person, or through their AI-powered self-survey tool.
Hercules Moving Company
Toronto, ON
Hercules Moving Company is built for condo and apartment moves, with crews trained specifically for high-rise buildings. For you, they handle elevator reservations, COI certificates, and loading dock logistics. Every move includes heavy-duty moving blankets, stretch wrap, and a dedicated moving coordinator assigned to your file from booking to delivery. Trucks are equipped with liftgates, four-wheel dollies, and up-to-date tool kits. They also offer custom crating for fine art, antiques, and specialty items.
One Day Movers
Toronto, ON
One Day Movers positions itself as Toronto's go-to for small jobs like roommate moves, student moves, single-item relocations, and partial moves. They operate 7 days a week, 8AM–8PM, offer same-day service, and use compact maneuverable vehicles built for tight Toronto streets. Furniture disassembly and reassembly is included, packing is available, and pricing is transparent with no hidden fees. They're licensed, insured, and WSIB-covered.
RENT-A-SON
Toronto, ON
Rent-A-Son is Toronto's specialist for small moves involving antiques, designer furniture, fine art, and specialty items. They offer creative solutions such as honeycomb boxes, double-corrugated containers, and factor in humidity, temperature, and home layout before anything moves. They also do home staging, furniture rearranging, and furniture removal. Estimates fall within 1% of the final invoice on average, which is genuinely rare. CAM certified, BBB A+, and 7-time HomeStars Best Movers winner.
Energy Crew
Toronto, ON
Energy Crew stands out for one thing: no fuel surcharge, no travel time, and no minimum hours. Pricing starts from $180 for 2 movers, a 16ft truck, and basic tools. They also offer a "3 movers for the price of 2" deal on select dates when you book by the 25th of the month. If your crew shows up more than 20 minutes late on a morning shift, you get 5% off, and if they can't complete your move at all, it's free. Good for budget-conscious small moves in the city.
Miracle Movers
Toronto, ON
Miracle Movers has been moving Torontonians since 1992 and their hourly rate is all-inclusive: loading, unloading, travel between addresses, blanket wrapping, mattress bags, and basic furniture disassembly and reassembly are all covered. A 2-hour minimum applies, or 3 hours for a 3-person crew. After that, time is billed in 15-minute increments so you only pay for what you actually use. Custom crating, plastic bin rental, and packing services are also available.
Firemen Movers
Etobicoke, ON
Firemen Movers has been locally owned and operated in Toronto since 2008. As a North American Van Lines agent, they combine local expertise with the resources of a national network, covering everything from packing and junk removal to temperature-controlled short and long-term storage. They also run a used furniture donation program. Services include packing and unpacking, disassembly, university moving, and eco-friendly moving supply options. Every move gets a custom plan based on your budget and needs.
How much does a small move cost in Toronto?
For a small move in Toronto, you might pay anywhere from $600 to $1,500 for a local apartment move. Larger moves or those requiring additional services could potentially cost more.
Small moves tend to be more affordable because several moving companies offer cheap rates for single-item and small local relocations. Long-distance, interstate, cross-country, or international moves, even small ones, cost more based on the distance and weight.
If the delivery is within Toronto, movers charge hourly rates from $70 and $350. These rates vary depending on the company you choose and the services you require.
Mini-moves are cheaper than standard moves because they take less time and labour to complete.
DIY Small moves vs. Professional Movers in Toronto
If you are moving a bed only and a few boxes, you could save money with a DIY move. Of course, you may need to rent a small truck and load and unload your items.
You can save a few dollars but you need to put in the work and the time to transport your goods. If moving locally, it could be a practical choice unless your furniture is too heavy or you can’t do the driving.
But for a long distance move, even a small one, it is more convenient to hire a moving company to do it for you.
A DIY move and hiring professional movers for a small move both have distinct advantages and disadvantages.
Here is a quick comparison to help point you in the right direction.
- Savings: DIY moves are economical for short distances.
- Control: You decide your own timetable for packing and transport.
- Flexible Scheduling: Move when you want — no waiting on mover availability.
- Labour: Moving heavy furniture is tiring and can lead to injuries.
- Takes longer: Packing, loading, transporting, and unloading can be lengthy and demanding.
- Hidden Costs: Truck rental, supplies, fuel, and equipment can offset your savings.
- Efficiency: Movers know what they're doing and get the job done faster.
- Safety: Skilled in packing, lifting, and preventing damage to your belongings.
- Convenience: Packing, loading, and delivery — all handled for you.
- Insurance protection: Basic coverage is usually included, with options to add more.
- Higher Fees: Moving services can cost more depending on the type of move.
- Reduced control: Others will be handling and managing the delivery of your goods.
- Reduced flexibility: You may need to adjust to mover availability on date and time.
A Cost Comparison: DIY Moving vs. Small Moving Services
Yes, DIY moving seems cheaper upfront but it is important for you to consider all associated expenses.
- Truck Rental: Varies based on size and duration — usually hourly rates.
- Fuel: Cost increases with distance.
- Packing Supplies: Boxes, tape, and protective materials.
- Equipment Rental: Furniture pads, dollies, etc.
- Potential Damages: Higher risk of damage — repair costs can add up fast.
- Service Fee: Hourly or fixed rate covering labour, transportation, and basic insurance.
- Additional Services: Packing, unpacking, and storage are charged separately.
Weigh these factors to choose the right moving option that suits your circumstances. Overall, hiring professional movers is the most convenient and cost-effective method for small moves in Toronto.
FAQs about small moves in Toronto
When planning a small move, you may have several questions about the process, services offered, and expectations. Here are some frequently asked questions to guide you:
1
Is my move qualified as a small move?
2
How far ahead should I book a moving company for a small move?
3
Do movers provide insurance coverage?
4
Do movers provide packing and unpacking services?
5
Can movers disassemble and reassemble furniture?
6
Is there a minimum charge for small moves?
7
Do I need to be present during the move?
8
How are moving costs calculated?
9
Do movers pay for items damaged during the move?
10
How do I pay for the moving service?
How to hire the right movers for a small move in the Greater Toronto Area?
It is essential to hire the right movers for a small move to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience.
Assess what belongings you need to move so you can also determine what you need help with. Once this is done, you are ready to look for the right movers for the job.
- Use our short online form to request multiple quotes, free of charge, to compare prices and moving services.
Don’t just look at the cost; take the time to compare what is included in the price to ensure there are no hidden costs.
It may be worthwhile to pay a few dollars more to get help with loading and unloading your goods. If you need help with packing or disassembly, please inform the moving company.
Save time and money by connecting with our moving partners today via our short online form!