Average Movers Costs: $100 to $150 per hour
The standard rate for hiring movers is around $100-$150 per hour. The cost depends on your area, moving needs, and the company policy.
Moving homes is considered one of the most stressful events a person goes through in life, and it may be quite right. From packing, sorting, cleaning, and lifting, one can easily feel overwhelmed. For many Canadians, and especially for the residents who need to manage a home or move across the provinces, hiring professional removalists is not just a luxury, but often a necessity. However, when contemplating a move, one of the most critical questions that arises is: how much does a removalist cost?
In this detailed guide, we will review everything there is to know about the cost of hiring removalists in Canada. Learn about such aspects of moving as local hourly rates and long-distance move pricing structures, additional services, hidden fees, and tips for budget savings, and have a complete idea of what you can expect and how to organize your moving budget successfully.
The cost of hiring a professional moving company in Canada is not standard. Likewise, prices will depend on various key factors such as the size of your house, the number of items to be relocated, the distance between your old home and your new home, as well as the time of the year and level of services required. That being said, based on the present 2025 rates, here’s an idea:
These are average costs, and your actual costs may exceed or lie below these ranges depending on your situation and other special needs.
When it comes to local relocation – usually relocation within a 100-kilometre radius – most Canadian moving companies charge their customers based on an hourly rate instead of offering a flat fee. This implies that the costs of your move will vary depending on the amount of time the movers will require to finish the job.
The hourly rate will typically provide you with a moving truck and two experienced professionals who will help to load, move, and unload your items. In 2025, the standard rate for this setup is around $100-$150 per hour; however, it can change a little depending on your area and the company policy.
If your move needs more workers, for instance, if you have a large house and heavy or many items, you may be told to hire an extra third mover or fourth mover, which may cost more in terms of an additional $30-$50 per extra mover.
Even for relatively shorter moves (that may well take a shorter time than three to four hours), most removalist companies insist on a minimum booking window of between three and four hours. Furthermore, some companies include travel costs from and to your home, especially if the company is far from the pick-up and drop-off point. Make sure to find out if travel time is charged on top of the hourly quote or if it is included in the quote.
The number of days you spend in your move is one of the longest variables that will determine the final cost of moving, and this can be determined by several factors, including the number of items, your accessibility to your home, or others how close or far the properties are separated and the efficiency at which the moving team works. As a general guide:
Buildings with elevators, double staircases, or long hallways can take an extra time, in case of time limit is imposed for moving into/out of the houses or if elevator bookings are regulated.
Unlike the local ones, long-distance or interprovincial relocations are usually charged on a flat-rate basis. This would then mean that the moving company will quote a lump sum total cost for the job before embarking on it, instead of on an hourly basis.
The determination of the final price for a long-distance move is usually based on such considerations:
There are several additional services professional movers may provide that would make your move more comfortable, but also pricier.
If you do not want to pack your belongings yourself, you can hire movers to pack your stuff for you. Full-service packing can save a lot of time, but it will also require extra money.
Unpacking services are also at the same price and can comprise putting back items to cabinets, putting together furniture, and clearing the packing materials.
Disassembly and Reassembly
Movers can dismantle and reassemble furniture, including bed frames, dining tables, and modular sofas. This can be included in the hourly rate or quoted as a separate rate.
You should inform your removalist in advance if you have things that will need special attention so that they can requisite adequately and give a precise quotation.
If you intend to pack your own supplies, then be ready to invest in the supplies so that your items are safe while being transported.
Many moving companies provide moving kits or bundles, which provide you with everything you will need.
If your new home isn’t move-in ready or you’re downsizing temporarily, you may have to rent storage space for a short term or for an extended time.
Some of the moving companies offer on-demand storage services, pick-up, and drop-off services.
Basic moving insurance is mandatory in Canada and provides the bare minimum of coverage, typically less than a dollar a pound per item. Handling such valuable electronics, furniture, or valuable items like precious memories is not sufficiently secure at this level.
Be ready to shell out anything from $100 to $300 if you need extra insurance, depending on the amount you declared your possessions to be worth as well as the deductible.
Although reputable moving companies are honest when it comes to pricing, others can have hidden charges that are not reflected in the initial quotation. Common hidden fees include:
Always ask for a written estimate, which is itemised, and make sure you know what is included and what is excluded in your moving contract.
Cost of movement varies according to location because of variation in demand, cost of living, as well as availability of services.
Doing the move by yourself after you rent a truck saves money, but it requires lots of work, time, and physical labour.
Although costly, professional movers provide both experience and efficiency in the operations, plus the safety of your household in terms of moving. They are taught how to handle heavy/fragile items, how to work under pressure, and arrive with all the necessary stuff to make the transition easy.
Whether you are moving just down the street or you are moving across the country, knowing what drives removalist costs in Canada can help you plan and budget without incurring unnecessary expenditure. Prices depend largely on distance, volume, and season as well as offers of additional services, so it is important to get several quotes, compare the services carefully, and settle for the best option that is right both in terms of your needs and price.
Even though the process of moving is never cheap, in most cases, hiring a professional removalist proves to be worth every dollar spent. Not only do you receive professional assistance with the heavy lifting, safe transport, and packing, but you also receive an invaluable gift of peace of mind: you can devote yourself to the more exciting things in moving into a new home.
Costs of various services and materials in this cost guide should be taken as estimates. These depend on location, preference and demands in the market.
