Moving to a new apartment, house, or office always requires careful planning. To better understand expected expenses, people planning a move should research current moving company rates and consider possible additional costs.
In this article, we will explain what affects moving costs, what is included – and not included – in full-service moving packages, how much local and long-distance moves cost in 2026, and how you can reduce relocation expenses.
What Affects Moving Costs?
The cost of residential and office moving services in Canada depends on many factors, some of which make up a significant portion of the final price.
Distance and Route Complexity
The farther apart the pickup and delivery locations are, the more expensive the move will be. For intercity and interprovincial relocations, pricing usually includes travel time and road stops.
Moves between mainland areas and islands – such as Vancouver and the Gulf Islands – are typically the most expensive. Moving companies must coordinate with ferry schedules, reserve crossings in advance, and sometimes wait in line at ferry terminals. Truck size restrictions may also apply.
Shipment Volume and Weight
The amount of belongings affects the quantity of packing materials required, the truck size, and the movers’ working time, all of which influence the overall cost.
Seasonal Demand and Day of the Week
Summer is the busiest moving season in Canada. During this period, the number of real estate transactions increases, students move for school, and families with children try to settle into new homes before the school year begins.
Moving prices are usually highest during peak season, at the end of the month, and on weekends.
Property Type and Number of Movers
A studio apartment, one-bedroom apartment, or small office usually requires only two movers. Larger apartments, houses, or medium-to-large office relocations generally require crews of three to four movers.
Naturally, hiring a larger team costs more than using a smaller crew.
Access to the Property
If a building does not have an elevator and movers must carry boxes, furniture, and appliances upstairs or through narrow hallways, moving costs increase. The same applies when there is limited truck access or insufficient parking near the entrance.
Additional costs should also be expected when transporting heavy items such as oversized furniture, pianos, or treadmills. PlusOne Moving charges extra for loading and unloading items weighing more than 200 lbs.
Transportation of designer furniture, artwork, and fragile valuables also requires specialized equipment and extra care, which increases the cost of relocation. However, these additional expenses significantly reduce the risk of damage and help ensure belongings arrive safely.
Common Pricing Models Used by Moving Companies
The most popular pricing models used by moving companies in Canada include:
- fixed pricing for specific move types (for example, a studio apartment, a two-bedroom apartment, or a four-bedroom house);
- hourly moving rates;
- pricing based on shipment weight, volume, and travel distance.
PlusOne Moving provides local, intercity, and interprovincial moving services using a comprehensive approach. Our pricing takes into account labour time, moving complexity, logistics, and additional services such as packing and temporary storage.
Average Cost of Local Moves
Hourly rates, truck selection, and estimated moving times for local moves within Canadian cities are generally similar.
Below are approximate 2026 local moving rates from PlusOne Moving:
| Type of Move | Estimated Hours | Number of Movers | Recommended Truck Size (ft) | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single items (wardrobe, sofa, fridge, piano) | From 2 | 2 | 20 | $150–$650 |
| Studio or 1-bedroom apartment | 2–5 | 2 | 20 | $400–$910 |
| 2-bedroom apartment | 4–6 | 3 | 24–26 | $800–$1350 |
| 3-bedroom apartment | 6–9 | 3–4 | 26–28, 2х20 | $1300–$2530 |
| 3–4 bedroom house | 7–10 | 4 | 26–28, 2х20 | $1800–$2800 |
| Office move | 3–12 | 3–6 | Depends on shipment volume | $800–$3,000+ |
The minimum booking time is 2 hours. Billing begins when movers arrive at the location.
For short-distance moves, typical tips range from $10–$40 per mover. For long-distance relocations, a common approach is tipping the moving crew 10–20% of the total moving cost. Tipping is voluntary and based on customer satisfaction.
How Much Does an Interprovincial Move Cost?
Long-distance moving costs depend primarily on route length and complexity.
Below are approximate interprovincial moving prices from Kitchener, Ontario with PlusOne Moving:
| Destination | Prices, $ | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedrooms | 3 Bedrooms | 4 Bedrooms | 5+ Bedrooms | |
| Montreal, Quebec (600+ km) | 1,900–2,800 | 2,500–3,800 | 3,400–4,900 | 4,500–6,200 | 6,500–8,500 | 10,000+ |
| Winnipeg, Manitoba (~2,000 km) | 3,200–4,500 | 4,000–5,800 | 5,200–7,400 | 6,500–9,000 | 9,500–13,000 | 15,000+ |
| Halifax, Nova Scotia (up to 1,900 km) | 4,500–6,000 | 5,500–7,500 | 7,000–9,500 | 8,500–12,000 | 12,000–16,000 | 18,000+ |
The cost includes:
- basic insurance coverage;
- disassembly and reassembly of large furniture;
- use of moving blankets and protective wrap;
- securing belongings inside the truck;
- protection for floors, walls, and corners.
Additional Services
The following services are not included in standard moving rates and are charged separately:
- packing materials (from $125–$525 plus sales tax depending on move size);
- packing services;
- extended insurance coverage;
- junk removal and disposal;
- temporary warehouse storage;
- piano moving ($250 CAD + transportation fee);
- truck and fuel charges.
To discuss available services and receive a personalized estimate, submit a request through our website. With more than five years of experience and thousands of completed relocations, our team can calculate moving costs with a high level of accuracy. In most cases, the final amount paid differs very little from the original estimate.
Expenses When Moving Independently
People looking to save money sometimes choose truck rentals or moving containers instead of hiring professional movers. While these options may initially appear less expensive, they still involve several costs:
- labour or specialized moving equipment;
- packing materials;
- truck rental and fuel or container transportation;
- insurance.
Anyone considering a DIY move should understand that organizing the process, packing, loading, and unloading requires significant time and physical effort. In addition, safely transporting fragile items requires experience. Damage caused during self-managed moves can easily outweigh the savings from avoiding professional movers.
Working with a professional moving company makes relocation significantly less stressful and greatly improves the chances that belongings will arrive safely.
Hidden Costs to Consider
If you decide to hire a moving company, remember to account for additional expenses beyond the initial estimate, including:
- GST/HST taxes (5% or more depending on province);
- parking fees and, in some cases, freight elevator fees;
- condo move-in and move-out fees. Building management may also require damage deposits, which are refunded if no damage occurs. If walls, floors, or railings are damaged, a portion of the deposit may be retained by the Strata corporation.
Moving companies may also charge additional fees for delays and extra working hours.
Tips for Reducing Moving Costs
To avoid overspending on moving services, consider the following recommendations:
- schedule your move during low season, on weekdays, or at the beginning or middle of the month whenever possible;
- sell or donate unnecessary belongings;
- reuse existing boxes, request free boxes from grocery stores, or look for giveaways on social media;
- use dresser drawers, suitcases, and laundry baskets for transportation;
- wrap fragile items in towels or blankets;
- pack belongings yourself, ideally beginning 2–3 weeks before moving day;
- transport smaller personal items and essentials in your own vehicle.
Approximate PlusOne Moving Rates
| Move Type | Minimum Hours | Number of Movers | Truck Size (ft) | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small move | 2 | 2 | 22–24 | $130–$150 |
| Standard move | 3 | 3 | 24–26 | $170–$190 |
| Large move | 3 | 4 | 26 | $210–$230 |
Prices for both local and long-distance moving services with PlusOne Moving are calculated individually. To discuss your upcoming relocation, contact us by phone or submit a request through our website.
