How Much Do Movers Cost in Canada?

Hiring movers in Canada in 2026 typically costs anywhere from a few hundred dollars for a small local apartment move to $7,000–$12,000 for a long-distance, cross-country relocation. The final price depends on the size of your home, how far you're moving, the time of year, and the add-on services you need. This guide breaks down what you can realistically expect to pay and how to avoid being overcharged.

For a local move within the same city, most Canadian moving companies charge by the hour. A two-person crew with a truck commonly runs $120–$200 per hour, with rates of roughly $130–$150/hour in Montreal and $120–$180/hour in Vancouver. Many companies bill a minimum of two to three hours and add travel time.

Local move cost by home size

Local move totals depend mostly on how many hours the crew spends loading, driving, and unloading. As a rough Canada-wide guide for a single-city move with professional movers:

• 1-bedroom apartment: roughly $300–$800 (about 2–4 hours with 2 movers)
• 2-bedroom home: roughly $525–$1,000 nationally, though it can reach $2,000 in a high-cost market like Toronto (about 6 hours to a full day)
• 3-bedroom house: roughly $800–$2,000 with 3+ movers, depending on volume, access, and prep

These ranges assume a straightforward move with reasonable access. Regional pricing varies widely: HomeStars cost guides show two-bedroom moves as low as ~$360 in Calgary and up to ~$2,000 in Toronto. The more boxed-up and organized you are before the crew arrives, the fewer billable hours you'll pay for.

Long-distance and interprovincial moves

Long-distance and interprovincial moves are priced very differently from local ones. Instead of an hourly rate, they're usually quoted by the weight or volume of your shipment plus the distance travelled. A cross-Canada move generally falls in the $4,000–$12,000 range in 2026.

A classic Toronto-to-Vancouver move (4,000+ km) often runs $4,000–$8,500 for smaller households, climbing to $7,000–$12,000+ for a full three-bedroom home. The higher cost reflects fuel, team-driver requirements, and multi-day transit, with delivery typically taking 7–14 days as shipments are consolidated. Smaller apartment loads can come in much lower if your belongings share a truck with other customers.

For any interprovincial move, always get the estimate in writing based on weight (or a binding flat rate), and ask whether the delivery date is guaranteed or a window.

Extra fees to expect

The base rate is rarely the full story. Budget for these common add-ons, which can meaningfully increase your final bill:

• Fuel/travel charge: a flat fee or percentage on top of the labour rate
• Stairs and elevators: extra charges per flight of stairs or for elevator-only buildings
• Heavy or specialty items: pianos, safes, appliances, and hot tubs
• Packing services and materials: boxes, tape, wrapping, and labour if movers pack for you
• Storage: monthly fees if there's a gap between your move-out and move-in dates
• Long carry or shuttle fees: when the truck can't park close to the door

On top of the moving quote itself, a relocation can carry other costs such as utility setup fees, mail forwarding through Canada Post, and a damage/liability protection upgrade. Ask each company for a written breakdown so nothing is a surprise on moving day.

Best time to move and tipping movers

Timing has a real impact on price. Summer (roughly May through August) is peak season and the most expensive, and demand spikes again at month-end and on weekends when most leases turn over. To save money, book a weekday in the middle of the month, and consider the late-fall-to-winter off-season, generally the cheapest time to move in Canada.

Tipping movers in Canada

Tipping isn't mandatory in Canada, but it's customary and appreciated for good service. A common guideline is $20–$50 per mover for a standard day, or roughly 10%–15% of the total bill split among the crew for larger moves. Hand cash to each mover individually, and tip more for heavy items, tricky access, or exceptional care with your belongings.

How to avoid moving scams and choose a mover

Moving scams are a real risk, and the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) publishes consumer alerts to help you avoid rogue operators. Protect yourself with these steps:

• Get three written estimates — ideally from in-home or virtual surveys; honest movers confirm what you're shipping before quoting
• Be wary of large deposits or cash demands — for local moves you typically pay only a small down payment, with the balance due on completion; for long-distance, you generally don't pay in full until delivery
• Insist on a written estimate — never accept a price given only over the phone
• Understand binding vs. non-binding estimates — a binding estimate locks in a fixed price; a non-binding estimate can rise (often by around 10%) once the job is done
• Check credentials — verify the company through CAM and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) before booking
• Review liability coverage — basic released-value protection pays only about $0.60/lb; ask about full-value replacement protection

A legitimate Canadian moving company will have a verifiable local address, provide an in-writing quote, carry proper insurance, and never pressure you into a big upfront cash payment. Comparing a few reputable, well-reviewed movers is the single best way to get a fair price and a smooth move.

Find a vetted professional near you

Ready to hire? Browse vetted moving companies across Canada on Experts.ca and request quotes in your area.