Moving is as exciting as it is expensive. Many people try to cut costs by doing most, if not all, of the work themselves. While this is completely understandable, there’s no doubt everyone can benefit from the help of professional movers. Below, we’ve compiled some helpful information for anyone who might be planning a move in the near future. Whether you’re moving just across town or way across the country, the information below will give you a good idea of how much it costs to move.
First Thing’s First: Should You Hire Professional Movers?
It’s not that hard to enlist the help of a couple of friends, rent a U-Haul, fill it up, and make the move. In fact, depending on the size of your current residence, this might be the cheapest way to go.
Having said that, just about anyone can benefit from hiring professional movers – mainly because they get the job done faster and safer than us amateurs. There is less chance of damage to your things, and you don’t have to work so hard to make the move.
Of course, the question on everyone’s minds at this point is, “how much does it cost to hire professional movers?” The answer to that question is going to depend on the size and weight of the stuff you need to move.
Moving Locally? Here’s What You Can Expect to Pay
Most moving companies consider a move 150 km or less to be local. Local moves are usually charged by the hour with additional fees for things like extra manpower, climbing stairs, and truck fees.
The average local move in Ontario costs between $90-$120 an hour. You can expect to pay toward the higher end of that scale if your move falls around the end or beginning of a month. Here are averages for some other expenses associated with a local move.
- Additional mover – $35-$60 per hour
- Packing services – $30-$55 per hour
- One-time truck fee – $85-$120
- Specialty item care – $40-$90
- Climbing stairs – $40-$100
- Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) (Ontario) – 13 percent
- Goods and Services Tax (GST) (Elsewhere) – 5 percent
Be leery of companies who offer to overlook the HST or the GST. Having a tax number and enforcing these taxes is a sign of a reputable company and is a good way to avoid scams and less-than-professional movers.
In it for the Long Haul? Here’s What You Can Expect to Pay
Many moving companies consider anything further than 150 km a long-distance move. Long distance move prices are factored by the weight of your things and the distance they must travel. Here are a few average costs to keep in mind if you’re making a long-distance move.
- Minimum charge – the first 500 pounds ranges between $500-$700
- Additional weight – $400-$600 per every 500 pounds
- Scale fee – $50-$100
- Packing/unpacking fee – $200-$400 per each 1,000 pounds
Be sure to check with the moving company you choose to see if they have set rates for certain city-to-city moves.
Additional Pricing for Your Long-Distance Move
It’s common for homeowners to need storage for their things during a long-distance move. Most moving companies offer storage services for as much as $400 a month. If the moving company has to handle specialty items such as appliances, they may charge $100-$120 per item extra, while cars, ATVs, motorcycles and the like can cost even more.
We hope this post gives you a good idea of what you can expect to pay when you move. While price is certainly important, don’t use it as the only consideration when deciding which moving company to use. Many higher-end companies have higher prices because they offer additional services, while companies that charge lower prices are hoping to lure you in. Take some time and do some research to find a moving company that suits your needs and your budget.
