Average Cost of Moving in Ontario

Whether you’re moving to a different city in Ontario or to an entirely different Canadian province, preparing for a move can prove to be more challenging than you originally think. Of course, there is a lot to consider when you’re moving to a new place, but with the appropriate planning and organization, you can achieve a smooth relocation – regardless of the distance.

When it comes to moving in Ontario, we’ve put together the costs to consider in order to help you choose the best way to move your stuff. You’ll also find a helpful list of moving tips, services, and resources to stay organized during your big move.

Costs to Consider

Whether you’re moving to a new city or new province, the costs may be lower or higher than you are accustomed to. Before your move, here are the main costs that you’ll want to consider.

1. Housing Costs

Mortgage or rental costs can vary considerably based on where specifically in Canada you are moving to. Example : If you are moving to Londonyou get more space for less money compared to Toronto. Depending on the city, you might end up paying more for less space or have to live farther away from your work in order to find a home you can afford, which results in a much longer commute.

As you’re planning your move in Ontario, don’t neglect to research the housing market in your new city. Look into your different options in terms of neighborhoods in order to find one that works best for you and your family.

2. Cost of Living

Moving to a different city within Canada, even if you’re staying within Ontario, can result in an increase in a number of costs. Though, it can also present a whole new set of opportunities and, if you’re lucky, cost savings! Expenses like the cost of groceries, provincial taxes, and utilities are some of the many things that could be higher or lower in your destination city.

The goal here is to understand how you plan to spend your free time when you’re not working. What costs will this include? Of course, you don’t want to have to be living paycheck to paycheck, using all of your income on the basic necessities. You still want to be able to enjoy your life in your new city. After all, it’s all about finding the proper work-life balance!

3. Transportation

In addition to housing costs and cost of living, you also want to consider gas prices, transit rates and monthly premiums, and insurance costs in your destination city. Each of these expenses varies greatly from province to province and city to city. When you know these costs, you’ll have a better idea of whether you should live in the city and commute from there or drive yourself to work from a more rural location. Although moving to a major city and living near your work will decrease your commute time, the cost of parking in the city will add up.

Ultimately, the key here is to do your research to fully understand the costs involved in living in your new city.

Options for Moving in Ontario

If you’re planning to move in Ontario, one of your first steps is to figure out how you’re going to get your belongings from Point A to Point B. In this case, you essentially have three main options:

1. DIY your move.

With this option, you handle all the aspects of your relocation. If your move is relatively simple – perhaps you’re just moving down the street or you have only a couple of items that need to be moved – this may be the ideal option. In many cases, DIYing your move can save you the most money, but you must be comfortable with the prospect of driving a large rental moving truck long distances.

Renting a moving truck is a very common moving method and these truck rental companies can be very beneficial in the planning process. There are also a number of companies to choose from that can accommodate drop-offs all over the country once your move is complete. Though, you want to be sure to factor in the cost of fuel and make sure you have plenty of time should anything go awry on the road. The last thing you want is some extra fees tacked on because you returned the truck too late.

2. Opt for moving container service.

Another popular option for moving in Ontario is to use a moving container, as it gives you full control over the packing and loading of your belongings. This method involves the container being dropped off at your home, where it will remain for as long as you need it. It allows you to pack on your own time and then when you’re done, simply call the container moving company and they will transport it to your destination location.

The other major benefit of this moving method is the option of storing your belongings in a container between homes as you are traveling between locations. Or, you can even keep them stored as you search for your new home.

3. Hire professional movers.

If you don’t like the idea of DIYing your move or you’d simply prefer to have everything taken care of for you, your best bet is to spend a little extra money and hire professional movers for your move in Ontario. You can hire movers to assist you with as little or as much of your relocation as you want – whether you just need them to help load up your rental truck or you want them to pack, load, haul, and then unpack everything for you.

Full service moves that include everything will be on the pricey side, but it means less work on your end. Prices depend on a number of factors, and some movers charge by weight while others charge a flat fee.

Ontario Moving Costs to Consider

The first factor that must be considered when you’re trying to figure out how much your move in Ontario is going to cost is the distance between your origin location and your new home. Are you moving several hundred kilometers to another side of Ontario, or are you simply planning a local move in the same city? The overall distance of your relocation has a massive impact on the cost of moving. Most moving companies estimate costs differently based on whether it’s a local or long-distance relocation.

If you’re moving locally within Ontario, moving costs are usually estimated based on time and the number of movers needed to complete your relocation. This means you are basically paying an hourly rate. Though, even if your move takes less than an hour, there’s usually a minimum amount of time – which will vary from company to company. On the other hand, for long-distance moves, (or any move over 150km), moving costs are most often calculated based on distance and the total weight of your shipment.

What is the Average Cost of Moving in Ontario?

The average cost of moving in Ontario will depend on whether your move is local or long-distance. So, let’s break these costs down accordingly:

What is the Average Cost of a Local Ontario Move?

Most moving companies in Canada classify a local move as those that are 150 kilometers or less. They are almost always charged by the hour, with additional fees such as those for additional movers, stairs, and applicable truck fees.

With this in mind, the average cost of moving locally in Ontario is between $90 and $120 an hour. You’ll pay more towards the higher end of the scale depending on the date of your move. Though, there are some additional expenses that must be considered as well:

• Cost of the additional mover: $35 to $60 an hour
• Packing and unpacking services: $30 to $55 an hour
• Truck fee (one-time fee): $85 to $120
• Moving specialty goods: $40 to $90
• Fee for climbing stairs: $40 to $100
• Harmonized Sales Tax (HST): 13%

Be cautious of companies that offer to waive the harmonized sales tax, as this can be a sign of a potential scam or unreliable mover.

What is the Average Cost of a Long-Distance Ontario Move?

Most moving companies classify a long-distance move as those that is over 150 kilometers. The cost of these moves is determined based on the total weight of your goods and the distance they must travel. If you’re planning a long-distance move in Ontario, here are the main average costs to consider:

• The minimum cost for the first 500 pounds: between $500 and $700
• Extra weight: $400 to $600 per each additional $500 pounds
• Scale charge: $50 to $100
• Packing and unpacking services: $200 to $400 for each 1,000 pounds

Keep in mind that these averages are just estimates and costs will vary considerably from company to company.

Ready to Move?

The most important takeaway from this article should be that each moving company calculates moving costs differently. While looking at average costs can be helpful for budgeting purposes, make sure that you collect quotes from multiple companies to find the best rate possible.
If you’re ready to get the process started, we’re here to help! As a full-service moving company that has been serving Ontario residents for over two decades, we can handle any move you throw at us. Get the approximate estimate of moving cost calculation for Ontario. Contact us today by filling out our online request form or calling toll-free at (888) 202-0036. Our Ontario moving experts are standing by to provide you with your free moving quote, answer any questions you may have, and tell you how you could save up to 20% when you choose Three Movers for your next move!

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