Wondering about the average packing and moving costs in Toronto and across Ontario? You are not alone. More families are leaving the core of Toronto for other parts of the province, whether for space, for retirement or for a better price per square foot. Friends with a pickup truck may seem like the cheapest option. In practice, the cost to hire packers and movers is often money well spent. This guide breaks down what packing supplies, packing help and the move itself usually cost, so you can budget with confidence.
What goes into average packing and moving costs
Three things drive the price of a move: the supplies you need to pack, the labour to pack it, and the labour and truck to move it. Each one changes with the size of your home and the distance you are travelling. For example, a bachelor apartment moving across town needs far fewer boxes and far less protection than a four-bedroom house heading to Ottawa. So before you compare quotes, it helps to understand each piece on its own.
Friends and family or professional movers?
Family and friends are wonderful, but they are not professional movers. Furthermore, when you are moving across the province, a licensed moving company is close to essential. Of course, everyone has a budget, and you should always research any service before you book it. That is why we have put together the average packing and moving costs for Ontario below. In addition, every figure here comes from real moves, not guesswork.
Packing yourself: what supplies cost
Packing a home is always slow and tiring work. Most people do not realize how much they own until the boxes start piling up. Above all, remember that packing for a local move and packing for a long-distance move are two different jobs. On a local move, your items spend less time in the truck, so you can get away with fewer supplies. On a move across Ontario, everything needs more padding and more tape.
Here is what packing supplies usually cost in Ontario for each home size, based on prices from several moving supply stores. If you want quality supplies and advice on what you actually need, visit our Box Shop.
Average Cost Of Packing Supplies in Toronto
| Size of Home | Amount of Boxes/Supplies | Approximate Cost/ Local VS. Long-Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor/1-Bedroom | 20 - 35 Boxes 2 Rolls of tape 1 10lbs Newsprint | Local: $100 - $200 Long Distance: $100 - $250 |
| 1+ Den/2-bedroom | 40 - 55 Boxes 4 Rolls of tape 1 25lbs Newsprint 2 -3 Rolls of bubble wrap | Local: $250 - $300 Long Distance: $250 - $350 |
| 2 Bedroom +Den | 60 - Boxes 5 Rolls of tape 1 25lbs Newsprint 2-3 rolls of bubble wrap | Local: $300 - $350 Long Distance: $300 - $400 |
| 3-bedroom | 20 - 100 Boxes 6 Rolls of tape 1 25lbs Newsprint 3-4 Rolls of bubble wrap | Local: $350 - $450 Long Distance: $350 - $450 |
| 4-bedroom | 100 + Boxes 8 Rolls of tape 2 25lbs Newsprint 4-5 Rolls of bubble wrap | Local: $500+ Long Distance: $600+ |
Hiring packers: the average cost of packing help in Toronto
If you would rather skip the packing altogether, a crew of professional packers can do it in a day. For an average two-bedroom apartment, professional packing costs about $1,150 on average, not including specialty items such as artwork or a piano. If you also buy the packing materials, add roughly $200 to $500 depending on the size of your home. The table below shows the average packing and moving costs in Toronto for labour only, by home size.
Average Cost Of Packing Help in Toronto
| Size of Home | Number of Packers Required | Average Pack Duration | Approximate Cost (Labour Only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor/1-Bedroom | 1-2 packers | 3-5+ Hours | $550 - $850 |
| 1+ Den/2-bedroom | 2-3 packers | 4-6+ Hours | $750 - $1050 |
| 2 Bedroom +Den | 3-4 packers | 5-7+ Hours | $1.050 - $1,450 |
| 3-bedroom | 4-6 packers | 6-8+ Hours | $1.450 - $1,500 |
| 4-bedroom | 6-8 packers | 7-9+ Hours | $1.500 - $2,500+ |
Want it done for you? See our professional packing services in Toronto.
The moving price: what movers charge for the move itself
Once your packing plan is set, it is time to think about the move. Here are the questions worth asking yourself as moving day gets closer:
- Should I hire a moving company?
- How much does it cost to hire packers and movers, and is it worth it?
- Should I rent a truck and do it myself?
- Should I ask friends and family to help instead?
Every move is different, and every move has different needs. If your place is small and the furniture is easy to carry, doing it yourself can be perfectly fine. However, bigger homes with large or delicate furniture are a different story. In that case, it is worth checking whether a moving company fits your budget. A local move often does. A move across the province can cost more than people expect. For a detailed look at the average cost of packing and moving within Toronto, read our Toronto moving costs guide.
Long-distance moves within Ontario
Packing and moving costs for long hauls across Ontario work a little differently. Most local moving companies add a travel charge for the trip from Toronto to a destination outside their regular service area. That charge depends on where you are going and how many movers are on the job. Consequently, a two-mover crew heading to Kingston will cost less than a four-mover crew heading to Thunder Bay. In other words, average packing and moving costs rise with every extra mover and every extra hour on the road. Ask for the travel fee in writing so there are no surprises.
How to keep your packing and moving costs down
A few simple habits make a real difference to the final bill. First, declutter before you pack, because every box you do not need is money saved on supplies, labour and truck space. Second, book early, since month-end and summer dates fill up first. Third, pack what you can yourself and leave the fragile items to the professionals. Finally, get a written estimate that lists the crew size, the hourly rate and any travel or stair fees.
Final thoughts: how much does it cost to hire packers and movers?
Packing and moving your home is stressful and time-consuming. Moving long-distance within Ontario adds even more work, because your belongings need extra protection for the longer trip. That means more boxes, more supplies and a bigger budget. Whether you pack yourself or hire a crew, the extra cost is worth it when it keeps your belongings safe. The cost to hire packers and movers also buys you time and spares you the stress that comes with every move. Before the big day, check our list of things to avoid on moving day.
Read our most recent article on how much movers cost in Toronto. And when you are ready, reach out to CARGO CABBIE for all of your home and office moving needs!
