How to estimate your moving costs
Moving costs depend on three things: how much you're moving, how far, and who does the work. This calculator turns those into an itemized budget. Choose your home size to pre-fill typical hours and boxes, then pick whether you're hiring movers or renting a truck. Every number can be changed, so once you have quotes, type them in for an accurate total.
Hiring professional movers
For local moves, most companies charge an hourly rate for a crew and truck, often with a minimum number of hours and a trip fee covering travel to and from your home. The main levers you control are how prepared you are and how much you own:
- Pack everything before the crew arrives. Paying movers to pack, or waiting while you finish, adds billable hours.
- Declutter first. Selling or donating items you don't need reduces hours, truck size and boxes.
- Reserve parking or a loading bay close to both doors to avoid long-carry fees.
- Ask about valuation coverage. Basic liability often pays only a small amount per pound or kilogram. Full-value protection costs extra but covers repair or replacement.
For long-distance moves, prices are usually based on the weight or volume of your belongings and the distance. Ask for a binding or not-to-exceed estimate in writing after an in-home or video survey, and compare at least three companies.
Doing it yourself
A DIY move replaces labour with your own time. Budget for the truck's daily rate, any mileage charge, fuel (moving trucks use far more than a car), equipment such as a dolly and furniture pads, and something to thank friends who help. Book early for weekends and month-end dates, when trucks sell out.
Costs people forget
- Overlapping rent or mortgage payments while you move between homes
- End-of-tenancy or move-in cleaning
- Storage if your new home isn't ready
- Utility, internet and security deposits or connection fees
- Replacing items that don't fit — curtains, rugs, furniture
- Time off work and childcare or pet care on moving day
Moving checklist: eight weeks out to moving day
- 8 weeks: set a budget, start decluttering, request mover quotes.
- 6 weeks: book movers or a truck; order supplies; notify your landlord if renting.
- 4 weeks: start packing rarely used rooms; arrange utilities and internet at the new home.
- 2 weeks: update your address with banks, employer and government services; confirm bookings.
- 1 week: pack essentials box; defrost freezer; photograph electronics' cable setups.
- Moving day: do a final walkthrough, take meter readings and photos, and check the inventory before signing.