Mover rates: What to expect

Mover rates: What to expect

Are you planning to move in the near future? Do you know you need help, but you’re wondering what the going rates are for a professional mover?

To get a fair price, you need to consider certain elements from the get-go. To give you a better understanding, here’s an overview of what you can expect to pay for your move.

Mover rates: paying a pro vs. doing it yourself

If you have a lot of friends and acquaintances, you might be tempted to undertake your move with their help. The main motivation for doing so, of course, would be to save money. But is it truly cost-effective to do it on your own?

The reality is that a lack of experience and organization can slow you down considerably. Not to mention the fact that it can be quite expensive to rent a moving van and all the materials and equipment you’ll need. To avoid all of the challenges associated with moving, it’s highly advisable to do business with a professional mover. But what can you expect from a moving company in terms of pricing?

The rates for a move vary according to the region

Numerous factors influence the price of a move, and the location is one of them. It will be easier to schedule a regional move at a good price than a move in Montreal, where the population is denser and moving, in and of itself, is a tradition.

However, whether you’re in the city or an outlying area, you can estimate the cost of a move by accounting for the following basic elements:

  • Base rate
  • Duration
  • Additional fees

To calculate the total price of your move, multiply the base rate by the number of hours it will take to perform the move and then add in any supplemental fees. However, bear in mind that this is only a rough estimate.

Mover rates in the Montreal region: off-peak season

  • Two movers: base rate from $80 to $120 per hour
  • Three movers: base rate from $115 to $190 per hour

You probably won’t be surprised to learn that the periods when it is best to avoid moving include July 1, school breaks, national holidays, the Christmas season and Labour Day, just to name a few. As July 1 approaches, the rates can double or even triple.

If you can, try to opt for a time of year when people aren’t lining up to move. Off-peak periods include the following:

  • Spring or the end of summer
  • Autumn
  • Weekdays

The price for a mover: additional fees

There will nearly always be supplemental fees added to the base rate. To estimate the price of your move more precisely so you avoid any unpleasant surprises, you should take these fees into consideration from the very beginning. The more detailed your estimate is, the easier and more predictable everything will be.

Do you have any unusually heavy pieces of furniture to transport? Do you need to move a piano? Anything that might make your move more difficult is liable to generate supplemental fees. Therefore, you should inform your mover as soon as possible regarding such considerations as large furnishings, the number of floors and the presence or absence of elevators. The same goes for a glass table, a large mirror, a safe or a piano.

The most frequent surcharges during a move include the following:

  • Travel expenses
  • Mileage fees (local or long-distance)
  • Insurance fees
  • Fees for additional movers

Entrust your move to experts!

Do you need help planning your move? To learn more about the rates for a professional mover or to get personalized advice, contact Martineau Movers today! It would be our pleasure to assist you!

 

References:
JOURNAL DE MONTRÉAL. 15 frais de déménagement à surveiller[15 moving fees to keep an eye on].
NATIONAL BANK. How much does a move cost?
GVOTA.CA. The Average Moving Cost in Montreal: Montreal Movers’ Rates and Costs.