How do movers determine the price of a move?

How do movers determine the price of a move?

Are you getting ready to move to the house or apartment of your dreams? Are you heading off to work in another city or province? Are you moving to an assisted living facility for seniors? Are you going to Quebec to continue your education? Regardless of the reason for your move, make it as stress-free and uncomplicated as possible by entrusting it to a professional moving company. Here’s some useful information to give you a better understanding of how movers determine their pricing.

The factors that influence the price of a move

A number of different elements affect the price of a move. The main ones appear below.

  • The duration of the move: most movers charge by the hour
  • The distance between the residence you’re leaving and the one you’re moving to
  • The size of the residence: the more rooms there are, the longer the move will take
  • The quantity and volume of items (furniture, boxes, appliances, etc.) to move
  • The configuration of the two dwellings (the old one and the new one), including numerous sharp corners, rooms with small doors, spiral staircases and other aspects
  • The positioning of the dwellings: on the ground floor, on an upper floor, in a building with or without an elevator, etc.
  • The time of year you move: in Quebec, the closer it is to July 1, the higher the price will be, possibly increasing to twice as much or even three times as much as usual
  • The day of the week you move: the prices are generally 10 percent higher on weekends and holidays
  • The date you make your reservation: the more in advance you schedule your move, the better price you’ll get
  • The number of movers needed: in general, there will be three

Services and other considerations that can increase the price for a mover:

  • Disassembly and reassembly of your furnishings
  • Packing and unpacking of your belongings
  • Storage of your possessions
  • Supplies and accessories, such as boxes, protective covers, slipcovers, packing tape, etc.
  • The size of the truck: if the truck is too small for the volume of items you need to move, the movers will have to make multiple trips
  • Supplemental fees for transporting objects that are bulky, extremely heavy or fragile, or those that require special handling, including power adjustable beds and sofas, large-screen TVs, marble or glass tables, pianos, safes, spas, etc.
  • Additional movers
  • The cost of gasoline and tolls for roads and bridges
  • Fees for long-distance moves

The price of moving

For local off-peak-season moves (i.e. those that aren’t between mid-June and mid-July), the average hourly rates are as follows:

  • Between $80 and $120 for two movers
  • Between $115 and $190 for three movers

During the peak season, prices can vary considerably and are often only set on demand. On July 1, it isn’t unusual for the hourly rate to be as high as $500 for three movers

For a free, detailed estimate on your upcoming move, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at Martineau Movers. It would be their pleasure to answer all your questions and determine a price based on your specific needs, with no hidden fees.