Ten Simple Ways to Save On Your Move

Moving is exciting, but the costs can add up quickly if you are not strategic about your spending. Whether you are relocating across the city or across the province, there are proven ways to reduce your moving expenses without sacrificing the safety of your belongings or your sanity.

Updated for 2026 — this guide reflects the latest moving tips and pricing for the Greater Vancouver area.

At Simple Moves & Storage, we have helped thousands of families move on a budget. Here are our top money-saving tips to keep your moving costs as low as possible.

1. Declutter Before You Pack

This is the single most effective way to save money on any move. Every item you eliminate is one less item to pack, carry, and transport. Moving companies charge based on time and volume — fewer belongings means fewer hours of labour and potentially a smaller truck.

Start decluttering four to six weeks before your move. Go room by room and sort items into keep, donate, sell, and discard piles. Be ruthless: if you have not used something in the past year, you probably will not use it in your new home either.

How much can you save? Removing 20 to 30 boxes from your move can save $150 to $300+ in mover labour and truck space.

2. Get Multiple Quotes and Compare Carefully

Never book the first moving company you contact. Get quotes from at least three reputable movers and compare them on equal terms. When evaluating quotes, look beyond the hourly rate:

• Does the quote include a vehicle/truck fee or is that extra?
• Is there a minimum number of hours?
• Are packing materials included?
• Is insurance included or optional?
• Are there extra charges for stairs, long carries, or elevator moves?

The cheapest quote is not always the best value. A company quoting significantly below the market rate may be uninsured, unlicensed, or planning to add hidden fees after loading your truck.

Get a free quote from Simple Moves — our pricing is transparent with no hidden fees.

3. Choose Your Moving Date Wisely

Moving costs fluctuate based on demand. You can save significantly by choosing the right timing:

• Month: Peak moving season in BC runs from May through September. Moving in October through March typically costs less because demand drops.
• Day of the month: The beginning and end of each month are the busiest times because most leases start and end on the 1st or 15th. Mid-month moves are often easier to book and may come with shorter wait times.
• Day of the week: Weekends are the most popular (and often most expensive) moving days. If you can schedule your move for a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, you may find better availability and lower rates.
• Time of day: Morning moves are the most requested. Afternoon or early evening slots are sometimes available at a lower premium.

Potential savings: Moving during the off-season or mid-week can save 10 to 20% compared to peak times.

4. Pack Yourself to Save on Labour

Professional packing services are convenient but add to the cost. If you have the time and willingness, doing your own packing can save hundreds of dollars. Here are tips for efficient self-packing:

• Start packing two to three weeks before your move, beginning with items you rarely use.
• Use proper boxes — not garbage bags or random cardboard.
• Wrap fragile items individually in packing paper or bubble wrap.
• Label every box with its destination room and a brief description of contents.
• Keep all boxes under 50 pounds to prevent damage and make loading easier.

If you want to save money but lack confidence in packing fragile items, consider a hybrid approach: pack the non-breakable items yourself and let the movers handle the kitchen and artwork.

5. Get Free or Low-Cost Boxes

New moving boxes cost $2 to $6 each, and a house move can require 50 to 100+ boxes. Here is how to get them for free or cheap:

• Grocery and liquor stores: Ask for their box discards. Liquor store boxes are excellent — they are designed to carry heavy glass bottles and have built-in dividers perfect for glassware.
• Facebook Marketplace and Buy Nothing groups: People who have just moved often give away their used boxes for free.
• Office buildings: Ask your workplace or local offices for copy paper boxes. They are uniform, sturdy, and stack perfectly.
• Simple Moves: We offer free moving boxes to our clients.
• Bunz and Craigslist Free section: Check for “free moving boxes” listings in your area.

6. Use What You Already Own for Packing

Before buying packing materials, look around your home for items that double as packing supplies:

• Towels and blankets: Wrap fragile items or stuff them between objects in boxes for cushioning.
• Suitcases: Pack heavy items like books in rolling suitcases — much easier to transport than a 40-pound box.
• Laundry baskets and hampers: Use as open-top containers for non-fragile items like toys, shoes, and cleaning supplies.
• Dresser drawers: If your movers are comfortable with it, leave folded clothing in dresser drawers. Just wrap the dresser in stretch wrap to keep the drawers shut during transport.
• Garbage bags: Line boxes with garbage bags to create waterproof protection for clothing and linens (but do not use bags as standalone containers — movers may mistake them for trash).

7. Sell Items You Are Not Keeping

The items you declutter before your move have value. Selling them puts money directly back into your moving budget:

• Facebook Marketplace: The fastest way to sell furniture, electronics, and household items locally. List items two to four weeks before your move.
• Craigslist: Still effective for furniture and large items.
• Consignment stores: Good for quality clothing, designer items, and vintage furniture.
• Garage sale: The most efficient way to sell a high volume of low-value items in a single day. Advertise on local Facebook groups for maximum turnout.
• Poshmark and eBay: For specific items with a known market (brand-name clothing, collectibles, electronics).

A well-executed decluttering sale can generate $200 to $1,000+, which can offset a significant portion of your moving costs.

8. Take Small and Valuable Items Yourself

Do not pay to move items you can carry in your own vehicle. Transport the following in your personal car:

• Laptops, tablets, and gaming consoles
• Jewellery, important documents, and family heirlooms
• Medications and toiletries
• Plants (movers typically will not insure live plants)
• Your first-night essentials box

This reduces the volume on the moving truck and keeps your most valuable and irreplaceable items under your direct control.

9. Check If Your Move Is Tax Deductible

In Canada, if you moved at least 40 kilometres closer to a new job or post-secondary school, you may be able to deduct moving expenses on your tax return. Eligible expenses include:

• Cost of hiring movers or renting a truck
• Packing supplies and storage fees
• Travel costs (fuel, meals, accommodation) during the move
• Temporary lodging near your old or new home (up to 15 days)
• Costs to cancel a lease or sell your previous home

Important: Keep every receipt from your move. Consult a tax professional or visit the Canada Revenue Agency website for the full list of eligible expenses and how to claim them using Form T1-M.

10. Avoid Common Traps That Increase Your Bill

Many moving costs are completely avoidable with a bit of preparation:

• Not being packed on time: If movers arrive and you are not ready, you are paying for their time while they wait — or worse, paying for packing services you did not plan to need.
• Not reserving the elevator: If your condo building requires an elevator booking and you did not arrange it, your movers may have to use stairs or wait for availability. Both cost you time and money.
• Not clearing a parking spot: If the truck has to park far from your building entrance, the long carry adds time (and cost) to every trip.
• Leaving items behind: Forgetting items means a second trip or a separate shipment — a completely avoidable expense.
• Not measuring furniture: If your sofa does not fit through the new home’s doorway, you may need to disassemble it, hoist it through a window, or leave it behind.

Bonus: Why a Full Service Moving Company Can Actually Be the Budget Choice

It sounds counterintuitive, but hiring a professional moving company can be the most cost-effective option when you factor in everything: equipment, supplies, time off work, risk of damage and injury, and the mental toll of coordinating a DIY move.

Simple Moves & Storage is a full service moving company — we provide the crew and the trucks at one transparent price. No renting equipment, no bribing friends with pizza, no worrying about insurance or hidden fees.

Additional Ways to Cut Costs on a Long-Distance Move

If you are moving across BC or to another province, the costs increase significantly. Here are strategies specific to long-distance moves:

Ship Some Items Separately

For a long-distance move, it may be cheaper to ship certain items via Canada Post, FedEx, or a freight service rather than adding them to the moving truck. Books, for example, can be shipped cheaply using Canada Post’s media mail rate. Compare the cost of shipping a few boxes versus the per-pound rate your mover charges for the additional weight.

Consider a Hybrid Move

A hybrid move combines professional and DIY elements. You rent a portable storage container (like BigSteelBox or PODS), load it yourself at your own pace, and the company transports it to your new location. This eliminates the need to drive a rental truck long-distance while still saving on labour costs. Simple Moves also offers loading and unloading help if you want professionals to handle the heavy items while you pack the rest.

Negotiate with Your Employer

If you are relocating for work, ask your employer about a relocation allowance before paying for anything out of pocket. Many companies offer partial or full reimbursement for moving expenses, but you often need to ask — it is not always volunteered. Get the terms in writing before your move.

Use Freight Trailers for Vehicles

If you are moving a second vehicle and do not want to drive both, look into vehicle transport services or freight trailers. Driving two vehicles across the province doubles your fuel costs and requires a second driver. Auto transport services often cost less than the combined fuel, food, and accommodation for a second driver.

How to Create a Moving Budget

A clear budget prevents financial surprises and helps you identify where to save. Here is a template you can adapt:

Expense Category	Estimated Cost	Actual Cost
Moving company or truck rental	$_____	$_____
Packing supplies	$_____	$_____
Insurance / damage waivers	$_____	$_____
Storage (if needed)	$_____	$_____
Parking permits	$_____	$_____
Cleaning (move-out / move-in)	$_____	$_____
Utility setup / transfer fees	$_____	$_____
Travel costs (fuel, food, accommodation)	$_____	$_____
Tip for movers	$_____	$_____
Contingency (10% of total)	$_____	$_____
TOTAL	$_____	$_____

Print this table, fill in your estimates before the move, and track actual costs as they occur. The contingency line is important — unexpected expenses are almost guaranteed, and having a buffer prevents financial stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest day of the week to move?
Tuesday through Thursday are typically the least expensive days because demand is lower. Most people prefer to move on weekends or Mondays (to use a long weekend), so mid-week availability is better and rates may be more competitive.

How much should I tip my movers?
Tipping is not required but is appreciated for good service. A common guideline is $20 to $40 per mover for a half-day move and $40 to $80 per mover for a full-day move. You can also provide drinks and snacks during the move as a gesture of appreciation.

Is it cheaper to move in winter?
Generally, yes. Winter (November through March) is the off-season for moving in BC. You are more likely to find lower rates, flexible scheduling, and better availability. The trade-off is weather — rain and shorter daylight hours can make the physical move more challenging.

Can I negotiate with moving companies?
You can always ask. While reputable companies are unlikely to drop their rates significantly (their costs are real), they may offer discounts for off-peak dates, waive the vehicle fee for returning customers, or include free packing supplies. It never hurts to ask.

What is the biggest mistake people make when trying to save money on a move?
Choosing the cheapest quote without verifying the company is licensed and insured. An unlicensed mover may offer a low rate, then hold your belongings hostage for additional fees, damage your items with no recourse, or simply not show up. Always verify licensing through the Better Business Bureau and read reviews on Google before booking.