The Economics of Using a Moving Company vs. DIY
Moving into a new home can be an exciting experience, but it is not always easy on the wallet. Whether you are buying or renting, there are a lot of expenses to consider, from deposits and closing costs to utility bills and taking time off work. On top of all that, there are always unexpected costs that seem to pop up at the worst possible time, stretching budgets that were already tight.
Updated for 2026 — this guide reflects the latest moving tips and pricing for the Greater Vancouver area.
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One of the biggest financial decisions you will face during a move is whether to hire a professional moving company or handle the entire relocation yourself. At first glance, the DIY approach seems like the obvious money-saver. You rent a truck, recruit some friends, and save the cost of professional movers. But is it really cheaper when you account for everything? In this guide, we break down the true costs of both options in detail so you can make an informed decision that makes financial sense for your specific situation.
The True Cost of a DIY Move
When people choose to move themselves, they often focus exclusively on the truck rental cost and forget about all the other expenses that add up quickly. Here is a realistic breakdown of what a DIY move actually involves when you account for every line item.
Truck Rental and Associated Fees
Renting a moving truck in the Vancouver area typically costs between fifty and one hundred fifty dollars per day for a local move, depending on the size of the truck and the rental company. For long-distance moves, the base cost jumps dramatically to between five hundred and two thousand dollars or more based on the distance and the size of the vehicle needed.
But the base rental is just the beginning. Additional charges often include mileage fees that typically range from sixty-nine cents to ninety-nine cents per kilometre. Fuel costs are significant because moving trucks get terrible gas mileage, often consuming eight to fifteen litres per hundred kilometres, which means filling the tank can cost well over a hundred dollars for even a short trip. Insurance coverage through the rental company adds another fifteen to fifty dollars per day, and you should seriously consider purchasing it because your personal auto insurance almost certainly does not cover a rental moving truck. Equipment rentals for dollies, furniture pads, and loading ramps add another ten to thirty dollars each.
Packing Supplies Add Up Faster Than You Expect
Boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, corner protectors, and markers all add up quickly when you are packing an entire home. For a typical two-bedroom apartment, expect to spend one hundred to two hundred fifty dollars on packing materials. You can reduce this cost by sourcing free boxes from liquor stores, grocery stores, or online marketplaces, but the quality and sizes of free boxes are inconsistent, and damaged or dirty boxes do not protect your belongings as well as purpose-built moving boxes.
The Hidden Cost of Time Off Work
A DIY move almost always takes longer than expected, especially for people who do not move professionally. Between loading, driving, unloading, making multiple trips, and returning the rental truck, a local move can easily consume an entire day or even two full days. If you need to take unpaid time off work to manage the move, calculate what those lost wages represent. For many professionals, a single day of lost income easily exceeds the cost of hiring movers who can complete the job while you continue earning your regular pay.
Recruiting Friends and Family is Not Free
Unless you plan to carry a sofa down three flights of stairs by yourself, you will need help. Friends and family may volunteer enthusiastically, but there are hidden costs and risks that come with relying on amateur labour. You will likely need to buy food and drinks for your helpers, which easily runs fifty to one hundred dollars depending on the size of the crew and the length of the day. Coordinating schedules is stressful and unreliable because people frequently cancel last minute, leaving you short-handed at the worst possible time. Most importantly, untrained helpers are significantly more likely to damage your belongings, your furniture, or the walls and floors of both homes, and there is always the risk of someone injuring themselves during the move.
The Risk of Damage and Injury is Real
This is the cost that most people dramatically underestimate when choosing a DIY move. Without professional equipment, training, and experience, furniture gets scratched, dented, or broken during loading and transport. Walls, door frames, banisters, and floors in both homes can sustain damage that costs hundreds of dollars to repair. Back injuries, strained muscles, twisted ankles, and falls are common when untrained people lift heavy, awkward items like dressers, appliances, and mattresses. And here is the critical point: when you move yourself, there is no insurance coverage if something goes wrong. You absorb the full cost of every repair, replacement, and medical bill out of your own pocket.
The Cost of Hiring a Professional Moving Company
Professional movers charge based on several factors including the size of your home, the distance of the move, the time of year, the day of the week, and the specific services you select. Here is a general overview of what to expect when you hire a reputable full-service moving company in the Vancouver area.
Local Moves
Most local moving companies, including Simple Moves, charge an hourly rate that includes the crew and the truck. For a typical two-bedroom apartment in the Vancouver area, a local move generally takes three to five hours depending on the volume of belongings and any access challenges such as stairs, narrow elevators, or long carries from the door to the truck. The total cost for a straightforward local move generally ranges from four hundred to one thousand dollars.
Long-Distance Moves
Long-distance moves within British Columbia or across Canada are typically quoted as a flat rate based on the weight or volume of your shipment and the total distance traveled. Costs vary widely depending on the specifics, but transparency is key. A reputable mover will always provide a detailed written quote before you commit so you know exactly what you are paying for.
What Is Included When You Hire Full-Service Movers
When you hire a full service moving company like Simple Moves, the quoted price typically includes a trained crew experienced in safe lifting, efficient packing, and proper loading techniques. It includes a properly sized truck equipped with moving blankets, dollies, straps, and ramps. Furniture disassembly at your old home and reassembly at your new home is usually part of the service. Floor and door frame protection at both locations prevents damage to the properties. And liability coverage for your belongings during transit provides financial protection in the unlikely event that something is damaged.
Side-by-Side Cost Comparison
When you add up all the costs of a DIY move versus hiring professional movers, the numbers tell a compelling story. Truck rental and fuel for a DIY move typically runs one hundred fifty to three hundred dollars, while these are included in a professional mover’s quote. Packing supplies cost one hundred to two hundred fifty dollars whether you pack yourself or pay the movers to do it as an add-on service. Equipment rentals for dollies, pads, and ramps cost thirty to sixty dollars for a DIY move but are included with professional movers. Food and drinks for helpers costs fifty to one hundred dollars in a DIY scenario but is not applicable when you hire professionals. Lost wages for one or two days off work can range from one hundred fifty to four hundred dollars or more, whereas professional movers often work while you are at your own job, costing you zero in lost income. And the damage risk is entirely uncovered in a DIY move but is backed by liability insurance when you hire professionals.
The estimated total cost of a DIY move, when you honestly account for every expense, typically ranges from four hundred eighty to over eleven hundred dollars. The estimated total cost of hiring professional movers for the same move typically ranges from four hundred to one thousand dollars. As these numbers show, the gap between DIY and professional movers is often much smaller than people expect, and in many cases hiring movers is actually the cheaper option when you factor in lost wages and the financial risk of damage.
When a DIY Move Makes Financial Sense
Despite the analysis above, there are situations where moving yourself genuinely is the more economical choice. A DIY move can make sense when you are moving a very small number of items, such as a studio apartment or a single room. It can also work if you have reliable friends or family members with pickup trucks who are genuinely available, willing, and physically capable of helping for the full day. Very short distance moves, such as across the street or within the same building, are simple enough to handle without professional help. And if you have no heavy or fragile items that require special equipment or expertise, the risk factor drops considerably.
When Hiring Movers Makes Financial Sense
Professional movers become the clearly better choice in a number of common scenarios. If you have large, heavy, or fragile items such as pianos, hot tubs, antiques, or glass-top tables, professionals have the equipment and training to handle them safely. If your home has access challenges including narrow staircases, no elevator, or long walks from the door to the truck, trained movers complete these moves far more efficiently than amateurs. If you are on a tight timeline and cannot afford delays, multiple trips, or logistical complications, professionals complete jobs predictably and on schedule. If you value your time and would rather spend moving day supervising, settling in at the new home, or even continuing to work at your regular job while the movers handle everything, the time savings alone justify the cost. And if you want insurance coverage in case something is damaged, hiring a legitimate moving company is the only way to get that financial protection.
How to Get the Best Value from Your Moving Company
If you decide to hire professional movers, there are several strategies to ensure you get the best value for your investment. Get multiple quotes from at least two or three reputable companies and look carefully at what is included in each estimate rather than just comparing the bottom-line price. Declutter before the move because the fewer items you transport, the less time the job takes and the lower the overall cost. See our guide to 37 things to get rid of before you move for decluttering inspiration. Be flexible with your timing if possible because mid-week and mid-month moves are often less expensive than weekend or month-end slots when demand is highest. Do your own packing to save on packing service fees and let the movers focus on the loading, transport, and unloading. Prepare your home before the crew arrives by disassembling what you can, clearing pathways, and protecting floors. The more ready you are when the movers show up, the faster the job goes and the lower your hourly bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Simple Moves charge for a local move?
Our rates depend on the size of the crew and truck required for your specific move. Request a free quote and we will provide a transparent estimate based on the details of your situation with no hidden fees.
Can I hire movers for just the heavy items and move the smaller stuff myself?
Absolutely. Many of our customers handle the packing and small items themselves and hire us specifically to move the heavy furniture, large appliances, and awkwardly shaped items that are difficult or dangerous to move without professional equipment. We are happy to customize the service to match your needs and budget.
Is it worth hiring movers for a one-bedroom apartment?
In most cases, yes. A professional crew can load and unload a one-bedroom apartment in two to three hours, saving you an entire day of back-breaking work and the risk of injury. When you add up the cost of a truck rental, fuel, supplies, and lost wages, the cost of professional movers is often comparable or even lower.
Ready to find out how affordable professional movers can be? Call Simple Moves at (604) 398-4680 or get a free quote today.