How Much Do Movers Cost in Ottawa? 2026 Rates by Crew and Home Size

Moving costs in Ottawa are usually based on the crew size and the time needed to complete the job. The final amount may also vary based on travel time, the volume being moved, property access, packing, heavy items, and any extra services requested.

Professional Movers Ottawa charges $149–$159 per hour for two movers on winter weekdays. During the summer months and on weekends, two-mover rates range from $169–$189 per hour. Every booking has a three-hour minimum, plus applicable travel time. The hourly rate includes the truck, fuel, moving blankets, dollies, standard furniture wrapping, and standard disassembly and reassembly. All rates are before HST.

These rates provide a starting point, but the hourly price alone cannot tell you what your move will cost. A prepared 1-bedroom apartment with easy access may stay close to the minimum. A similar apartment with an elevator delay, a long hallway, and limited truck parking may take longer to complete.

The tables below show how the rates are calculated and provide estimated moving charges by home size.

Ottawa Moving Rates in 2026

Pricing source: Professional Movers Ottawa’s 2026 rate card, reviewed by Amrit Bedi, Ottawa Operations, on September 1, 2026.

Professional Movers Ottawa’s hourly rate depends on the crew size and moving date. Peak-season pricing applies during the summer months and on weekends. Lower rates are generally available for winter weekday moves.

The exact hourly rate for your moving date will be stated in your written estimate before booking.

What Is Included in Our Hourly Rate?

Our 2026 hourly rates include:

• The moving truck
• Fuel
• Moving blankets
• Dollies
• Standard furniture wrapping
• Standard furniture disassembly and reassembly

Local moves have a three-hour minimum, plus applicable travel time. Billing begins when our crew leaves the office and ends when the move is completed at the delivery address. All rates shown are before HST.

A larger crew does not always lead to a higher final cost. For example, two movers may need nine hours to complete a larger move, while three movers could complete the same work in six hours. Although the three-person crew has a higher hourly rate, the shorter moving time could produce a lower overall charge. The right crew size depends on the inventory, property access and time available.

Estimated Ottawa Moving Costs by Home Size

The following estimates use our 2026 summer and weekend rates. Winter weekday moves may cost less based on the rate table above. They show the approximate moving charge for a local move with finished packing and ordinary access at both properties. 

These are calculated examples, not fixed prices. They cover the crew and included moving equipment for the hours shown. Travel time from our office, HST, packing materials, storage, and specialty-item services are not included in these home-size estimates.

To calculate each range, we multiplied the estimated hours by the low and high rates for the example crew. A 2-bedroom move, for example, is shown with three movers for four to six hours. Four hours at $229 is $916, while six hours at $259 is $1,554.

Home size is only a rough indicator. One 3-bedroom house may have lightly furnished rooms and direct driveway access. Another may include a full basement, garage, patio furniture, and dozens of storage bins. Those two moves should not receive the same time estimate simply because their bedroom counts match.

For a more detailed breakdown of crew size, truck requirements and building access, see our 3-bedroom apartment moving guide.

Example Local Move (Nepean to Kanata)

A recent 2-bedroom move required 3 movers and 1 truck, taking 5.5 hours total. Travel time was calculated from our office dispatch location to pickup in Nepean, transit to Kanata, and return. Property access included a reserved condo elevator at origin and driveway parking at the destination. The example uses the $249 hourly rate for three movers: 5.5 hours × $249 = $1,369.50 before HST.

How Local Movers Calculate the Cost of a Move

For an hourly local move, you can estimate the total using this basic calculation:

Crew rate × billable moving time, including applicable travel + additional services and materials + HST

Each part should appear clearly on the written estimate.

Crew rate and number of movers

The hourly rate changes with the number of movers assigned. A small, well-prepared move may require two movers. Larger inventories, heavy furniture, or a limited elevator window may justify a larger crew.

Minimum hours

Our local moves have a three-hour minimum plus applicable travel time. If the physical move takes two hours, the three-hour minimum still applies. This matters most for studios, single-item jobs, and short moves between nearby addresses.

How We Calculate Travel Time

Travel time is charged in addition to the three-hour minimum. The billable clock begins when the crew leaves our office and continues through loading, travel between both addresses, unloading and completion at the delivery address.

The amount of travel time depends on the pickup and delivery locations, traffic conditions, and the route the moving truck must take. Your written estimate will show the applicable travel time for your addresses.

Total inventory

Movers need to know what is coming from every part of the property, not only the bedrooms. Include furniture and boxes stored in basements, garages, sheds, balconies, and storage lockers. Photos, a video survey, or an in-home assessment can reveal items that are easy to miss during a quick phone quote.

Why Two Similar Homes Can Have Different Moving Costs

The time required to carry each item between the home and the truck often creates the difference.

An apartment elevator may serve residents, contractors, and another moving crew simultaneously. A long hallway adds walking time to every trip. In a walk-up building, movers must carry everything down the stairs. At a house, a moving truck may have to remain on the street if a narrow or sloped driveway cannot accommodate it.

The destination matters just as much as the pickup location. Easy access at one address does not cancel difficult access at the other. Give the mover details for both properties so the crew and time estimate reflect the entire job.

People moving into or out of a condo or rental building can find more specific information in our Ottawa apartment moving cost and building rules guide.

What Can Increase Your Moving Costs in Ottawa?

Stairs, elevators and long carries

Stairs, elevator waits, and long distances between the door and truck can extend the job. Tell the estimator how many flights are involved, whether a service elevator has been reserved, and where the truck can legally stop.

Packing that is not finished

Open boxes and loose household items cannot always be loaded safely. If the crew has to wait, help finish packing or handle many small items separately, the move may take longer. If you expect to need packing help, include it in the requested services before moving day. Ottawa condo and downtown moves may also require additional planning around Ottawa moving and parking guidance.

Heavy or awkward items

Pianos, safes, pool tables, gym equipment, large appliances and oversized furniture may require more movers, special equipment or extra preparation. Send photos, dimensions and access details before the estimate is completed. A fixed price cannot be assumed from the item name alone.

Packing services and materials

Professional packing adds labour and material costs. The amount depends on whether you need the whole home packed or help with selected areas such as the kitchen, artwork or glassware. 

If you need help before moving day, our professional packing services in Ottawa can be added to the moving plan. Having closed, labelled and stackable boxes ready when the movers arrive can reduce handling time.

Busy moving dates

Summer, weekends and month-end dates can have higher demand. If your schedule has some flexibility, compare the available dates before booking. A person considering a cold-weather move can also read our separate guide about the cost of a winter move in Ontario.

Storage or additional stops

The estimate should account for storage, a second pickup, a donation drop-off, or any other stop. Adding one on moving day changes the route and may add handling time. If your possession date and move-in date do not match, temporary storage during a move may be part of the overall budget.

Moving Costs and Parking in Ottawa

Downtown streets, condo loading areas, and neighbourhood parking restrictions can affect where the truck stops. If it cannot park close to the entrance, the longer carry may add time to every load.

Ottawa does not have one permit or fee that applies to every moving truck. According to the City of Ottawa, a residential or commercial moving vehicle does not require a permit if it complies with existing parking regulations. A permit or another arrangement may be needed if the move requires reserved space, temporary no-stopping signs, or use of the right of way beyond those rules.

Check the City of Ottawa’s current requirements for moving vehicles and temporary encroachments for your address. Building management may have separate rules for loading docks, elevators, insurance documents, and moving hours.

Local and Long-Distance Moves Are Priced Differently

The crew rates and home-size estimates above are intended for local moves in Ottawa. A long-distance quote may consider the route, shipment volume, truck space, fuel, crew travel, loading conditions, and delivery schedule. The company may provide a route-specific price instead of applying a local hourly rate to the entire trip.

Ask whether the shipment will travel on a dedicated truck or share space with other loads. The quote should also state the expected delivery arrangement, what happens if storage becomes necessary, and which costs could change.

Our Ontario moving cost guide explains the broader factors that influence moving costs within or across the province.

Charges to Confirm Before Booking

An additional charge is not necessarily hidden if the mover discloses it before you book. Problems arise when the quote is vague or when important conditions are discussed only after the work begins.

Ontario Consumer Note: Moving-service contracts over $50 must generally be in writing. Under the Consumer Protection Act, if your written contract includes an estimate, the final price generally cannot exceed that estimate by more than 10% unless you agree to additional services or a revised price. The figures on this page are illustrative of the budget. Your final pricing terms will be set out in the official written agreement provided for your move.

Ask whether the written estimate covers:

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Ask about coverage for your belongings as well. Basic liability and optional protection do not provide the same coverage. Review the applicable limits, valuation method, exclusions and claims procedure instead of assuming every mover offers full replacement value.

How to Get a More Accurate Moving Estimate

A useful quote starts with complete information. Before contacting a mover, gather:

• Both addresses and the moving date
• The type and size of each property
• A list of furniture, boxes and large items
• Basement, garage, locker, shed and balcony contents
• Stair and elevator details at both locations
• Elevator booking times and loading instructions
• The expected distance between the truck and each entrance
• Items that need packing or disassembly
• Heavy, fragile or unusually large pieces
• Storage needs and additional stops

A short phone estimate may be enough for an early budget. For a larger home or difficult access, a video or in-home assessment allows the estimator to better assess the inventory and plan the route.

How to Compare Ottawa Moving Quotes

Do not compare hourly rates without comparing what each mover intends to provide. One quote may use two movers and estimate eight hours. Another may recommend three movers and estimate five. The second hourly rate can be higher while the expected total remains competitive.

Check the crew size, estimated hours, minimum charge, travel calculation, included equipment, truck requirements, and additional services. Each company should be working from the same inventory and access details. If one total is much lower than the others, ask what was excluded or assumed.

Get the details in writing. A clear estimate should show what is included, what may cost extra, and which changes could affect the final amount.

Ways to Lower the Cost Without Creating Delays

Reducing the amount being moved can save more time than searching for the lowest hourly rate. Sell, donate, or dispose of unwanted items before the inventory is assessed. This keeps unnecessary furniture and boxes out of the truck.

Finish packing before the crew arrives, label boxes by room and clear the main walking routes. Reserve the elevator, arrange access to loading areas and have keys or fobs available. Small delays repeated throughout the day can add meaningful labour time.

If you are moving only a few items or leaving a small apartment, ask whether the normal household crew is necessary. Our guide to small movers in Ottawa explains where a smaller service might fit in.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ottawa Moving Charges

Does “included furniture wrapping” mean the wrapping time is free?

The blankets and standard furniture-wrapping materials are included in our hourly rate. However, the time our crew spends wrapping and preparing furniture is included in the billable moving time. Let the estimator know about delicate, oversized, or unusually shaped furniture because it may require additional preparation.

When does billing end if furniture must be reassembled?

Billing ends after the agreed moving work at the delivery address has been completed. If standard furniture reassembly is included in your move, the time required to reassemble those pieces forms part of the billable time.

What happens if the movers have to wait for keys or building access?

Waiting for keys, an elevator, a loading dock, or permission to enter the property can extend the billable time because the crew and truck remain assigned to the move. Confirm key-release times and building access before choosing the crew’s arrival time.

Is a second truck or an additional trip included in the hourly rate?

The hourly rate includes the truck assigned in the written estimate. If the inventory requires an additional truck or trip, the moving plan and estimated cost may change. Provide details about basements, garages, storage lockers and outdoor furniture so the correct truck requirement can be identified beforehand.

Are condo deposits and elevator-booking fees included in the moving estimate?

No. Refundable damage deposits, elevator reservations and move-in or move-out fees charged by a condominium or apartment building are separate from the moving company’s charges. Confirm these amounts and payment deadlines directly with the property manager.

Which documents should I keep after paying for my move?

Keep the written estimate, service agreement, approved changes, final invoice, and payment receipt. It is also useful to retain your inventory list and photographs of valuable items. These records help you review the final charges or support a damage claim if a problem arises.

Calculate Your Personal Moving Estimate

The rates and home-size examples above give you a solid starting point, but your final quote will depend on your specific inventory, crew size, property access, and travel distance between locations.

Reach out with your move details so an estimator can walk you through the breakdown and highlight any factors that might impact your final price.

Ready to start? Call +1 (613) 319-2488 to request your free moving estimate. 

Amrit Bedi

Mr. Amrit Bedi has overseen Ottawa operations since the company's beginning. With extensive experience managing residential and commercial relocations, he coordinates moving crews, handles logistical challenges, and helps ensure every move stays organized, efficient, and completed according to customer expectations and scheduling requirements.

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