Renting a truck and doing the move yourself often looks cheaper on paper. For a small load, a free weekend and a few strong friends, it can be. But once you add fuel, equipment, parking, time off work and the risk of damage, the gap between a DIY move and hiring movers in Toronto is often much smaller than people expect.
This guide breaks down the real cost, time and safety trade offs so you can choose the right option for your move. We also cover a middle option many people don’t know about: hiring movers just for the heavy lifting.
The Real Cost of a DIY Truck Rental
The daily rate you see for a rental truck is only the starting point. Before you book, add up everything else your move will need:
- Mileage charges for every kilometre you drive, on top of the daily rate.
- Fuel, since most rentals must be returned at the same level you picked them up.
- Damage coverage for the truck and your belongings, which is usually an optional extra.
- Equipment such as dollies, furniture pads and straps, often rented separately.
- Packing supplies like boxes, tape, bubble wrap and packing paper.
- Parking at both your old and new address.
- Food and thank you gifts for the friends who give up their weekend to help.
- Time off work, which is a real cost if you are paid by the hour.
Then there is the cost you hope never to pay: a scratched hardwood floor, a dented door frame, a cracked TV screen or a pulled back. Any one of these can wipe out everything you saved by doing it yourself.
Money saving tip: Ask the rental company for a full written quote that includes mileage, coverage and equipment. Compare that total, not the daily rate, against a quote from a moving company.
What You Pay For When You Hire Movers
When you hire movers, one bill covers the crew, the truck, the fuel and the equipment. Local moves in Toronto are usually charged by the hour, and the final price depends on the size of your home, the distance and any extras such as packing or storage. Our guide on how much movers cost in Toronto explains each of these factors in detail.
Here is what that price includes with One Day Movers:
- The right size truck. Our 18 ft and 22 ft trucks suit studio and 1 to 2 bedroom apartments, while our 26 ft truck suits 2 to 3 bedroom homes and smaller offices.
- Home protection. Our crews use floor protection, door protection, wall guards and padded covers so your old and new home stay damage free.
- Furniture assembly and disassembly. We take apart bulky items like beds and dining tables and put them back together in your new space.
- A clear price. We offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees. As one customer from Bolton put it, the price quoted was the price paid.
A professional quote may look higher at first. But because it already includes the things a DIY move adds on later, it is often the more predictable way to budget.
Time: Who Really Saves More?
A truck rental gives you full control over your schedule once it is booked. That flexibility is a real benefit. But a DIY move also means picking up the truck, learning how to load it, making extra trips if everything doesn’t fit, and returning it on time. A late start, heavy traffic on the 401 or a sudden snowstorm can quickly turn a one day job into two.
Professional movers do this every day, so they load faster and use truck space better. One of our North York customers had their entire 1 bedroom apartment moved in just 4 hours.
Timing also depends on when you book. Summer months and the end of each month are the busiest times in Toronto, while Tuesday to Thursday moves usually have better availability. Read our guide on how far in advance to book a moving company in Toronto to plan your date.
Short on time? One Day Movers offers moving services 24/7, 365 days a year, including same day moves. Our last minute moving tips can also help if your move date is fast approaching.
Safety and Protecting Your Belongings
When you rent a truck, you are responsible for the truck and everything inside it. You are also the one carrying a sofa down three flights of stairs or wrestling a mattress around a tight corner. Lifting injuries are one of the most common problems with DIY moves, and poorly stacked boxes can shift and break during the drive.
Trained movers know how to lift safely, wrap furniture properly, and stack a truck so nothing moves in transit. This matters even more for heavy or valuable items. A glass cabinet or a piece of art needs the right tools and technique. For items like these, our gym equipment movers and white glove moving service give you specialised care.
Before you hire any mover: Ask what coverage is included for your belongings, what is not covered, and get the answer in writing.
Toronto Factors That Change the Maths
Moving in Toronto brings challenges you may not face in a smaller city. These can tip the balance towards hiring help:
- Condo elevator bookings. Most condos require you to reserve the elevator, and some ask for as much as 60 days’ notice. A DIY crew that runs late may lose its booked time slot.
- Walk ups with no elevator. Carrying furniture up and down narrow stairs is slow and risky. Our crews bring extra dollies for buildings without elevators.
- Street parking. Parking a large truck downtown is not easy. The City of Toronto’s temporary on-street permit rules set size and weight limits for vans and trucks, so a large rental truck may not qualify, and a permit does not exempt you from other parking restrictions. Check with the City or call 311 before moving day.
- Weather. Snow, ice and freezing rain make stairs, ramps and highways more dangerous, especially for drivers who rarely handle a large truck.
The Middle Option: Movers Without a Truck
Want to save money but don’t want to carry everything yourself? You don’t have to choose between doing it all and paying for everything. With labour only movers in Toronto, you arrange the truck or container, and we provide the crew for loading, unloading and rearranging furniture.
This works well when you:
- Have already rented a truck but need strong, experienced hands to load it.
- Are using a portable storage container or pod and need it loaded or unloaded.
- Need heavy furniture moved between rooms or floors of your home.
- Are driving to your new place yourself and only need help unloading at the other end.
One recent customer had our labour only crew of Ankit, Loveleen and Satwinder unload their pod storage into a downtown Toronto apartment. They covered the transport and let us handle the heavy lifting.
If you only have a few items, our small moves service is another budget friendly choice. Students can also save with our student movers, who offer evening and weekend slots around exam schedules.
Quick Comparison: DIY vs Labour Only vs Full Service
| Factor | DIY Truck Rental | Labour Only Movers | Full Service Movers |
| Upfront price | Lowest | Low to medium | Higher, but all inclusive |
| Who drives | You | You | The moving crew |
| Who lifts | You and your friends | Trained movers | Trained movers |
| Equipment | Rent or buy it | Crew brings the know how | Included |
| Time and effort | High | Medium | Low |
| Risk of injury or damage | Highest | Lower | Lowest |
| Best for | Very small moves with experienced helpers | Budget movers who can drive a truck | Homes, condos, families and busy schedules |
Which Option Is Right for You?
A DIY truck rental may suit you if:
- You are moving a studio or a few pieces of furniture.
- You have a flexible schedule and reliable helpers.
- Both homes have easy ground floor access and parking.
- You have no heavy, fragile or valuable items.
Labour only movers may suit you if:
- You are comfortable driving a rental truck.
- You want to control your costs but avoid the heavy lifting.
- You are using a pod or portable storage container.
Full service movers may suit you if:
- You are moving a 1 bedroom home or larger.
- You are moving into or out of a condo with elevator bookings.
- You have a tight timeline or work commitments.
- You have fragile, heavy or high value items.
Our residential moving services cover everything from single items to entire houses. If you would rather not pack at all, our packing and unpacking services include a dedicated women’s packing team that brings extra care to fragile and personal items.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is it cheaper to rent a truck or hire movers in Toronto?
Renting a truck usually has a lower upfront price. But once you add mileage, fuel, equipment, parking and time off work, the difference often shrinks. For larger homes, condos or moves with heavy items, hiring movers can be better value.
Q. Can I hire movers without a truck?
Yes. Labour only movers load and unload your rented truck, pod or container while you arrange the transport. It is a popular way to save money without doing the heavy lifting yourself.
Q. How far ahead should I book movers in Toronto?
Book as soon as you have a confirmed moving date. If you are moving in summer or at the end of the month, book early and keep two or three backup dates in mind.
Q. Do I need to tip movers?
Tipping is never mandatory, but many people tip when a crew does a great job. Our guide on how much to tip movers in Toronto explains what is common.
Q. How do I find affordable movers I can trust?
Look for a clear written quote with no hidden fees, check recent reviews, and ask what is included before you book. You can read our customer reviews to see what Toronto families say about their move.
Ready to Make Your Move?
A DIY move can save money when the job is small and simple. But for most Toronto homes, the time, effort and risk add up quickly. Whether you need a full service move or just a strong crew to load your rental truck, One Day Movers serves all six Toronto boroughs and the wider GTA with transparent pricing and no hidden fees.
Get your free moving quote today and find out exactly what your move will cost.