Hourly Moving Rates in Toronto and the GTA
Moving companies price jobs one of two ways: by the hour, or as a flat rate agreed in advance. Both are legitimate. Here's how MD Moving's hourly model actually works, and an honest look at when a flat rate might genuinely suit you better.
How MD Moving's hourly rate works
The base rate is $165 per hour for a 2 person crew, with a 3 hour minimum on every job. Need more hands to finish faster? Extra movers are $55 per hour each. The clock covers loading, driving and unloading as one job - you pay for the time it actually takes, not a padded estimate built to protect the mover from getting it wrong.
Where hourly pricing saves you money
Hourly works in your favour when your move is smaller or more straightforward than average - fewer boxes, good access, no stairs, everything ready to go when the crew arrives. A well-prepared 1 bedroom apartment that clears in 3 to 4 hours costs exactly what those hours cost. There's no flat quote built with padding for a worst case that doesn't apply to you.
It also means good prep pays off directly. Packing ahead of time, clearing a path to the truck, and having everything ready to load are the fastest ways to keep your hours - and your bill - down.
Where a flat rate genuinely suits a customer better
Flat rate has a real advantage: certainty. If you need to lock in one number for a budget, an insurance reimbursement, or a corporate relocation policy, a flat quote removes the guesswork entirely, even if it costs a bit more on average to cover the mover's risk. If your move has a lot of unknowns - unclear building access, a long list of items nobody has actually seen yet - a flat rate can also protect you from an estimate that grows once the crew is on site.
We're an hourly company. If flat-rate certainty matters more to you than a rate that rewards a well-prepared move, that's a fair reason to shop around, and we'd rather tell you that than pretend hourly is always the better deal.
What doesn't change either way
However a company prices the job, get the model in writing before moving day. Ask what's included, what triggers an extra charge, and whether the number you're given up front is an estimate or a guarantee. On our hourly rate, the only charge outside the hours themselves is for heavy items over 250 lbs - a piano, a safe, a pool table, oversized furniture - and it's confirmed before booking, never added after the fact.
Good to know
Is hourly moving more expensive than flat rate?
Not necessarily. It depends on your move. A smaller, well-prepared job often costs less by the hour because you're not paying for padding built into a flat quote. A complicated or unpredictable move can sometimes cost less as a flat rate, since the risk is priced in up front.
Can I switch from an hourly estimate to a flat rate?
We price by the hour, so we're not the right fit if a guaranteed flat number is what you need. We'll tell you that honestly rather than quote a flat number we don't actually offer.
How do I keep my hourly bill low?
Pack ahead of time, clear a path from your door to the truck, break down furniture you can manage yourself, and have everything ready when the crew arrives. Preparation is the single biggest lever on an hourly job.
Does the hourly clock include drive time?
Yes, the hourly rate covers loading, transport and unloading as one continuous job. There's no separate line item hidden outside the hourly rate.
Ready to book your move?
See what your move looks like on the hourly model with an instant quote, no commitment required.