The cheapest time to move in Canada: days, dates and months

Cheapest days and dates, city by city

Movers don’t all price the calendar the same way. This table shows what movers in each city publish about busy dates and discounts on their own websites, from our October 2026 price audit.

Where a city shows a single mover’s rule, other movers there may not follow it. Ask each mover for its rate on the date you have in mind, and on a mid-month weekday.

The most expensive times

• The last days of the month. Many leases end then, so movers are busiest. Toronto movers often charge about $5–$10 more an hour at month-end.
• Weekends and holidays. About 10% more at many Montréal and Vancouver movers. One Ottawa mover charges double on holidays.
• July 1 in Québec. Montréal movers that publish a July 1 rate ask well above their usual prices. Our guide to moving on July 1 has the numbers.

Summer versus the rest of the year

From May to September, demand rises and some movers raise their rates:

• In Edmonton, July can run up to 25% above February.
• In Saskatoon, one mover’s rates are 20–30% higher from May to September.
• In Winnipeg, one mover charges $150–$170 an hour from July to September, against $130–$150 the rest of the year.
• In Québec City, one mover charges about 1.3 times its usual rate from mid-May to June 30.

Not every mover adds a seasonal surcharge. Some Winnipeg and Calgary movers charge the same rate all year.

How much a better date saves

Take a 2-bedroom move, which movers plan at 5–7 hours including travel:

• Toronto: moving mid-month on a weekday instead of at month-end can save about $25–$70.
• Montréal: a 10% mid-month weekday discount on 3 movers at $165 an hour saves about $85–$115.

These are estimates from the rates movers publish. Your saving depends on the mover, the crew and how long your move takes.

How to get the lower rate

1. Ask for two prices: one for your preferred date, and one for a weekday in the middle of the month.
2. Tell movers you’re flexible. On MoverDash, you can mark your date as flexible when you ask for quotes.
3. Check what changes with the date. Some movers change the hourly rate; others drop a package price or a minimum.
4. Get the rate in writing, with the date it applies to.