The Cost of Moving from CA to Toronto

The Cost of Hiring Movers from CA to Toronto

If you’re considering hiring movers to lug your household goods from California to Toronto, you will find the cost breakdown here. 

Over the past year, we’ve seen an influx of people moving from California to Toronto. 

Put simply, Toronto is an excellent place to live. National Geographic named Toronto the most “civil and civilized” city worldwide. 

It’s become the home of Canada’s largest banks and has been ranked in the top tier of global financial centers. 

However, moving to Canada isn’t cheap. 

Below you will find the cost of hiring movers from CA to Toronto, along with everything you need to know before you move. 

What is the cost of moving from CA to Toronto?

Quick Answer: The average cost of moving from CA to Toronto is $4000 to $7000. The size of your move is the number one factor. However, service, time of year, and the moving company you chose can affect the cost. 

A sure way to reduce moving costs is to purge. Moving is a great time to go through your stuff and get rid of unwanted or unused items. You can use a non-profit like Pickup My Donation to pick up your items. Or you can sell them. 

Lastly, self-packing is another option to help reduce the cost of your move. An international moving company is always responsible for wrapping and protecting your furniture. As a result, you would only need to worry about packing boxes. 

What’s the moving process from CA to Toronto? 

Unlike a traditional move, there will be some additional steps. The first part of the process is the origin services. Your assigned mover will come to your residence to pack & load. 

After loading everything, your mover will either bring your household goods back to their warehouse for staging or drive direct. 

Companies that handle Canadian moves must have a bonded warehouse in Toronto where customs paperwork can be done. You can also look for a licensed customs broker ahead of time. 

The consignee (recipient) must fill out the paperwork at the bonded warehouse before the driver can deliver. The process is unique to Canada.  

The cost of hiring movers from CA to Toronto will vary, but our guidelines should help you navigate. 

International Van Lines

What’s the transit time from CA to Toronto? 

Quick Answer: The average transit time for a move from California to Toronto is 14 to 21 days, from the day of pickup. 

Transit times can vary based on the company, time of year, and the size of your move. If you have a small move, say a one-bedroom, it may take longer because it will be part of a consolidation. 

The summertime can also affect transit times. The Peak moving season starts in May and ends in August. The sheer volume of moves is known to cause delays, especially when moving to Toronto. 

The cost of moving from CA to Toronto is also less expensive during the winter months. Although it’s not always an option, moving during the winter months can help reduce your moving costs. 

How do my items need to be packed? 

If you’re choosing to self-pack, your clothes, books, shoes, and small items must be in boxes. A mover will not pick up items in garbage bags. It’s always best to use wardrobe boxes for clothes, dish packs for dishes, and small boxes for books. Packing supplies can be purchased online or at any local Home Depot or Uhaul. 

It’s best to start the packing process a couple of months out if possible. Moreover, it’s essential to understand that you will have the time and be willing to effort. Packing can be time and labor-intensive, so you may want to reconsider if you have a bad back. 

A moving company will always offer assembly, disassembly, and blanket wrapping on more oversized items. If you have any questions on the specifics, you should speak with the moving company of your choice. 

How does moving insurance work?

Quick Answer: Moving insurance will cover either the declared value of individual items or the shipment as a whole. The insurance options are called “all-risk” or total loss” insurance. 

The average cost of insurance is 3.5% of the value that you declare. Occasionally there will be a deductible of $250 to $500; speak with your mover. In addition, you will need to fill out an inventory list of what you’re moving along with the values of each item. 

The cost of moving from CA to Toronto is expensive, but don’t risk the insurance. If you choose to opt-out of insurance, you will be left with limited liability, covering 60 cents per lbs per item.

How far out should I reserve my moving date? 

Quick Answer: Two months is ideal for a mover. However, at the minimum 4 weeks. The more time you give yourself and the mover, the less stress you will deal with. 

In addition, most quality national moving companies are in high demand and book up quickly. Giving yourself more time will allow you to do the proper research and reserve your move with a quality company. 

It will also give you the time you need to get things sorted. A moving company should be the least of your worries, especially when moving to a new country. The cost of moving from CA to Toronto may also be less expensive if you book your move in advance. 

How long will loading and unloading take? 

Every move is different, and the size of your home will determine the length of time the movers will be there. If you have a larger home, your mover should send a minimum of 4 guys to load. In some cases, we’ve had up to 8 movers at home. The more movers you have, the less the time, plus they will perform better. 

• One-bedroom (3-4 hours)
• Two-bedroom (5-7 hours)
• Three-bedroom (6-8 hours)
• Four-bedroom (7-10 hours)
• Five-bedroom (8-12 hours)

The time of the move will also depend on whether or not you’re self-packing. Packing can be time-consuming and will take a majority of the time. The cost of moving from CA to Toronto will not be affected based on time. 

Conclusion

The cost of moving from CA to Toronto will be determined by the size of your move and service. 

Reducing your move size will help save you money. Self-packing will also help with the cost. 

Getting a moving cost is manageable. You will need to provide a mover with the details of your move. An international moving company should offer you a visual or virtual tour for accuracy. 

Within 24 hours, you should have a quote for your move. Moving is exciting, and we wish you the best of luck with your new adventure!