The cost of moving
By Melanie Chambers • Bankrate.com

When Albert Kooy began researching moving companies, he was quoted $15,000 to move his family of seven's possessions from Ontario to Prince Edward Island. Unsurprisingly, he decided to hire a truck and go it alone.

Kooy, a pastor, got a new job this past February and has been slowly getting ready for the big move ever since. "I'm looking forward to the slower pace of life, and hopefully, things will be cheaper there," he says of his move to the island.

So far, it hasn't been a cheap endeavour. Besides the obvious cost of the truck rental, there's a whole list of other expenses that crop up when you're moving, whether it's across the country or just down the block. To make sure you don't move in broke, read on for our tips on what to expect.

Do it yourself
Besides buying pizza and beer for the friends you've guilted into helping you move, renting a van is your next priority. Prices vary considerably depending on how far you travel and how much you move. A van for a one-bedroom home costs about $2,281 for a six-day, 2,300-kilometre move; a 26-foot van, which can move the contents of a four-bedroom home, costs about $3,044.

If you're moving locally, a van that can move the contents of an apartment starts at about $20 per day. For larger homes, expect to pay about $10 extra per room for the size of truck or van you'll need. On top of that flat rate, you'll also pay about 49 cents a kilometre, and if you need moving trolleys and furniture pads, add another $10 to $20.

Moving companies
When moving between provinces, companies charge per pound of the entire weight of your home's contents. Most companies have an online checklist that estimates your costs. "But, you don't know the final price until you get there -- you get the shock of your life when your stuff is weighed," says Kooy.

Typically, the contents of a two-bedroom home weigh about 5,000 pounds. At $1 a pound, plus a fuel surcharge of 15 to 20 percent, expect to pay at least $6,000 to move. Plus, you have to pay labour charges on top of that, which cost $120 an hour for two movers.

If you move locally, movers charge by the hour. A typical two-bedroom house takes two movers, at a combined rate of $240 an hour, about five hours to move for a cost of $1,200, not including mileage.

To cut costs, one expert suggests hiring a third mover if you're moving anything larger than a one-bedroom home. "Most people don't realize that it goes so much faster, and if you have a problem area, such as stairs, the guys don't get so worn out," says Glen Buckler, former owner of Two Small Men with Big Hearts Moving Company.