Home › Guides › Movers & delivery › Types of moving services: full-service, labour-only & more
Buyer's guide"Movers" can mean very different things, and matching the service to your move saves money and stress. Here are the main types of moving services and exactly when each one makes sense.
Full-service means movers do it all; labour-only means you provide the truck and they load/unload; DIY means you do everything.
A studio move is different from a whole house, and local moves price differently than long-distance.
DIY and labour-only cost less but take more of your effort; full-service costs more but is far less stressful.
Pianos, safes, antiques and fragile items may need specialty movers with the right equipment.
Movers bring the truck and crew and handle loading, transport and unloading.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Best for: Whole-home moves and busy households
You rent the truck; the crew handles the heavy loading and unloading, priced by the hour.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Best for: Budget moves where you'll drive
Pros pack (and optionally unpack) your belongings quickly and safely.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Best for: Large homes or lots of fragile items
Moving one or a few large items rather than a whole home.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Best for: A couch, appliance or a few items
Moves between cities or provinces, priced by distance and weight/volume.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Best for: Cross-city and cross-province relocations
Found the type you want? Book a vetted, insured pro at an upfront price:
Full-service movers bring the truck and do everything; labour-only crews load and unload a truck you provide. Labour-only is cheaper but you arrange and drive the truck.
For large homes or lots of fragile items, yes — professional packing is faster and better protected, and you can add it to a Genie move.
Local moves are usually hourly for crew and truck (small moves may be flat-rated); long-distance is priced on distance and volume. Decluttering lowers the cost.
