What Determines Your Moving Cost in Montreal?
If you're planning a move in Montreal, the first question on your mind is probably: how much is this going to cost me? The honest answer is it depends — on your apartment size, how many stairs the movers have to climb, how far you're going, and whether you're moving on July 1st like half the province. Let's break it all down with real 2026 numbers.
Montreal's moving market is competitive, which is good news for your wallet. But prices swing wildly based on a few key factors: the size of your home, the distance between your old and new place, the time of year, and building access (think 3rd-floor walk-up on rue Saint-Denis vs. a condo with a loading dock in Griffintown).
Cost by Apartment Size (Local Moves)
For a standard local move within Montreal — say from the Plateau to Villeray, or from NDG to Verdun — Up & Out uses three confirmed 2026 packages:
- Essential: 2 movers and a 20 ft truck at $140/hour plus a $140 travel fee. Best for studios, 1-bedrooms, and small apartments.
- Pro: 3 movers and a 20 ft truck at $180/hour plus a $180 travel fee. Best for 2-3 bedrooms, condos, and townhouses.
- Elite: 4 movers and 2 × 20 ft trucks at $290/hour plus a $290 travel fee. Best for 4+ bedrooms, large homes, and commercial moves.
All local moves have a 3-hour minimum. Based on the current pricing configuration, a studio or 1-bedroom usually uses Essential, a 2-3 bedroom move usually uses Pro, and larger homes usually use Elite. Stairs or no-elevator access add about 0.5-1 hour rather than a hidden stair fee.
Hourly vs. Flat Rate: Which is Better?
Most Montreal movers offer both pricing models:
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- Hourly rates at Up & Out are package-based: Essential is $140/hour, Pro is $180/hour, and Elite is $290/hour, each with a matching one-time travel fee.
- Flat rates are based on an estimate of your inventory. You know the total upfront — no surprises if traffic on the Décarie is brutal that day.
For small moves (studio, 1BR), hourly often works out cheaper. For larger apartments, a flat rate gives you peace of mind. If you're moving from a 5½ on avenue du Parc to a house in Ahuntsic, a flat rate means you won't stress about the clock.
How Distance Affects Pricing
Local moves within Montreal (Plateau to Rosemont, Verdun to LaSalle) are the baseline prices above. Once you go beyond the island, expect surcharges:
- South Shore (Longueuil, Brossard, Saint-Lambert): Add $100–$250
- North Shore (Laval, Blainville): Add $100–$300
- Quebec City or Ottawa: $1,500–$3,500+ depending on size
Long-distance moves are almost always quoted as flat rates. The mover factors in fuel, tolls (hello, A25), and the time the truck is on the road.
Seasonal Pricing: The July 1st Tax
Here's something every Montrealer knows but newcomers don't: July 1st is Quebec's unofficial moving day. Most leases in the province end on June 30, so the entire first week of July is packed with demand for trucks, crews, elevators, and parking access.
Up & Out's hourly package rates stay the same year-round, but July 1 availability is limited. Book early if you need a specific time slot, elevator window, or larger crew.
Hidden Fees to Watch For
Not every quote tells the whole story. Watch out for these extras:
- Stairs or no elevator: Up & Out's calculator adds about 0.5-1 hour for stair access instead of hiding a separate stair fee.
- Long carry fees: If the truck can't park within 20 metres of your door (common in the Plateau and Old Montreal), you may be charged extra.
- Bulky items: Specialty items like pianos, pool tables, safes, and gym equipment add about 0.5-1.5 hours depending on access and equipment.
- Packing service: Up & Out packing add-ons range from $125-$250 for studios to $650-$1,000 for 4+ bedroom homes.
- Insurance: Basic coverage is usually included, but full-value protection costs more. Ask about it.
- Fuel surcharge: Some companies add 3%–5%, especially for longer moves.
How to Save Money on Your Montreal Move
- Move mid-month, mid-week. Tuesday in February? You'll get the best rates.
- Declutter before you move. Every box you don't move saves time and money. Hit up the Village des Valeurs on rue Notre-Dame or post free stuff on Facebook Marketplace.
- Get multiple quotes. Three is the minimum. Compare apples to apples — make sure each quote covers the same services.
- Pack yourself. Buying your own boxes from Canadian Tire or grabbing free ones from the SAQ saves on packing fees.
- Book early. Especially for summer moves. Two months ahead is ideal; for July 1st, book by April.
- Ask about student or senior discounts. Some Montreal movers offer 10%–15% off.
Walk-ups vs. Elevator Buildings
Montreal is a city of triplexes, and most of those don't have elevators. If you're moving out of a 3rd-floor walk-up on rue Mentana and into another one on avenue Christophe-Colomb, your movers are going to earn every dollar. Expect walk-up fees to add $50–$150 to your total. If both buildings are walk-ups, it could be more.
Elevator buildings (condos in Griffintown, towers in downtown) have their own quirks — you'll often need to reserve the freight elevator and potentially pay a deposit. But the actual moving goes faster since movers aren't climbing stairs all day.
The Bottom Line
For most Montrealers moving locally, the right package matters more than a generic average. Essential is built for studios and smaller apartments, Pro is built for 2-3 bedroom moves, and Elite is built for large homes or commercial moves.
The cheapest move is the one you plan well. Get quotes early, disclose stairs and parking access, declutter ruthlessly, and choose the package that matches the real inventory.
