Office Moving Cost in Montreal: Per-Employee Breakdown
Office Moving Cost Per Employee in Montreal
The standard industry metric for office moving is cost per employee (or workstation). In Montreal, 2026 rates average $150–$350 per employee for a local move. A 10-person startup might spend $2,000–$4,500, while a 50-person company could budget $10,000–$20,000, and a 100+ person office can exceed $25,000–$35,000+.
This per-employee cost includes packing, transporting, and unpacking workstation furniture and equipment. It does not include IT infrastructure, specialized equipment, or the cost of employee downtime — which are often the largest hidden expenses of an office move.
What's Included in Office Moving Costs
Furniture: Desks, chairs, filing cabinets, boardroom tables, and reception furniture. Cubicle systems cost more to disassemble and reassemble — budget $75–$150 per cubicle. IT equipment: Computers, monitors, printers, and servers are typically handled separately. Professional IT movers charge $500–$2,000 for server room relocation.
Common areas: Kitchen appliances, breakroom furniture, supplies, and inventory. Sensitive documents: Filing systems and secure document transport add $200–$800 depending on volume. Many offices also need end-of-lease cleaning at the old location ($500–$2,000) and setup/installation at the new one.
Minimizing Downtime: The Biggest Hidden Cost
For most businesses, the real cost of moving isn't the movers — it's the lost productivity. A typical office move causes 2–5 days of reduced productivity. For a company with 20 employees averaging $35/hour, that's $5,600–$14,000 in lost productivity — often exceeding the actual moving cost.
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To minimize downtime: move over a weekend (expect a 15–25% premium), phase the move over multiple days so departments move sequentially, and ensure IT is set up and tested before employees arrive. Some companies arrange temporary work-from-home days during the transition.
Planning an Office Move: Budget Tips
Start planning 3–6 months in advance for a mid-size office move. Get at least 4 quotes from commercial movers — residential movers are not equipped for office relocations. Verify the mover carries commercial liability insurance of at least $2 million.
Declutter before the move — old files, broken equipment, and outdated furniture should be recycled or donated rather than transported. Consider whether it's cheaper to buy new furniture at the new location (especially if you're downsizing) rather than paying to move heavy, dated pieces across town.
