Moving costs in Montreal depend on the work involved, not just the number of bedrooms. Your inventory, crew, moving time, access, travel and selected services all influence the estimate. An hourly rate is a starting point—not the total price of your move.
This guide was prepared by our team at MovinGo to help you compare estimates and budget realistically. We explain the hourly ranges displayed on our website, what can change the workload, and how to give us the details needed for a personalised quote.
Written by the MovinGo Team. MovinGo is a Montreal-based moving company serving households and businesses in Montreal and nearby areas. Explore our Montreal moving services for the services behind this guide.
What Determines the Cost of a Move in Montreal?
Two apartments with similar floor plans can require very different moves. Describe both properties and your belongings before comparing Montreal moving prices.
Home size and the number of items
Bedrooms offer a useful starting point, but the complete inventory matters more. A furnished studio with appliances, books and a storage locker may require more handling than a lightly furnished one-bedroom apartment. Include closets, balconies, basement storage and items you plan to leave behind.
Number of movers and time required
The crew and expected workload shape the cost of hiring movers in Montreal. A lower hourly rate does not automatically mean a lower final bill. Ask which crew the rate covers and how loading, transport and unloading are billed. Do not assume a particular crew size from an apartment label alone.
Stairs, elevators and building access
Staircases, narrow landings and elevator arrangements affect handling time. Tell us the floor at each address, whether an elevator is available, and any building restrictions. A reserved elevator can help coordination, but shared access or limited moving windows may still require planning.
Distance between the truck and the entrance
Each trip takes longer when the loading location is far from the door. Courtyards, long hallways and underground access can add work even without stairs. Share the likely truck position and walking route rather than describing access simply as “easy.”
Travel distance and applicable travel charges
Moving between nearby streets is different from travelling across the island or to another city. Ask when billable time starts and ends, how travel is calculated, and whether additional stops are included. Do not treat the drive between your addresses as the only possible travel component.
Packing, furniture disassembly and reassembly
Unpacked belongings and furniture that needs dismantling change the workload. Specify whether you will prepare everything yourself or want packing services. List beds, shelving and other pieces that may need disassembly, and confirm the agreed preparation and reassembly work.
Heavy or specialised items
Pianos, unusually heavy furniture and delicate pieces need separate assessment. Send dimensions, photographs and access details. Their handling should be discussed explicitly rather than assumed to fit a standard apartment estimate.
Moving date and scheduling
Your preferred date affects crew and truck availability. Month-end schedules and the period around July 1 are worth discussing early. If you have flexibility, provide alternative dates and ask how they affect your proposed quote; do not assume a weekday discount or a fixed seasonal surcharge.
Moving Cost Examples for Different Apartment Sizes
Our English homepage currently displays the following indicative hourly ranges in CAD for local apartment moves. They are not complete move totals or a confirmed quote. The comparison below connects those published ranges to the information that determines your actual workload.
| Home size | Published hourly range (CAD) | Workload and crew considerations | Tell us before quoting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio apartment | CAD $110–130/hour | Compact space does not always mean a small inventory; crew needs depend on the contents and access. | Large furniture, appliances, boxes, storage areas and floors. |
| One-bedroom apartment | CAD $120–140/hour | Bedroom and living-room furniture can add handling and preparation; confirm the crew covered by the rate. | Bed disassembly, sofa dimensions, packing needs and elevator access. |
| Two-bedroom apartment | CAD $140–165/hour | More rooms usually mean more belongings, but the actual inventory determines the planned resources. | Furniture in each room, appliances, boxes and additional pickup stops. |
| Three-bedroom apartment or larger home | Three-bedroom apartment: CAD $145–175/hour. Medium-size house: CAD $155–195/hour. | Multiple floors and storage spaces may affect loading, time and crew planning. | Complete household inventory, all access routes, heavy items and storage contents. |
Confirm the conditions before using these rates to budget. The homepage does not specify the crew size, minimum booking, taxes, travel charges or included materials behind each row. Ask us to confirm them for your move. Your requested date and services also need assessment; published ranges can change.
What Should Your Moving Quote Include?
A useful estimate explains what you are paying for. For residential moving, check these points before booking:
- Crew size and billing method: how many movers, hourly or fixed pricing, any minimum booking, and how time is recorded.
- Truck and travel: the agreed vehicle arrangements, travel calculation and additional stops.
- Materials and optional work: packing supplies, packing help, and furniture disassembly or reassembly.
- Specialised handling: the items assessed and the work included.
- Applicable taxes and extra charges: what is additional and the conditions that trigger it.
Keep a copy of the agreed scope. An estimate based on incomplete information is not the same as a confirmed quote for a defined job. If your inventory, addresses or access changes, ask for the estimate to be reviewed.
How to Reduce Moving Costs Without Rushing the Move
The most useful savings come from reducing avoidable work, not asking a crew to handle belongings faster than conditions allow.
- Declutter before requesting the quote. Separate items you are not moving so the inventory reflects the actual job.
- Finish the packing you agreed to do. Use manageable boxes, protect fragile contents and identify anything requiring our help.
- Label boxes by destination room. Clear labels reduce questions during unloading.
- Arrange access in advance. Discuss loading locations, building windows and elevator arrangements at both addresses.
- Provide the full inventory. Unexpected furniture or storage contents can change the work.
Our room-by-room moving checklist can help you organise preparation. Do not leave heavy lifting or unsafe dismantling to an improvised last-minute plan.
Moving in Montreal and Nearby Areas
MovinGo serves Montreal as its main operating area and supports moves in nearby communities. A move involving moving services in Laval may require different travel and access planning from one within the same Montreal neighbourhood.
For a West Island move, describe the property, driveway and loading access. For moving in Longueuil, include both addresses and building arrangements. We also serve the North Shore and South Shore; the destination alone does not determine the price.
Parking, loading permissions and building requirements vary by location. Check the arrangements for your specific addresses before moving day rather than assuming one rule applies everywhere.
How MovinGo Prepares Your Moving Quote
Our quote request form collects your contact details, date, moving type, residence size, pickup and destination addresses, floors and elevator availability. You can add notes and upload photos or PDF documents to explain the job.
In those notes, include parking and truck access, a room-by-room inventory, estimated box quantities, packing requirements, and large or delicate items. Explain anything unusual at either property. Photos of furniture and access routes make descriptions easier to understand.
Our team uses the information to discuss the scope and prepare an estimate. Submitting the form is a request for assessment, not an instant fixed-price booking. Before confirming the move, review the proposed crew, billing method, inclusions and conditions with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to move a one-bedroom apartment in Montreal?
Our homepage displays CAD $120–140/hour for a one-bedroom apartment move. This is an indicative hourly range, not the full move price. Confirm crew size, expected time, minimum booking, travel, taxes and optional work for your specific inventory and access.
Do stairs or a building without an elevator affect moving costs?
They can affect handling time and crew planning. Tell us the floors and staircase conditions at both addresses. Any resulting price adjustment should be explained in your proposed quote.
Are packing materials included in a moving quote?
Do not assume they are. Specify the packing help and supplies you need, and ask which materials are included or charged separately.
Can my moving date affect the price?
Your date can affect availability and the proposed arrangements. Ask us to compare available dates if you are flexible; no automatic discount or surcharge is promised here.
What information does MovinGo need to prepare a quote?
Provide both addresses, the date, residence size, inventory, floors, elevators, parking access and requested services. Add photos and dimensions for large, heavy or delicate items.
Plan Your Budget with a Personalised Quote
The right budget starts with the right details. Request a personalised moving quote from MovinGo and tell us what needs to move, where it is going and how we can access both properties.