Montreal Movers: The Complete Guide to Choosing in 2026

Roughly 400 moving companies operate in Montreal in 2026. About 15 are excellent, about 40 are decent, and the rest range from acceptable to outright problematic. This guide explains how to tell them apart before you sign.

Choosing a mover in Montreal isn’t about comparing hourly rates. It’s about verifying a provincial license, understanding how the price is actually billed, knowing your rights under Quebec’s Consumer Protection Act, and spotting the scams that recur every June. This guide covers all of that.

What most guides miss

Generic moving guides tell you three things: get 3 quotes, check Google reviews, pack early. That’s fine, but it’s insufficient for Montreal. Here’s what they omit:

• CTQ licensing: the Commission des transports du Québec licenses every carrier operating vehicles over 3,000 kg. Without that license, the mover operates illegally with no insurance obligation and no legal recourse if something goes wrong. Verification takes 2 minutes and eliminates 30 to 40 percent of sketchy options.
• Quebec’s 10 percent cap: the Consumer Protection Act limits final billing to 10 percent above a written estimate. Beyond that, you don’t have to pay without consent. Almost nobody knows this rule, and it protects against move-day bill gouging.
• The July 1 rush: Montreal historically concentrates lease endings on July 1. Prices double or triple, and quality companies are booked 8 to 12 weeks ahead. Moving a week before or after saves hundreds of dollars.
• Exterior spiral staircases: a Montreal-specific feature (especially in the Plateau, Rosemont, Villeray) that adds $75 to $500 per flight to the cost. Generic guides ignore this.
• Borough parking permits: many Montreal boroughs require a free temporary permit to park a moving truck. Skipping the permit means a ticket (which the mover passes back to you).

These five factors completely change how to evaluate a Montreal mover. The rest of this guide explores each one.

The 5 criteria that separate good movers from bad

1. Valid CTQ license

This is criterion #1. A mover who can’t produce their CTQ license number in seconds on the phone isn’t a professional mover. Verify the number on the Commission des transports du Québec’s public “Finding a Carrier” register. The company name must match, and the authorization must cover “Déménagement” (moving).

Exceptions exist (small operators with vehicles under 3,000 kg), but they’re narrow. A mover who says “we’re exempt” without explaining clearly is a red flag.

2. Valid liability insurance

Ask for the insurer name, coverage amount, and deductible. A vague “we’re fully insured” isn’t insurance, it’s marketing. If you want to go deeper, ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI). Serious movers provide it without pushback.

Important: Quebec’s default liability is often limited to $0.60 per pound, which covers almost nothing if your 75-inch TV is damaged. For a move with valuable items, negotiate upgraded coverage or declared value.

3. Detailed written quote

A quote that only names “hourly rate + minimum hours” isn’t a quote, it’s a marketing number. A real quote details:

• Hourly rate and crew size
• Minimum hours billed
• Travel time calculation method (included, flat, portal-to-portal)
• Stair fee per flight
• Heavy-item surcharge (piano, safe, hot tub)
• Packing materials (boxes, tape, wrap)
• Parking permit (who handles it)
• Basic and upgraded insurance coverage
• Cancellation window and deposit policy
• Estimated total range

A mover who refuses to put all of that in writing is a mover who reserves the right to overcharge you. Our detailed guide to comparing quotes walks through every line.

4. Local Montreal knowledge

A mover who doesn’t know that the Plateau has exterior spiral staircases, that Rue Saint-Denis is narrow, that many pre-1960 buildings have doorways under 33 inches, will underestimate your move and inflate the bill on move day. Ask for specific examples of moves they’ve done in your borough.

The doorway-width trap: any apartment doorway under 33 inches (84 cm) is tight for most full-size fridges and some sectional sofas. If your fridge doesn’t fit through, the crew has to remove both the apartment door AND the fridge doors, adding 30 to 60 minutes of labor — roughly $60 to $120 at typical Montreal rates. This is the #1 move-day surprise that inflates bills. Measure your doorway before the movers arrive, and ask whether door removal is included in the hourly rate or billed as an extra.

The best companies know borough permit requirements, seasonal parking restrictions (summer terraces), and specific access constraints.

5. Verifiable, consistent reviews

Google reviews are useful but often manipulated. Look at:

• Total review count (10 five-star reviews is less reliable than 200 reviews at 4.6 stars)
• Distribution of recent reviews (past 3 months)
• Quality of owner responses to complaints
• Negative reviews: what they describe (late days, damage, surcharges) reveals real operational issues

A mover with 30 five-star reviews all posted in one week by accounts with no other activity is buying reviews. Walk away.

What it actually costs in Montreal

2026 prices in Montreal vary dramatically by size, season, and complexity. Real ranges:

These ranges assume a local Greater Montreal move without exterior spirals, without piano, and without professional packing. Every factor adds to the total.

The detailed 2026 price guide gives exact surcharges for stairs, pianos, packing, parking, travel time, weekends, and seasons.

Questions to ask before booking

Four phone-call questions eliminate 80 percent of bad options:

1. “What’s your CTQ license number?” — A licensed mover answers in seconds.
2. “Can you send a detailed written quote with all line items?” — Verbal quotes have no legal standing. Written quotes are protected by Quebec’s 10 percent cap.
3. “How is travel time billed?” — Three honest answers exist (included, flat hour, portal-to-portal). Anything else means they haven’t standardized quoting.
4. “If the crew is 30 minutes late, when does the clock start?” — The right answer: “when we arrive.” Not “we try to be on time.”

Our full comparison worksheet adds 12 more questions that reveal serious companies.

When to book for the best price

Montreal’s seasonal pricing follows a predictable yearly cycle:

• November to mid-March: lowest prices, easy booking. 20 to 40 percent savings vs. July. Ideal if your lease allows.
• Mid-March to end of May: mid-range prices, good availability. 2 to 4 weeks ahead is enough.
• June 25 to July 5: absolute peak. Prices double or triple. Quality companies are full 8 to 12 weeks ahead.
• Last weekend of August: university lease turnover. Secondary peak, especially near McGill, Concordia, UdeM.
• Mid-month weekdays: always 10 to 15 percent cheaper than weekends, regardless of season.

Our 30-day moving checklist details the optimal booking timeline.

Borough-specific considerations

Each Montreal borough has particularities that affect cost and logistics:

• Plateau-Mont-Royal: exterior spiral staircases are everywhere, narrow one-way streets, borough parking permit required. Expect 10 to 20 percent more than a comparable move in an easier borough. Our complete Plateau guide covers everything.
• Rosemont and Villeray: similar profile to Plateau, more elevator buildings, comparable prices.
• Ville-Marie and downtown: limited truck access, elevators required in most towers, elevator reservation needed. Commercial moves often limited to weekends.
• Verdun and LaSalle: duplexes and triplexes with few exterior stairs, easier parking, 10 to 15 percent lower prices than central boroughs.
• West Island and off-island: single-family homes, driveways, rarely need permits, but more distance covered.
• Laval, Longueuil, North Shore: different municipal rules than Montreal proper. Check permit requirements with the city.

Red flags to avoid

Decline any mover with one or more of these signals:

• Refuses to provide a written quote before move day (the “hostage load” scam)
• Demands a large cash-only deposit ($500+)
• Price is 30 percent or more below every other quote
• No physical business address, only a phone number
• Unmarked rental truck with no company branding
• Can’t produce CTQ license number or insurance proof
• Pressure to “decide today to lock in this price” (sales tactic, not honest quoting)

A mover flagging any of these is statistically far more likely to damage belongings, inflate the bill, or disappear with your deposit.

Frequently asked questions

How many moving companies exist in Montreal?

The CTQ register lists roughly 400 authorized carriers for moving in Greater Montreal in 2026. Of those, about 40 to 60 have significant presence and verifiable reviews. The rest are smaller operators or specialists.

Is CTQ license verification really necessary?

Yes. Without a CTQ license, the mover operates illegally, has no insurance obligation, and you have no formal recourse for damage or disputes. Verification takes 2 minutes and eliminates the riskiest options.

How many quotes should I get?

Three minimum. Quote variance for the same move is 30 to 40 percent. Stopping at one quote is how people overpay.

Is the cheapest quote always the best choice?

Rarely. The most complete quote at a fair price is almost always cheaper in the end than the “cheap one” that adds fees on move day. Evaluate total estimated price, not just hourly rate.

Can I negotiate with a mover?

Yes, especially off-peak. Presenting two or three other quotes as reference gives leverage. Off-peak, a 5 to 10 percent discount is common if you ask. Around July 1, there’s no room to negotiate.

What should I do if a mover tries to inflate the bill?

Invoke Quebec’s 10 percent cap under the Consumer Protection Act. If the written estimate was $1,200, the legal maximum is $1,320. Beyond that, you can refuse and contact the Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC). Always keep the written quote and bill of lading.

Guide updated April 2026. Prices, CTQ rules, and permit requirements can change; verify on ctq.gouv.qc.ca, opc.gouv.qc.ca, and montreal.ca before your move date.