In this guide
Most moving checklists tell you to pack early and label boxes. That part is obvious. What those lists skip is the Quebec-specific stuff: the borough parking permit, the Hydro-Québec account transfer window, the Régie du logement notice your lease requires, the July 1 booking crunch.
This checklist covers both. It assumes you have 30 days before you move. If you have less, start from where you are on the timeline and compress. The further behind, the more you pay in panic premiums.
T-minus 30 days: Planning
Lock down the move date
Your lease-end date is usually fixed. What’s flexible is the day you actually move. Mid-month weekdays cost 10 to 15 percent less than weekends. November to February costs 20 to 40 percent less than July 1. If your lease lets you shift by a few days, shift.
Get 3 quotes from licensed Montreal movers
Quote variance is 30 to 40 percent for the exact same move. Stopping at one quote is how people overpay. For each mover, confirm they have a current CTQ (Commission des transports du Québec) license and ask for the number.
Inventory everything
Walk every room, write down every piece of furniture and every box category (kitchen, bathroom, office, kids). Send this inventory to each mover. A mover who quotes without an inventory is quoting a number they’ll revise on move day.
Decide: sell, donate, discard
Every item you move costs money to move. A garbage bag of clothes that hasn’t been worn in 18 months is cheaper to donate than to transport. Set aside 4 evenings before the move for this. Facebook Marketplace and Renaissance Montréal accept almost everything.
T-minus 21 to 28 days: Locked in
Book your mover
Four to six weeks out is the sweet spot for off-peak dates. For July 1 or the last weekend of June, six to eight weeks is the minimum, and quality companies are already booked twelve weeks out.
Request the borough moving permit
In Montreal, most boroughs require a temporary parking permit for a moving truck. The permit cones off curb space in front of your address so the truck can park close. It’s free or low-cost, depending on the borough:
- Plateau-Mont-Royal, Ville-Marie, Rosemont, Le Sud-Ouest: apply through your borough office or montreal.ca. Request 3 to 5 business days ahead.
- West Island and off-island: often not required, but check.
- Laval, Longueuil: check the city website; rules vary.
Ask your mover whether they handle the permit request or you do. For July 1, request it at least 2 weeks ahead — the processing queue balloons.
Start packing the “future stuff” room
The room you use least gets packed first. For most households, that’s storage, the hall closet, seasonal clothes, off-season sports gear, photo albums. Keep everything you use daily out of boxes until week 3.
Transfer utilities
- Hydro-Québec: use the online portal. They require ~10 business days to switch service. Cancel old address on move day, start new address on move day minus one.
- Internet (Bell, Videotron, Fizz, Oxio): appointments book out 2 to 4 weeks ahead near July 1. Book now, not later.
- Gas (Énergir): if applicable, same timeline as Hydro.
Update your address
- Canada Post: mail forwarding runs $55 for 4 months and catches the mail that slips through. Set it up now to start on move day.
- Employer: payroll + benefits address.
- Government: SAAQ (driver’s licence), RAMQ (health card), Revenu Québec. You have 30 days after moving to update these. Doing it now avoids the scramble.
- Banks, credit cards, insurance: online 2 minutes each.
- Subscriptions: magazines, meal kits, prescription refills (including CPAP if applicable).
T-minus 14 days: Tightening
Confirm with the mover
Call or email. Confirm the date, the time window (morning crews start at 8 AM, afternoon at 12 PM), the crew size, the truck size, and the total estimate. Get the current quote in writing if you don’t have it already.
Book elevators and parking
If either end of your move has a condo or apartment building with an elevator, contact the building manager now. Many buildings require you to reserve the elevator and pay a small deposit (refundable if no damage). Do the same for loading docks.
Gather and organize important documents
Passports, birth certificates, lease contracts, mortgage papers, vehicle registration, insurance policies, tax returns from the last 3 years, medical records. Put them in one labelled bin you carry yourself on move day. Don’t let these onto the truck.
Prep boxes and supplies
For a 2-bedroom apartment, plan for:
- 25 to 40 medium boxes
- 10 to 15 large boxes
- 2 rolls of packing tape
- 1 large roll of bubble wrap
- 10 to 15 sheets of packing paper
- Markers (2 colours for fragile vs. normal)
Liquor stores, grocery stores, and the “Moving Boxes” Facebook groups near your borough have free used boxes. A 2-bedroom move can be fully boxed with free supplies if you start 2 weeks ahead.
Use up perishables
Start using what’s in the freezer and fridge. Anything frozen will thaw on move day unless the move is under 30 minutes. Plan meals around clearing the freezer.
T-minus 7 days: The intense week
Pack everything except the daily essentials
Leave out: one set of dishes per person, coffee maker + coffee, kettle + mugs, one outfit per person including what you’ll wear on move day, toiletries, meds, phone chargers, cleaning supplies for the last-day wipe-down.
Label every box
Use the two-label system: a side label naming the destination room (Kitchen, Master Bedroom), and a corner sticker showing the box number out of total (Box 14 / 40). The corner sticker saves you on move day when you realize you’re missing a box.
Confirm utilities one more time
Hydro, internet, gas. A missed transfer means no fridge for your first night. Call each provider and verify the start date.
Plan meals for the 3 days around the move
Order groceries for delivery on day-after-move. Pick up ready-to-eat food for move day itself. A crockpot full of chili waiting at the new apartment is a gift from past-you to future-you.
T-minus 48 hours: Final prep
Disconnect large appliances
Defrost the fridge 24 hours before the move. Drain the washing machine hoses. Disconnect and drain the dishwasher. Take down curtain rods and measure anything that needs to be disassembled.
Pack a “first night” bag
Like carry-on for a flight. Clothes for 2 days, toiletries, phone charger, tablet or book, any medications, contact lens kit, glasses, Advil. Put it in the car, not the truck.
Cash for tipping
ATMs near the Plateau on July 1 run out of twenties. Get cash two days before. Plan:
- Half-day move: $20 to $40 per mover
- Full-day move: $40 to $80 per mover
- Long or stair-heavy: $60 to $100 per mover
Move day
Drink water. Eat breakfast. Be at the address 30 minutes before the crew arrives. Do a walkthrough with the lead mover and point out anything unusual (piano, heavy safe, fragile antique, off-limits room). Hand over the parking permit if you have a paper copy. Let the crew work; don’t hover.
At the end: walk every room with the crew, check for forgotten items, sign the bill of lading. Pay the balance (typically credit card or Interac; some crews still prefer cash for parts of the bill). Tip in cash, directly to the crew lead or to each mover.
Take a photo of the truck’s odometer if your mover charges by distance. It’s rare in Montreal (most companies charge flat or hourly), but worth knowing if your quote had a mileage clause.
After move day
- 7 days: file any damage claims in writing, with photos. Most Montreal movers’ claim window closes at 7 to 60 days depending on the contract.
- 14 days: cancel your forwarded mail if everything has caught up.
- 30 days: SAAQ and RAMQ address updates are past due if you haven’t done them. Do it now.
- 60 days: review your renter’s or homeowner’s insurance. The new address usually has different rates.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a moving permit in every Montreal borough?
Not everywhere, but several boroughs enforce it: Plateau-Mont-Royal, Ville-Marie, Rosemont, Le Sud-Ouest, and Villeray-Saint-Michel-Parc-Extension. West Island and off-island cities rarely require it. When in doubt, call your borough office.
How long before July 1 should I book a mover?
Eight weeks minimum for quality companies. Twelve weeks for the best-reviewed ones. If you’re reading this in May and moving July 1, many companies are already fully booked.
What happens if I cancel a booking?
Most Montreal movers take a deposit of $100 to $300. Cancellation windows vary: some refund up to 48 hours out, some only to 7 days out. Read the contract before you sign.
Is tipping mandatory?
No. It’s expected for a move that went well. Skip it if the crew damaged things or worked carelessly; complain in writing instead.
Can my mover also pack my stuff?
Yes, packing is a separate service. Full packing for a 2-bedroom adds $400 to $1,200 to the bill. Partial packing (kitchen + fragile only) adds $150 to $400. Request it when quoting, not on move day.
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Keep reading: related Montreal moving guides
Checklist updated April 2026. City of Montreal permit rules and utility timelines can change; verify on montreal.ca, hydroquebec.ca, and your telecom provider’s site before your move date.
