In this guide
- NDG Moving Costs: Quick Answer
- What Makes Moving in NDG Different from Other Montreal Boroughs
- 2026 NDG Moving Costs by Apartment Size
- How Time of Year Changes Your NDG Moving Bill
- NDG-Specific Fees That Inflate Your Quote
- How to Get a Permit to Move in NDG
- Comparing NDG Moving Quotes: Red Flags and Fair Pricing
- NDG Moving Routes and Timing Tips
- How NDG Compares to Other Montreal Boroughs
- Frequently Asked Questions About Moving in NDG
NDG Moving Costs: Quick Answer
| Apartment Size | Off-Peak (Nov-May) | June | July 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 3½ | $320 – $420 | $480 – $620 | $700 – $950 |
| 4½ (1 bedroom) | $400 – $560 | $580 – $780 | $850 – $1,100 |
| 5½ (2 bedroom) | $520 – $720 | $750 – $980 | $1,000 – $1,400 |
| 6½+ / duplex upper | $680 – $950 | $950 – $1,300 | $1,300 – $1,800+ |
These figures assume a local NDG move (origin and destination within the borough or to an adjacent area like Côte-des-Neiges or Westmount). They include two movers and a 16-foot truck. Walk-up stair fees, long-carry charges, and parking permits can add $100 to $300 on top.
What Makes Moving in NDG Different from Other Montreal Boroughs
Notre-Dame-de-Grâce sits west of the Décarie Expressway, stretching from the Côte-des-Neiges border down to Montreal West. The housing stock tells the story: postwar walk-up triplexes on streets like Melrose and Wilson, low-rise apartment buildings along Sherbrooke, and pockets of elevator condos near Cavendish Mall and the Vendôme metro. Unlike Griffintown’s condo towers or Plateau’s mixed density, NDG is overwhelmingly walk-up territory.
The Walk-Up Factor
Most NDG buildings are two or three stories without elevators. A third-floor 5½ on Somerled means every piece of furniture climbs 40+ stairs. Movers price this risk into hourly rates or tack on stair fees ranging from $50 to $75 per flight. A Plateau walk-up might have a similar structure, but NDG’s longer interior hallways and narrower staircases (especially in 1950s-era triplexes) slow crews down further.
Street Parking Nightmares on Monkland, Sherbrooke, and Décarie
Monkland Village’s commercial strip prohibits daytime parking on both sides during business hours. Sherbrooke West has rush-hour clearways. Side streets like Wilson and Old Orchard are narrow one-ways where a 20-foot truck blocks traffic entirely. Without a temporary no-parking permit reserving curb space, movers may park a block away and charge long-carry fees for the extra distance.
2026 NDG Moving Costs by Apartment Size
The following estimates assume a local move with two movers, a standard truck, and typical furniture for each apartment type. All figures reflect CTQ-licensed movers operating legally in Quebec.
Studio and 3½ Apartments
A compact studio near Villa-Maria metro or a 3½ in the student-heavy corridor along Fielding Avenue usually requires 2 to 3 hours of labour. Off-peak, that runs $320 to $420. The variable is access: a ground-floor unit with rear-lane truck access costs less than a third-floor walk-up with street parking only.
4½ and 5½ Apartments
The standard NDG rental is a 4½ or 5½ in a triplex. Expect 3 to 4.5 hours for the move itself, plus travel time. Off-peak pricing lands between $400 and $720 depending on floor level and furniture volume. A 5½ with a sectional sofa, queen bed, and full kitchen runs toward the higher end. Add a third mover for $30 more per hour if you have a piano or oversized items.
6½ and Larger (Family Homes, Upper Duplexes)
Family-sized units on streets like Hampton and Draper often have outdoor staircases leading to upper-duplex apartments. These moves take 5 to 7 hours with two movers, or 4 to 5 hours with three. Off-peak costs range from $680 to $950. The upper end applies to homes with finished basements, backyard sheds, or heavy appliances requiring dolly work on exterior stairs.
How Time of Year Changes Your NDG Moving Bill
Quebec’s rental market runs on a July 1 lease cycle, and NDG’s student and young-professional population amplifies the seasonal swing.
Off-Peak Rates (November through May)
This is the cheapest window. Two-mover crews typically charge $135 to $140 per hour, with three-mover crews at $165 to $170. NDG’s tenant turnover is lower in winter, so movers have capacity and may negotiate on minimum hours. A February move for a 5½ can cost 35% less than the same move in June.
June Surge Pricing
Rates climb to $175 to $200 per hour for two movers as companies prepare for the July rush. Booking lead time matters: a June 15 move booked in April may lock in a lower rate than one booked two weeks out. NDG’s proximity to Concordia’s Loyola campus means student departures add demand pressure even before July 1.
July 1 Moving Day in NDG: What to Actually Expect
Hourly rates hit $250 to $350 for two to three movers. Availability disappears by mid-May for July 1 bookings. Street congestion on Sherbrooke and near the Décarie interchange can turn a 4-hour move into a 6-hour ordeal.
[MATTHEW ANECDOTE: insert real story here about a July 1 move in NDG where street parking chaos caused a 90-minute delay. What street? How did the crew handle it? What would you tell a consumer to do differently?]
If your lease allows a June 28 start or a July 3 end, you can cut costs by hundreds and avoid the worst traffic.
NDG-Specific Fees That Inflate Your Quote
A base hourly rate never tells the whole story in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. These surcharges are legitimate when disclosed upfront.
Long Carry Charges
When the truck can’t park within 50 feet of the building entrance, movers add $50 to $100 for the extra walking distance. On streets like Melrose, where permit-only parking dominates, long carries are common unless you secure a no-parking permit.
Stair Fees for Walk-Ups Without Freight Elevators
Standard practice in NDG: $50 to $75 per flight at origin and destination. A third-floor-to-third-floor move can add $200 to $300 in stair fees alone. Some movers bake this into the hourly rate; others list it separately. Confirm the structure before signing.
[MATTHEW ANECDOTE: insert real story here about an NDG walk-up job where stair fees added 40%+ to the final bill. What building type was it? How many flights? What did the customer NOT expect?]
Parking Permit Costs and No-Parking Signs
The CDN-NDG borough charges $50 to $100 for a temporary no-parking permit, depending on duration and street type. You also pay for the signs themselves. This cost is on you, not the mover, but it directly affects whether you face long-carry fees.
How to Get a Permit to Move in NDG
The CDN-NDG borough (officially Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce) handles permits through its online portal and in-person at the borough office on Côte-des-Neiges Road.
CDN-NDG Borough Permit Process
Submit your request at least 5 business days before your move date. You’ll need:
- Your moving date and estimated time window
- The exact address and which side of the street you need reserved
- A valid ID and proof of residence (lease or utility bill)
The borough issues the permit and provides temporary no-parking signs. You’re responsible for posting them 24 to 48 hours before the move.
Temporary No-Parking Signs: Cost, Lead Time, and Fines
Signs must go up correctly or parked cars won’t be towed. If a vehicle blocks your reserved spot and you didn’t post signs on time, you’re out of luck. Fines for posting signs without a permit run $150+. Do it by the book.
Comparing NDG Moving Quotes: Red Flags and Fair Pricing
The gap between a legitimate quote and a lowball scam is wider in NDG because the walk-up factor makes pricing variable. Anyone who quotes a flat $300 for a third-floor 5½ without seeing it is either inexperienced or planning to inflate the bill on moving day.
What a Legitimate NDG Quote Should Include
Look for:
- Hourly rate clearly stated (e.g., “$140/hour for 2 movers”)
- Minimum hours (typically 3 to 4)
- Stair fees broken out by flight
- Travel fee structure (flat rate or per-km)
- Fuel surcharge, if applicable
- CTQ permit number displayed
If any of these are missing, ask. A mover who dodges the CTQ question is operating illegally.
The Quebec 10% Rule and Your Rights Under the OPC
Quebec’s Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC) caps the final bill at 10% above the written estimate for hourly moves. If a mover quotes $500 and tries to charge $700 at destination, you’re legally obligated to pay only $550. This protection exists precisely because of bait-and-switch pricing.
[MATTHEW ANECDOTE: insert real story here about a quote you saw (or beat) from an unlicensed operator targeting NDG. What red flags did the quote have? How did pricing compare to CTQ-licensed movers?]
For more on vetting quotes, see the full guide to comparing Montreal moving quotes.
NDG Moving Routes and Timing Tips
Traffic management can save an hour of billable time on moving day. NDG’s geography creates specific choke points.
Avoiding Décarie and the 40 During Rush Hour
The Décarie Expressway bottlenecks between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. and again from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. Moving between NDG and the South Shore? Budget an extra hour if you’re crossing during rush. Many movers charge for travel time, so a 45-minute delay costs $50 to $70 at peak rates.
The Ville-Marie Expressway link via the Turcot interchange is equally brutal. If you’re moving to Griffintown or Old Montreal, an early-morning start (before 7:00 a.m.) cuts transit time substantially.
Building Elevator Reservations
Condo towers near Vendôme metro, along Côte-Saint-Luc Road, and around Cavendish Mall require elevator bookings. Most buildings allow 3- to 4-hour blocks and charge $50 to $150 for the reservation. Book at least two weeks ahead. Missing your slot means waiting for the next available window, which may not be on your moving day.
For a complete timeline of what to do when, the 30-day Montreal moving checklist breaks it down day by day.
How NDG Compares to Other Montreal Boroughs
NDG’s walk-up density makes it more expensive than neighbourhoods dominated by elevator buildings. A 5½ move in Griffintown (condo tower with freight elevator) runs 20% to 30% cheaper than the same move in a third-floor NDG triplex. The Plateau has similar walk-up challenges, but NDG’s narrower interior stairs and longer hallways often add time. For a detailed Plateau breakdown, see the Plateau-Mont-Royal moving guide.
Compared to suburbs like Laval or Brossard, NDG’s street parking complexity adds cost even when distances are shorter. A 10-km move from NDG to Ville Saint-Laurent can cost more than a 25-km move from Brossard to downtown if the NDG origin is a third-floor walk-up on a permit-only street.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving in NDG
How much does it cost to hire movers for a 2-bedroom apartment in NDG?
A 5½ (2-bedroom) in NDG runs $520 to $720 during off-peak months with two movers and 4 to 5 hours of labour. June pricing climbs to $750 to $980. July 1 can exceed $1,000 to $1,400 depending on stair count and street access.
Do I need a parking permit to move in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce?
Yes. The CDN-NDG borough requires a temporary no-parking permit for moving trucks on public streets. Apply at least 5 business days before your move. Permits cost $50 to $100 depending on duration and location.
Why are NDG moving quotes higher than downtown Montreal quotes?
Most NDG buildings are walk-ups without elevators. Movers charge stair fees ($50 to $75 per flight) and long-carry fees when trucks can’t park close to the entrance. Downtown condo towers with freight elevators eliminate these surcharges.
Is July 1 a bad day to move in NDG?
Rates spike 80% to 150%, and street parking competition is brutal near Monkland Village and Sherbrooke. If your lease allows flexibility, moving June 28 to 30 or July 2 to 3 saves hundreds and avoids the worst congestion.
How do I verify an NDG moving company is licensed?
Ask for their CTQ (Commission des transports du Québec) permit number before booking. Legitimate Quebec movers display this number on invoices, contracts, and trucks. You can verify it on the CTQ’s online registry.
What’s the cheapest time to move in NDG?
November through April offers the lowest rates. Movers charge $135 to $140 per hour for two-person crews during this window. Mid-week moves (Tuesday through Thursday) often have better availability and occasional discounts.
Do movers charge extra for pianos or heavy items in NDG walk-ups?
Yes. Upright pianos typically add $150 to $300 depending on stair count. Grand pianos require specialized crews and can cost $400 or more. Heavy appliances like safes or commercial freezers also carry surcharges in walk-up buildings.
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Pricing data current as of April 2026. Final costs vary by company, season, and move specifics. For the most accurate estimate, request quotes from three or more movers. Sources: rate sheets from the major established Montreal-area moving companies (including La Capitale and others), the Office de la protection du consommateur Quebec guide, and the Commission des transports du Quebec licensing register.
