Builder pricing in Montreal
What builders charge in Montreal (typically C$55-C$130/hr), the local factors that move the rate, and a sample quote you can use as a starting point.
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Montreal builder pricing
What builders should charge in Montreal
Montreal general contractors work under the Code de construction du Québec (Quebec's adaptation of the National Building Code) and the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) general contractor licence (subcategory 1.1.1 or 1.1.2). New residential builds require Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR) warranty enrolment. Ville de Montréal borough permitting plus heritage approvals for Vieux-Montréal, Plateau Mont-Royal, Outremont, and Westmount drive timelines. Standard renovation costs CAD $2,000-$3,800/sqm; premium enclaves $3,800-$6,500/sqm; ultra-premium Westmount villas $6,500-$11,000/sqm. CCQ governs apprenticeship and journeyman certification of every worker on site.
Hourly rate
C$55-C$130
per hour, weekday daytime
Call-out fee
C$39-C$83
within standard radius
After-hours
1.5-2x
evening, weekend, holiday
Job pricing
What to charge for common builder jobs in Montreal
Real-world price ranges for the jobs local tradies quote every week. Use the table as a starting point for your own quotes and adjust for parts, access, and your overheads. All figures in CAD.
Site visit and written quote
What's included
Most established builders quote free for jobs over $5,500. Charge applies to large scope-of-work documents.
Garden wall (per linear metre)
What's included
Includes excavation, foundation, blockwork, and 2-3 days labour. Render and capping extra.
Internal wall removal (non-structural)
What's included
Includes demolition, debris removal, and make-good. Structural engineer report extra if load-bearing.
Concrete slab (per square metre)
What's included
Includes excavation, reinforcement mesh, formwork, concrete pour, and finish. Excludes site prep.
Single-storey room extension
What's included
Depends on size, fittings, and finish level. Excludes plumbing and electrical subcontract.
Bathroom renovation (full)
What's included
Includes demolition, plumbing, tiling, fixtures, and labour. Premium fittings add cost.
Kitchen renovation (full)
What's included
Depends on layout changes and cabinetry. Bench-tops, splashbacks, and appliances priced separately.
Retaining wall (per linear metre)
What's included
Depends on height and material (block, gabion, sleeper). Excavation and drainage extra.
Daily site labour (1 person)
What's included
Standard 8-hour day. Apprentice + qualified builder pair runs higher.
Montreal quote factors
What to factor into your Montreal builder quote
Local context that should shape what you quote as a builder in Montreal. Harsh humid continental, brutal winters. Cold snowy winters (December-March, often -15°C to -30°C with windchill, occasional -35°C, heavy snow ~210cm/year, Canada's snowiest large city), warm humid summers (July-August, 28°C+ with high humidity, occasional 35°C heatwaves), heavy rainfall (~1,000mm/year). Freeze-thaw cycles 80-100/year (more than Toronto). Ice storm risk (1998 ice storm crippled Montreal for weeks).
Tier driven by enclave
Westmount (H3Y/H3Z), Outremont (H2V), Mount Royal Town (H3P/H3R), Hampstead (H3X) renovations run CAD $4,180-$7,150/sqm standard, $7,150-$12,100/sqm for ultra-premium villa work. Plateau (H2J/H2T/H2W), Mile End, Saint-Henri (H4C), Verdun (H4G/H4H) gentrified zones $2,750-$4,620/sqm. Standard Montreal (Rosemont, NDG, Hochelaga, Villeray, East-end) $2,200-$4,180/sqm. State the per-sqm range and the tier on the quote.
RBQ general contractor licence + GCR
RBQ licence subcategory 1.1.1 (general contractor, building construction) or 1.1.2 (general contractor, civil engineering and roads) is mandatory. Print RBQ licence number on every quote. New residential builds require enrolment in Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR) warranty plan; quote GCR enrolment fee (CAD $1,320-$3,850 depending on home value) as a separate line. GCR provides 1-year/3-year/5-year warranty coverage; unlicensed builders cannot enrol.
CCQ-governed labour relations
Quebec uniquely regulates the construction industry through the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ). Every site worker must hold a CCQ-issued competency card; collective agreements govern hourly rates and ratios across 26 trades. Quote CCQ-compliant labour cost (typically 25-40% above non-Quebec national average due to apprentice ratios and pension contributions). State 'CCQ-compliant labour' on commercial quotes; non-compliant labour triggers CNESST and CCQ enforcement.
Heritage approvals for Vieux-Montréal, Plateau, Outremont
Vieux-Montréal (Old Montreal) is a designated heritage district under the Conseil du patrimoine culturel du Québec; any exterior work requires provincial heritage approval (8-16 weeks). Plateau Mont-Royal, Outremont, and Westmount have municipal heritage by-laws restricting exterior changes (windows, masonry, exterior staircases, roofing). Quote heritage approval coordination (CAD $3,850-$16,500) as a separate line. Many Plateau triplex restorations need approval for greystone facade, wrought-iron staircase, and original windows.
CNESST workplace safety
Quebec workplace safety is governed by CNESST (Commission des normes, de l'équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail), which replaced CSST in 2016. All site workers must be enrolled; quote CNESST premiums (typically 4-9% of labour cost depending on activity classification) as overhead. Site safety plan required for projects above defined thresholds. Print CNESST employer number on commercial quotes.
Bilingual quote + GST/QST separate lines
French-language quote and contract are mandatory for commercial customers under Bill 101 + Bill 96; bilingual templates are the safe default for residential. GST 5% and QST 9.975% must appear as separate lines on every invoice. Print RBQ, CCQ, CNESST, GST and QST numbers on the quote document. Quebec consumer protection enforces written contracts above CAD $1,320 with cancellation rights; state explicitly.
Sample quote
A real Montreal builder quote you can copy
Single-storey rear extension, 24sqm, standard finish. Replace the line items and rates with your own; the structure stays.
Site demolition, debris removal, and make-good
Concrete slab (24sqm) including reinforcement, formwork, and pour
Brickwork and external walls (24sqm) to lock-up
Roof structure, tiles, gutters, and insulation
Windows and external door (mid-grade aluminium frames)
Internal finishes (plaster, paint, skirting, cornice)
Builder labour and project management (24 days, 2-person team)
Permits, engineer sign-off, and council inspection
FAQ
Montreal builder pricing questions, answered
Common questions about builder pricing in Montreal, with answers framed for tradies pricing their own work.
CAD $2,200-$4,180/sqm for standard Montreal (Rosemont, NDG, Hochelaga, Villeray, East-end). $2,750-$4,620/sqm for gentrified Plateau, Mile End, Saint-Henri, Verdun. $4,180-$7,150/sqm for premium enclaves (Westmount, Outremont, Mount Royal Town, Hampstead). $7,150-$12,100/sqm for ultra-premium Westmount villa work. State the per-sqm range and tier on every quote.
Yes. RBQ licence subcategory 1.1.1 (building construction) or 1.1.2 (civil engineering and roads) is mandatory for any general contractor in Quebec. Print RBQ licence number on every quote. New residential builds also require Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR) warranty enrolment (CAD $1,320-$3,850 per home). Unlicensed work is uninsurable and triggers RBQ enforcement plus client refund rights.
Quebec uniquely regulates the construction industry through the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ). Every site worker holds a CCQ-issued competency card; collective agreements govern hourly rates and ratios across 26 trades. CCQ-compliant labour typically runs 25-40% above non-Quebec national average due to apprentice ratios and pension contributions. State 'CCQ-compliant labour' on commercial quotes.
Yes, for any exterior work (greystone facade, wrought-iron staircase, original windows, slate roofing). Plateau Mont-Royal, Outremont, Westmount have municipal heritage by-laws; Vieux-Montréal falls under the Conseil du patrimoine culturel du Québec. Quote heritage approval coordination (CAD $3,850-$16,500) as a separate line. Lead time 8-16 weeks for provincial heritage districts, 4-10 weeks for municipal.
Garantie de construction résidentielle (GCR) is Quebec's mandatory warranty plan for new residential construction (single-family homes, plexes up to 4 units, condos). Provides 1-year general warranty, 3-year warranty on hidden defects, 5-year warranty on structural defects. Quote enrolment (CAD $1,320-$3,850 depending on home value) as a separate line. Only RBQ-licensed builders can enrol.
Labour rates are $55 to $130 per hour in the US, £35-90 in the UK, A$83-150 in Australia, R250-700 in South Africa, and C$61-130 in Canada. Most builders prefer to quote fixed-price for jobs over $5,500 and reserve hourly for small repairs.
Builders bid differently on materials, labour mix, and contingency. A 'cheap' quote often skips proper foundations, uses sub-grade fixtures, or leaves the customer paying for variations later. Always compare scope and inclusions, not just totals.
Three for jobs over $11,000. Compare scope, materials, and the payment schedule, not just the headline number. If one is 30% cheaper than the others, it almost always means work is missing from the quote.
For build projects: 30% on signing for materials, 30% on slab/structure, 30% on lock-up (roof and walls complete), 10% on completion. Anyone asking for more than 30% upfront is a risk.
Yes, especially for jobs over $5,500. A contract sets scope, milestones, payment schedule, variation handling, and dispute resolution. Most regions require it by law over a threshold.
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