Montreal, QC · Q3 2026
Whole home renovation cost in Montreal
Paint, floors, lighting, and light kitchen and bath updates. The figures below are modelled for Montreal, QC using our 0.98× regional cost multiplier, on a detached home built 1960-1989 at a mid-range finish.
Typical planning budget
$38,750 to $62,650
Typical $46,700 · includes 14% contingency
Before contingency
Why Montreal differs
Montreal prices about 2% below Ottawa, which is the baseline our regional model is anchored to.
- Regional multiplier
- 0.98×
- Versus Ottawa
- -2%
- Province
- Quebec
- Sales tax on services
- GST + QST (14.975%)
Regional multipliers are anchored to Ottawa at 1.00 and scaled using Statistics Canada's Residential Renovation Price Index and Building Construction Price Index movements by census metropolitan area, then cross-checked against published contractor rate ranges. They are planning-level adjustments, not surveyed local quotes.
Areas this covers
Montreal, QC is modelled as a single labour market, so these municipalities share the same cost multiplier:
- Montréal
- Laval
- Longueuil
- Brossard
Somewhere else in Quebec? Compare every Quebec region.
Cost by finish level in Montreal
Finish level moves the number more than almost anything else you control. All three rows use the same Montreal multiplier and the same scope.
| Finish | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| BudgetStock materials, simple details, value fixtures | $28,150 | $33,800 | $45,300 |
| Mid-rangeCommon homeowner choice: durable materials, better fixtures | $38,750 | $46,700 | $62,650 |
| PremiumHigh-end materials, custom detailing, designer fixtures | $56,550 | $68,250 | $91,350 |
Cost by size in Montreal
Typical all-in planning budgets at three representative sizes, mid-range finish.
| Size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft | $30,950 | $37,200 | $49,950 |
| 1,800 sq ft | $38,750 | $46,700 | $62,650 |
| 2,600 sq ft | $49,250 | $59,400 | $79,550 |
Where the money goes
The $46,700 typical figure for Montreal, broken into the lines a contractor quote should also separate.
| Category | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $15,000 | $18,100 | $24,300 |
| Labour | $15,200 | $18,300 | $24,500 |
| Demolition and disposal | $2,150 | $2,600 | $3,500 |
| Permit and design allowance | $1,650 | $1,950 | $2,650 |
| Subtotal | $34,000 | $40,950 | $54,950 |
| Contingency (14%) | $4,750 | $5,750 | $7,700 |
| Total planning budget | $38,750 | $46,700 | $62,650 |
Compared with the rest of Quebec
Same project, same scope and finish, priced against every other Quebec region we model.
| Region | Multiplier | Typical | vs Montreal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal (this page) | 0.98× | $46,700 | — |
| Quebec City | 0.93× | $44,350 | -5% |
| Other Quebec | 0.91× | $43,300 | -7% |
Permits in Quebec
Renovation permits are issued by your municipality or borough. Quebec also applies the Construction Code province-wide.
Commonly triggered by this project
- New electrical circuits. Electrical work in Ontario is governed by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). A notification, permit, or licensed electrician is normally required.
Hiring in Quebec
Quebec is the strictest province: every construction and renovation contractor must hold a valid Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) licence. Hiring an unlicensed contractor is illegal.
Trades that must be certified
- Electrical: Electrical work must be done by an RBQ-licensed electrical contractor, normally a CMEQ member.
- Plumbing and heating: Plumbing and heating work must be done by an RBQ-licensed contractor, normally a CMMTQ member.
Costs people forget on this project
Included as allowances above. Check any quote covers them too.
- Drywall repair and skim coating on older walls
- Trim and door adjustments after new flooring
- Electrical corrections found when replacing fixtures
- Painting preparation on unprimed or damaged surfaces
- Multiple disposal bins across phases
- Temporary accommodation or storage
Typical schedule: 4 to 10 weeks depending on how much is done at once.
Questions homeowners ask
- Is it cheaper to refresh everything at once?
- Usually yes. Doing paint, flooring, and trim in one mobilization avoids repeated setup, protection, and disposal costs, and reduces the risk of mismatched finishes.
- Should I refresh before selling?
- Paint, flooring, and lighting tend to be the lowest-cost updates that affect how a home shows. Compare the cost against the transaction costs in the Renovate vs. Move calculator.