Man with a Van Montreal (2026): The Complete Guide to Small Moves, Student Moves & Furniture Delivery

A man with a van in Montreal costs $89/hour and is the most affordable way to move a studio, 2½, or a few items across the city. One driver, one high-roof cargo van, all the blankets and straps you need — and you're done in two to three hours for under $300. No full crew. No 26-foot truck blocking the street. No $500+ invoice for moving a bed and fifteen boxes.

This guide covers everything about man with a van services in Montreal in 2026 — what it costs, what fits in a cargo van, how it compares to renting a U-Haul or hiring a full moving crew, and why 170,000+ students and thousands of partial movers across Montreal are choosing this option every year. Whether you're a McGill student hauling a mattress from a Milton Street dorm to a Plateau walk-up, a young professional picking up a couch from Facebook Marketplace in Verdun, or someone who just needs a single dresser delivered from IKEA — this is the guide you need.

CNS Logistics' man with a van Montreal service is not a guy off Kijiji with a pickup truck. It's a fully licensed, NIR-compliant, $5-million insured operation run by the same company that's completed over 7,120 moves across Greater Montreal since 2017. Every van is GPS-tracked. Every estimate is written. Every item is protected by Intact Insurance. That distinction matters — and by the end of this guide, you'll understand exactly why.

If you've ever searched for cheap movers in Montreal, small moves in Montreal, or man with a van near me — you've probably seen a mix of professional services and questionable Kijiji listings. This guide separates the two. We'll show you exactly how to get an affordable, professional move without gambling on an unlicensed operator. Because in Quebec, the difference between a licensed mover and a random guy with a van isn't just about price — it's about legal protection, insurance coverage, and whether you have any recourse when things go wrong.

Let's get into it.

What Is a Man with a Van Service?

TL;DR: One professional driver, one cargo van, loading and unloading included — the leanest moving option for small loads in Montreal.

A man with a van is exactly what it sounds like: a single professional driver shows up at your door with a high-roof cargo van (think Mercedes Sprinter), loads your items, drives to the destination, and unloads. No three-person crew. No semi-truck. No $600 minimum. It's the smallest, most efficient unit a professional mover can deploy — and for the right scenario, it's all you need.

The concept is straightforward, but the details matter. Here's how a man with a van in Montreal from CNS Logistics compares to the alternatives:

Man with a Van vs. Full Moving Crew: A full crew typically means two to three movers plus a 16- to 26-foot truck. That's the right call for a 4½ or larger apartment. But for a studio, a partial move, or a single item? You're paying for capacity you don't need. A man with a van gives you one professional and ~400 cubic feet of cargo space — enough for a studio's entire contents or a handful of large items.

Man with a Van vs. Renting a U-Haul: With U-Haul, you drive. You load. You navigate Montreal's one-way streets and spiral staircases solo. You return the truck. You're also not insured for your belongings — U-Haul's coverage protects their vehicle, not your furniture. With CNS Logistics' man with a van service, the driver handles everything. You don't touch the steering wheel or the heavy lifting.

Man with a Van vs. "That Guy on Kijiji": Every September, Montreal Kijiji fills up with posts offering $50 moves in a pickup truck. No NIR licence. No insurance. No written quote. If they drop your TV on the sidewalk or scratch your hardwood on the way out, you have zero legal recourse. Quebec law requires commercial movers to hold a valid NIR licence — it's not optional. CNS Logistics is NIR licensed, carries $5 million in Intact Insurance coverage, and provides a written estimate before any item leaves your apartment.

The van itself: CNS operates high-roof cargo vans with approximately 400 cubic feet of interior space — roughly equivalent to a 10-foot moving truck. Each van comes equipped with moving blankets, furniture pads, ratchet straps, a furniture dolly, and a hand truck. The driver arrives with everything needed to protect and secure your items. No rental fees for equipment. No stopping at Home Depot for blankets.

How Much Does a Man with a Van Cost in Montreal in 2026?

TL;DR: CNS Logistics charges $89/hour for a solo driver or $124/hour with a helper. Two-hour minimum means your base cost is $178.

Pricing for man with a van Montreal services in 2026 is hourly-based. At CNS Logistics, the rate structure is transparent:

• 1 driver, 1 cargo van: $89/hour
• 1 driver + 1 helper, 1 cargo van: $124/hour
• Minimum booking: 2 hours
• Base cost: $178 (solo) or $248 (with helper)

The clock starts when the driver arrives at your pickup address and stops when the last item is placed at your destination. Drive time between addresses counts — a 20-minute cross-town drive is part of the total. That's standard across the industry.

Here's what typical small moves in Montreal actually cost with CNS Logistics in 2026:

• Studio/1½ move (local, elevator or ground floor): $178–$267 (2–3 hours, solo driver)
• 2½ apartment (local, partial load): $267–$356 (3–4 hours, solo or with helper)
• Single item delivery (mattress, sofa, desk): $178 (2-hour minimum applies)
• Student semester move (dorm → apartment): $178–$267 (2–3 hours)
• Furniture pickup (IKEA, Marketplace, store): $178 (2-hour minimum)
• Long-distance van move (Montreal → Toronto): Quote-based — request a free estimate

What's included in the hourly rate: the van, the driver's labour, all equipment (blankets, straps, dolly, hand truck), fuel for local moves, and $5 million in Intact Insurance coverage.

What could cost extra: packing materials if you need boxes or tape on-site, disassembly/reassembly of complex furniture (IKEA beds with 47 bolts), and long-carry fees if there's no parking within a reasonable distance of your building entrance.

Comparison Table: Man with a Van vs. Every Alternative in Montreal

The U-Haul option looks cheapest on paper, but add $40 for a furniture dolly rental, $15 for blankets, gas, and the stress of driving a 10-foot truck through Plateau one-ways — and you're not saving as much as you think. And you're certainly not insured if something breaks.

Seasonal pricing note: Unlike full moving crews whose rates spike 30–50% during peak season (June through August, and especially July 1st — Quebec's provincial moving day), man with a van pricing from CNS Logistics stays at $89/hour year-round. The hourly rate doesn't change. What does change is availability — during peak weeks, same-day booking is harder to get. Book 1–2 weeks ahead during summer, and you'll lock in the same $89/hour rate as a quiet Tuesday in November.

Tipping: Not required, never expected. If your CNS driver navigates three flights of spiral stairs in the rain without a single scratch on your furniture, a $20 tip is a kind gesture — but it's entirely at your discretion. CNS Logistics pays its drivers a living wage; tips are a bonus, not a subsidy.

For budget-friendly moving in Montreal, a man with a van from CNS Logistics hits the sweet spot: professional, insured, and still under $300 for most small moves.

What Fits in a Cargo Van? The CNS Logistics Capacity Guide

TL;DR: A high-roof cargo van holds ~400 cubic feet — equivalent to a 10-foot truck. Enough for a studio, a 2½ partial load, or up to 8 large items.

The cargo vans in CNS Logistics' fleet are high-roof models with approximately these interior dimensions: 12 feet long × 6 feet wide × 6.5 feet tall = ~400 cubic feet. That's roughly the same usable space as a U-Haul 10-foot truck.

Here's what that means in real-world Montreal apartment terms:

Full studio / 1½ load — Yes, it fits ✓

• Queen bed frame + mattress
• Desk + office chair
• Dresser (6-drawer)
• Nightstand
• 10–12 moving boxes
• 2 garbage bags of clothes/bedding
• Floor lamp, small bookshelf

Partial 2½ load — Yes ✓

• Queen bed + mattress
• Dresser
• Small loveseat or futon
• 15 boxes
• Kitchen essentials (pots, dishes in boxes)

Single-item deliveries — Absolutely ✓

• King-size mattress ✓
• 3-seat sofa ✓
• Dining table + 4 chairs ✓
• Washer OR dryer ✓
• 60" TV (boxed) ✓
• IKEA KALLAX 5×5 (boxed) ✓

What does NOT fit in a single cargo van load ✗

• Upright piano — too heavy for one person, too tall for the van. You need CNS Logistics' dedicated piano movers.
• Pool table — same issue: weight and dimensions exceed van capacity.
• Full 4½ apartment — you'll need a truck and crew. See residential moving services.
• Full 5½ or house — definitely needs a full crew.

Pro tips for maximizing van space: Disassemble IKEA furniture (bed frames, desks, shelving). Remove legs from dining and coffee tables. Use mattress bags to compress bedding. Stand dressers upright. Stack boxes heaviest-on-bottom. The CNS driver will Tetris everything efficiently — but you'll save time (and money, since you're paying hourly) by having items ready to load.

Man with a Van for Students in Montreal — CNS Logistics Student Moving Guide

TL;DR: Montreal has 170,000+ students across 10+ campuses. A man with a van is the cheapest professional way to move a dorm room or student apartment — $178 to $267 for most student moves.

Montreal is one of North America's largest university cities. Over 170,000 students attend institutions across the island and beyond — and a huge percentage of them move at least once a year. That's tens of thousands of student moves in Montreal every September, every May, and every July 1st.

Here are the campuses CNS Logistics serves and the typical moving scenarios for each:

McGill University — Downtown + Macdonald Campus: Downtown McGill students cluster in the Milton-Parc ghetto, the Plateau, and along Sherbrooke. Summer moves from dorms (New Rez, Solin Hall, La Citadelle) to off-campus apartments are a May/August ritual. Macdonald Campus in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue is a longer haul — perfect for a van move since most students there travel light. If you're searching for McGill movers, a man with a van handles 90% of student loads.

Concordia University — SGW + Loyola: Sir George Williams campus is downtown (Guy-Concordia metro), Loyola is in NDG. Students constantly move between these corridors and into nearby neighbourhoods like Côte-des-Neiges, Westmount, and Verdun.

Université de Montréal, HEC Montréal, Polytechnique: The Côte-des-Neiges and Outremont corridor. Dense apartment buildings, many walk-ups, heavy student turnover every lease cycle.

UQAM: Latin Quarter, Quartier des Spectacles, Village. Compact apartments, tight streets, and July 1st chaos at its peak.

Dawson, Vanier, John Abbott, Marianopolis, LaSalle College: CEGEP students are often doing their very first move — from a parent's home in Laval or the West Island into a downtown apartment. A man with a van is ideal: one load, one trip, done.

What a typical student move costs with CNS Logistics:

• Dorm → apartment (within the same borough): $178 (2 hours)
• Apartment → apartment (cross-town): $178–$267 (2–3 hours)
• Apartment → parents' house in Laval/West Island/South Shore: $178–$267 (2–3 hours)

CNS Logistics offers student and senior discounts — ask when booking.

Peak student moving periods to book early:

• May 1: End of winter semester, lease transitions
• August 15 – September 1: Fall semester start, residence → apartment moves
• December: International students going home, sublets starting
• July 1: The province-wide moving day — book CNS by April if you're moving on this date

A safety warning for students: Every September, unlicensed "movers" on Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace offer student moves for $50–$80. These operations carry no NIR licence, no insurance, and often show up with a minivan or pickup truck instead of a proper cargo van. If they damage your belongings or simply don't show up, you have no recourse. In Quebec, commercial moving without a NIR licence is illegal. CNS Logistics is NIR licensed, carries $5 million in Intact Insurance, and provides a written estimate before loading a single box. For $178, peace of mind is worth the difference.

Tips for student moves: Pack everything before the driver arrives — you're paying hourly. Confirm building access (buzz codes, elevator booking, loading dock hours) the day before. If your building has a service elevator, book it. Have your keys ready for both addresses. Label boxes by room. And if you're on the third floor of a Plateau walk-up with spiral staircases, budget the $35/hour helper — it'll go twice as fast.

International students — special considerations: If you're arriving from abroad and don't have furniture yet, a man with a van is also the right service for your initial IKEA run. Many international students at McGill and Concordia land, stay in temporary housing for a week, then furnish a new apartment all at once. CNS Logistics can do a multi-stop pickup: IKEA Boucherville for furniture, Costco for household essentials, then deliver everything to your new place in one trip. Budget 3–4 hours ($267–$356) for a two-store run.

The roommate split: Moving with roommates into a shared apartment? If each person has a studio's worth of belongings, one van load usually handles two people's combined items. Split the $178–$267 cost two or three ways and you're looking at $60–$90 per person for a fully insured, professional move. That's less than most Kijiji quotes — and infinitely safer.

Man with a Van for Furniture Delivery in Montreal — CNS Logistics Delivery Guide

TL;DR: Skip the $79–$149 IKEA delivery fee and the 3–5 day wait. CNS Logistics picks up and delivers furniture same-day for $89/hour.

You found the perfect couch on Facebook Marketplace. The seller's in Laval. You don't have a truck. Sound familiar? This is the single most common reason Montrealers book a furniture delivery service in Montreal.

IKEA delivery alternative: IKEA Boucherville and IKEA Montreal (Cavendish) charge $79–$149 for delivery depending on order size, with a 3- to 5-day delivery window. CNS Logistics picks up from IKEA and delivers to your door same-day. The driver loads at the store, drives to your apartment, and carries the items inside. Two-hour minimum applies ($178), which covers most single-store pickups.

Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji pickups: Buying used furniture is a Montreal way of life — but coordinating pickup without a vehicle is the eternal problem. A man with a van from CNS Logistics meets the seller, loads the item, and brings it to your address. No borrowing your friend's car. No awkward "can you help me carry this down three flights?" conversation with a stranger.

Store pickups — any store, any item:

• Canadian Tire: Patio furniture, shelving units, storage systems
• Costco: That 75-inch TV that won't fit in your Civic
• Home Depot: Lumber, vanity cabinets, large hardware items
• Structube / EQ3: Sofas, dining sets, bed frames
• Brault & Martineau / Brick: Appliances, mattresses

Mattress delivery: A mattress delivery in Montreal is one of the most popular man-with-a-van bookings. CNS picks up your new mattress (from any store or warehouse), delivers it to your bedroom, and can coordinate disposal of the old one. King-size mattresses fit the cargo van without issue.

Appliance delivery: Washer, dryer, dishwasher, or stacked laundry unit. The CNS driver brings an appliance dolly designed for these loads. Note: for installation/hookup of gas or plumbing appliances, you'll need a separate technician — CNS handles the transport.

The Marketplace hustle — how Montreal really furnishes apartments: Let's be honest — half of Montreal's apartments are furnished via Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, and estate sales. You find a solid oak dining table in Laval for $150. A barely-used Structube sofa in Verdun for $200. A vintage dresser in TMR. The problem is always the same: how do you get it home? A man with a van from CNS Logistics is the answer. The driver meets the seller, inspects access (stairs, tight doorways), loads the item with proper blankets and straps, and delivers it to your apartment. No borrowed truck. No scratched doorframes. No "it fell off the back of the pickup on the highway" stories.

Estimated times for common furniture deliveries:

• IKEA pickup + delivery (Boucherville → downtown): ~2 hours ($178)
• Marketplace sofa (Laval → Plateau): ~2 hours ($178)
• Mattress store → your bedroom: ~2 hours ($178)
• Two-store pickup + delivery: ~3 hours ($267)

The Stairs Rule — When You Need a Helper with CNS Logistics

TL;DR: Ground floor or elevator building? Solo driver handles it. Walk-up with heavy items? Add a helper for $35/hour more.

Montreal's housing stock is famously vertical. The Plateau, Mile End, Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, and Villeray are dominated by 2- and 3-storey walk-ups — many with the iconic spiral staircases that make Montreal moving uniquely challenging. When you're booking a man with a van, stairs change the equation.

When the solo driver is enough ($89/hour):

• Ground-floor apartment with front-door access
• Condo building with a service elevator (Griffintown, Downtown, Nuns' Island, most new builds)
• House with a driveway (West Island, Laval, South Shore)
• Items under 50 lbs each (boxes, small furniture, bags)

When you should add a helper ($124/hour total):

• Walk-up apartment on 2nd or 3rd floor
• Spiral staircase building (Plateau, Mile End classic)
• Heavy items: queen/king mattress, sofa, washer/dryer, solid wood dresser
• Narrow hallways where two people need to navigate turns

Option A — You or a friend help (free): The CNS driver is happy to work with you or a friend as the second pair of hands. This keeps the rate at $89/hour. Just be honest about the stair situation when booking so the driver knows what to expect.

Option B — CNS helper ($35/hour added): If you don't have help, CNS sends a second person. The rate goes to $124/hour. For a 2-hour move with stairs, that's $248 total — still half the cost of a full crew.

Montreal reality check: if you're in the Plateau Mont-Royal, Mile End, or Rosemont and your building has an exterior spiral staircase, budget the helper. Trying to solo-carry a queen mattress up a spiral in January is how injuries happen.

Man with a Van for Long-Distance Moves — CNS Logistics Route Guide

TL;DR: Not everyone moving Montreal to Toronto needs a 26-foot truck. If your load fits a cargo van, CNS Logistics runs long-distance van moves at a fraction of full-truck cost.

Long-distance moving doesn't always mean a massive load. Maybe you're a student heading to Toronto for a co-op term with a mattress, 10 boxes, and a desk. Maybe you're relocating to Ottawa for a federal job and shipping most things later but need essentials now. Maybe you're sending a single piece of furniture to family in Quebec City.

CNS Logistics offers long-distance moving with a cargo van — same vehicle, same GPS tracking, same $5 million insurance, just a longer drive. Your items stay on one vehicle with one driver from pickup to delivery. No warehouse transfers. No consolidation with strangers' stuff.

Routes available for van moves:

• Montreal → Toronto: 550 km, ~5.5 hours
• Montreal → Ottawa/Gatineau: 200 km, ~2 hours
• Montreal → Quebec City: 250 km, ~2.5 hours
• Montreal → Sherbrooke: 150 km, ~1.5 hours
• Montreal → Trois-Rivières: 145 km, ~1.5 hours
• Montreal → Halifax, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton: Quote-based

Long-distance van pricing is quote-based — distance, load size, and timing all factor in. Request a free estimate here or call (514) 416-9610.

The advantage of a van move for long-distance is simple: you pay for the space you use. A half-empty 26-foot truck to Toronto is a waste of money. A cargo van carrying your actual belongings costs a fraction of the price — and everything arrives on the same vehicle, with the same driver, on the same day.

Who uses long-distance van moves? Students transferring between universities (McGill to U of T is one of the most common). Young professionals relocating for a new job who are shipping the rest later. People sending a single piece of furniture to family in another city. Seasonal workers who spend winter in Montreal and summer elsewhere. Divorce situations where one person is taking a partial load to a new city. The scenarios are endless — but the common thread is: your load doesn't fill a truck, so why pay for one?

How long-distance van moves work: CNS Logistics provides a flat quote based on distance and load description. The driver picks up in Montreal, drives directly to the destination (no warehouse stops, no consolidation), and delivers. Most Montreal-to-Ottawa runs complete door-to-door in 4–5 hours. Montreal-to-Toronto is typically an 8–9 hour door-to-door operation. Your items are insured for the entire journey under CNS Logistics' $5 million Intact Insurance policy.

How to Book a Man with a Van in Montreal — CNS Logistics Step-by-Step

TL;DR: Call (514) 416-9610 or fill out the online form. Get a written estimate. Van shows up. Done.

Booking a man with a van from CNS Logistics takes about five minutes. Here's the process:

Step 1: Contact CNS Logistics. Call (514) 416-9610 or submit the free quote form online. Both get you to a real person — not a call centre.

Step 2: Describe your move. Tell CNS what you're moving (a list of items or "studio apartment contents"), the pickup and delivery addresses, whether there are stairs or an elevator, and your preferred date and time.

Step 3: Get a written estimate. CNS Logistics provides a written estimate based on your description — estimated hours, hourly rate, and total range. No surprises on arrival. No "oh, the price went up because of stairs." The rate is the rate.

Step 4: Moving day. The CNS driver arrives at your pickup address at the scheduled time with the cargo van and all equipment. They load, drive, and unload. You supervise, or you go grab a coffee — your choice. The clock stops when the last item is placed.

Same-day booking: CNS Logistics often has same-day availability for man with a van moves, especially on weekdays. Call in the morning, move in the afternoon. It's not guaranteed during peak season (June–August, end-of-month), but off-peak it's frequently possible.

What to have ready before the driver arrives:

• All items packed in boxes or bags — loose items take longer to load
• Furniture disassembled where possible (IKEA beds, desks, shelves)
• Building access confirmed: buzz code, key, elevator booked, loading dock time
• Parking situation known: is there a spot in front? Do you need a no-parking permit from the city?
• Fragile items noted: the driver will blanket-wrap everything, but point out anything especially delicate

5 Red Flags When Hiring a Man with a Van in Montreal

TL;DR: No NIR licence, no insurance, no written quote = walk away. CNS Logistics holds all three.

The man-with-a-van market in Montreal has a legitimate segment and a shadow segment. Here are the red flags that separate the two:

Red Flag #1: No NIR licence. In Quebec, any company or individual charging for moving services must hold a NIR (Numéro d'inscription au registre) licence from the CNESST. It's the law — not a suggestion. If your mover can't produce a NIR number, they're operating illegally. If something goes wrong, you have no regulatory recourse. CNS Logistics' NIR licence is active and verifiable.

Red Flag #2: No insurance. "I'll be careful" is not an insurance policy. If an unlicensed mover drops your 65-inch TV or gouges your staircase railing, you eat the cost. CNS Logistics carries $5 million in commercial liability insurance through Intact Insurance — one of Canada's largest insurers. That coverage protects your belongings, your property, and the buildings you're moving in and out of.

Red Flag #3: Cash only, no receipt. No paper trail means no proof of transaction, no ability to file a claim, and no accountability. CNS Logistics provides receipts for every job.

Red Flag #4: No written quote. If the price is agreed over a quick text message and then changes when the driver shows up — that's a scam pattern. CNS Logistics provides written estimates before the move. The rate doesn't change on arrival because of stairs or distance that was already disclosed.

Red Flag #5: Shows up with a pickup truck. A man with a van means a cargo van — enclosed, weather-protected, equipped with straps and blankets. A pickup truck with an open bed is not the same thing. Your items are exposed to weather, road debris, and theft at every stop. CNS Logistics operates enclosed, GPS-tracked cargo vans only.

How to verify any mover in Montreal: Ask for the NIR number and look it up. Ask for proof of insurance. Get a written estimate. If they can't or won't provide all three, move on. Learn why CNS Logistics is different here.

Montreal Neighbourhoods — What to Know for Van Moves with CNS Logistics

TL;DR: Every Montreal neighbourhood has moving quirks. Here's what CNS Logistics' drivers know about each one — and what it means for your man with a van booking.

Plateau Mont-Royal: The capital of spiral staircases and narrow one-way streets. Most buildings are 2–3 storey walk-ups with no elevator. Street parking is permit-based and fiercely competitive. Plateau Mont-Royal movers from CNS know which streets allow double-parking for loading and which will get you towed in 12 minutes. Budget the helper for any heavy item in the Plateau — spiral staircases are not a solo job.

Griffintown: Almost entirely condo towers with service elevators and underground loading docks. This is the easiest neighbourhood for a man with a van — the driver can handle most loads solo. Book the building's freight elevator in advance; most Griffintown buildings require 48-hour notice.

NDG (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce): A mix of walk-up apartments on Sherbrooke and Monkland, and houses with driveways further west. Assess your specific building — if it's a walk-up on Monkland above a shop, you want the helper. If it's a duplex with a ground-floor entrance, solo driver works fine.

Verdun: Increasingly a mix of new condos with elevators along the Wellington corridor and older walk-ups inland. The newer buildings are easy; the older stock near de l'Église requires stair planning.

Downtown Montreal: Building access rules are strict. Most downtown towers require: advance elevator booking, insurance certificate from the mover (CNS provides this automatically), specific loading dock times, and move-in/move-out only during designated hours. CNS Logistics handles the paperwork for you — just let them know the building when booking.

Laval: Mostly houses with driveways and garages. Easiest loading conditions in Greater Montreal. The main consideration is bridge traffic — CNS Logistics' Laval movers plan routes around A-15 and A-25 peak hours to keep your van move on schedule.

South Shore (Longueuil, Brossard, Saint-Lambert): Similar to Laval — predominantly houses, good parking, straightforward access. Champlain Bridge traffic is the variable. CNS drivers know the optimal crossing times.

West Island (Pointe-Claire, DDO, Kirkland, Beaconsfield): Suburban houses with driveways and garages. Almost always a solo-driver situation. Longer drive times if moving to/from downtown, so budget 3 hours minimum for cross-island moves.

Saint-Laurent: This is home base — CNS Logistics headquarters is at 4590 Henri Bourassa Blvd W in Saint-Laurent. The neighbourhood is a mix of apartment complexes along Côte-Vertu and des Sources, and industrial/commercial zones in the Technoparc area. Response time for man with a van bookings in Saint-Laurent is the fastest in the city — often under 30 minutes for same-day requests.

Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie: Similar character to the Plateau — lots of walk-ups, some spiral staircases, active street life. The key difference is slightly wider streets and marginally easier parking. Still budget the helper for walk-up moves with heavy items.

Ahuntsic-Cartierville: More spacious than downtown boroughs. A good mix of duplexes, triplexes, and small apartment buildings. Generally solo-driver territory. Close to CNS headquarters in Saint-Laurent, which means fast dispatch times.

When NOT to Book a Man with a Van — CNS Logistics Honest Guide

TL;DR: A man with a van is perfect for studios, 2½ apartments, single items, and student moves. For a 4½ or larger, you need a full crew — and CNS Logistics provides that too.

Every service has a sweet spot, and a man with a van is no exception. Here's when you should book a full moving crew instead:

Your apartment is a 4½ or larger: A 4½ has a living room, dining area, one or two bedrooms, a full kitchen, and often a balcony's worth of outdoor furniture. That's 600–800 cubic feet of stuff — more than a single cargo van can hold. You'd need two trips, which doubles the time and cost, making a full crew more efficient. CNS Logistics' residential moving service handles 4½+ apartments with a 2–3 person crew and a 16- or 20-foot truck.

You have a piano: Pianos require specialized equipment and at minimum two trained movers. An upright piano weighs 300–800 lbs. A grand piano weighs 500–1,200 lbs. A man with a van cannot safely handle this — it's a two-person, specialized job. Book CNS Logistics' piano moving service instead.

You're moving a full house: Three bedrooms, a basement, a garage — that's a 26-foot truck job minimum. A cargo van would take 5–6 trips. Don't do that to yourself or your wallet.

You have extremely fragile or high-value items: Original artwork, antique furniture, or medical equipment. These items need custom crating, multiple handlers, and specialized transport. CNS Logistics offers specialized equipment moving for exactly these scenarios.

The honest calculus: if your total load is under 400 cubic feet (roughly a studio or small 2½), a man with a van is the smartest choice. If it's over that, get a quote for a full crew — it'll actually be cheaper per item than multiple van trips.

FAQ — 12 Questions About Man with a Van in Montreal

TL;DR: Every answer you need about booking, pricing, capacity, and coverage for CNS Logistics' man with a van service.

1. How much does a man with a van cost in Montreal?

CNS Logistics charges $89/hour for a solo driver with a cargo van, or $124/hour with a driver plus helper. A 2-hour minimum applies, making the base cost $178. Most studio and student moves in Montreal complete in 2–3 hours ($178–$267). CNS Logistics is NIR licensed and carries $5 million in Intact Insurance — the rate includes all equipment and coverage.

2. What's the difference between man with a van and full movers?

A man with a van from CNS Logistics means one driver and one cargo van (~400 cubic feet). Full movers means 2–3 crew members and a 16- to 26-foot truck. Man with a van is ideal for studios, partial loads, and single items. Full movers are better for 4½+ apartments and houses. Both services from CNS Logistics include NIR licensing, $5M insurance, and written estimates.

3. Can a man with a van handle stairs?

Yes — with a caveat. For light items and boxes, the CNS Logistics solo driver handles stairs without issue. For heavy items (mattresses, sofas, dressers) in walk-up buildings with spiral staircases, CNS recommends adding a helper at $35/hour extra (bringing the rate to $124/hour). Alternatively, you or a friend can serve as the second pair of hands at no extra charge.

4. Do you move students?

Absolutely. CNS Logistics serves students across all Montreal campuses — McGill, Concordia, UdeM, UQAM, Dawson, Vanier, John Abbott, and more. Student moves typically cost $178–$267 (2–3 hours). CNS offers student discounts and books thousands of student moves per year. Every student move is fully insured with $5 million in Intact Insurance coverage.

5. Can I book same-day?

Often, yes. CNS Logistics frequently has same-day availability for man with a van bookings, especially on weekdays and during off-peak months (September through May). During peak season (June–August) and end-of-month periods, same-day availability is limited — booking 3–5 days ahead is recommended. Call (514) 416-9610 to check.

6. Is the service insured?

Yes. Every CNS Logistics man with a van move is covered by $5 million in commercial liability insurance through Intact Insurance, one of Canada's largest insurers. This covers your belongings during transport, property damage at both addresses, and injury. CNS Logistics also provides building insurance certificates on request for condos that require them.

7. What fits in a cargo van?

CNS Logistics' cargo vans hold approximately 400 cubic feet — equivalent to a 10-foot truck. That fits the entire contents of a studio or 1½ apartment, or a partial load from a 2½. Specific items: a queen bed + mattress + dresser + desk + 10 boxes fits comfortably. A king mattress, a 3-seat sofa, or a dining table with 4 chairs all fit individually. Items that don't fit: upright pianos, pool tables, or the full contents of a 4½+.

8. Can you deliver furniture from IKEA or Facebook Marketplace?

Yes — furniture delivery is one of CNS Logistics' most popular man with a van bookings. The driver picks up from IKEA (Boucherville or Cavendish), any retail store, or a private seller on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji. Pickup, transport, and delivery into your apartment is all included. The 2-hour minimum ($178) covers most single-store pickups within Montreal.

9. Do you do long-distance with a van?

Yes. CNS Logistics offers long-distance cargo van moves on major routes: Montreal to Toronto (550 km), Montreal to Ottawa (200 km), Montreal to Quebec City (250 km), and beyond. Long-distance van pricing is quote-based. This is ideal for students, partial movers, or anyone whose load doesn't justify a full truck. Call (514) 416-9610 or request a free estimate.

10. How do I know if a man with a van is licensed?

In Quebec, commercial movers must hold a NIR (Numéro d'inscription au registre) licence from the CNESST. Ask for the NIR number and verify it. CNS Logistics' NIR licence is active and provided on every written estimate. Any mover who can't produce a NIR number is operating illegally — don't hire them, regardless of the price.

11. Can you move a mattress only?

Yes. Single-item moves — including mattress-only — are a core part of CNS Logistics' man with a van service. The 2-hour minimum applies ($178), which covers pickup, transport, and delivery of a single mattress (any size including king) within Montreal. The driver brings a mattress bag and blankets to keep it protected during transport.

12. What areas do you cover?

CNS Logistics' man with a van service covers all of Greater Montreal: the island of Montreal (every borough), Laval, the South Shore (Longueuil, Brossard, Saint-Lambert, Candiac), the West Island (Pointe-Claire, DDO, Kirkland, Beaconsfield, Dorval), and the North Shore. For long-distance, CNS serves all of Quebec, Ontario (Toronto, Ottawa), and Canada-wide. Headquarters: 4590 Henri Bourassa Blvd W, Saint-Laurent, Montreal.

Book Your Man with a Van — CNS Logistics Montreal

One van. One driver. Your stuff, moved.

Starting at $89/hour. NIR licensed. $5 million insured. GPS-tracked. Written estimates. No surprises.

Call now: (514) 416-9610

Or get a free moving quote online — most quotes returned within 2 hours.

CNS Logistics — Montreal's trusted moving company since 2017. Over 7,120 moves completed. Your small move deserves the same professionalism as a full-house relocation. That's what we deliver.