The $200 Question: 2 or 3 Movers?
It's the question we get most often on the phone: "For my apartment, how many movers do I need?" The instinctive answer is "two, it's cheaper." And sometimes that's true. But very often — especially in Montreal — it's exactly the opposite: adding a third mover lowers the bill.
It sounds counterintuitive. Yet once you understand how a move is priced, the logic becomes obvious. In this guide we explain when to choose 2, when to choose 3, and why the number of movers has far more to do with your stairs and your elevator than with the size of your home.
The Price Depends on Hours, Not on Bodies
Here's the key point everyone forgets: a move is billed by the hour. The total is the hourly rate (which goes up with the number of movers) multiplied by the actual time spent on the job.
So the real question isn't "how much does one more mover cost?" but "how many hours will that extra mover save me?" If a 3rd mover turns a 6-hour job into a 4-hour job, you pay fewer hours — and the total drops, even at a higher hourly rate.
The Secret of Buildings With an Elevator or High Floor
This is where the 3rd mover becomes magic. Picture a condo on the 15th floor with a single elevator. With 2 movers, here's what happens: both load the elevator, ride up (or down) together, unload, then one of them waits while the truck gets loaded. There's constant idle time — someone is waiting for the elevator, or waiting for the other to come back.
With 3 movers, the roles split smartly: two pack and bring boxes and furniture to the elevator upstairs, while the third stays downstairs, receives the items every time the elevator comes down, protects them and loads them into the truck, placing everything properly. The elevator never "travels empty" on time, and nobody waits. The job moves without interruption.
The result: a move that would have taken 7 hours with two people can finish in 4.5 hours with three. Do the math — even at the higher rate, you often pay less, and the move is done before noon.
Montreal Stairs: Time's Enemy #1
Montreal is famous for its outdoor spiral staircases, its triplexes and its 2nd- and 3rd-floor apartments. Those stairs are beautiful… and brutal on moving day. Every heavy piece carried down a narrow staircase needs two people and a lot of time.
With a crew of 3, while two movers maneuver a sofa down the stairs, the third preps the next room, disassembles a bed or loads the truck. No wasted minute. In a triplex in the Plateau, Rosemont or Verdun, that's often the difference between finishing at lunchtime or late afternoon.
When 2 Movers Are Enough
Let's be honest: the 3rd mover isn't always necessary. A crew of 2 is the right call when:
- The home is on the ground floor or single-level
- Parking is close to the door, with no long hallway
- There are few or no stairs
- The volume is moderate: studio, 1-bedroom, or a small apartment without heavy furniture
- There's no shared-elevator wait
In those situations, adding a 3rd mover doesn't really speed up the job — the two movers never wait on each other — so keep the crew of 2 and pay less.
When 3 Movers (or More) Lower the Bill
Choose 3 movers — even for a small apartment — as soon as one of these factors is in play:
- High floor with an elevator (condo, apartment tower)
- 2nd, 3rd floor or higher with no elevator
- Outdoor spiral staircases (classic Montreal)
- Long path between the door and the truck (large lot, hallway, distant parking)
- Big furniture or heavy appliances (piano, fridge, washer-dryer, sectional sofa)
- Lots of boxes already packed and ready to go down
- Tight time window (limited elevator booking, July 1st moving day)
How PMG Advises You
When you call us for a quote, we don't just ask the size of your home. We ask the real questions: what floor are you on? Is there an elevator, and is it shared? Any stairs? A long path to the truck? Any especially heavy or bulky furniture?
With those answers, we recommend the crew that minimizes your total time — and therefore your bill. Sometimes that's 2, often it's 3, and occasionally it's 4 for big jobs. Our interest and yours are aligned: a fast, clean move with no nasty surprise on the invoice.
All our movers are covered by the CNESST and PMG carries full liability insurance. Whether you choose 2 or 3, your belongings are protected from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need 2 or 3 movers for a small apartment?
On a single level or ground floor, 2 are often enough. But as soon as there are stairs, a long hallway or an elevator, a crew of 3 works faster — and since we bill by the hour, a shorter job can cost less overall, even with one extra mover.
Why can 3 movers cost less than 2?
Because the price depends mostly on hours. In a building with an elevator, the 3rd mover stays downstairs to receive, protect and load while the other two come down. No idle time: the job finishes faster and the total hourly bill often drops, despite the higher rate.
How does PMG bill a move?
By the hour, based on the number of movers and the truck. We advise the most efficient crew for YOUR situation (access, floor, elevator, volume) to cut total time — not just the hourly rate. Free quote at 514-831-1764.
When are 2 movers enough?
When access is easy: ground floor, close parking, few stairs, moderate volume. In those cases a crew of 2 is efficient and economical.
What difference does a high floor without an elevator make?
A big one. The higher the floor and the fewer elevators, the more each trip costs in time. A crew of 3 spreads the effort, reduces fatigue and speeds up the job — protecting both your belongings and your bill.
Not Sure How Many Movers You Need?
Let us advise you. We assess your access, your floor and your volume, and recommend the crew that will save you money — not just the cheapest by the hour.