How much does hedge trimming cost in Montreal in 2026?

Hedges are living fences. They give you privacy and block wind. But unlike a wooden fence, they don't stay in shape on their own. Skip a season or two of trimming and that neat cedar hedge turns into an unruly wall of branches that looks neglected and is harder to bring back under control.

In Montreal, hedge trimming starts at around $30 per hour. Across Canada more broadly, rates run $50 to $90 per hour. If you prefer per-foot pricing, expect $5 to $25 per linear foot. The average single hedge trimming job costs $200 to $600.

What drives those numbers, and how can you get the best value from your hedge maintenance budget?

Hedge trimming cost comparison

Hourly vs per-foot pricing

Most hedge trimming contractors offer either hourly or per-foot pricing. Each has advantages depending on your situation.

Hourly pricing works well for straightforward jobs where the hedge is in reasonable shape. If your hedges just need their annual trim, an experienced crew can move through the work efficiently, and you pay only for the time spent. Montreal's starting rate of $30 per hour is competitive, though rates climb depending on the contractor's experience and equipment.

Per-foot pricing at $5 to $25 per linear foot gives you a fixed cost regardless of how long the work takes. This is better for overgrown hedges, tall hedges that require ladders, or situations where you want a guaranteed price upfront.

The per-foot range is wide because a 3-foot boxwood hedge takes far less work per foot than a 10-foot cedar hedge that hasn't been trimmed in two years.

What affects hedge trimming costs

Hedge species. Cedar hedges are Montreal's most common. They trim easily and tolerate aggressive shaping. Privet and boxwood are also forgiving, but some species grow irregularly or have dense woody interiors that need more careful cutting.

Hedge height. Anything over 6 feet typically requires a ladder or elevated platform, which adds time and labour cost. Hedges over 10 feet may need bucket truck access, which drives the price up significantly.

Longer hedges cost more in total but often less per foot because the crew is already set up and working efficiently. A 20-foot section doesn't cost twice as much as a 10-foot section.

Condition. A well-maintained hedge that gets trimmed once or twice a year is quick to shape. An overgrown hedge that needs heavy pruning or selective removal of dead branches takes considerably more time.

Access. Can the crew reach both sides of the hedge? Hedges against fences, walls, or property lines where one side is blocked take longer to trim properly.

Debris removal. Some quotes include cleanup and hauling away the trimmings. Others don't. Clarify this before work starts because debris removal can add $50 to $150 to the job depending on volume.

How often should you trim hedges in Montreal?

Most hedges in the Montreal area benefit from two trimmings per season: once in early to mid-June after the spring growth flush, and once in late August or early September before the growing season ends.

Cedar hedges, the regional favourite, grow vigorously in spring and can look shaggy by June if left alone. The second trim keeps them clean going into fall and ensures they hold their shape through winter.

Some fast-growing species like privet may need a third trim in mid-summer. Slow-growing hedges like yew might only need one annual trim.

Skipping a year does more than hurt the look. Overgrown hedges develop bare interior zones because light can't reach the inner branches. Once that happens, you can't cut back to the old shape because there's no green growth to recover from. Regular trimming prevents this entirely.

Cedar hedge trimming: Montreal's most common job

Cedar hedges line properties across every Montreal neighbourhood. They're affordable to plant, grow relatively fast, and stay green year-round, which makes them the go-to privacy hedge.

A typical residential cedar hedge runs 30 to 80 linear feet along a property boundary. At $5 to $25 per linear foot, that puts most cedar hedge trimming jobs in the $150 to $600 range, which aligns with the $200 to $600 average job cost.

For cedar hedges, timing matters. Trim too early in spring and you'll stimulate excessive new growth. Trim too late in fall and the fresh cuts won't harden off before winter, risking branch dieback. The June and late August windows are ideal for this region.

Saving money on hedge trimming

Bundle your hedge work with other yard services. Contractors often give better rates when they can combine hedge trimming with lawn mowing or garden bed cleanup during the same visit.

Maintain a consistent trimming schedule. The less overgrown your hedges are, the faster (and cheaper) each trimming session will be. Two quick trims per year costs less in total than one major restoration trim on an overgrown hedge.

Get quotes in late spring rather than mid-summer when contractors are busiest. Early-season bookings often come with better availability and sometimes better pricing.

Getting your hedges trimmed

Whether you've got a short boxwood border or 100 feet of towering cedar, we can give you a quick estimate based on photos of your hedges.

Call Montreal Paysagement Pro at 514-900-3867 or send us pictures of your hedges for a fast, no-obligation quote.

Sources

• SpinBlade - Hedge trimming costs in Canada
• TaskRabbit Canada - Hedge trimming rates in Montreal