lenght of stay

Hi,

I'm self-employed (build websites) in Canada. I work from home and I plan to go live in the US for anywhere from 1-5 months.
If I'm not sure how long I will stay ( it will depend if I can find a sublease on an appartment during my first month there ) . so What would happened if I told them I was staying for 1 month but ended up staying for 5 months, what would happen?

They're not going to come and get you if that's what you're asking.

Will you be working while you're here? What are you going to tell them at the border is the purpose of your trip?

Ok Was just wondering mostly what would happen on my way back, would they know I stayed longer than I said I was if I decided to stay longer than the 1 month and what would be the consequence at the border on the way back if I stayed longer.
I guess I will probably have to check emails and such but I can't work while I'm there right?

No, technically, it would not be legal for you to work while you're in the US.

Nothing would happen on the way back. On the way back you talk to Canadian border guards, not US.

ok ty

Why not just say you are staying for 5 months? It's not illegal to stay that long. Just tell them what the plan is, you may stay up to five months, depends if you can find somewhere you can afford to stay.

It has to be said though unless you are using one of the new NEXUS cards they have no way of knowing when you left so it's unlikely to be an issue.