Ultimate Moving Checklist for Vancouver: Week-by-Week Guide

Your Complete Moving Checklist for Vancouver

Moving is one of life’s most stressful events, but a solid plan makes all the difference. This week-by-week moving checklist is designed specifically for Vancouver and Metro Vancouver residents, covering everything from booking movers to updating your BC driver’s licence. Whether you’re moving across town or across the province, follow this guide to stay organized and stress-free.

Updated for 2026 — this guide reflects the latest moving tips and pricing for the Greater Vancouver area.

6–8 Weeks Before Your Move

• Research and book movers — Get quotes from at least 3 companies. Simple Moves offers free estimates with no obligation. Book early, especially for month-end and summer moves.
• Create a moving budget — Include movers, packing supplies, deposits, utility connections, and cleaning. Expect to spend $500–$2,000 for a local Vancouver move.
• Start decluttering — Go room by room. Sell items on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist Vancouver. Donate to local charities like Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver (they offer free pickup). Recycle old electronics at London Drugs or Best Buy.
• Notify your landlord — BC tenancy law requires one full month’s written notice (e.g., if you want to move April 30, submit notice by March 31). Use the RTB-33 form from the BC Residential Tenancy Branch.
• Review your lease — Check for move-out requirements: cleaning standards, patching holes, professional carpet cleaning, etc. Document the condition with photos.
• Confirm your new place — Sign the lease, arrange key pickup, and check move-in rules (elevator booking, loading dock access, moving hours).

4–5 Weeks Before Your Move

• Start packing non-essentials — Seasonal items, books, decorations, and rarely used kitchen items. Label every box with contents and destination room.
• Order packing supplies — Boxes, tape, bubble wrap, markers. Or ask Simple Moves about our packing services — we supply all materials.
• Get free boxes — Check local Buy Nothing groups, BC Liquor Store (great sturdy boxes), Costco, and grocery stores for free boxes.
• Arrange parking permits — If street parking is needed for the moving truck, check your municipality’s permit requirements. Vancouver requires a Moving Van Permit ($27.76/day) from the City of Vancouver Engineering department.
• Book elevator time — Most Vancouver condos and apartments require you to reserve the freight elevator for moves. Book as early as possible — some buildings have limited availability.
• Start address change list — Begin compiling everywhere that has your current address (see our address change checklist below).

2–3 Weeks Before Your Move

• Transfer or set up utilities:
  • BC Hydro — Transfer service online at bchydro.com. Give at least 5 business days’ notice.
  • FortisBC — If your new place has gas, set up an account at fortisbc.com.
  • Internet/TV — Contact your provider (Telus, Shaw/Rogers, Novus) to transfer or set up service. Book installation early — wait times can be 1–2 weeks.
  • Water — Contact your municipality if applicable.
• Forward your mail — Set up mail forwarding with Canada Post ($104.99/year online, or $132.99 at the post office). Covers domestic and US-bound mail.
• Pack room by room — Focus on one room at a time. Pack heavier items in smaller boxes, lighter items in larger boxes. Wrap fragile items individually.
• Confirm with movers — Reconfirm your moving date, arrival time, and any special requirements with your moving company.
• Arrange childcare/pet care — Moving day is chaotic. Having kids and pets looked after elsewhere makes everything smoother and safer.

1 Week Before Your Move

• Pack an essentials box — This stays with you (not on the truck). Include: toiletries, medications, phone chargers, a change of clothes, snacks, important documents, keys, basic tools, garbage bags, paper towels, and toilet paper.
• Defrost your freezer — Unplug at least 24 hours before the move. Clean and dry thoroughly.
• Disassemble furniture — Take apart bed frames, shelving units, and tables. Bag and label all hardware. This saves movers significant time on moving day.
• Confirm elevator and parking — Double-check your elevator booking and parking arrangements for both locations.
• Prepare valuables — Gather jewelry, important documents, passports, and irreplaceable items to transport personally.
• Clean as you pack — Clean each room as it’s emptied to reduce the workload after the move-out.

Moving Day

• Do a final walkthrough — Check every room, closet, cabinet, and storage area. Don’t forget the garage, shed, balcony, and storage locker.
• Protect your floors — Lay down cardboard or drop cloths in high-traffic pathways. Movers will have furniture blankets, but protecting hardwood floors helps avoid damage disputes.
• Be available to direct — Stay accessible to answer questions and direct movers about placement of furniture and boxes in the new home.
• Document everything — Take photos/videos of both old and new places. This protects you on damage deposit claims.
• Do a final meter reading — Note your electricity and gas meter readings for final billing accuracy.
• Lock up and hand over keys — Lock all doors and windows, return keys to the landlord or property manager.

After Your Move — First Week

• Update your address with:
  • BC Services Card / Driver’s Licence — Must update within 10 days via ICBC ($17 fee)
  • Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) — Update via My Account online
  • BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) — Update via Health Insurance BC
  • Banks and credit cards
  • Employer/payroll
  • Vehicle insurance (ICBC)
  • Cell phone provider
  • Subscriptions (Amazon, Netflix, etc.)
  • Doctor, dentist, pharmacy
  • Children’s schools
  • Voter registration (Elections BC)
• Test all systems — Check that all utilities are working: lights, hot water, heat, stove, washer/dryer connections.
• Change locks — For security, consider changing or re-keying the locks on your new home.
• Unpack systematically — Kitchen and bedrooms first, then bathrooms, then living areas. Get sleeping and cooking set up before worrying about decorating.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving in Vancouver

How far in advance should I book movers in Vancouver?

Book at least 2–4 weeks in advance for most dates. For month-end moves (especially May–September), book 4–6 weeks ahead. Simple Moves can sometimes accommodate last-minute moves with 24–48 hours notice, subject to availability.

Do I need a permit for a moving truck in Vancouver?

In the City of Vancouver, you need a Moving Van Permit ($27.76/day) if the truck will occupy street parking or a metered spot. Other Metro Vancouver municipalities have different requirements — check with your local city hall. Most suburban areas (Surrey, Burnaby, Langley) don’t require permits for residential moves with adequate driveway parking.

Can I move on weekends in my apartment building?

Most Vancouver apartments and condos allow moves Monday through Saturday. Some restrict moves to specific hours (e.g., 9 AM–5 PM) and may prohibit Sunday moves. Always check your building’s move-in/out policy and book the freight elevator in advance.

What should I do if it rains on moving day?

Rain is common in Vancouver. Professional movers come prepared with furniture wraps, plastic coverings, and protective padding. At Simple Moves, we move rain or shine and take extra precautions to keep your belongings dry. Lay extra protection on floors to prevent tracking mud inside.

How do I handle my damage deposit?

Under BC tenancy law, your landlord must return your damage deposit (plus interest) within 15 days of move-out, or provide a written claim for damages with supporting evidence. Document the condition of your old place with dated photos and video at move-out to protect yourself.

Need help with your Vancouver move? Get a free estimate from Simple Moves — Vancouver’s trusted moving company with 400+ five-star Google reviews. We handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on settling into your new home.

Vancouver-Specific Moving Costs to Budget For

Moving in Vancouver comes with costs that do not always appear in generic guides. If you live in a high-rise, your strata may require a refundable elevator booking deposit—often between one hundred and five hundred dollars—and may limit moves to specific hours on weekdays. Check your building’s rules at least four weeks in advance so you are not scrambling to rebook.

Street parking permits for moving trucks are another Vancouver consideration. The City of Vancouver charges a fee for temporary no-parking signs, and applications typically need to be submitted at least three business days ahead. If you skip this step, your movers may have to park a block away and carry items a longer distance, which adds time and cost to an hourly-rate move.

Finally, factor in the cost of professional cleaning. Many Vancouver landlords require a move-out clean to a specific standard before returning your damage deposit. Hiring a cleaning crew—or budgeting a full day of your own time—is worth including in your timeline and budget from the start.

Neighbourhood-Specific Tips for a Smoother Move

Vancouver neighbourhoods each come with their own logistical quirks. Moving to or from Kitsilano and the West End often means narrow one-way streets with limited truck access—an experienced local moving company will know the best approach routes. In East Vancouver, lane-access homes can simplify loading if the truck fits, but heritage-home staircases tend to be steep and narrow, making furniture protection essential.

If you are relocating to a suburb like Burnaby, Surrey, or Coquitlam, consider booking your move for mid-morning to avoid the worst of Highway 1 congestion. A move that starts at nine in the morning with a clear freeway route can finish an hour sooner than one that begins during afternoon rush hour—saving you real money on an hourly rate.

Let Simple Moves Handle the Heavy Lifting

As Vancouver’s trusted full-service moving company, Simple Moves provides the crew and the trucks so you can focus on settling in. Our movers know the city’s permit requirements, building restrictions, and traffic patterns, making every relocation more efficient. Request your free quote or call (604) 398-4680 to get started.

Essential Vancouver Moving Day Tips

Vancouver’s unique geography means moving day logistics require local knowledge. If your move crosses a bridge—whether the Lions Gate, Ironworkers Memorial, or any of the Fraser River crossings—factor in potential delays. Bridge traffic in Vancouver is notoriously unpredictable, and a thirty-minute delay with a truck full of furniture means extra time on the clock. Experienced local movers know which routes to take and which times to avoid.

Parking enforcement in Vancouver is strict, especially in the West End, Kitsilano, and Gastown. If you have reserved a street parking spot for the moving truck, place the temporary no-parking signs at least twenty-four hours before the move and photograph the posted signs as evidence in case another vehicle parks in the reserved zone. If a vehicle is blocking your reserved space on moving day, contact the city’s parking enforcement line immediately rather than waiting—response times are usually under an hour.

Strata and Building Manager Communication

Most Vancouver apartment and condo buildings require advance notice for moves, typically ranging from forty-eight hours to two weeks depending on the strata’s bylaws. Contact your building manager as early as possible to book the freight elevator and loading dock. Some buildings restrict moves to weekday business hours, which may affect your work schedule. Ask about padding requirements for elevators—many stratas require the moving company to install protective blankets on elevator walls before loading begins, and some charge a fine if this step is skipped.

Explore our related services: affordable movers in Vancouver, moving cost calculator.