Moving Checklist for First-Time Home Buyers in Vancouver

Buying your first home in Metro Vancouver is one of the biggest milestones of your life. After months of searching, offers, and paperwork, possession day finally arrives — and suddenly you need to actually move in. For many first-time buyers, this is where the stress peaks.

The good news: with the right checklist, moving into your first home can be smooth, organized, and even enjoyable. Here is everything you need to do before, during, and after your move.

6–8 Weeks Before Possession Day

Book Your Movers Early

Vancouver's moving market is competitive, especially in spring and summer. As soon as you have a firm possession date, book your moving company. Reputable movers in Metro Vancouver fill up weeks in advance — do not wait until the last minute.

When booking, confirm:

• The possession date and time (usually noon or 1 PM in BC)
• Whether you need packing services
• Truck size based on your current home's contents
• Whether there are stairs, elevators, or long carries at either location

Start Decluttering

Your new home is a fresh start. Before you pack a single box, go through every room and decide what comes with you. Donate, sell, or dispose of anything you have not used in the past year.

Less stuff means a faster, cheaper move — and a cleaner start in your new home.

Get Moving Supplies

Stock up on:

• Small, medium, and large boxes (avoid oversized boxes — they get too heavy)
• Packing tape and a tape gun
• Bubble wrap and packing paper
• Permanent markers for labelling
• Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes

4 Weeks Before Possession Day

Notify Everyone of Your Address Change

In BC, you need to update your address with a long list of organizations. Start early:

Government:

• ICBC (driver's licence and vehicle registration)
• BC Services Card / CareCard
• Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
• Elections BC
• Service Canada (SIN, EI, CPP)
• Passport Canada

Financial:

• All banks and credit unions
• Credit card companies
• Investment accounts and RRSP/TFSA providers
• Insurance providers (home, auto, life)

Utilities and Services:

• BC Hydro or FortisBC (set up at new address, cancel at old)
• Telus, Shaw, or your internet/cable provider
• Cell phone provider
• Canada Post mail forwarding

Personal:

• Employer (for T4 and payroll)
• Doctor, dentist, and other healthcare providers
• Subscriptions and memberships

Set Up Utilities at Your New Home

Do not wait until possession day to arrange utilities. Contact providers at least two weeks in advance to schedule connection:

• Electricity: BC Hydro or FortisBC depending on your area
• Natural gas: FortisBC (if applicable)
• Internet: Book an installation appointment — technicians are often booked out 1–2 weeks
• Water: Usually handled by the municipality; confirm with your realtor

Review Your Strata Rules (If Applicable)

If you are moving into a condo or townhouse in a strata corporation, contact the strata manager before moving day. Most stratas require:

• Advance notice of your move-in date
• Elevator booking (often 2–4 hours minimum)
• A damage deposit (typically $200–$500, refundable)
• Specific move-in hours (often 8 AM–5 PM on weekdays)

Failing to follow strata rules can result in fines and a very stressful first day.

2 Weeks Before Possession Day

Pack Room by Room

Start with rooms you use least — storage areas, guest rooms, seasonal items. Work toward the rooms you use daily (kitchen, bathroom, bedroom) in the final days.

Label every box with:

• The room it belongs in at the new home
• A brief description of contents
• Whether it is fragile

Colour-coded labels or coloured tape by room make unloading much faster.

Photograph Your Current Home

Before you start moving furniture, photograph every room. This protects your damage deposit if you are renting, and gives you a record of the condition you left the property in.

Confirm Details with Your Movers

Call your moving company to confirm:

• Date, time, and both addresses
• Any access issues (parking, elevator, narrow hallways)
• Your contact number on moving day
• Payment method

Possession Day

What to Expect

In BC, possession typically happens at noon or 1 PM. Your realtor will hand over the keys once the funds have been transferred. Plan your movers to arrive at your new home in the early afternoon.

Do a Walk-Through Before Unloading

Before the movers bring anything in, walk through your new home and check:

• That all appliances are present and working
• That no damage occurred between your final walk-through and possession
• That the previous owners have fully vacated
• That all keys, garage openers, and fobs have been handed over

If you find issues, document them immediately with photos and contact your realtor.

Direct the Movers

Have a floor plan in mind before the truck arrives. Tell the movers exactly which room each box goes to — this saves hours of shuffling later. Put coloured labels on each room door to match the labels on your boxes.

First Week in Your New Home

Change the Locks

This is one of the most important things first-time buyers overlook. You have no idea how many copies of the keys exist from previous owners, contractors, or property managers. Change the locks on all exterior doors within the first few days.

Test Everything

Go through the home systematically:

• All light switches and outlets
• Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors (replace batteries)
• HVAC system (change the filter)
• Water shut-off valves (know where they are)
• Dishwasher, washer, dryer, and all appliances
• Garage door opener

Set Up Your Essential Rooms First

Unpack in priority order:

1. Bedroom — you need to sleep comfortably from night one
2. Bathroom — toiletries, towels, toilet paper
3. Kitchen — enough to cook a basic meal
4. Living room — furniture placement and TV setup
5. Everything else — at your own pace

Register for HomeOwner Grant

If your property is assessed at under the threshold (currently $2.125 million in BC), you may be eligible for the BC HomeOwner Grant, which reduces your property taxes. Apply through your municipality before the deadline (usually the end of July for the current tax year).

Common First-Time Buyer Moving Mistakes

Underestimating how long packing takes. Most people need twice as long as they expect. Start earlier than you think you need to.

Not booking movers soon enough. In Metro Vancouver, good movers book up weeks in advance. Book as soon as you have a possession date.

Forgetting to cancel services at your old address. Internet, utilities, and subscriptions at your old home will keep billing you unless you cancel or transfer them.

Skipping the walk-through. Always do a final walk-through before the movers unload. Issues are much harder to address once your furniture is in place.

Not having cash or snacks on hand. Moving day is long and exhausting. Have water, snacks, and cash for tips ready.

How 4 You Moving Can Help

At 4 You Moving, we work with first-time buyers across Metro Vancouver every week. We understand the unique pressures of possession day — the tight timelines, the strata rules, the elevator bookings — and we handle all of it professionally.

Our rates start at $149/hr for 2 movers and a 3-ton truck, with a 2-hour minimum and a flat 1-hour travel time charge. No hidden fees, no surprises.

Get a free quote and let us make your first move into your new home one to remember — for all the right reasons.

Get a free moving quote from 4 You Moving — we serve all of Metro Vancouver 7 days a week. View our service areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does moving cost in Metro Vancouver? Moving in Metro Vancouver with 4 You Moving costs $149/hr for 2 movers and a 3-ton truck, or $169/hr with a 5-ton truck. There is a 2-hour minimum plus travel time. Most local moves cost $450–$1,200 depending on home size.

How far in advance should I book movers in Metro Vancouver? For summer and month-end moves, book 4–8 weeks ahead. For off-peak moves (weekdays, mid-month, October–April), 2–3 weeks is usually sufficient.

What should I do to prepare for movers in Vancouver? Have everything packed and labelled before the crew arrives. Disassemble furniture that needs to be moved in pieces. Clear pathways through the home. Confirm elevator booking if moving into a condo.

Does 4 You Moving serve all of Metro Vancouver? Yes — 4 You Moving serves all of Metro Vancouver 7 days a week, including Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, and surrounding areas.

What is included in the hourly moving rate? The hourly rate covers the crew and the truck. Moving blankets are always free. Packing materials (shrink wrap) are extra. There is no fuel surcharge.

How do I get a moving quote from 4 You Moving? Visit 4youmoving.com to get a free quote, or call 778-200-8825. Describe your home size, access conditions, any specialty items, and the distance between properties for the most accurate estimate.