10 Moving Day Mistakes to Avoid in Vancouver

Moving day has a way of exposing every gap in your planning. Even people who feel well-prepared often hit avoidable problems that cost time, money, and stress. After years of moving homes across Metro Vancouver — from Yaletown condos to Surrey houses to North Shore townhomes — the same mistakes come up again and again.

Here are the 10 most common moving day mistakes Vancouver residents make, and exactly what to do instead.

Mistake 1: Not Booking Movers Early Enough

This is the most common mistake, and it sets everything else up to go wrong. In Metro Vancouver, moving demand peaks at month-end — especially the last days of September and October — and during summer. The best companies book up weeks in advance.

If you call a moving company a week before your month-end move date, you will either find no availability or be forced to book whoever is left — which is often not who you want handling your belongings.

What to do instead: Book your movers 3–4 weeks in advance for mid-month moves, and 4–6 weeks for month-end moves in September and October. The earlier you book, the more options you have.

Mistake 2: Forgetting to Book the Elevator

If you are moving into or out of a condo or apartment building in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, or anywhere in the Lower Mainland, you almost certainly need to book the elevator in advance. Most strata buildings require it, and many require a damage deposit on top of the booking.

Showing up on moving day without a confirmed elevator booking can mean waiting hours for access — or being told you cannot move that day at all.

What to do instead: Contact your building manager as soon as you have a confirmed move date. Book the elevator, confirm the time window, and get it in writing. Confirm again 48 hours before moving day.

Mistake 3: Not Being Ready When the Crew Arrives

On an hourly move, the clock starts when the crew arrives. If boxes are not packed, furniture is not cleared, or you are still deciding what to take and what to leave, you are paying for that time.

This is one of the most expensive mistakes on an hourly move. An hour of unpreparedness at $149/hr is $149 you did not need to spend.

What to do instead: Have everything packed, sealed, labelled, and stacked near the door before the crew arrives. Furniture drawers should be emptied or taped shut. Appliances should be disconnected. The crew should be able to start loading immediately.

Mistake 4: Underestimating How Long Packing Takes

Most people underestimate packing time by a factor of two or three. A 2-bedroom apartment that feels like a weekend job often takes 3–4 full days of focused packing. Starting the night before your move is a recipe for chaos.

What to do instead: Start packing non-essential items 3–4 weeks before your move. Leave daily essentials for the last 1–2 days. If you are running out of time, consider hiring the crew to help pack — it is included in the hourly rate.

Mistake 5: Not Arranging Parking for the Moving Truck

A moving truck that cannot park close to your door adds significant time to the job. Every extra metre the crew has to carry items adds up over dozens of trips. In dense neighbourhoods like Kitsilano, Mount Pleasant, Commercial Drive, and downtown Vancouver, street parking for a large truck can be genuinely difficult.

What to do instead: Check for street cleaning schedules, permit requirements, and any strata or building rules about truck access. If needed, apply for a temporary no-parking permit through the City of Vancouver or your local municipality at least a week in advance.

Mistake 6: Packing Heavy Items in Large Boxes

A large box full of books or dishes is nearly impossible to lift safely and is a common cause of box failure and injury. It also slows down the crew.

What to do instead: Pack heavy items — books, dishes, tools, small appliances — in small boxes. Pack light, bulky items — pillows, linens, stuffed animals — in large boxes. A properly packed small box should weigh no more than 20–25 kg.

Mistake 7: Not Labelling Boxes Clearly

Unlabelled boxes slow down unloading at the destination. The crew has to ask where every box goes, or boxes end up in the wrong room and have to be moved again. This adds time and cost to the job.

What to do instead: Label every box with the destination room and a brief description of contents. Write on the top and at least one side so the label is visible when boxes are stacked. Mark fragile boxes clearly on all sides.

Mistake 8: Leaving Valuables on the Moving Truck

Jewellery, cash, important documents, irreplaceable items, and medications should never go on the moving truck. Not because movers cannot be trusted, but because accidents happen — boxes get mixed up, items get misplaced, and in rare cases, theft does occur.

What to do instead: Transport valuables in your own vehicle. Keep important documents (passports, birth certificates, lease agreements, insurance papers) with you at all times during the move.

Mistake 9: Not Doing a Final Walkthrough

Leaving items behind is more common than people expect. Closets, storage lockers, under-bed storage, garage shelves, and outdoor areas are the most frequently missed spots.

What to do instead: Before leaving your old home for the last time, do a systematic walkthrough of every room, closet, storage area, and outdoor space. Check inside appliances (fridges, ovens, washing machines). Check behind doors and in corners. Return all keys, fobs, and parking passes.

Mistake 10: Not Inspecting Your New Home Before Unloading

Moving into a new home without documenting its existing condition is a mistake that can cost you your damage deposit. Scratches, dents, and marks that were there before you moved in can be attributed to you if you do not have evidence they pre-existed.

What to do instead: Before the crew starts unloading at your new home, do a quick walkthrough and photograph any existing damage — scratches on floors, marks on walls, chips in countertops. Send the photos to your landlord or property manager the same day.

Bonus: Not Having an Essentials Box

This is not a mistake that costs money, but it makes the first night in your new home significantly harder. Digging through 30 boxes looking for your phone charger, toilet paper, or a change of clothes after an exhausting moving day is miserable.

What to do instead: Pack a clearly labelled essentials box with everything you need for the first 24 hours — phone charger, toiletries, a change of clothes, medications, kettle, toilet paper, and bedding. Keep it with you in your car, not on the truck.

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• 2 movers + 3-ton truck: $149/hr
• 2 movers + 5-ton truck: $169/hr
• Extra mover: +$39/hr
• 2-hour minimum, flat 1-hour travel charge, no fuel surcharge

Call 778-200-8825 or get a free quote online to book your move.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common moving day mistake in Vancouver? Not finishing packing before the crew arrives. Every box the movers have to pack costs you time at the hourly rate. Have everything sealed and labelled before they show up.

What should I not pack in moving boxes? Do not pack hazardous materials (paint, propane, chemicals), perishable food, important documents (keep these with you), medications, or valuables like jewellery and cash. Keep these separate and transport them yourself.

Should I be present during my entire move? Yes — or have a trusted person present at both addresses. You need someone to direct the crew, answer questions, and do a final walkthrough at both the old and new home.

What happens if I forget to book the elevator for my condo move? The crew may have to wait for elevator access or carry items via stairs, adding significant time and cost. Always book the elevator at least 2 weeks in advance and confirm the day before your move.

Is it a mistake to move on month-end in Vancouver? Month-end moves are the hardest to book and the most stressful. If you can negotiate a mid-month move date, you will have more mover availability, easier parking, and less competition for elevator time.

What should I do if the moving truck cannot park near my building? Arrange parking in advance — check for street cleaning schedules, no-parking zones, and permit requirements. For downtown Vancouver buildings, contact the city about temporary parking permits for moving trucks.