Your Complete Moving Timeline for Metro Vancouver

A well-planned move is a smooth move. The difference between a stressful, chaotic moving day and a calm, efficient one almost always comes down to how far in advance you started planning — and whether you had a clear timeline to follow.

This week-by-week moving timeline is built specifically for Metro Vancouver, where month-end demand, strata elevator bookings, and BC-specific address change requirements add layers that a generic moving checklist does not cover.

Use this as your master planning guide from the moment you confirm your move date to the day you are fully settled in your new home.

8 Weeks Before Moving Day

Confirm Your Move Date

Lock in your move date as early as possible. In Metro Vancouver, month-end dates in September and October are the most competitive. The earlier you confirm, the more options you have for movers, elevator bookings, and truck parking permits.

Start Researching Moving Companies

Get quotes from at least two reputable moving companies. Look for companies with verifiable Google reviews, transparent hourly pricing, and clear answers about insurance. Book as soon as you find a company you are confident in — availability fills up fast.

Notify Your Landlord or Strata

If you are renting, give your landlord the required notice (typically 1 month in BC, but check your lease). If you are in a strata building, notify the strata manager of your move-out date.

Begin Decluttering

Start going through your belongings room by room. Donate, sell, or dispose of anything you would not pay to move. The less you move, the faster and cheaper the job.

6 Weeks Before Moving Day

Book Your Movers

Once you have confirmed your move date and done your research, book your moving company. Get written confirmation of the date, start time, crew size, truck size, and rate.

Book the Elevator (If Applicable)

If you are moving into or out of a condo or apartment building, contact the building manager at both addresses to book the elevator. Get the booking in writing, confirm the time window, and pay any required damage deposit.

Start Collecting Packing Supplies

Begin gathering boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, markers, and mattress bags. You will need more boxes than you think — a 2-bedroom apartment typically requires 40–60 boxes.

Notify Key Contacts of Your Move

Start notifying people and organizations of your upcoming address change: employer, bank, insurance providers, subscription services, and anyone who sends you physical mail.

4 Weeks Before Moving Day

Start Packing Non-Essentials

Begin packing items you will not need in the next month: seasonal clothing, books, décor, extra linens, hobby equipment, and anything in storage. Label every box clearly with the destination room and contents.

Arrange Parking for the Moving Truck

Check for street cleaning schedules, permit requirements, and any building rules about truck access at both addresses. If you need a temporary no-parking permit in Vancouver or another municipality, apply now — permits take time to process.

Confirm Utilities at Your New Address

Contact BC Hydro, FortisBC, and your internet provider to arrange service transfer or new connections at your new address. Aim to have everything active on or before your move date.

Arrange for Children and Pets on Moving Day

Moving day is not a good environment for young children or pets. Arrange for them to be looked after by a friend, family member, or professional service on moving day so the crew can work safely and efficiently.

2 Weeks Before Moving Day

Continue Packing — Room by Room

Work through each room systematically. Pack everything except daily essentials. Seal and label every box before moving on to the next room.

Confirm Your Elevator Booking

Call or email the building manager at both addresses to confirm the elevator booking is still in place. Confirm the time window, access requirements, and damage deposit process.

Confirm With Your Movers

Touch base with your moving company to confirm the start time, crew size, and truck size. Share any access details — elevator windows, parking arrangements, building entry codes.

Defrost Appliances

If you are moving a refrigerator or freezer, defrost it at least 24 hours before moving day. A refrigerator that has not been defrosted cannot be safely transported.

Arrange for Cleaning

If your lease requires you to leave your old home in a cleaned condition, arrange a professional cleaner for the day after your move. Booking in advance ensures availability.

1 Week Before Moving Day

Finish Packing All Non-Essentials

By this point, everything except your daily essentials should be packed. Your home should look mostly empty.

Disassemble Large Furniture

Disassemble beds, large shelving units, and flat-pack furniture. Keep all hardware in labelled zip-lock bags taped to the furniture piece they belong to.

Confirm Parking Permit

If you applied for a temporary no-parking permit, confirm it has been approved and that the space will be reserved on your move date.

Prepare Your Essentials Box

Pack a box or bag with everything you will need for the first 24 hours at your new home: phone charger, toiletries, a change of clothes, medications, kettle, toilet paper, and bedding. Keep this with you, not on the truck.

Do a Walkthrough of Your New Home

If possible, visit your new home before moving day to confirm utilities are active, identify any access issues, and plan where major furniture pieces will go.

2–3 Days Before Moving Day

Finish All Packing

Everything should be boxed, sealed, and labelled. The only things left unpacked should be your essentials for the next 2–3 days.

Confirm With Your Movers Again

Send a quick confirmation to your moving company with the start time, both addresses, and any last-minute details. Confirm the crew lead's phone number so you can reach them on moving day.

Charge Your Devices

Charge your phone, laptop, and any other devices you will need on moving day. Moving day is not the time to be searching for a charger.

Lay Out Floor Protection

Place cardboard or plastic sheeting near the front door and along the main path through your home to protect floors during the move.

Moving Day

Be Ready When the Crew Arrives

Have everything packed, stacked near the door, and ready to go. The clock starts when the crew arrives.

Do a Final Walkthrough Before Leaving

Check every room, closet, storage locker, and outdoor area. Look inside appliances. Check behind doors and in corners. Return all keys, fobs, and parking passes.

Be Present at Both Addresses

Be available at both the origin and destination to answer questions and direct where items go.

Inspect Your New Home Before Unloading

Before the crew starts unloading, photograph any existing damage in your new home — scratches on floors, marks on walls, chips in countertops.

Confirm Everything Is Delivered

Before signing off on the job, confirm that all items have been delivered and are in the right rooms.

The First Week After Moving Day

Update Your Address

Notify Canada Post (set up mail forwarding), your bank, ICBC, Service BC (driver's licence), your employer, and any remaining subscriptions.

Return the Elevator Padding and Collect Your Deposit

If you were in a strata building, return any elevator padding and follow up on your damage deposit.

Unpack Essentials First

Get the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen functional before unpacking everything else. Living out of boxes is manageable for a few days; having a functional kitchen and a made bed makes a huge difference.

Change Your Locks

If you are moving into a house, change the locks or have them rekeyed. You do not know how many copies of the previous keys exist.

Register With Your New Municipality

If you have moved to a new city (Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, etc.), update your address with the relevant municipal services.

Book Your Move With 4 You Moving

4 You Moving serves all of Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley with professional, hourly-rate residential moving. We are available 7 days a week and serve Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, New Westminster, Surrey, Richmond, Coquitlam, and the Fraser Valley.

• 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 lock in your move date.

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.