Moving From an Apartment to a House in Metro Vancouver

Moving from an apartment or condo to a house is one of the most common transitions in Metro Vancouver — and one of the most underestimated in terms of logistics. More space means more to move, different access challenges, and a whole new set of things to set up.

Here is what to expect and how to plan for it.

What Changes When You Move to a House

More Space — and More to Fill It

The most obvious change is space. A 3-bedroom house in Burnaby or Coquitlam might be 1,400–1,800 sq ft — significantly larger than the 700–900 sq ft condo you're leaving.

That extra space is exciting, but it also means:

• More rooms to pack and unpack
• More furniture to move (or buy)
• More time on moving day
• A larger moving truck (5-ton instead of 3-ton for most house moves)

No Elevator — But Easier Truck Access

Houses don't have elevators, which means everything goes up or down stairs. But they also typically have better truck access — you can usually park right in the driveway or directly in front of the house.

The net effect depends on your specific situation. A single-storey rancher with a wide driveway is often faster to move than a 3-storey condo with a slow elevator and restricted parking.

No Strata Rules

One of the biggest quality-of-life improvements when moving to a house is freedom from strata rules. No elevator booking, no move-in windows, no damage deposits to the building, no noise complaints from neighbours above and below.

You can start your move at 7am if you want. You can take as many trips as needed. You can park the truck wherever works best.

New Responsibilities

With a house comes maintenance responsibility that strata buildings handle for you. Budget for:

• Lawn care and landscaping
• Gutter cleaning
• Snow removal (rare in Metro Vancouver, but it happens)
• Exterior maintenance
• Appliance repairs (no strata to call)

Planning Your Apartment-to-House Move

Assess What You're Taking

Moving to a larger space is a good opportunity to reassess what you own. Some apartment furniture won't suit a house — a small apartment sofa might look lost in a large living room. Decide before moving day what's coming and what you're replacing.

Measure the New Space

Get the dimensions of every room, doorway, and hallway in the new house. Confirm that your existing furniture fits before moving day. A sofa that barely fit in your apartment hallway might not make it through a narrow Victorian-era doorway.

Plan for the Garage and Outdoor Areas

Houses often have garages, sheds, and outdoor areas that need to be set up. Plan where tools, bikes, and outdoor furniture will go. These items often get loaded last and unloaded first — make sure the garage is accessible.

Book the Right Truck

For most apartment-to-house moves, a 5-ton truck is the right choice. You're moving everything from a condo plus potentially buying new furniture for the larger space. A 3-ton truck may require a second trip.

Consider 3 Movers

If you're moving a full 3-bedroom house's worth of belongings, 3 movers can significantly reduce the total time. The extra $39/hr is often offset by 1–2 fewer billed hours on a large job.

Setting Up Your New House

Prioritize These Rooms First

1. Master bedroom — bed assembled and made, accessible on the first night
2. Bathrooms — toiletries and towels out
3. Kitchen — enough set up for a simple meal
4. Living room — a comfortable space to relax after the move

Things to Do in the First Week

• Change the locks — you don't know how many copies of the previous keys exist
• Locate the electrical panel and label the breakers
• Find the water shut-off valve — you'll need it in an emergency
• Test smoke detectors and CO detectors — replace batteries if needed
• Set up utilities — BC Hydro, FortisBC, internet
• Meet your neighbours — introduce yourself within the first week

Things You'll Need That You Didn't in an Apartment

• Lawn mower (or arrange lawn care)
• Garden hose
• Snow shovel (for the occasional Vancouver snowfall)
• Ladder (for gutters, light fixtures, etc.)
• Basic tool kit for home maintenance

The Cost of Moving From an Apartment to a House

An apartment-to-house move in Metro Vancouver typically costs more than a same-size apartment move because:

• More belongings = more time
• Stairs at the house (no elevator, but more carries)
• Larger truck required

Typical cost range:

• 2-bedroom apartment → 3-bedroom house: $800–$1,200
• 1-bedroom apartment → 2-bedroom house: $600–$900

These estimates include travel time and assume everything is packed and ready.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it harder to move from an apartment to a house than apartment to apartment? It depends. Houses have better truck access but no elevator. The bigger factor is usually the size difference — a house typically has more space and more belongings to move, which takes longer.

Do I need a bigger truck when moving from an apartment to a house? Usually yes. A 5-ton truck is the right choice for most apartment-to-house moves. If you're also buying new furniture for the larger space, plan for the extra volume.

What should I do first when moving into a house in Metro Vancouver? Change the locks, locate the electrical panel and water shut-off valve, test smoke detectors, and set up utilities. Then prioritize the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen before unpacking everything else.

How much does it cost to move from an apartment to a house in Vancouver? A typical apartment-to-house move in Metro Vancouver costs $600–$1,200 depending on the size of the move and how long the job takes. Most moves include approximately 1 hour of travel time.

Should I buy new furniture before or after moving into a house? After. Measure the new space first and see what fits before buying anything. Some apartment furniture looks out of place in a larger house — but you won't know until you see it in the space.

What strata rules no longer apply when I move to a house? No elevator booking, no move-in windows, no building damage deposits, no noise restrictions from strata bylaws. You have full control over your move timing and logistics.