10 Moving Mistakes to Avoid in Metro Vancouver

Most moving problems are predictable — and preventable. Here are the ten mistakes that cause the most stress, cost, and damage on moving day in Metro Vancouver.

1. Not Packing Before the Crew Arrives

This is the most common and most costly mistake. Local moves are billed hourly. A crew that arrives to find unpacked rooms, loose items, and boxes that still need to be sealed will spend the first hour doing work you could have done the week before.

Fix: Have everything packed, sealed, and labelled before moving day. Start packing 3–4 weeks out.

2. Booking Too Late

During peak season (May–September) and at month-end, moving companies in Metro Vancouver book up weeks in advance. Waiting until the last week leaves you with limited options and potentially less experienced crews.

Fix: Book 3–4 weeks ahead during peak season. Even in off-peak months, 1–2 weeks notice is better than a few days.

3. Not Booking the Freight Elevator

In condo buildings, an unbooked freight elevator means waiting — sometimes for 30–60 minutes — while the crew stands idle. This time is billed.

Fix: Contact your building manager at least 1–2 weeks before your move date to book the freight elevator. Confirm the day before.

4. Packing Boxes Too Heavy

A large box full of books can weigh 80+ lbs. Boxes that heavy are unsafe to lift, risk injuring the crew, and frequently have their bottoms give out.

Fix: Use small boxes for heavy items (books, tools, canned goods). Medium and large boxes are for light, bulky items.

5. Not Labelling Boxes

Unlabelled boxes slow down unloading significantly. The crew has to ask where every box goes, or guess — and guesses are often wrong.

Fix: Label every box with the destination room and a brief description of contents. Write on the top and two sides.

6. Packing Valuables in the Moving Truck

Jewellery, important documents, cash, medications, and irreplaceable items should never go in the moving truck.

Fix: Pack valuables in a bag that travels with you in your car.

7. Forgetting to Disassemble Furniture

Bed frames, large desks, and sectional sofas that are not disassembled before the crew arrives add time to the move. The crew can handle disassembly, but it is billed time.

Fix: Disassemble large furniture yourself before moving day. Keep hardware in labelled bags.

8. Not Measuring Doorways

A sofa that does not fit through the doorway at the new address is a serious problem on moving day. It either needs to be disassembled (if possible) or left behind.

Fix: Measure your largest furniture pieces and compare them to the doorways and hallways at the new address before moving day.

9. Ignoring Hazardous Materials

Moving companies cannot transport gasoline, propane, paint thinner, pool chemicals, or other hazardous materials. Discovering these items on moving day creates delays.

Fix: Dispose of hazardous materials before moving day. Use Metro Vancouver's hazardous waste facilities.

10. Not Doing a Final Walkthrough

Leaving items behind at the old address is more common than you would think — especially in closets, under beds, and in storage areas.

Fix: Do a room-by-room walkthrough of the old address before the truck leaves. Check every closet, cabinet, and storage area.

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