Are Moving Companies Essential Services

Are Moving Companies Essential Services in Canada?

When governments across Canada issue emergency orders or public health restrictions, one of the first questions homeowners and renters ask is: are moving companies considered essential services? The short answer is yes. Provincial and federal authorities have consistently classified professional movers as essential service providers, recognizing that Canadians cannot simply pause their housing needs during a crisis.

Updated for 2026 — this guide reflects the latest moving tips and pricing for the Greater Vancouver area.

At Simple Moves & Storage, we are proud to be a full service moving company that continued operating safely through every phase of public health restrictions in British Columbia. Below, we explain why moving services are essential, what regulations apply, and how to plan a safe, stress-free move regardless of what is happening in the world.

Why Governments Classify Movers as Essential

Housing is a fundamental need. People sign leases, close on home purchases, accept job transfers, and face family emergencies that require relocation — none of these situations pause for a pandemic or natural disaster. Here are the key reasons governments keep moving companies on the essential services list:

• Lease obligations: Tenants and landlords operate under fixed-date agreements. A tenant whose lease ends on the first of the month must vacate, and the incoming tenant needs access. Without movers, both parties face legal and financial consequences.
• Real estate transactions: Home purchases involve legally binding closing dates. Buyers who cannot move in on their completion date may face penalties, bridge financing costs, or even the collapse of a sale.
• Employment relocations: Essential workers — including healthcare professionals, first responders, and supply-chain workers — frequently relocate for new positions. Their ability to move quickly can have a direct impact on public welfare.
• Safety situations: Individuals fleeing unsafe living conditions, seniors transitioning to assisted care, and families displaced by disasters all need moving services on short notice.
• Public health: Professional movers follow safety protocols and use proper equipment. DIY moves often involve groups of untrained friends working in close quarters, which can create greater health risks than a regulated moving crew.

Essential Service Designations Across Canadian Provinces

During the COVID-19 pandemic, every Canadian province released a list of essential services. Moving companies appeared on each one:

• British Columbia: The BC government included moving and relocation services under “transportation” essential services. Companies like Simple Moves & Storage were authorized to operate throughout all restriction phases.
• Ontario: Ontario’s Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act explicitly listed “moving services” as essential under O. Reg. 82/20.
• Quebec: The Quebec government classified déménagement (moving) services as essential, which was particularly important given the province’s traditional July 1 moving day, when hundreds of thousands of leases turn over simultaneously.
• Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan: All three prairie provinces included moving and storage services in their essential services lists, recognizing the need for uninterrupted relocation capacity.

Move-out cleaning companies were also designated essential in most provinces, as landlords and property managers require professional cleaning between tenants for health and safety compliance.

How Professional Movers Keep You Safe During Restrictions

Being classified as essential means more than just being allowed to operate — it means adhering to elevated safety standards. Here is what a responsible full service moving company does to protect clients and crew:

Crew Health Protocols

• Daily health screenings before each shift
• Mandatory hand washing and sanitization between jobs
• Use of masks and gloves when required by public health orders
• Immediate isolation procedures if a team member shows symptoms

Equipment and Truck Sanitation

• Disinfection of truck interiors, ramps, dollies, and hand trucks between every move
• Sanitized moving blankets and padding
• Clean, sealed packing materials for every job

Contactless Service Options

• Virtual video estimates instead of in-home walkthroughs
• Digital contracts and e-signatures
• Contactless payment processing
• Minimal-contact delivery where crews place items without close interaction with clients

DIY Moving vs. Hiring Professional Movers During Emergencies

Some people consider handling their move themselves during times of uncertainty, thinking it will be safer or cheaper. In reality, a DIY move often introduces more risk:

Factor	DIY Move	Professional Movers
Contact exposure	Multiple untrained helpers, often from different households	Small, consistent crew following health protocols
Equipment sanitation	Shared rental trucks with unknown cleaning history	Company-owned trucks sanitized between jobs
Insurance coverage	No coverage for damaged items or injuries	Full liability and cargo insurance
Injury risk	High — untrained lifting of heavy items	Low — trained movers with proper equipment
Total cost	Truck rental + fuel + supplies + food/drinks for helpers + potential damage	One transparent quote covering everything

Planning Your Move During Uncertain Times: Step-by-Step

1. Book early: During emergencies, moving companies experience surges in demand as people rush to secure essential movers. Book at least two to three weeks in advance.
2. Get a virtual estimate: Most reputable movers offer video call estimates. Walk through your home on camera so the estimator can see your furniture and belongings without an in-person visit.
3. Declutter before the move: Fewer items means fewer touch points, a faster move, and a lower cost. Donate, sell, or recycle anything you no longer need.
4. Pack your own boxes if possible: This reduces the number of people handling your belongings. Use clean, new boxes and label everything clearly.
5. Prepare a personal essentials bag: Pack medications, important documents, chargers, toiletries, and a change of clothes separately so you can access them immediately.
6. Communicate with your movers: Let them know about any health concerns, building access restrictions, or elevator booking requirements at either location.
7. Ventilate on moving day: Open windows at both your old and new home to improve air circulation while the crew is working.

What About Move-Out Cleaning Services?

Move-out cleaning companies are also classified as essential services in most Canadian provinces. There are several reasons for this:

• Lease requirements: Most rental agreements require tenants to return the unit in a clean condition. Failure to do so can result in deductions from the security deposit.
• Health and safety: Professional cleaning between tenants helps prevent the spread of illness and ensures a sanitary environment for the next occupant.
• Strata and building regulations: Many condo buildings and strata councils require professional cleaning before a unit changes hands.

At Simple Moves & Storage, we can coordinate your move and connect you with trusted cleaning partners so everything is handled in a single, efficient timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still move if there is a lockdown in BC?
Yes. Moving services are classified as essential in British Columbia. You are permitted to relocate even during the strictest public health orders, provided you follow applicable guidelines.

Will moving cost more during an emergency?
Ethical moving companies do not engage in price gouging during emergencies. At Simple Moves, our rates remain consistent and transparent year-round. Request a free quote to see our current pricing.

Do I need to be home during my move?
We recommend being available by phone, but contactless moving options allow you to grant access without being physically present throughout the process.

Are long-distance moves also considered essential?
Yes. Inter-provincial and long-distance moves are essential services. Simple Moves handles relocations across BC and throughout Canada.

How Essential Service Designations Affect Your Move Timeline

During past emergencies in British Columbia — including the 2021 atmospheric river flooding and the COVID-19 lockdowns — essential service designations directly impacted how quickly people could relocate. Understanding this framework helps you plan more effectively:

Priority booking windows: During periods of high demand caused by emergencies, moving companies experience a surge in bookings. Because movers are essential services, they continue to operate, but their schedules fill up rapidly. If you know you need to move during an uncertain period, book your movers as early as possible — three to four weeks ahead is ideal, though two weeks may suffice during normal times.

Cross-border and inter-provincial considerations: Essential service status applies within provincial borders, but inter-provincial moves may encounter additional checkpoints or documentation requirements during health emergencies. When moving between provinces, confirm that your moving company carries the proper inter-provincial operating authority and insurance. Simple Moves & Storage handles long-distance moves across BC and to other provinces, with all the necessary certifications in place.

Building access during restrictions: Some condo buildings and apartment complexes imposed additional move-in/move-out restrictions during the pandemic, including limited elevator access and specific time windows. Always check with your building manager at both your departure and arrival locations about any current move-day policies, even after emergency restrictions are lifted — some buildings have kept stricter protocols in place permanently.

Emergency Preparedness for Movers: What Good Companies Do

The difference between a responsible essential service provider and a company that simply stayed open during a crisis comes down to preparedness. Here is what you should expect from a professional moving company during any emergency:

• Written safety protocols: A documented plan for crew health screening, equipment sanitation, and client communication that is updated as conditions change.
• Supply chain readiness: Adequate inventory of cleaning supplies, personal protective equipment, packing materials, and fuel to maintain operations without interruption.
• Staff training: All crew members trained on emergency-specific procedures, including how to identify symptoms, how to sanitize equipment, and how to maintain physical distancing while performing physically demanding work.
• Communication transparency: Proactive updates to clients about any operational changes, delays, or additional safety measures. You should never have to guess whether your movers are still coming.
• Flexible cancellation policies: Responsible companies offer accommodating cancellation or rescheduling terms during emergencies, recognizing that clients may face sudden health issues, quarantine orders, or changes in their moving timeline.

At Simple Moves & Storage, we maintained full operations throughout every phase of BC’s COVID-19 restrictions while implementing comprehensive safety measures. Our clients’ moves went ahead as scheduled, and not a single job was compromised by safety concerns.

What to Do If You Need to Move During an Emergency

If you find yourself needing to relocate during a natural disaster, pandemic, or other emergency, follow this action plan:

1. Confirm your moving company is operational: Call or email to verify they are still accepting bookings and ask about any modified procedures.
2. Check government travel advisories: If your move crosses municipal or provincial boundaries, verify that travel is permitted and note any checkpoints or documentation you may need.
3. Notify your landlord or buyer/seller: Communicate proactively about your move date and any challenges. In many cases, landlords and real estate lawyers can arrange flexible possession dates during emergencies.
4. Prepare your home for the crew: Open windows for ventilation, clear walkways, and have hand sanitizer available at entry points. If you or a household member is unwell, inform your movers immediately so they can take appropriate precautions or reschedule.
5. Have a backup plan: Identify a secondary moving date and temporary storage option in case your move needs to be postponed. Simple Moves offers secure storage solutions for exactly this kind of situation.

The Bottom Line: Your Move Cannot Wait, and Neither Can We

Essential service designation is not just a bureaucratic label — it reflects the reality that people need to move, regardless of what is happening in the world. Leases end, homes are purchased, jobs change locations, and families need to be together. Professional moving companies exist to ensure these life transitions happen safely, efficiently, and on schedule.

Simple Moves & Storage has been serving the Greater Vancouver area and all of British Columbia through every kind of challenge. Whether you are moving during calm conditions or navigating uncertainty, we are here to make your relocation as smooth as possible.