Moving Checklist BC

Our goal is to ensure your move is successful. We offer guidance on planning your relocation to help you remain composed despite the potential stress. Let’s delve into the intricacies of moving.

Your typical Moving Checklist for British Columbia

2 months out

1. Find a mover that fits your needs. Ask your friends and read reviews about movers in Vancouver! Some will charge a fixed cost, some will want to come and see what you have and give you an estimate or fixed price.
   Simple Moves created a Hybrid system, to give you options. You could either receive a pretty accurate Flex Quote on our site or call and book an appointment with one of our Move Plan Pros and get a guaranteed plan and price. Nothing beats having someone over of course because our Move Plan Pros will build a plan around your needs, however, the Flex Quote system from Simple Moves asks questions that uncover most moving scenarios that would typically come up to create an accurate online moving quote.
2. Decide whether you want your movers to pack and unpack for you.
3. Let the government know about your address change through one convenient portal: Address Change BC
4. Let your home-service providers know about your address change:
   • Telus phone number (604) 398-4680
     BC Hydro phone number (604) 398-4680
     Treo phone number (604) 398-4680
     Shaw phone number (604) 398-4680
     Terasen phone number (604) 398-4680
5. Let your children’s school know about your move.
6. Let your doctors know about your move.
7. Arrange a garage sale or trunk sale and donate your unloved furniture/items. If you want anything gone fast, Simple Moves suggests posting items in the free section of Craigslist. Pro tip: display your address, but not your phone number and mention in the ad that it is a first come-first serve deal! If something was taken, remove it from your listing, so people do not show up looking for what was already taken.
8. If you need to reserve an elevator, or two, do it now!

1 month out

• Time to start packing! Purchase plenty of packing materials, you can always return the unused items. Packing is exhausting, especially if you are sorting through items as you go. Leave plenty of time for the whole process and do it in 2-3-hour uninterrupted chunks. Pack what you will not need for the next few weeks and leave necessities to two days before the move. Pro tip: Label everything.
• Create a floor plan of your new home with the placement of your furniture. Label your furniture accordingly, so that your Simple Moves Crew can place everything where it belongs.
• Notify everyone else that needs to know about your new address, like your banks.
• Continue packing
• Start finishing up food from the freezer.
• Book our painters for a fresh coat of paint in the new home

1 week out

• Finish 99% of the packing (notice how much emphasis we put on this single task?), including a suitcase or box that has your emergency clothing, a toothbrush (don’t forget the paste) and a can of stinky sardines in stock. Just in case…
• Arrange for someone to look after your pets, children, parents
• Book our cleaning service for a good move out cleaning and to arrive into a clean home! We come back to vacuum after the move if it looks like we need to.
• Save computer files that are important in your cloud storage.

1-2 days before the move

• Empty freezers and fridges
• Pack your very last boxes
• Reserve a 4-car long parking spot for your moving truck

Yay! Moving Day!

• Charge your cell phone and confirm your number with your Simple Moves Team Lead.
• Confirm your new address with your Team Lead.
• Before your crew leaves to have lunch, please do a final walk through to confirm that we moved what we had to, not more or less. This is a crucial step.
• Wait for your movers at your new home. Remember, they will take a 30-minute lunch before arriving.
• Show your crew your new home and be prepared to be everywhere at once, so your movers know where exactly they should place your items.

Your Vancouver Moving Company’s task list

Simple Moves & Storage aims to simplify the moving process by offering a straightforward service, bolstered by robust systems and exceptional personnel. We realise our objectives through adherence to the Simple Moves Promise List. Throughout the move, your personable, skilled, and uniformed moving team will:

1. Pay special attention to your needs.
2. Place floor protectors.
3. Pad-wrap your furniture.
4. Protect your mattresses using bags.
5. Provide with complimentary wardrobe boxes.
6. Look after dismounting and rebuilding most furniture.
7. Place items in the appropriate rooms.
8. Smile and make the process more enjoyable for you.

Read More

Post-move Checklist: What To Do After You’ve Moved In(Opens in a new browser tab)

Tips for an easy and stress-free move(Opens in a new browser tab)

How to Handle Moving to a New House Positively(Opens in a new browser tab)

Dedicated Long Distance Moving(Opens in a new browser tab)

Are Moving Companies Essential Services(Opens in a new browser tab)

Post-Move Checklist: Settling Into Your New Home in 2026

The work does not stop once the moving truck is unloaded. Having a post-move checklist ensures you settle into your new home efficiently and do not miss important tasks during the excitement and exhaustion of your first days in a new space.

On your first day, focus on the essentials. Set up beds so everyone can sleep comfortably, unpack your kitchen basics for meals, and locate your toiletries and medications. Connect to your new home’s wifi and verify that all utilities are working properly, including water, electricity, gas, and internet.

During your first week, unpack room by room, starting with the most-used spaces. The kitchen and bathrooms should be fully functional within the first few days, followed by bedrooms and living areas. Leave less critical spaces like offices, guest rooms, and storage areas for later when the urgency of settling in has passed.

Within the first two weeks, update your address with all remaining organizations: subscription services, loyalty programs, magazine subscriptions, and any professional associations. Visit your new local post office to set up mail forwarding if you have not already done so.

Complete Change of Address Checklist for British Columbia

Changing your address is one of the most tedious yet critical tasks associated with moving. Missing even one organization can result in missed bills, lost mail, or administrative headaches down the road. Here is a comprehensive checklist for BC residents in 2026.

Government agencies: Use the Address Change BC portal to notify multiple provincial agencies in one step, including BC Services Card, BC Driver’s License, BC Medical Services Plan, and BC Hydro. For federal services, update your address with the Canada Revenue Agency, Service Canada, and Canada Post.

Financial institutions: Contact your bank, credit card companies, investment brokerages, and mortgage provider. Update your address on all insurance policies, including home, auto, life, and health insurance. Notify your employer’s payroll department for T4 and other tax document delivery.

Healthcare providers: Inform your family doctor, dentist, optometrist, pharmacy, and any specialists you see regularly. If you are moving far enough that you need new providers, request your medical records be transferred to your new practitioners.

Utilities and services: Set up or transfer BC Hydro, FortisBC (gas), water, internet, phone, cable, and any security or smart home services. Schedule disconnection at your old address to coincide with your moving day, and connection at your new address for the day before you move in.

Budgeting for Your Move in British Columbia

Understanding the full cost of a move helps you budget accurately and avoid financial surprises. Beyond the moving company’s fees, several additional expenses can add up if you are not prepared.

Moving company costs are typically your largest expense. For local moves in the Vancouver area, expect to pay an hourly rate for a crew of two to four movers plus a truck. The total depends on the volume of your belongings, the distance between locations, and any special requirements like stairs, heavy items, or packing services.

Packing materials are another significant cost if you are packing yourself. Boxes, tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, and specialty containers for mirrors and wardrobes can easily total $200 to $500 for a typical household. Choosing a full service move with Simple Moves includes many of these materials, simplifying both the process and the budget.

Do not forget the less obvious costs: security deposits for your new home, utility connection fees, cleaning services for your old home, new locks or key copies, and any immediate repairs or updates needed at your new address. Building a buffer of 10 to 15 percent above your estimated moving budget accounts for these unexpected expenses.

Moving with Children and Pets in British Columbia

Relocating with children and pets adds complexity to any move, but with proper planning, you can make the transition smooth for every member of your family. Children and animals are sensitive to the disruption of routine, and acknowledging their needs throughout the process makes a significant difference.

For children, involve them in the move at an age-appropriate level. Let them pack a special box of their favourite items, tour their new neighbourhood if possible, and maintain familiar routines around meals and bedtime even during the chaos of moving. On moving day, arrange for young children to stay with a trusted friend or family member so you can focus on the move without worrying about their safety.

Pets should be kept in a quiet, secure room or with a pet sitter on moving day. The constant opening of doors, heavy foot traffic, and noise of moving day can be stressful and dangerous for animals. Update your pet’s ID tags and microchip information with your new address before the move, and bring their bed, toys, and familiar items to your new home first to help them settle in.

If you are moving to a different city within BC, research veterinarians, pet-friendly parks, and any local pet bylaws at your new location. Some municipalities have breed-specific regulations or leash requirements that differ from your current area.

At Simple Moves, we understand that a move involves your entire family. Our full service moving packages are designed to handle the logistics so you can focus on what matters most: helping your family transition smoothly into your new home. From small moves in Vancouver to complete household relocations anywhere in BC, we bring the care and professionalism your family deserves.

Start planning your move with the experts. Call Simple Moves at (604) 398-4680 or get your free moving quote today.

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Get a Free Moving Quote From Simple Moves

Simple Moves is a full-service moving company serving Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and all of British Columbia. We provide the experienced movers and the trucks — you do not need to rent a vehicle or recruit friends. Whether you are moving across the street or across the province, we make every move simple.

Call (604) 398-4680 or request a free quote online today.