Moving can be complicated, especially if you’re doing it on your own without the help of any moving companies. You have an entire household – or office, dorm, or any other location – to pack, and it can be a little overwhelming.
Here at Simple Moves, we understand the hassles associated with packing and moving, and we’re striving to make it as straightforward as possible for you, even if you’ve decided to DIY it! To help, here are some of the most common moving problems and moving tips to help you get around them.
Too many belongings
Many of us are familiar with this problem: you have too many keepsakes from your child’s baby years or too many pieces of antique furniture, and now that you’re moving, you may find yourself at a loss for how to move them. This is where our packing tips for moving come in.
When it comes to moving, sometimes the issue isn’t how much you have but how you pack it. Using professional quality moving boxes is an excellent place to start. From there, you need to be careful with how you place each item into the box. In a way, it’s quite similar to a puzzle. Doing so will allow you to fit as much as possible in each box.
You may also find this the perfect time to clean out your home. If there’s anything you find while packing that you don’t need, consider donating it. Or, if it’s broken or no longer useful, consider throwing it away. This will help you make room without giving up anything important.
Failing to plan your move ahead of time
Life can get busy, and, as a result, you may find yourself without a proper game plan the day of your move.
If you’re moving without a plan, the best thing you can do is go slow. Work through each room one at a time and make lists whenever you can to help you keep track.
Lost/damaged items
Many moving companies have insurance that can help you repair or replace any items that get lost or break during a move, but when you’re moving by yourself, you may not have that.
As a result, you’ll have to be extra careful to avoid losing or breaking your precious belongings. Thankfully, there are a few tips to help prevent this.
First, when it comes to preventing losing your items, try to only pack one room at a time. This will help keep you from losing your blender because it’s packed away with the lamp from the living. Suppose you’re able to make multiple trips. In that case, you can even try moving each room at once – this way, even as you unpack, everything stays together.
You can also use box liners – such as packing peanuts – to help prevent your belongings from breaking, as well as not over packing boxes.
Not enough packing materials
You’re down to the last room in your house to pack – but you’re also down to your last box. Thankfully, there are many ways to get around this issue.
First, you can always purchase more moving supplies in the middle of your move. While it may be a bit inconvenient, it is an option. You can also go to the new location and unpack and reuse the boxes you already have.
However, if you choose this option, remember that used boxes may not be as sturdy as new moving boxes.
Final Thoughts
Moving on your own can be tricky. Many issues can arise, many of which you may not be prepared for. To help make sure your move is as hassle-free as possible, consider hiring a professional moving company.
Simples Moves is a professional moving company specializing in both long-distance and local moves. To learn more or for an estimate, contact us at (604) 398-4680 or through our website.
Challenge: Underestimating How Long the Move Will Take
One of the most common surprises on moving day is realizing the process takes far longer than expected. What you thought would be a quick morning affair stretches into an all-day ordeal. This underestimation creates a cascade of problems — overlap with the next tenant’s move-in time, rushed handling of fragile items, and exhaustion that leads to poor decisions and accidents.
Solution: Build buffer time into your schedule. A two-bedroom apartment move typically takes four to six hours with professional movers, while a full house can take eight hours or more. Add at least two extra hours to whatever you estimate, and plan for breaks. If you are moving yourself without professional help, double your time estimate — it almost always takes longer than you think.
Better yet, hire a full service moving company like Simple Moves. Professional crews move efficiently because they do this every day. They have the right equipment, the right techniques, and the experience to anticipate and prevent delays. What might take you an entire weekend can often be completed in a single day with professional help.
Challenge: Navigating Stairs, Elevators, and Tight Spaces
Vancouver’s housing stock includes everything from heritage homes with narrow staircases to high-rise condos with strict elevator booking policies. These access challenges can turn a routine move into a logistical puzzle.
Solution: Communicate access details to your movers well in advance. Let them know about:
- Stairs — How many flights? Are they straight or spiral? Is there a handrail? Interior or exterior stairs?
- Elevators — Does the building require elevator booking for moves? What are the elevator dimensions? Is there a freight elevator available?
- Hallways and doorways — Are there narrow corridors or tight turns? Measure doorway widths if you have large furniture pieces.
- Parking — Is there loading zone access? How far is the parking spot from the entrance? Are there any time restrictions?
Professional movers like Simple Moves know Vancouver’s buildings intimately. Our crews have experience in virtually every type of building in the city, from walk-up apartments in Kitsilano to high-rise towers downtown. We bring specialized equipment like stair climbers, furniture dollies, and moving straps that make navigating difficult access points manageable and safe.
Challenge: Unexpected Moving Costs
Hidden fees are one of the most frustrating aspects of moving, and they are unfortunately common with less reputable moving companies. You receive what seems like a reasonable quote, only to be hit with additional charges for stairs, long carries, packing materials, fuel surcharges, or overtime on moving day.
Solution: Choose a moving company that provides transparent, all-inclusive quotes. When getting estimates, ask specifically about:
- Travel time charges
- Stair fees
- Long carry charges (when the truck cannot park close to the entrance)
- Fuel surcharges
- Packing material costs
- Insurance fees
- Minimum hour requirements
Simple Moves provides detailed, written estimates that account for the specific conditions of your move. We believe in transparent pricing with no surprise charges. When you receive a quote from us, you know exactly what you are paying for and what the final cost will be.
Challenge: Weather Complications on Moving Day
In Vancouver, rain is a factor for much of the year. Moving in wet conditions creates risks for your belongings, your floors, and the safety of everyone involved. Even in summer, unexpected rain showers can catch you off guard.
Solution: Prepare for weather regardless of the forecast. Keep plastic wrap and tarps available to protect furniture and boxes during loading and unloading. Lay down floor protection at both locations to prevent tracked-in water from damaging hardwood or carpet. Ensure walkways and ramps are clear of puddles and debris.
Professional movers come prepared for Vancouver’s climate. Simple Moves carries protective materials on every truck, including moving blankets, shrink wrap, and floor runners. Our crews are experienced in rain-day moving protocols that keep your belongings dry and your home’s floors protected.
Challenge: The Emotional Toll of Moving
Moving is consistently ranked among the top five most stressful life events, alongside job loss, divorce, and major illness. The combination of physical exhaustion, logistical complexity, and emotional attachment to your current home can be overwhelming, especially for families with children or elderly relatives.
Solution: Acknowledge that stress is a normal part of moving and take active steps to manage it. Delegate tasks to family members or friends. Take breaks when you feel overwhelmed. Maintain your regular sleep, exercise, and eating routines as much as possible during the moving process.
Hiring professionals is one of the most effective stress-reduction strategies available. When you know that the physical work is handled by experienced movers, you can focus on the emotional and logistical aspects of your transition. Simple Moves’ friendly, professional crews take pride in making moving day as calm and organized as possible.
The Case for Professional Moving Help
Every challenge on this list is significantly reduced — or eliminated entirely — when you work with a professional full service moving company. Simple Moves provides everything needed for a successful relocation: trained crews, fully equipped trucks, packing materials, floor protection, furniture blankets, and the expertise to handle any challenge that arises on moving day.
Whether you are facing a complex downtown condo move, a long-distance relocation across BC, or a small apartment move, our team has the experience and equipment to handle it. As of 2026, we continue to invest in training, equipment, and fleet upgrades to ensure every move meets the high standards our customers expect.
Do not let common moving challenges become major problems. Call Simple Moves at (604) 398-4680 or request your free quote online today.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Challenges
What are the most common problems people face when moving?
The most common moving challenges include having too many belongings, failing to plan ahead, lost or damaged items, not enough packing materials, underestimating the time needed, navigating stairs and tight spaces, unexpected costs, weather complications, and emotional stress. Professional movers help address all of these issues.
How can I avoid hidden fees when hiring movers?
Ask for a detailed written estimate that includes all potential charges — travel time, stair fees, long carry charges, fuel surcharges, packing materials, and insurance. Choose a company like Simple Moves that provides transparent, all-inclusive pricing with no surprise fees on moving day.
How do I move in the rain without damaging my belongings?
Prepare plastic wrap and tarps to cover furniture and boxes during loading and unloading. Use floor protection at both locations. Professional moving companies like Simple Moves carry protective materials on every truck and follow rain-day protocols to keep your belongings dry.
Is it better to hire movers or move myself?
Hiring professional movers is almost always worth the investment. DIY moves take longer, carry a higher risk of injury and property damage, and often cost more than expected when you factor in truck rental, supplies, fuel, food for helpers, and potential damage. Full service movers like Simple Moves include trucks, labour, and equipment in one transparent price.
How long does a typical move take in Vancouver?
A professional crew typically completes a one-bedroom apartment move in 2-4 hours, a two-bedroom in 4-6 hours, and a full house in 6-10 hours. Factors like stairs, distance, and the amount of belongings affect timing. Contact Simple Moves at (604) 398-4680 for an estimate specific to your move.
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.