Typical Moving Services

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

It is possible that you have decided to move, but you are not even sure if the movers will be able to help you. Maybe you are wondering if your bed will fit through the doorway or if you need to pack everything yourself. Perhaps you are not sure if the movers will protect your home during the move. Simple Moves takes full responsibility to ensure that the process of moving is as efficient and smooth as possible. No matter if it is a small or a more significant move, residential moving or office moving, local relocation or long distance removals, you should always expect excellent service. Moreover, we always strive to provide the best service. Here are the typical moving services you can choose from at Simple Moves.

Residential Moves

The most common moves are private ones. They can differ by their size, the number of items which are heavy, hard to move or too big to move in one-piece. The price and the intensity of the move depend heavily on the amount of packaging also. You can always pack everything by yourself, but it is entirely reasonable to expect that the movers you hire will be capable of professionally doing it for you.

Simple Moves promises that the movers will always pay particular attention to your needs. They will cover your floor with floor protectors, pad-wrap your furniture and protect your mattresses using bags. The movers will take care of your every concern. It can be pianos, large cupboards, priceless paintings, beds that need disassembly and reassembly.

What is included in a standard residential move? Our team arrives with all the necessary equipment: furniture pads, floor runners, mattress bags, and basic tools for disassembly and reassembly. We also bring complimentary wardrobe boxes so your hanging clothes stay wrinkle-free during transport. Furniture is pad-wrapped before it leaves your home and stays protected until it is placed in your new space. Extras like full packing services, specialty item handling for pianos or antiques, and additional insurance coverage are available as add-ons based on your specific needs.

Local Moves

Local moves are relocations within the same city or metropolitan area, typically within a 50-kilometer radius. These are the most straightforward type of move and are usually completed in a single day. Whether you are moving from a studio apartment in downtown Vancouver to a townhouse in Burnaby, or from one neighbourhood in Surrey to another, a local move keeps things simple.

Local moves are typically priced on an hourly basis, which includes the crew, the truck, and all standard protection materials. The total cost depends on how much furniture you have, how many flights of stairs are involved, and how far apart the two locations are. For most one- or two-bedroom moves, you can expect the job to be done within three to five hours. Simple Moves provides a time estimate during the consultation so you know what to expect before moving day.

Long-distance Moving

The other types of moves which are pretty standard are long-distance moves. These involve relocations between cities or provinces, such as moving from Vancouver to Calgary, Toronto, or anywhere else across Canada. Long-distance moves require more planning because your belongings will be in transit for multiple days.

With Simple Moves, you would typically get a Promised Price based on a visual survey of your home. This means no surprises when the bill arrives. You could also choose our Dedicated Long Distance Moving service which is a lot faster than sharing a large van line tractor trailer. Dedicated service gives you an exclusive truck with direct delivery, while shared van line options cost less but take two to three weeks and come with the risk of delays and mix-ups.

Office Moves

Office moves are different from residential moves because there is usually much more furniture disassembly and reassembly needed. Desks, cubicle systems, boardroom tables, and shelving units all need to be carefully taken apart and put back together at the new location. Simple Moves knows that work computers, files, and sensitive documents should always be handled discreetly and securely.

Timing is also critical for office moves. Every day your business is disrupted costs money, so we work with you to create a moving plan that minimizes downtime. Many office moves are scheduled for evenings or weekends to avoid interrupting business operations. We can also handle phased moves where departments relocate one at a time, keeping your business running throughout the transition. If you are not sure if it is possible to disassemble the giant boardroom table, the answer is yes, and you can always depend on your movers who have much experience with that.

Packing Services

Not everyone has the time, energy, or supplies to pack an entire household. That is where our professional packing service comes in. Our trained movers know how to pack efficiently and safely, using the right materials for each type of item. Fragile dishes get individually wrapped in packing paper. Electronics are cushioned with foam and bubble wrap. Books are packed in small, sturdy boxes to keep the weight manageable.

You can choose full packing where we handle everything from kitchen drawers to closet shelves, or partial packing where we take care of just the tricky items like fragile glassware, artwork, and electronics while you handle the rest. Packing services are quoted separately from the move itself, so you only pay for what you need.

Storage and Warehouse Moving

Storage or warehouse moving is pretty frequent as well. There are lots of moving services available. Sometimes there is a need to store items somewhere until the new home is open and ready. Storage lockers or containers often make this job easy and are the best option. Do you have a restoration or renovation project and you are not sure how to go about it? Do you need a storage container delivered to your home? All of this is possible, and we can do it quickly and stress-free.

Our storage solutions work well for customers who have a gap between their move-out and move-in dates, or for those who are downsizing and need time to decide what to keep. Items are inventoried and stored securely, and you can access them when you need to.

Specialty Item Moving

Some items require extra care and expertise to move safely. Pianos, pool tables, hot tubs, safes, and large sculptures all fall into this category. These items are heavy, awkwardly shaped, and often extremely valuable, both financially and sentimentally. Moving them incorrectly can result in damage to the item, your home, or both.

Simple Moves has the equipment and training to handle specialty items. We use piano boards, heavy-duty dollies, and custom padding to ensure these items are transported without incident. If you have a specialty item, let us know during the consultation so we can bring the right equipment and allocate enough crew members on moving day.

Cleaning Services

Last but not least, after choosing from our typical moving services, move in or move out cleanings are also often needed. Simple Moves partnered with QikMaids.ca move related cleaners, because they are easy to hire, and you can expect their qualified cleaners to take care of your home.

How to Choose the Right Service Level

With all these options, it can feel overwhelming to decide what you actually need. Here is a simple way to think about it. If you have the time and energy to pack your own boxes and just need help with the heavy lifting and transportation, a basic moving service is the right fit. If you want a hands-off experience where professionals handle everything from packing to unpacking, go with a full-service move. If you have a gap between homes, add storage. If you have a piano or other specialty items, mention them upfront so the right equipment is ready.

The best way to figure out what you need is to contact Simple Moves for a consultation. We will walk through your situation, recommend the right combination of services, and give you a clear price so you can make an informed decision.

 

Maybe your move is not included above, but that makes it interesting! Simple Moves is open to any concerns you might have, contact us, and we will help you feel much more confident about your specific move.

What Does Full-Service Moving Actually Include?

The term “full-service moving” can mean different things depending on the company, so it is worth understanding what you should expect. At its core, a full-service move means the company provides both the labour and the trucks—you do not need to rent a separate vehicle or recruit friends. Beyond that, a quality full-service mover handles furniture disassembly and reassembly, applies protective wrapping to fragile and bulky items, and uses dollies and straps for safe loading.

Some companies include packing services in their full-service offering while others list it as an add-on. If you prefer to pack yourself, confirm whether the movers will still load pre-packed boxes or if they only handle items they packed themselves. At Simple Moves, we are flexible—whether you want us to pack everything or simply load and transport your self-packed boxes, we tailor the service to your needs and budget.

How to Compare Moving Quotes Accurately

Not all moving quotes are structured the same way, which makes apples-to-apples comparison tricky. Hourly-rate quotes should specify the number of movers, the truck size, and whether travel time is included. Some companies start the clock from their warehouse rather than your front door, which can add thirty to sixty minutes of billed time before a single box is loaded.

Flat-rate quotes offer cost certainty, but read the fine print. Many flat rates are based on an estimated volume of goods—if you have more items than anticipated, you may face overage charges. Ask how the company handles discrepancies and whether a pre-move walkthrough or video survey is included in the quoting process. Transparent companies welcome these questions; evasive answers are a red flag.

Book Simple Moves for Any Type of Relocation

Whether you need a simple studio apartment move or a complex multi-stop relocation with storage, Simple Moves has you covered. We are a full-service moving company with trained crews, well-maintained trucks, and transparent hourly pricing. Request your free quote or call (604) 398-4680 to get started.

Specialty Moves That Require Extra Planning

Certain items fall outside the scope of a standard residential move and benefit from advance planning. Hot tubs require draining, disconnection from electrical and plumbing, and often a crane or specialized equipment for removal from a fenced backyard. Pool tables need to be disassembled by a certified technician who can level and re-felt the table at the destination. Gun safes, commercial kitchen equipment, and industrial machinery each come with their own weight, access, and regulatory considerations.

Discuss any unusual items with your moving company during the quoting process. A transparent company will tell you upfront if they can handle a specialty item or if you need a subcontractor. Surprises on moving day—discovering a six-hundred-pound safe in the basement that was not mentioned during the quote—create delays and additional costs that are easily avoided with clear communication beforehand.