Updated for 2026 — this guide reflects the latest moving tips and pricing for the Greater Vancouver area.
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When Should You Book Your Movers?
When moving to a new home, planning is crucial. If you have done it before, you have probably learnt a few hard lessons along the way and know that being systematic and organized about your relocation can save you time, money, and a lot of stress. One of the first things you will need to do is find a reliable moving company, but all the good ones get booked up quickly, especially during peak moving season in the Lower Mainland.
At Simple Moves, we always try our best to offer clients the dates and times they want, but giving us a thirty-day heads-up goes a long way to ensuring that we are able to fit you in. Our advice is always to book early, and in this guide we will explain exactly why early booking matters, how far in advance you should plan depending on your type of move, and what steps you should take after securing your moving date.
Get the Movers You Want
Not all moving companies were created equal. Some offer basic services while others go the extra mile to ensure your goods are protected and handled with care. Many people make the mistake of treating a moving company like a dial-and-deliver service. As long as they have got a van, what more do you need, right? A lot, actually.
We have found that moving day can be a frantic and stressful experience for many people, especially if family and pets are running around, not to mention the emotions that come with saying goodbye to an old home and getting ready for a new adventure. Having a professional, experienced crew by your side makes an enormous difference in how the day unfolds.
Our team of expert movers is always ready and eager to help. We offer a wide range of services so that you can do as little or as much as you want. We will do all the heavy lifting, careful disassembling of furniture, and loading. We use sturdy and secure containers and packing materials that ensure all your items are neatly packed and labelled. If you would rather focus on settling into your new home, you can trust us to provide a thorough cleaning service of your old property and make it ready for its new occupants. To protect your belongings in transit, we carry comprehensive insurance that gives our customers peace of mind when they select us as their moving partner.
These are just some of the benefits that our clients enjoy when working with us, which is why we are often booked weeks in advance, particularly during the peak summer season. If you are shopping around for moving companies and do not want to miss out on the one that comes highly recommended, do not leave it too late. The best movers fill their calendars fast, and waiting until the last minute often means settling for whoever happens to be available rather than the company you actually want.
Recommended Booking Timelines by Move Type
The ideal booking window depends on the type of move you are planning. Here is a general guide based on our experience serving thousands of customers across the Lower Mainland and beyond.
For a local move within the same city, we recommend booking two to four weeks in advance. This gives you time to confirm details and allows us to assign the right crew and truck for your needs. For a regional move within British Columbia, plan four to six weeks ahead, as these moves require more coordination around scheduling and travel time. Long-distance moves that cross provincial borders should be booked six to eight weeks in advance because of the logistics involved in dedicating a truck and crew for an extended period. If you are moving during peak season, which runs from May through September, or on a month-end weekend, aim for six to eight weeks of lead time regardless of the distance. Office and commercial moves are the most complex and should be booked eight to twelve weeks ahead to allow time for planning around business operations.
Peak moving season in the Vancouver area runs from May through September, with month-end weekends being the busiest days on any mover’s calendar. If your schedule allows flexibility, booking a mid-week or mid-month move can sometimes save you both money and headaches because demand is lower and availability is greater during those windows.
Avoid Last-Minute Problems
When you have booked your movers in time and you are secure in the knowledge that you have your own dedicated team of helpers for the big day, you can start planning the ins and outs of your move with confidence. If you are unsure about something, you can always call your moving company and get advice or assistance from them to ensure that you are all on the same page. For example, you may want to check whether items you package yourself are covered by the company’s insurance, or whether there are restrictions on what can be transported.
There are a whole host of questions that may come up as you are getting ready for moving day, and having a reliable and knowledgeable team to lean on will help you make the right decisions. Communicating and planning your move with an experienced moving company will help to prevent any time drains on the day and ensure that everyone involved knows exactly what to expect.
Common Last-Minute Issues and How to Avoid Them
Elevator reservations are a frequent source of moving day delays. Many condos and apartment buildings require you to book a service elevator for moving day, and these slots fill up quickly. Secure your elevator reservation as soon as you have a confirmed moving date. Parking permits are another common issue. If your street does not allow large vehicles to park for extended periods, you may need a temporary parking permit from the city. Apply at least two weeks ahead to avoid scrambling on the day of your move.
Utilities transfer should be scheduled well in advance so there is no gap in service. Arrange for your gas, hydro, and internet to be disconnected at your old address and reconnected at your new one, timed to your move. Running out of packing supplies is another preventable problem. Stock up on boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and markers well before moving day, or ask your movers about packing services that include all necessary materials.
Long-Distance Moves Need More Planning
Understandably, cross country moves require a little more notice than local relocations. Your movers will have to dedicate a team and transport solely for your usage, and depending on the distance the travel may take at least a full day each way. Simple Moves offers storage and long-distance moving services, but it is important to know that many local moving companies do not travel to different provinces.
To avoid last-minute disappointments, you will need to find a company that is willing to go to your destination and make sure they have got space in their diary for you. Some companies will charge a premium if the booking is too last-minute because they have to rearrange their existing schedule, so save money and plan well in advance.
It is also important to remember that moving companies will have different sized trucks. If you are moving the contents of a large family home, you will want to ensure that the company you have chosen has suitable transportation for your needs. A truck that is too small means either a second trip, which doubles transit time, or items left behind. Communicating your inventory clearly during the quoting process prevents this from happening.
What to Do After You Book Your Movers
Securing your moving date is a great first step, but the work does not stop there. Use the time between booking and moving day to stay productive and organized. Here is a recommended action plan for the weeks leading up to your move.
Start by creating a moving checklist and breaking tasks into weekly milestones so nothing falls through the cracks. Begin decluttering room by room because the fewer items you move, the faster and more affordable your move will be. Check out our guide to 37 things to get rid of before you move for ideas on what to purge. Label everything clearly, marking each box with its destination room and a brief description of its contents. This simple step saves enormous time during unpacking.
About one week before your move, confirm all the details with your movers. Call to reconfirm the date, time, and addresses for pickup and delivery. Share any access codes, parking instructions, or special handling requirements so there are no surprises on the day. Finally, prepare an essentials bag with toiletries, chargers, medications, snacks, and a change of clothes so you are comfortable on moving day without having to rummage through packed boxes.
How Early Booking Saves You Money
Beyond securing your preferred date, booking early can also save you money. Many moving companies offer lower rates for moves booked well in advance because it allows them to optimize their scheduling and crew assignments. Last-minute bookings, on the other hand, may come with premium pricing because the company needs to rearrange their existing commitments to fit you in. Planning ahead is not just about availability — it is a genuine cost-saving strategy that benefits your overall moving budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book Simple Moves with less than two weeks notice?
We do our best to accommodate short-notice requests, especially for mid-week moves when our schedule tends to have more availability. Contact us and we will let you know what dates and times we can offer.
Is there a deposit required when booking?
A small deposit secures your date on our calendar and guarantees that a crew and truck are reserved for you. The remainder of the balance is due on moving day. We are transparent about pricing and there are no hidden fees or surprise charges.
What happens if I need to reschedule my move?
Life is unpredictable, and we understand that plans change. If your moving date shifts, reach out to us as soon as possible and we will work with you to find a new date that works for everyone. The earlier you notify us, the easier it is to accommodate the change.
Do you move on weekends and holidays?
Yes, we offer weekend moving services because we understand that many people cannot take time off work during the week. Weekend and month-end slots book up fastest, which is another reason to reserve your date as early as possible.
There are a tonne of things you cannot predict about your move, such as the weather, personal matters cropping up, or traffic on the day. Making sure you have booked your dream team of movers, however, will go a long way to alleviating the stress and ensuring that things go as smoothly as possible.
Ready to lock in your date? Call Simple Moves at (604) 398-4680 or request a free quote online.