Vancouver movers and surrounding areas

Hourly pricing is the most commonly used pricing model in Vancouver. It’s simple, the company will provide you with an hourly rate and charge you based on the time it took to complete your move. They’ll also provide you with an estimated labor time, so they can precisely estimate the final cost. 

Flat rate pricing is uncommon for local moves in general, yet some companies in Vancouver like FlatRate Moving do employ it. It is common for large white glove moves or for long-distance moves. To provide a flat rate for your move, the company will need to precisely assess various aspects, including:

• A detailed inventory list to precisely estimate the weight of your items.
• How they will access your home.
• Detailed information about special, unique items that need to be disassembled and reassembled.
• Information about traffic conditions to and from your locations. 

On top of it all, they need to think of everything that could turn sideways on moving day, which leads them to adding a contingency in the quote. All of the above factors cause flat priced moves to typically be more expensive than hourly priced moves. 

There are two types of moving insurance protections: release value protection and full value protection. 

Release value protection covers the damage happening in the moving truck and can cover $0.60 per pound of the damaged item. The cost is typically included in the price and there is no deductible.  

Whereas full value protection applies to damage done in the moving truck and in your home. This can cover anywhere between $5 to $10 per pound of the damaged item. Expect to pay at least a few hundred dollars for full value protection and know that there is a deductible and that it will vary. 

All moving companies in Vancouver have diverse fee-related policies. Generally, packing and unloading specialty items will be an added cost to your moving bill for their fragility (extra protection required), weight (more workers required), and extra space they may take up in the truck (additional truck required). 

The moving company may charge extra fees for heavy items like sports equipment and appliances. Extra stair fees (above 2nd floor) and overnight or storage fees (if the move was not completed in one day), may be charged. Also, fuel fees could apply, especially for longer distances. 

In Vancouver, moving trucks are permitted to park in the streets as long as they are parked in valid parking spots and that the items are being either loaded or unloaded from them. 

Without a valid parking spot, you will need to apply for a temporary parking permit that is allocated for a maximum of 3 consecutive days. 

If a commercial vehicle is being parked in the street, it can be parked in a commercial vehicle loading zone for a maximum of 2 hours. 

Note that movers will usually take care of booking a parking permit for you. It is recommended that you discuss this with them as soon as possible to avoid potential fines.

How much should I tip movers in Vancouver? 

It is suggested to tip movers $5/hour each in Vancouver. We recommend tipping based on the quality of their work and their service, as well as your satisfaction. The tip should be given at the end once the job is done. Keep in mind that the tip is not included in the quote.

You can also show your appreciation with other small actions. For example, if you think the moving company did an excellent job, don’t hesitate to let others know. Leaving a good review helps moving companies build their reputation.

Yes, there are rules to follow when moving to or from a condo in Vancouver. It’s important to contact the strata council before you start planning your move to enquire about any specific rules or regulations such as:

• Elevator reservation: You might have to reserve an elevator for your moving day. It’s best to let the strata council know in advance because they will need to install padding in the elevator or request you to do so to avoid any damage.
• Parking: In Vancouver, moving trucks can park in legal parking spots as long as they are loading or unloading. If parked in an illegal parking spot, a temporary parking permit must be acquired. 
• Timing: It’s ideal to inquire about permitted times for moving to avoid bothering the other residents and ensure the premises will be cleared. Pro tip: If you move in the middle of the day on a weekday, it is likely that the move goes faster as there will be fewer people in your way. As soon as you know the permitted time for moving, let your movers know so that they can start planning. 

The best time to move in Vancouver to get a low price is from December to March. While the best time to move in Vancouver is completely dependent on your availability, you might want to consider the following before scheduling. 

• Low season: The low season begins in December and ends around March. School is in session and there are many holidays, making movers less busy and the prices are more flexible. 
• Weekdays: From Monday through Thursday, you will find the cheapest rates to move as generally people are working and not available to move. It is strongly suggested not to move during the end of the month and weekends as rates are more competitive. If you are living in an apartment or condo, during the week, you will be able to properly reserve the elevator and parking spots accordingly. Note: The City of Vancouver offers temporary street occupancy permits for move-in days, as long as they are notified 7 to 10 business days in advance.
• The weather: Although Vancouver does not receive much snow, it does rain for a huge portion of the year. If you plan to move during the months of January, February, March, April, October, November or December, be prepared to have proper waterproof gear as your furniture can easily get wet.

The distance of your relocation and the time of year you intend to move will determine how far in advance you should arrange your move. 

• Vancouver’s busiest moving season is during the summer months, from the beginning of June to mid-September. During this time, it is best to schedule your move between 6 and 8 weeks in advance. To secure ideal dates such as the beginning or end of the month, it is ideal to book as early as possible as leases will be up, making it extremely busy. 
• In Vancouver, during the slower seasons from December to March, you may book your move 1 month in advance as moving companies tend to have fewer contracts. 

Booking ahead of time is convenient as you will be able to find the most suitable company without the added stress. It also gives the moving company more time to organize, schedule and prepare for your move.

Written estimate: This is a document that must be given to you before the move and describes the estimated costs of your move. On your quote expect to see the hourly rate, the number of trucks and movers, the estimated labor time, the inventory list (weight/volume of items), the travel time, the truck fee(s), specialized item fees (if any), storage fees (if any), stair fees (if any), taxes, and the cost/details of the insurance of your choice (basic or extra). 

Bill of lading/work of order: This contract details the agreement between you and the mover, the terms and conditions of the move, and serves as a receipt for the items being moved. 

Packing material document: If you purchase any of these from the moving company, they will provide you with a document displaying each item. 

Revised written estimate: This is an updated version of the original written estimate and is only required if there are changes to the original moving plan. These changes may include additional items added, destination address changes, or unforeseen events. All of these can incur additional costs. 

A trustworthy mover will have you pay after the move is complete. Before move-in day, it is strongly recommended to review your moving quote to ensure you did not forget anything and that you fully understand it. Remember that if you did not disclose any specialty items that are oversized or heavy, you may be charged additional fees upon payment. 

Although it depends on each company, there are times when they will require a deposit of around $100-$250.  The deposit acts to secure the moving date.