Hiring professional movers can take a huge amount of work off your plate, but preparing properly before moving day can make the entire process faster, safer and more efficient. Whether you’re planning a move in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam or Surrey, knowing how to prepare for professional movers can help prevent delays, protect your belongings and keep your move organized from start to finish. At Easy Does It Moving Co., we provide residential and commercial moving services throughout these communities and across Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
1. Finish Packing Before Your Movers Arrive
One of the easiest ways to make moving day more efficient is to have your boxes packed and ready to go.
Unless you’ve booked professional packing services, try to have loose household items packed before the moving crew arrives.
That includes:
- Clothing
- Books
- Kitchen supplies
- Bathroom products
- Electronics and accessories
- Decorations
- Small appliances
- Toys and personal belongings
Clearly label each box with the room where it belongs at your new home.
Instead of simply writing “Miscellaneous,” labels such as “Kitchen,” “Primary Bedroom,” “Bathroom” or “Living Room” make unloading much easier.
2. Create a Separate Box for Moving-Day Essentials
There are certain things you probably don’t want buried inside the moving truck.
Pack a separate bag or box containing the essentials you’ll need during your first day and night in the new home.
Consider keeping these items with you:
- Phone chargers
- Medication
- Toiletries
- Important documents
- Keys
- Basic tools
- Change of clothes
- Snacks and water
- Pet supplies
- Children’s essentials
Think of it as your moving-day survival kit.
Once everything else is loaded, you’ll still have immediate access to the things you actually need.
3. Reserve Your Elevator in Advance
If you’re moving into or out of an apartment or condo in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam or Surrey, check with your building management well before moving day.
Many Metro Vancouver buildings require residents to reserve a specific elevator and moving window.
Your building may also have rules regarding:
- Elevator reservations
- Loading areas
- Move-in and move-out hours
- Elevator padding
- Parking
- Building access
- Deposits
- Insurance documentation
Finding out about these requirements beforehand can prevent unnecessary delays when the moving crew arrives.
4. Make Sure the Moving Truck Has Somewhere to Park
Parking can make a major difference in how efficiently a move goes.
This is especially important when hiring movers in Vancouver, where loading zones, underground parking restrictions and limited street parking can create challenges.
Whenever possible, arrange a loading area as close as possible to the entrance.
The shorter the distance between your home and the moving truck, the easier it is for the crew to move furniture and boxes efficiently.
For apartment and condo moves, check whether your building has a designated loading bay.
5. Clear Hallways and Walking Paths
Before your movers arrive, take a quick walk through your home.
Make sure there is a clear path between your furniture and the exit.
Remove:
- Shoes
- Small boxes
- Rugs that could slide
- Children’s toys
- Pet accessories
- Loose cords
- Other tripping hazards
Clear pathways give movers more room to safely carry furniture, mattresses, boxes and other large household items.
6. Decide What Isn’t Going on the Truck
Separate anything you plan to transport yourself.
This might include valuables, important paperwork, laptops, jewelry or personal items you’ll need immediately.
Putting these items in one clearly designated area helps prevent them from accidentally being loaded with everything else.
You can even place a simple “DO NOT MOVE” sign on the area.
7. Empty and Prepare Furniture
Furniture is often one of the biggest parts of a residential move.
Before moving day, remove unnecessary contents from dressers, desks, cabinets and other furniture whenever possible.
Heavy or loose contents can make furniture more difficult to safely handle.
If you’re unsure whether something needs to be disassembled, ask your moving company beforehand.
At Easy Does It Moving Co., standard furniture disassembly and reassembly can be handled as part of the moving process when required.
8. Prepare Your Apartment or Condo
Apartment and condo moves come with challenges that aren’t always present during a house move.
Before moving day, confirm:
- Elevator booking
- Loading area
- Building access
- Parking restrictions
- Move-in or move-out times
- Key and fob requirements
- Building management requirements
If you’re moving between two condos, check the requirements at both buildings.
Good coordination can save a surprising amount of time.
9. Measure Large Furniture Before Moving Day
That oversized sectional might look like it will fit through the doorway — until moving day.
Measure unusually large pieces of furniture before the move.
Pay particular attention to:
- Sectional sofas
- Large couches
- Bed frames
- Dining tables
- Oversized dressers
- Cabinets
- Large desks
Then compare those measurements with doors, hallways, stairways and elevators.
Knowing about a tight space beforehand gives everyone time to plan the safest approach.
10. Take Photos of Electronics Before Disconnecting Them
Before unplugging your TV, computer, entertainment system or other electronics, take a quick photo of the connections.
It can make setting everything back up at your new home much easier.
Keep cables organized and label them when necessary.
Small steps like this won’t necessarily change the moving process itself, but they can make settling into your new home much less frustrating.
11. Keep Pets and Children Away From Loading Areas
Moving day involves constant foot traffic.
Movers may be carrying couches, mattresses, appliances, boxes and other heavy items through doorways and hallways.
Whenever possible, arrange a safe area for pets and young children away from the main moving path.
This helps keep everyone safe while allowing the moving crew to work efficiently.
12. Do a Final Walkthrough Before Leaving
Once the truck is loaded, walk through every room before leaving your old home.
Check:
- Closets
- Kitchen cabinets
- Bathroom cabinets
- Storage rooms
- Balconies
- Patios
- Garage
- Lockers
- Behind doors
- Inside appliances that are staying behind
It’s much easier to catch a forgotten box while the moving truck is still outside.
Preparing for a Move in Vancouver
Vancouver moves can require additional planning because of busy streets, high-rise buildings, parking restrictions and limited loading areas.
If you’re hiring Vancouver movers, confirm building access and parking arrangements ahead of time.
For downtown Vancouver condo moves in particular, elevator and loading-zone coordination can make a major difference on moving day.
Preparing for a Move in Burnaby
Burnaby has everything from high-rise condos to townhouses and detached homes.
For condo moves, check your elevator reservation and loading area.
For townhouse and house moves, make sure pathways, driveways and entrances are clear before the crew arrives.
If you’re searching for Burnaby movers, providing your moving company with accurate information about stairs, elevators and parking beforehand will help them prepare the right crew and equipment.
Preparing for a Move in New Westminster
New Westminster has a mixture of older apartment buildings, newer high-rises, condos, townhouses and detached homes.
That variety can create very different moving conditions from one property to another.
When booking New Westminster movers, mention any elevators, stairs, narrow hallways, loading restrictions or difficult parking conditions when requesting your estimate.
The more information your movers have beforehand, the easier it is to plan your move.
Preparing for a Move in Coquitlam
Coquitlam moves frequently involve condos, townhouses and larger residential properties.
Before moving day, make sure your movers know whether they’re dealing with elevators, stairs, long walking distances or restricted truck access.
If you’re moving between Coquitlam and another Lower Mainland community, having everything packed and organized before the crew arrives can help keep the relocation moving efficiently.
Preparing for a Move in Surrey
Surrey covers a large geographic area, which makes accurate pickup and delivery information especially important.
Apartment buildings, townhouses, detached homes and storage facilities can all require different moving plans.
If you’re hiring Surrey movers, provide as much information as possible about both locations when requesting your moving estimate.
What Information Should You Give Your Moving Company?
A good moving estimate starts with good information.
When contacting a moving company, try to provide:
- Pickup and delivery locations
- Preferred moving date
- Size of the home
- Approximate furniture inventory
- Number of boxes
- Elevator information
- Number of stairs
- Parking or loading restrictions
- Oversized or unusually heavy items
- Any additional stops
Photos, an inventory list or a quick video walkthrough can also help your moving company understand the scope of the job.
Residential and Commercial Moving Services
Easy Does It Moving Co. provides professional moving services throughout Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
Our services include house moving, apartment and condo moving, office and commercial moving, packing and unpacking, furniture pickup and delivery, in-home furniture moving, and junk removal.
We regularly help customers moving throughout Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Surrey and surrounding Lower Mainland communities.
Our goal is simple: protect your belongings, work efficiently and make moving day as easy as possible.
Need Movers in Metro Vancouver? Get a Free Moving Estimate
Preparation makes a big difference, but having the right moving crew matters too.
If you’re planning an upcoming move and looking for professional movers in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Coquitlam or Surrey, Easy Does It Moving Co. is ready to help.
From apartment and condo moves to houses, offices, furniture deliveries and larger relocations, we’ll help you plan the move from start to finish.
If you’d like to stay up to date with the latest moving tips, helpful information and company updates, check out our blog and explore our moving services to learn more about what Easy Does It Moving Co. has to offer.
Contact Easy Does It Moving Co. today for a free moving estimate and make your next move easy.
