How to Prepare for a Move: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

The secret to a stress-free move is starting early and working in stages. This guide breaks preparation into a clear timeline so nothing falls through the cracks — whether you're moving across Vancouver or across British Columbia.

8 Weeks Before: Plan and Purge

This is when the real work begins. Use these weeks to make decisions so you're not rushing at the end.

• Book your mover. Peak season (June–September) and month-end dates fill up 4–6 weeks ahead. Get at least two quotes and confirm the date, crew size, and flat rate in writing. (Get a free quote from SS Moving)
• Declutter room by room. Sort into four piles: keep, sell, donate, and trash. Everything you remove now is something you don't pay to move. Host a garage sale, list items on Facebook Marketplace, or schedule a donation pickup.
• Measure your new home. Check that large furniture fits through doorways and up stairs. Sell or replace anything that won't fit before move day, not after.
• Gather supplies. You'll need: sturdy boxes (small for books, medium for most items, large for light/bulky things), packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, marker pens, and labels.

6 Weeks Before: Start Packing the Easy Stuff

Don't leave all packing for the last week. Start with the things you won't need before move day.

• Pack non-essentials first. Out-of-season clothing, garage and storage items, books, decor, and the top of closets. Label every box with its destination room and a short contents list.
• Create an inventory. A simple spreadsheet or phone note listing box numbers and contents helps you find things fast and is useful for insurance.
• Arrange school and medical transfers. Request records transfers for schools, doctors, dentists, and vets. Refill prescriptions so you're covered through the move.

4 Weeks Before: The Heavy Lifting

• Confirm your booking. Re-confirm the date, start time, and addresses with your mover. Share any access details — elevator bookings, parking permits, steep driveways, or narrow staircases.
• Pack the kitchen you can live without. Start with the good dishes, serving pieces, and small appliances. Keep out only what you use daily.
• Book a cleaner. If you're renting, book an end-of-tenancy clean for after the move. Many strata and landlords require professional cleaning to release your deposit.
• Use up perishables. Start eating down the freezer and pantry so you're not moving food.

2 Weeks Before: Lock In the Details

• Change your address. Update Canada Post (set up mail forwarding), your bank, employer, insurance, subscriptions, and any government IDs.
• Transfer utilities. Schedule disconnection at your old home and connection at your new one for move day — electricity, gas, internet, and water.
• Pack most of the house. By now, only daily essentials should be unpacked. Pack a separate "first night" box (see below).
• Confirm parking and elevator access. If your building requires a freight elevator reservation or a street parking permit for the truck, lock it in now.

1 Week Before: Final Prep

• Pack your first-night box. This is the box that makes your first night survivable: toiletries, phone charger, a change of clothes, basic tools, snacks, toilet paper, medications, and important documents. Keep it with you, not on the truck.
• Finish packing. Everything except what you need for the last 24 hours should be boxed and labeled.
• Clean as you go. Wipe down shelves and drawers as you empty them so you're not cleaning an entire house at the end.
• Confirm the plan with your mover. Share the final inventory, the exact addresses, parking instructions, and your phone number.

Move Day: Stay Organized

• Be ready when the crew arrives. Boxes packed, labeled, and stacked in one area; walkways clear; pets and kids arranged to be elsewhere if possible.
• Do a final walkthrough. Check every closet, cabinet, drawer, and shelf before the truck leaves and again before you hand over the keys.
• Keep valuables with you. Jewelry, passports, cash, and small electronics should travel in your personal vehicle, not on the moving truck.
• Direct the unload. At the new home, tell the crew where each box and piece of furniture goes. A few minutes of direction saves hours of rearranging later.

After the Move: The First Week

• Unpack essentials first. Kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. Everything else can wait.
• Inspect for damage. If anything was damaged in the move, document it with photos and contact your mover right away (most policies require claims within a set window).
• Update your address everywhere. Driver's licence, vehicle registration, voter registration, and any remaining accounts.
• Leave a review. If your mover did a good job, a Google review helps them and helps the next person searching for a reliable mover.

The One Box That Saves Your First Night

Pack a clear bin or labelled box with:

• Phone chargers and a power strip
• Toiletries and a towel
• A change of clothes for everyone
• Toilet paper and paper towels
• Basic tools (box cutter, screwdriver, Allen key)
• Snacks and water
• Medications
• Important documents (lease, ID, mover paperwork)

If you only do one thing on this list, make it this box.

Need Help Preparing?

SS Moving Services offers full-service moves including packing, furniture disassembly, and supplies. We respond to quote requests within 30 minutes.

• Call: (236) 826-3168
• Get a free quote
• Full moving checklist for BC
• Packing tips guide