After helping thousands of families and businesses move across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland since 2008, our team has seen it all. The moves that go perfectly and the ones that go sideways — and the difference almost always comes down to preparation. Here are six moving tips that our movers swear by.
1. Declutter Before You Pack a Single Box
The number one mistake people make before a move is packing everything without stopping to ask whether they actually need it. Every item you move costs money — the movers carry it, the truck hauls it, and you unpack it at the other end. Before you touch a box, go room by room and make two piles — donate and toss. Slightly used items in good condition can be donated to organizations across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Anything broken, worn out, or genuinely useless goes in the trash. Brothers Moving also offers junk removal if you end up with more than you can handle — we will haul it all away before your move.
The lighter your load, the faster and cheaper your move.
2. Use the Right Box for the Right Item
Not all moving boxes are equal and using the wrong size is one of the easiest ways to injure yourself or damage your belongings. The golden rule is simple — heavy items go in small boxes, light items go in large boxes. A small box full of books is manageable. A large box full of books is a back injury waiting to happen. Use medium boxes for kitchen items and clothes, large boxes for pillows and bedding, and small boxes for tools, books, and anything dense. Always tape the top and bottom of every box and fill gaps with packing paper so nothing shifts in transit.
3. Label Everything — On the Sides, Not Just the Top
Most people label the top of their boxes and call it done. Then the boxes get stacked in the truck and the labels are completely hidden. Write the room name and a brief contents description on at least two sides of every box. Use colored tape to assign a color to each room — blue for kitchen, red for master bedroom, green for living room — and post a color key on the front door of your new place. Your movers can place every box in the right room instantly without reading a word.
4. Take Photos Before You Unplug Anything
Before you disconnect your TV, computer, sound system, or any other electronics, take photos of every cable connection from multiple angles. These photos are your reassembly guide at the new place. Label each cable with a colored sticker, coil them neatly, place them in labeled ziplock bags, and tape the bags to the corresponding device. Setting up your entertainment system at the new place takes minutes instead of hours.
5. Pack an Essentials Box and Load It Last
The night before your move, pack one clearly labeled OPEN FIRST box with everything you need for the first 24 hours — phone charger, medications, toiletries, a change of clothes, basic kitchen items, snacks, and anything else you cannot be without overnight. Load this box last so it comes off the truck first. After a long moving day the last thing you want to be doing is digging through twenty boxes to find your toothbrush.
6. Book Your Movers Early — Especially in Summer
This one sounds obvious but gets overlooked constantly. Moving companies across Vancouver fill up quickly — especially between May and September when peak moving season is in full swing. If you know your moving date, call us as soon as possible. Waiting until a few weeks out often means limited availability and less flexibility on timing. Mid-month and weekday moves tend to have better availability than end-of-month and weekend dates. The earlier you book, the smoother everything else falls into place.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book a moving company in Vancouver? For summer moves between May and September, book at least four to six weeks in advance. For moves in the off-peak season — fall, winter, and early spring — two to three weeks is usually sufficient. If your date is flexible, mid-month weekday moves tend to have the best availability.
What is the most common moving mistake? Not decluttering before the move. Most people pack everything and deal with it later — which means paying to move things they end up throwing out anyway. A thorough declutter before packing saves time, money, and stress on both ends of the move.
Do I need to arrange parking for the moving truck? Yes — and this one gets forgotten constantly. A moving truck needs a clear, legal place to park as close to your front door as possible at both your old and new address. In Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, street parking can be tight. Check with your building or strata in advance and if needed, apply for a temporary no-parking permit through the City of Vancouver ahead of moving day. A truck that cannot park close to the door adds significant time and effort to your move.
Does Brothers Moving supply packing materials? Yes — Brothers Moving supplies boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, and wardrobe boxes. Ask about packing materials when you request your quote and we will make sure you have everything you need before moving day.
Can Brothers Moving pack my home for me? Absolutely. Brothers Moving offers full packing and unpacking services across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. If you would rather leave the packing to us, just let us know when you book and we will take care of everything.
Six tips, one reliable moving company. Brothers Moving has been helping families and businesses across BC relocate since 2008 — and we would love to help with your next move. Call us at 604-720-0931 or request a free quote online today.
Brothers Moving serves Metro Vancouver including Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, New Westminster, Delta, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Langley, Abbotsford, White Rock and Horseshoe Bay. We also serve Vancouver Island including Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay, Campbell River and Parksville, and throughout BC including Kelowna, Kamloops, Penticton, Chilliwack and Prince George.