Moving Timeline: 8-Week Guide for Lower Mainland Residents
Moving without a plan means making decisions under pressure on the worst possible day. This timeline is written for BC residents specifically — it covers the services and registrations unique to British Columbia that generic moving guides miss entirely, alongside the standard tasks that apply everywhere.
8weeks
8 Weeks Out — Decide and Declutter
- Walk every room and decide what you're keeping, donating, selling, or throwing out. Fewer things to move means a cheaper move.
- Book your mover. End-of-month availability in the Lower Mainland goes fast — 8 weeks is not too early. Contact ScriptForge to check dates.
- List large items for sale on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist — furniture takes time to sell.
- If renting: Give your landlord written notice as required by your lease. BC law requires 1 full rental period of notice in most cases.
- If owning: Confirm your completion and possession dates with your realtor and lawyer.
BC Landlord-Tenant Note
- Month-to-month tenants in BC must give one full rental period of written notice (e.g. if rent is due the 1st, you must give notice before the 1st to vacate the last day of that month).
- Fixed-term tenants should check their agreement — many require notice even if the term is ending.
- Confirm your notice in writing and keep a copy.
6weeks
6 Weeks Out — Source Boxes and Start Packing
- Order or collect boxes. Use the packing calculator to estimate how many you need before you start collecting.
- Start packing non-essentials: seasonal clothing, books, art, spare linens, rarely used kitchen items.
- Label every box on the side (not the top) with the room and a rough description of contents.
- Photograph the back of your TV and any complex cable setup before disconnecting.
- Collect packing materials: bubble wrap, packing paper, tape. If we're doing your packing, confirm materials arrangement with us now.
4weeks
4 Weeks Out — Notify Everyone
- ICBC: Update your driver's licence and vehicle registration address online at icbc.com or in person at an Autoplan broker. You have 10 days from moving to update under BC law.
- BC Hydro / FortisBC: Set your service transfer or disconnection date for your move date. Give 3–5 business days' notice minimum.
- BC Services Card and CRA: Update your address on My CRA Account and with the BC government at gov.bc.ca. This affects benefit payments and tax correspondence.
- MSP (if applicable): Update your address on your MSP registration if you have a separate one.
- Bank and credit cards: Update your primary address at all financial institutions.
- Employer and payroll: Notify HR so T4s and pay stubs reach the right address.
- Canada Post mail forwarding: Set up a redirect at canadapost.ca — catches anything you miss.
- Elections BC: Update your voter registration at elections.bc.ca.
- Subscriptions and deliveries: Amazon, meal kits, magazines, gym memberships.
Strata Building Note (BC Specific)
- Most strata buildings in the Lower Mainland require advance notice to book an elevator for moving — often 48–72 hours minimum, sometimes longer for weekends.
- Many buildings also charge a move-in/move-out deposit or fee (typically $200–$500, often refunded if no damage).
- Contact your new building's strata manager now to confirm the booking process. Tell us your elevator window when you book — we schedule the crew around it.
2weeks
2 Weeks Out — Pack Everything Except Daily Essentials
- Pack remaining rooms — leave out only daily-use items: the kettle, one set of dishes, work clothes, toiletries.
- Confirm your mover — reconfirm date, time, and access details with ScriptForge. Mention any changes to your load since you booked.
- Book elevator at your new building if you haven't already. Give the strata office your confirmed move time.
- Arrange parking for the moving truck at both addresses. Check if you need a permit for the street in front of your current or new place.
- Defrost your freezer if it's being moved. A freezer moved with ice in it can leak and be a mess.
- Measure doorways at the new place if you haven't already, particularly for large furniture pieces.
1week
1 Week Out — Final Prep
- Pack your "first night" bag separately and load it last (so it comes off first): phone charger, toiletries, a change of clothes, medication, toilet paper, a couple of plates and utensils, your laptop.
- Clean and clear appliances: empty and clean the fridge and oven, disconnect washing machine hoses, coil up cords neatly.
- Disassemble large furniture that will be easier to move in pieces — bed frames, large bookshelves, desks. Keep the hardware in a labelled ziplock bag taped to the frame.
- Put heavy boxes near the door at both addresses to reduce carry distance on move day.
- Confirm with the movers one more time — the address, the time, and any last-minute additions or changes.
Move Day
- Be ready at the agreed time — crew downtime waiting for you costs everyone.
- Do a full walkthrough of every room, cupboard, shelf, and closet before the truck leaves. Check under beds, in the garage, and behind doors.
- Take meter readings at your old address (electricity, gas) and photograph them with a timestamp. Text or email to your landlord as a record.
- Hand over keys, fobs, and parking passes to your landlord if vacating. Get confirmation of receipt in writing.
- At the new place: direct traffic. Tell the crew where each room is and which boxes go where so they're not guessing.
- Do another walkthrough once everything is inside. Check that nothing was left in the truck before the crew leaves.
After the Move — Address Updates You Might Have Missed
- School and daycare enrollment addresses
- Doctor, dentist, and specialist offices
- Pharmacy for prescription delivery
- Strata welcome package and building access fobs for the new address
- WorkSafeBC if you're self-employed
- Vehicle insurance renewal documents (confirm your new address is on file with ICBC before your next renewal)
- Professional designations and licensing bodies (if applicable)