May 31, 2025

10 Tips for a stress-free move in British Columbia (2025 edition)

Moving can feel overwhelming-whether you're heading from a downtown Vancouver condo to a suburban home in Langley, or making your first move to the scenic landscapes of British Columbia. Fortunately, a smooth, stress-free relocation is completely possible with the right planning, tools, and team.

At Tingsapp, British Columbia’s leading on-demand moving platform, we’ve helped thousands of people move faster, safer, and smarter. Based on real experiences and local insight, here are 10 expert tips to help you prepare for a seamless move in 2025.

1. Start planning at least three weeks in advance

BC’s housing market moves quickly, especially in major cities like Vancouver, Burnaby, and Surrey. Booking movers and organizing logistics at least three weeks in advance ensures better availability and lower rates.

Tingsapp makes scheduling effortless with an intuitive mobile app that lets you reserve your move up to 30 days in advance with instant, upfront pricing.

2. Declutter before you pack

The fewer items you move, the easier (and cheaper) the process becomes. Take time to declutter every room in your home. Donate gently-used items to local charities, sell furniture online, or responsibly recycle broken goods.

This not only reduces moving costs but also makes unpacking more efficient once you're in your new space.

3. Use Tingsapp’s in-app inventory feature

Stay organized with our built-in inventory tracker. With Tingsapp, you can:

Categorize belongings by room
Tag items as fragile or high-priority
Monitor the status of items throughout your move

An organized move is a faster, smoother move-and the inventory tool is one of our most-used features for that reason.

4. Label boxes clearly and consistently

Make your future self grateful by labeling every box with:

The room it belongs to
A summary of contents
Special labels like "FRAGILE" or "OPEN FIRST"

Color-coded labels or stickers can make identification even faster when unloading.

5. Prepare an essentials box

Pack a box (or small suitcase) with the items you’ll need during the first 24 hours in your new home. This might include:

Toiletries
A change of clothes
Medications
Chargers
Basic tools
Cleaning wipes
Important documents

Keep this essentials kit easily accessible during the move.

6. Choose movers with transparent pricing

Moving scams and surprise fees are unfortunately common in the industry. That’s why Tingsapp only works with licensed, vetted, and insured professionals—providing customers with real-time quotes and fixed, transparent rates.

No hidden charges. No hourly confusion. Just reliable service you can trust.

7. Pick the right time to move

Moving at the end of the month or on weekends can mean higher prices and less flexibility. If your schedule allows, aim to move mid-week and mid-month. This helps you avoid peak traffic and increases the availability of top-rated movers.

Tingsapp allows you to see availability in real time and choose the slot that works best for your budget and schedule.

8. Pack fragile items with extra care

British Columbia’s terrain and traffic can lead to bumpy roads. Protect fragile items like electronics, dishes, and glassware with:

Bubble wrap or padded blankets
Secure boxes with minimal movement
Fragile labels on all sides

When you mark items as fragile in the Tingsapp inventory, your movers are notified and can take extra precautions.

9. Keep kids and pets safe on moving day

Moving day can be stressful for children and pets. Plan ahead to keep them safe, calm, and out of the chaos:

Arrange for childcare or pet-sitting
Set up a quiet area with snacks and toys
Pack their essentials separately

A calm moving environment is better for everyone involved.

10. Use technology to stay in control

Avoid the hassle of endless phone calls, missing movers, and lost paperwork. Tingsapp provides:

Real-time mover tracking
In-app messaging
Digital receipts and booking confirmations
Push notifications with status updates
Support for both iOS and Android

Smart technology helps you stay on top of your move from start to finish.

Why Tingsapp is the smartest way to move in BC

Tingsapp was built specifically for British Columbians. Whether you’re moving within Vancouver, to Victoria, or across the Lower Mainland, we’re the most convenient and transparent way to book your next move. We offer: