Craig Johnston Personal Real Estate Corporation · Brokerage: Royal LePage Elite West
The hard part of moving isn't packing boxes — it's remembering the forty-seven small things that have to happen in the right order. Who you hire, when you call them, which utility to transfer first, where to find cheap boxes, and how to get internet working on day one, not week two.
This is the exact checklist Craig sends his relocating clients — vetted local providers, real costs, outbound links to every form you'll need, and an 8-week timeline so nothing falls through. Bookmark it. Share it. Use it.
Movers, truck rentals, storage, and services Craig's clients actually use.
What drives the cost of a Tri-Cities move — and how to get firm quotes.
ICBC, Canada Post, CRA, MSP, banks — every form, linked.
Internet, TV, hydro, gas — scheduled so nothing is off when you arrive.
Quick Answer
How do you move in the Tri-Cities without missing a step?
A complete Coquitlam moving checklist — vetted movers, trucks, storage, boxes, day-one internet setup and address changes. Craig Johnston, REALTOR®. Free Strategy Call ends with a written one-page plan in 24 hours.
The checklist below scales up or down based on your move. It was built around Tri-Cities moves, but every government link, provider, and cost figure applies to any BC relocation.
From Vancouver, Burnaby, New West, or out-of-province. Includes the BC-specific changes (ICBC, MSP) most checklists miss.
Move-up, downsize, or same-size swap. Works whether you're moving 3 blocks or 30 minutes.
School registration windows, vet transfers, kid-stress tactics, and the "first-night box" that saves your evening.
Nobody hands you a checklist with your keys. This is it — from tenant insurance to the City of Coquitlam water-account setup.
Start 8 weeks out if you can. If you only have 3 weeks, compress the first three weeks into one — but don't skip steps. Summer moving dates in Metro Vancouver book out by early May.
There are three move styles. Pick one, price it, and lock the date.
Every box you don't move saves packing time and moving cost. The rule: if you haven't used it in a year and it's not seasonal, it goes.
Rule of thumb: 2 boxes per 100 sq ft. A 2,000 sq ft home needs about 40 boxes plus 10 specialty (dish pack, wardrobe, TV).
The single biggest mistake people make is booking internet for the day after possession. Book it for the morning of move day — Telus and Rogers will both give you a 2-hour window.
Use the table further down this page — every BC-specific form is linked. The ones people forget: ICBC driver's licence (ticket if you're caught with the wrong address), MSP (health card), and your employer's payroll (tax slips).
Start with rooms you use least — guest bedroom, storage, garage. Save the kitchen and bedroom for last.
The goal is boring. Boring means the plan worked.
The invisible work that separates a smooth move from a painful one.
Every mover below is currently active in Metro Vancouver, and offers in-writing estimates — check each one’s current third-party reviews before you book. Craig has personally referred clients to the ones marked as his pick.
Best if you're short on time, the move is complex (stairs, piano, art), or you simply value the weekend you'd otherwise lose. Book 6–8 weeks out for summer dates.
Long-established local mover. Covers storage-in-transit if closing dates don't align.
fergusonmoving.com →Upfront hourly rates, uniformed crews, SMS updates on arrival window. Strong for 2–3 bedroom moves. Offers packing services à la carte.
youmoveme.com/vancouver →National brand with a Vancouver depot. Reliable for standard moves, good for senior downsizing (they handle stairs and donation drop-offs).
twosmallmen.com →Atlas Van Lines agent, strong for long-distance and estate-level moves ($1.5M+ homes with art, wine, and specialty items). Full inventory + insurance.
highlandmoving.com →Solid value mover for standard Tri-Cities moves. Clean trucks, good mobile communication. Pack + unpack add-ons available.
giantmoving.ca →National brand with a strong long-distance network. Best option if you're moving inter-provincial (Alberta, Ontario). In-home estimate recommended.
amjcampbell.com →Often a good balance of cost and effort for Tri-Cities moves: you pay for the truck plus hourly labour.
Marketplace where you book vetted local crews just for loading/unloading. Read reviews, compare pricing, book by the hour.
hireahelper.com →Strong for small moves (1-bed, studio, storage unit) where you just need a couple of hands for 2–3 hours. Check ratings and verify insurance.
taskrabbit.com/ca →Truck + labour package. Cheaper than full-service, more reliable than day-of-app bookings. Popular for condo-to-condo moves.
metrovancouvermovers.com →For smaller moves, short distances, or when your brother-in-law actually did agree to help. Reserve 2–3 weeks ahead for weekends.
10' to 26' trucks, cargo vans, trailers. Free use of furniture pads with rental. On-site box + supply store.
uhaul.com — Coquitlam →Newer, taller trucks (easier loading). Strong unlimited-mileage one-way pricing for inter-provincial moves.
pensketruckrental.com →Often cheapest for local same-day moves. Smaller fleet — reserve early for weekends. Great for studio to 1-bed apartments.
discountcar.com →Pickup truck or cargo van, ideal for runs to the new place, IKEA hauls, or moving single-piece furniture. Bookable at any Tri-Cities Home Depot.
homedepot.ca — truck rental →Needed when completion and possession dates don't line up, when you're staging a home for sale, or when you're between homes for a renovation. Rates change often — confirm current pricing with each provider.
Climate-controlled, 24/7 access, drive-up units available. First month free promotion common. Closest to Burke Mountain + central Coquitlam.
securespace.com →Multiple Tri-Cities locations. Heated units, drive-up options, month-to-month. Online booking with promo codes.
accessstorage.ca →Co-located with truck rental, so you can rent the truck and storage in one visit. Boxes, tape, and locks on-site.
uhaul.com — storage →Best if your move date is flexible or you're renovating. Load at your pace, they move it to their yard or to your new home.
Canadian-owned. 8', 10', 20' boxes. Weatherproof, lockable. Great for renos and staging clear-outs. Multi-Tri-Cities delivery within 3 business days.
bigsteelbox.com — Coquitlam →Three container sizes. Strong for long-distance moves (they'll ship the container to your new city). Book 2–3 weeks ahead.
pods.ca — Vancouver →Three container sizes. Often cheaper than PODS for local use. Driveway-friendly, rollable, watertight.
gominis.com — Vancouver →A 3-bed home can use dozens of boxes, and buying them all new adds up. Here's how to get most of them free and only pay for specialty boxes.
| Source | Typical cost | What you'll find |
|---|---|---|
| Buy Nothing Tri-Cities (Facebook) | Free | Neighbours who just finished their move. Post asking for boxes — expect 2–3 offers within 24 hours. |
| Facebook Marketplace — "Free" filter | Free | Search "moving boxes free" weekly. Coquitlam, Port Moody, and Port Coquitlam posts go fast — refresh on Sundays. |
| Grocery stores (Save-On, Safeway, Superstore) | Free | Ask the produce or grocery manager Sunday night. Banana boxes are gold — strong, stackable, handles built in. |
| LCBO / BC Liquor stores | Free | Wine boxes with dividers are perfect for glassware. Ask the store manager on Tuesday delivery mornings. |
| U-Haul box store (Coquitlam) | Paid, per box | Specialty boxes: dish pack, wardrobe, TV, mirror, mattress bag. Buy-back program for unused boxes. |
| Home Depot moving supplies | Paid, per box | Full moving range. Their heavy-duty large boxes hold up to a double-stack without crushing. |
| Costco | Paid, bulk packs | Best value on bulk packing paper and bubble wrap. Check the moving supplies aisle seasonally (May–Aug). |
| Amazon | Paid, kits | Moving-box kits with tape, labels, and markers. Convenient if you're packing fast. |
For a typical 2,000 sq ft Coquitlam home, get 30 free boxes from Buy Nothing and Facebook Marketplace, then buy 10 dish-pack boxes, 3 wardrobes, and one TV box at U-Haul Coquitlam. Packing paper and bubble wrap: Costco bulk. You pay only for the specialty boxes instead of buying everything retail.
The single biggest mistake: booking your internet install for the day after possession. Do it the morning of, with your installer slotted for the 11:00 AM–1:00 PM window. Done this way, internet is often working before the last couch is carried in.
Gigabit fibre is live in most of Coquitlam, Port Moody, and Burke Mountain. Fastest, most reliable option where available. Optik TV bundles competitive.
telus.com/bc/internet →Available across all of the Tri-Cities. Ignite TV bundles. Watch for 12-month promo pricing (new-customer rate often $50+ cheaper for year one).
rogers.com/internet →Service areas limited — check coverage by postal code. Strong in multi-unit buildings in Coquitlam Centre, Moody Centre, and Port Coquitlam downtown.
novusnow.ca →Reseller using Telus/Rogers infrastructure. No TV, just internet. Great if you're all-streaming. 30-day install lead time — book early.
teksavvy.com →Flat-rate pricing, no promo trickery. Cable-based. Clients love them for simple, bill-stays-the-same service.
oxio.ca →New-build without wired service? 5G home internet is a credible option in Tri-Cities covered areas. Low-latency enough for remote work.
rogers.com — 5G home →Telus and Rogers both honour a 2-hour install window, and they prioritise "move day" jobs if you flag it. Have your router location decided before the tech arrives — ideally central to the house, on a shelf, with a wired line to your office if you work from home. If you're renting, confirm with the landlord which wall plates are already active.
Most of this is 10-minute online forms. Do it 3 weeks out so no account gets disconnected on move day. Electricity transfers are same-day; gas and water need 1–2 business days.
| Utility | Provider | Lead time | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | BC Hydro (entire province) | Same day | Online move form · 1-800-BCHYDRO |
| Natural gas | FortisBC | 1–2 business days | fortisbc.com/moving · 1-888-224-2710 |
| Water & sewer (Coquitlam) | City of Coquitlam | 1 business day | coquitlam.ca — account changes |
| Water & sewer (Port Moody) | City of Port Moody | 1 business day | portmoody.ca — utilities |
| Water & sewer (Port Coquitlam) | City of Port Coquitlam | 1 business day | portcoquitlam.ca — utilities |
| Garbage & recycling | City pickup (automatic with address) | Confirm day | Coquitlam · Port Moody · Port Coquitlam |
| Home insurance | BCAA, Square One, Westland, or your broker | 1 week | BCAA · Square One · Westland |
| Tenant insurance | Square One, BCAA, Duuo | Day of possession | Same brokers as above. Get a quote for your unit and coverage. |
Ordered by lead time and legal importance. ICBC is legally required within 10 days of your move. Canada Post forwarding is the simplest insurance against missed mail.
| Agency / account | When | How to update |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Post mail forwarding | 2–4 weeks before | canadapost.ca — mail forwarding. Paid service; see current fees. Set up online in 5 min. |
| ICBC — driver's licence & vehicle registration | Within 10 days (legal) | ICBC change of address. Free. Also updates autoplan if insured through ICBC. |
| MSP (BC health care) | Within 8 weeks | my.gov.bc.ca/msp. Free. Required to keep coverage current. |
| CRA (federal tax) | Before next tax slip season | canada.ca — CRA change of address. My Account or phone 1-800-959-8281. |
| Service Canada (EI, CPP, OAS, Passports) | Within 1 month | My Service Canada Account |
| Voter registration (Elections BC + Elections Canada) | Any time | Elections BC · Elections Canada |
| Banks, credit cards, investment accounts | Within 2 weeks | Online banking for each. Don't forget secondary credit cards and store cards. |
| Employer — payroll & HR | Before first payday after move | HR portal. Ensures T4 and benefits mail go to the new address. |
| Auto insurance (if not ICBC Autoplan) | Before move | Call your broker. Premium may change based on postal-code rating. |
| Family doctor, dentist, specialists, pharmacy | Before next appointment | Call each. If you're switching providers, request records be forwarded. |
| Vet (if applicable) | Before moving | Request records for any new vet in the new area. Update microchip registry (PetLynx or 24PetWatch). |
| Schools — SD43 | Before Sept 1 or mid-year | sd43.bc.ca — new student registration |
| TransLink Compass Card | Any time | compasscard.ca. Update online for lost-card recovery. |
| Subscriptions | Within 1 month | Amazon, Costco, Netflix, SkipTheDishes, Instacart, HelloFresh, Spotify (billing only), subscription boxes, gym, streaming. |
| Loyalty / rewards programs | Any time | Air Miles, Aeroplan, PC Optimum, Scene+, Costco membership, BCAA. |
| Professional memberships | Before renewal | Professional colleges, unions, alumni associations, charities. |
"A move is just a series of small promises you make to your future self. Keep them in the right order and the whole thing feels boring. Skip one and you're buying Wi-Fi from a coffee shop for a week."
The checklist above works whether you're using Craig as your REALTOR® or not. But if you are, it's all done for you: Craig coordinates your closing, possession, and key exchange with the movers, the lawyer, and the utility switchover — so the only thing you have to do on move day is show up.
It depends on the move style, crew size, distance, stairs and packing services. Full-service movers cost the most, a truck-and-labour hybrid sits in the middle, and full DIY is cheapest. Budget separately for Canada Post forwarding, boxes and supplies, and any overlap in utilities or storage if your dates don't align. Get at least three written, in-home or video estimates — that is the only reliable number for your move.
Book 6–8 weeks out for any date between May 15 and September 15. Full-service movers sell out their preferred dates (month-end Fridays and Saturdays) by early May. If you're flexible, mid-month weekday moves are often cheaper and far more reliable.
Yes. ICBC requires you to update your driver's licence address within 10 days of moving anywhere within BC. It's free online at onlinebusiness.icbc.com. Same form updates your vehicle registration and Autoplan insurance if you have it through ICBC.
Booking internet installation for the day after possession instead of the day of. Every Tri-Cities fibre and cable provider will give you a 2-hour install window if you book 2–3 weeks ahead. Do the 11:00 AM–1:00 PM window and you'll have Wi-Fi before the couch is in the living room.
Buy Nothing Tri-Cities (Facebook groups) and Facebook Marketplace "free" filter can get you many of the boxes you need. Grocery stores (ask the produce manager Sunday evening) and BC Liquor stores (Tuesday mornings) are the offline sources. Only buy specialty boxes — dish pack, wardrobe, TV — which you can buy at U-Haul Coquitlam.
If you're time-crunched, moving over 2,500 sq ft, or anything fragile matters (art, wine, china, instruments), yes. Professional packing adds meaningfully to the bill, so ask for it as a separate line on each quote. For anyone else, self-packing is fine if you start 2 weeks out and pack one room per day.
Yes, if you're moving for work or school and the new home is at least 40 km closer to your new work/school than your old home was. Eligible costs include movers, packing supplies, truck rentals, temporary lodging, meals (flat-rate or receipts), and utility hookups. File on CRA line 21900. Keep every receipt.
BC Hydro, FortisBC, and your city water account all allow transfers, not cancellations. You update the move-out date on the old address and the move-in date on the new one in the same online form. Do it 3 weeks ahead so the first bill at the new place is correct.
Minimum 6 months. For complex financial lives (multiple investment accounts, subscription services, small business receivables) set 12 months. Check Canada Post for current fees. The number of accounts that send you mail once a year — tax slips, insurance renewal, property assessments — is more than you think.
One labelled, clearly marked box that travels with you in your vehicle, not in the moving truck. Contents: bed linens made up for every bed in the house, towels + washcloths, toiletries, phone chargers, a kettle, coffee/tea + mugs, one pot + cutting board + knife + utensils, toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, a flashlight, a basic toolkit, kids' stuffed animals, pet food, medications. It's the difference between collapsing into a made bed at 10 PM and rummaging through boxes with a phone flashlight.
Born in the Tri-Cities. Lived on Burke Mountain for 9+ years. Top 2% Team — Royal LePage nationwide, 2023–2025. Craig runs every file — relocation, move-up, first-time, seller, investor — through the same repeatable playbook so nothing gets improvised at your expense. Start with a 20-minute fit call or an equity map. No pitch, no pressure.
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September 2026 Coquitlam detached HPI is $1,584,400, -6.6% YoY. What that means for your buy or sell decision — without the salesy fluff. One email per month. Unsubscribe anytime.
No spam, no listings flood, no marketing automation games. Genuine monthly update from a 47+ year Tri-Cities resident.
About the numbers on this page: market statistics come from Greater Vancouver REALTORS® data. Price premiums, discounts and ranges are estimates based on recent local sales and Craig’s experience. They’re a guide for planning, not a guarantee — every home and every sale is different.
4.9 stars across 36+ verified Google reviews. Three from recent clients below.
“Craig sold my property in just 6 days, which is an incredible feat. After receiving one offer, he quickly reconnected with all the other realtors who had viewed the property, and before I knew it, we had multiple offers—all over asking price!”Heather Fox
“We received seven offers, and Craig held firm on our priorities: no subject to sale and achieving our price. We took the home off the market over Christmas, but behind the scenes Craig continued working. When we re-listed in January, it sold in just three days to buyers he had been nurturing — at the price we wanted.”Jim Turnbull
“Craig worked with my wife and me for over 3 years to find the perfect home. He was endlessly patient with us through the process. Eventually, we found our perfect home and he moved fast to execute on our behalf. He negotiated fairly and thoroughly with the sellers and was our advocate all throughout our first home purchase.”David Catterall