Moving Into or Out of a Vancouver Condo: What You Need to Know

Book the Elevator Before You Book the Movers

Most Vancouver condo buildings require you to reserve the service elevator (or designate a specific elevator for moving) at least 48–72 hours in advance — some require a week. This is your first call to make after confirming your move date.

Contact your building manager or strata council to find out:

• Which elevator is designated for moves (usually the service or freight elevator)
• Permitted move hours — most buildings restrict moves to weekday business hours or cap weekend access
• Whether a deposit is required to hold the elevator booking (typically $200–$500, refundable if no damage)
• Maximum time slot allowed (often 4 hours — this affects how much you can realistically move in one trip)

Do this before confirming your move date with a mover. Running out of elevator time mid-move is one of the most common problems in condo moves — it adds hours and cost.

Certificate of Insurance: What It Is and Why Buildings Require It

Most strata buildings in Metro Vancouver require your moving company to provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before the move day. This is a document from the mover's insurer confirming they carry liability coverage — typically $2M general liability — and naming the strata corporation as an additional insured for the day of the move.

This protects the building: if a mover damages the elevator, lobby walls, or common areas, the strata has a direct claim against the mover's insurance rather than having to pursue your personal tenant's insurance.

BOSS Moving carries $2M general liability insurance and provides COIs on request. When you book, let us know your building's strata management company name and contact — we handle the paperwork directly so you do not have to coordinate between your building manager and your mover.

If a moving company cannot provide a COI, your building may refuse them access. Do not find this out on move day — confirm the COI requirement with your building and confirm the mover can provide it when you book.

Strata Move-In and Move-Out Fees

Many strata corporations charge a move-in or move-out fee — sometimes both. This is not a damage deposit; it is a non-refundable administrative fee to cover the building's cost of supervising and managing the move (staff time, elevator wear, common area protection). In Vancouver, these fees typically range from $100 to $350 per move.

Check your strata's bylaws or contact the strata manager to confirm:

• Whether a move-in fee, move-out fee, or both apply
• The amount and how to pay (usually to the strata management company in advance)
• Whether you also need to pay a refundable damage deposit (separate from the fee)

Budget for this separately from your mover invoice — it goes to the building, not to BOSS Moving.

Loading Dock and Parking Access

Most condo buildings have a designated loading bay or underground loading dock for moves. Confirm with your building manager whether the moving truck can access the underground parkade (ceiling height is often 7–8 feet — most moving trucks clear this, but confirm for larger trucks). If not, the truck will need to park on the street, which requires a loading zone permit or advance arrangement with the city.

In dense areas like Metrotown, Coal Harbour, or Yaletown, street parking for a moving truck can be genuinely difficult. BOSS Moving crews are familiar with access conditions at most major buildings along SkyTrain corridors and will flag potential issues when you provide the address at booking.

Floor Protection: Your Responsibility or the Mover's?

Strata buildings typically require floor runners and door jamb protection in common areas during a move. This is standard practice — professional movers bring these on every job. BOSS Moving brings floor runners, door jamb covers, and furniture pads on every condo move at no extra charge.

Some buildings also require elevator padding (padded blankets hung on the elevator walls). Confirm whether your building provides these or whether your mover needs to bring them — we carry elevator pads and can install them at the start of the job.

How Long Does a Condo Move Take?

The honest answer: longer than a comparable house move, because of the elevator variable. Loading and unloading are efficient — the time sink is waiting for elevator cycles and working within the time slot your building assigns.

These are estimates. The actual time depends on how packed you are, elevator wait times on the day, and access at both ends. When you request a quote, give us the full picture — both building types, floor numbers, and elevator access at each end.

Pre-Move Checklist for Condo Residents

• →Book the elevator at both buildings — do this first, before confirming your move date
• →Confirm move hours permitted by both strata corporations
• →Pay any move-in/move-out fees to the strata management company in advance
• →Confirm your mover can provide a Certificate of Insurance — get this in writing
• →Check loading dock or parkade clearance height if using underground access
• →Notify your building manager of the move date and mover name
• →Arrange for a key/fob for the freight elevator if required
• →Disconnect and prepare appliances at least 24 hours before move day
• →Confirm with your mover whether elevator pads are needed and who provides them

BOSS Moving and Condo Buildings

BOSS Moving has completed hundreds of condo moves across Metro Vancouver — Metrotown, Brentwood, Marine Drive, Coal Harbour, Yaletown, Burnaby Mountain, and New Westminster Quay, among others. We know the booking requirements at most major buildings along the Expo and Millennium lines and handle COI paperwork directly with strata management companies.

When you request a quote for a condo move, tell us both addresses, the floor at each, and whether both buildings have elevator access. We will flag any access issues we know about and give you an accurate time estimate before you confirm.