Local service guide
Burnaby moving services: plan your move
Choose moving services by asking for a written quote based on your belongings, access at both addresses and the work you want the crew to handle. Before booking in Burnaby, settle the truck parking or container placement plan: the City prohibits reserving street parking with cones and requires a permit for containers on public property. For an apartment or condo move, confirm the building’s loading arrangements before agreeing to an arrival time. [1] [2]
Choose the help you need before requesting quotes
Decide whether you want transport and loading, packing as well, or help with selected heavy items. List what you will pack yourself and what you expect the mover to supply. For fragile or valuable belongings, ask the company to explain its packing method and who will handle them.
Send an inventory with photographs of bulky pieces, including anything that needs dismantling. Include items in storage lockers, garages and outdoor spaces. Ask for a walkthrough or video review if you cannot describe the load or access with confidence. Have the mover record exclusions so you can arrange separate help before moving day.
Compare the full quote and damage terms
Ask whether the company charges by the hour or offers a fixed total, and what could change that amount. For an hourly quote, request the crew size, minimum charge, billing increments and when billable time starts and ends. For a fixed quote, ask the mover to list the inventory and access assumptions behind it.
Have the company state how it charges for travel, stairs, long carries, elevator waiting, packing materials, storage and additional stops. Ask who pays parking and permit expenses. Compare the total scope rather than choosing from an advertised hourly rate alone. Use written quotes based on your inventory and both addresses to set your moving budget.
Request proof of insurance and a written explanation of the mover’s responsibility for damaged or missing goods. Ask about coverage limits, deductibles, exclusions for items you pack yourself, and the claim procedure. Keep the quote, inventory and payment terms together. Photograph furniture condition before loading and check your belongings before signing the delivery paperwork.
Agree on a loading plan at both addresses
Walk the route from the proposed truck position to your door. Send the mover photographs of steps, narrow turns and entrances, and measure any doorway that concerns you. For a shared building, ask management about elevator reservations, loading hours, protective padding, deposits and the person who will provide access. Give the mover the confirmed arrangements.
Check street signs and discuss the proposed truck’s gross vehicle weight with the mover. Burnaby prohibits trucks over 11,800 kg GVW from parking on streets that are not designated truck routes. Visitors and non-residents may use legal residential street spaces for up to 3 hours between 8 am and 6 pm. Ask the City about unresolved parking questions before committing to the loading plan. [1]
Agree on a fallback position if the intended legal space is occupied. Ask the mover how a longer carry or a change of vehicle would affect the quote. Plan protection for floors and exposed belongings if rain occurs, and keep the loading route clear of boxes.
Separate container placement and disposal from the move
Before choosing a container move, check whether you have a suitable private placement area and any necessary property-owner approval. Burnaby does not require a container permit for private property. On public property, the City reviews the proposed location and requires approval before placement. Assign responsibility for the application, site plan and insurance certificate when you book the container. [2]
Sort unwanted furniture before finalizing the moving inventory. For eligible households, Burnaby’s large-item program accepts specified furniture, mattresses and appliances. Check each item against the accepted list and wait for the pickup instructions before setting it out. Ask the mover for a separate removal quote for items you cannot dispose of through the program. [3]
Allow time for the City to confirm disposal arrangements. Staff say they respond to pickup requests by email within 1–3 business days; that response window is not a promised collection date. Keep any unconfirmed removal out of your moving-day assumptions. [4]
Burnaby public-property container placement fee components
Local details that affect your job
Public-space container placement needs advance paperwork
Submit the container request and a site plan at least 5 working days before placement. The City requires at least $2 million in liability insurance, with Burnaby named as co-insured, and an insurance certificate at least 5 working days ahead. Containers cannot go in lanes or within 15 m of a crosswalk or 6 m of a lane or driveway. Check the proposed spot before paying the supplier: the City must approve it, and payment does not guarantee uninterrupted occupancy. [2]
Large-item limits differ by property type
If your household receives City curbside collection, houses and duplexes can schedule up to 3 items per pickup. Apartments, condos and townhomes can schedule up to 6 items per complex, rather than per household. Coordinate with management before relying on that capacity. The City requires accepted mattresses greater than 4 inches thick to be wrapped and sealed in plastic. Request confirmation of the date, time and location before putting items outside. [3]
Match the moving plan to your address
| Your situation | Option to consider | Resolve before booking |
|---|---|---|
| You want help with packing and transport | A crew with an agreed packing scope | Identify who packs each item and include materials in the quote. |
| You need a truck to load from the street | A crew with a confirmed legal parking plan | Check signs and truck weight; Burnaby prohibits holding spaces with cones. |
| You can place a container on private property | A container move with separate loading help if needed | Confirm property permission and supplier access; the City does not require a private-property container permit. |
| You need a container on public property | A container move subject to City approval | Arrange the application, site plan and insurance at least 5 working days ahead. |
| You have unwanted bulky furniture | City pickup if eligible, or separately quoted removal | Check accepted items, property-type limits and confirmed collection instructions. |
Your hiring checklist
- Send each mover the same inventory, photographs and list of requested tasks.
- Describe access at both addresses, including stairs, elevators and the carry from truck to door.
- Confirm building access arrangements before setting the crew’s arrival time.
- Get the pricing basis, additional charges, cancellation terms and payment schedule in writing.
- Review insurance evidence, damage responsibility and claim instructions.
- Assign responsibility for checking truck parking or arranging container approval.
- Confirm unwanted-item removal separately from the transport booking.
- Keep essentials with you and photograph furniture before loading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reserve street parking for the moving truck?
Burnaby says street parking is public and first come, first served unless signs indicate otherwise. You cannot reserve spaces with cones, pylons or other objects. Agree on a legal loading position and a fallback with the mover, and check unresolved arrangements with the City. [1]
How much does a street container permit cost?
The City lists $17 per day plus a one-time $113 administration fee. Treat these as municipal placement charges when budgeting; ask the supplier for container rental, delivery, collection and loading costs. Extensions carry a separate processing fee, and applicants must pay costs if parking signs need amendment. [2]
Can I use City pickup to remove furniture before moving?
Yes, if your household receives City curbside collection and the items qualify. Check the accepted list and property-type limits. Staff say they respond to requests within 1–3 business days with confirmation and instructions; arrange the move around the confirmed pickup details. [3] [4]
What should I tell a mover about an apartment move?
Provide the floor, stairs, elevator dimensions, loading location and route to the unit. Ask management about reservations and access requirements. Have the mover explain waiting-time charges and any plan for furniture that will not fit through the agreed route.
Sources and scope
This guide combines the sources below with practical planning guidance. Figures apply to the stated geography and period; request a written quote for your property.