Office Relocation and Setup in Burnaby

Define the move and the setup before comparing quotes

Give prospective movers an inventory of desks, chairs, cabinets, boxed records and equipment. Include photographs, dimensions of awkward items and a floor plan showing where each item should go. Ask for a site visit when you cannot describe the loading route or furniture dismantling requirements with confidence.

Ask the quote to identify the crew, vehicles, packing materials, travel charges, minimum booking charge and treatment of waiting time. Specify whether the mover will pack records, disconnect furniture, assemble workstations, unpack boxes and remove packing materials. Get written terms for deposits, cancellation, damage reporting and any subcontracted work.

Keep IT responsibilities explicit. Assign backups, shutdown, equipment labelling and reconnection to named people. Ask the mover which equipment it accepts and how its insurance addresses equipment in transit. Have your IT contact approve the handling plan for servers and other sensitive equipment before anyone packs them.

Confirm the new office can open

Check the proposed business use with the City before signing a lease. Burnaby recommends checking zoning at that stage, and requires a licence application for a moved business or an added location. Ask Licensing how to handle your existing licence and the new address. [4]

If setup includes interior or exterior alterations, tenant improvements or a change of use, Burnaby requires a building permit. Since July 1, 2026, some projects require a Development Permit before the City can accept or issue a Building Permit. Ask Building Permits which approvals apply to your proposed work before booking the move around a contractor’s completion date. [2]

Ask the landlord and contractor to identify outstanding approvals and inspections. Check the location’s permit status with Building Permits before submitting the business licence application: the City says active or open permits prevent it from processing the application. Building Permits can answer questions at 604-294-7130. [4]

Agree on the loading route and building access

Ask both property managers for written access arrangements. Confirm loading-dock use, elevator reservations, keys, security attendance, floor protection and any insurance certificates they require. Give the mover the permitted arrival window and ask how it will handle a missed slot. Check the route from the truck to the suite before approving the vehicle plan.

Choose a container only after checking where it can stand. Burnaby requires a container permit on streets, roadways, boulevards and other public property. It does not require that container permit for private-property placement. Ask the property owner to approve private placement and assign public-property applications to a named person. [1]

If the loading plan would cause traffic changes or close a road, lane, path, sidewalk, bike lane or other City right-of-way, Burnaby requires a Traffic Control Permit. Ask Transportation to confirm the requirements for the proposed operation before assuming the mover can occupy the space. A dock reservation does not settle the separate question of public-space access. [3]

Plan the handover and reopening checks

Choose a reopening target and work backward through the tasks you control: packing, access confirmation, equipment shutdown, transport, assembly and testing. Ask staff to label boxes by destination room and identify items they need on arrival. Keep a contact list for the mover, property managers, IT contact and the person authorised to approve changes.

If your business manages its own electricity account, arrange the BC Hydro transfer alongside the move. BC Hydro asks for the old and new service addresses, a contact phone number and the landlord’s name and phone number when renting. It lists a standard new-location setup fee of CAD 13.50 plus GST; some new accounts may require a security deposit or proof of tenancy or ownership. [5]

Before accepting the handover, walk the suite with the mover. Check furniture placement and assembly against the floor plan, photograph damage and record missing items. Have your IT contact test network access, phones and printers. Agree who will return for unfinished work and when, then retain the inventory and written handover notes.

Burnaby traffic permit application fees by project category

Choose the arrangement that fits your access and setup

Your hiring checklist

1. Prepare one inventory and destination floor plan for all quotes.
2. Confirm who packs, dismantles, assembles and removes packing materials.
3. Obtain written loading-dock, elevator and security arrangements at both buildings.
4. Ask the City about destination licensing and approvals for the proposed business use and alterations.
5. Assign any container or traffic permit application to a named person.
6. Confirm electricity, internet and IT reconnection responsibilities.
7. Record damage, missing items and unfinished setup work during the handover.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I budget for the office move?

Build the budget from written quotes using the same inventory and access plan. Separate transport, packing, assembly, IT work, storage and any applicable permit charges. The published City fees shown here cover specific applications or placement arrangements; they do not establish a total mover price. [1] [3]

Can I use a moving container on the street?

You need Burnaby’s approval and a container placement permit. The City allows street storage for moving purposes for up to 5 days, with possible extensions. Submit the request, site plan and required insurance certificate at least 5 working days before placement. The City does not permit containers in lanes. [1]

Does the mover’s setup service include IT reconnection?

Ask the mover to list the equipment and tasks it will handle. Assign backups, shutdown, cabling, reconnection and testing in writing. If the mover excludes a task, arrange another responsible person before agreeing to the schedule.

Do I need to deal with my business licence when relocating?

Yes. Burnaby requires a licence application when a business moves or adds a location. Check zoning and ask Licensing about the new address. Contact Building Permits about active or open permits, because the City says it cannot process the licence application while those remain open. [4]