Moving in the Okanagan has its own quirks, like hillside driveways, strata elevator bookings, summer heat, snowy passes and an end-of-month rush. This checklist is what we’d tell a friend who’s moving in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Vernon, Penticton or anywhere else in the valley. Print it, screenshot it or just work down the list.
8 weeks before
- Lock in your dates. End-of-month weekends and the weeks around the school year book up first in the Okanagan. If your date is fixed, contact movers now.
- Get a real quote. Give your mover an honest inventory, plus details about stairs, elevators and parking at both homes. Photos help. Our crew rates are on our pricing page.
- Start a moving folder. Keep quotes, possession dates, strata contacts and receipts in one place.
- Measure the new place. Check doorways and stairwells for big pieces like sectionals, king beds and fridges.
6 weeks before
- Declutter room by room. Sell, donate or toss what you don’t use. Anything you don’t move is something you don’t pay to move.
- Book junk removal for the stuff nobody wants. Our junk removal service can clear it before moving day.
- Order packing supplies, or ask your mover about packing help and supplies.
- Plan for specialty items, like hot tubs, pianos, gun safes and big appliances. They need the right crew and equipment, so mention them early. A hot tub needs to be drained and have its power disconnected by an electrician before the move.
4 weeks before
- Book elevators and loading zones if either home is a strata or apartment building.
- Arrange storage if your possession dates don’t line up.
- Line up utilities and internet for the new place. FortisBC, your city utilities and your internet provider all need notice.
- Update your address with Canada Post mail forwarding, ICBC, your bank, CRA and your employer.
- Moving to Alberta? Read our guide to moving from Kelowna to Calgary or Edmonton.
2 weeks before
- Pack the rarely used stuff first, like seasonal clothes, books, décor and the garage.
- Label every box with the room and a short list of what’s inside. Mark “fragile” and “this side up” where it matters.
- Use up the freezer and pantry.
- Confirm the details with your mover: arrival time, both addresses, parking and access.
Moving week
- Defrost and dry the fridge and freezer at least 24 hours before the move.
- Disconnect and drain the washer if it’s coming with you.
- Take apart what you can, or let the crew handle furniture disassembly.
- Pack an essentials box with bedding, towels, toiletries, medication, chargers, a basic tool kit, toilet paper, snacks, and the kettle and coffee. It rides with you, not on the truck.
- Keep valuables and documents with you, like passports, jewellery, cash and important papers.
Moving day
- Be on site for the walk-through. Point out what’s fragile, what stays behind and what goes where.
- Protect the yard and floors. Clear a path from the door to the truck, and in winter, shovel and salt the driveway and steps. Hillside driveways in the Mission, Black Mountain, Glenrosa and Vernon’s hillsides get slick.
- In summer, start early. July and August afternoons in the Okanagan are hot, and an early start is easier on everyone and on your belongings.
- Do a final sweep of every room, closet, cupboard, the garage and the shed before the truck leaves.
After the move
- Check that everything arrived and that furniture is set up where you want it.
- New appliances? Our All Day Delivery service delivers across the Okanagan from $100 in Kelowna, and old-unit haul-away is $30.00.
- Unpack the kitchen and bedrooms first. The rest can wait.
- Leave a review. If your movers did a good job, a quick Google review helps a local business more than you’d think. Here’s where to leave one for us.
Okanagan-specific tips
- Fire season: In July and August, wildfire smoke and the occasional highway closure can affect moves, especially long-distance ones. Check DriveBC before you go and keep your mover’s number handy.
- Bridge traffic: Moves between Kelowna and West Kelowna go over the William R. Bennett Bridge. Mid-morning starts usually avoid the worst of rush hour.
- Rural and lake properties: Gravel driveways, long carries to lake homes and narrow orchard roads are common in Lake Country, Naramata, Summerland and the Vernon area. Tell your mover so they bring the right truck.
Need a hand?
All Day Delivery x True North Movers is local, owner-operated and based in Kelowna. We run two 5-ton trucks, a 3-ton and a pickup, and we’re available 24/7. See our moving services and service areas, call 250-862-2270, or get a free quote.