While one may not think of Vancouver’s climate as being a hotspot for homeowners with swimming pools, they do exist. Vancouver homes with pools are also on the market, if you want to move from one home to another, and keep your swimming pool lifestyle (whether outdoor or indoor). An MLS search such as this one can help you find Vancouver homes with swimming pools.
But when you move from one swimming pool home to another, you may want to bring some accessories with you. Yes, it’s true you might negotiate the swimming pool accessories and equipment along with the sale of the house. However, depending on the value and quantity of your pool accessories, it may be a cost savings to bring them along with you.
Plus, if you have kids, and the new buyers don’t, you might be able to get away with bringing your pool slide and paddleboards with you. Also, your buyers may not care for the coloured lights you’ve chosen, or they may plan on using a different heating type for their pool, and so on.
All of these items have value, plus varying costs to operate or maintain. So, pools do come with buyer preferences. And that’s where you may end up deciding to bring some pool equipment or accessories with you.
Below are some tips for handling the relocation, or moving, of your pool equipment and accessories:
Take an inventory of your pool parts, understand what they are, and what they’re worth
Before you jump to include your pool and all its equipment or accessories into the sale price of your home, it would be good to know what they’re worth. This is especially if you bought the pool along with the house, and aren’t aware of the installation values, product values and so on.
To start, you can learn about used pool equipment through this eBay article:
And, as this article states, a professional pool inspection as part of house inspection services can help with this stage. This will also let you know the condition that the pool equipment is in, and if anything needs replacing, or updating.
At this point, you can decide whether to sell your pool equipment and accessories as one-off pieces, bring them with you or add them to the value of your home. Speak to your realtor about these options as well.
Pool equipment, whether for inground or above-ground pools, can refer to:
Pumps
Filters
Heaters (an optional part)
Plumbing & electricity lines (see this article for more info)
LED lights (though these can be considered an accessory)
A store website like this one can give even more examples of the categories of items you will need to keep, or sell, if you are a pool owner.
Disassemble and photograph complex pool equipment you plan on moving
Whether you want to move your pool equipment a few feet away, or to a new location entirely, keep in mind this will involve complex work. A typical house mover that moves your furniture may not be the person to call. Specialized pool service people would need to come in, as well as qualified electricians, and perhaps plumbers. Plus, in some cases, you may need certain building permits, or assurances that you are complying with legal safety codes when implementing the changes. So, moving pool equipment is also not a cheap thing to do. This article explains more about the process.
This video explains a little bit about moving just a pump and filter.
When you do any part of the pool equipment move yourself, you will definitely want to take an inventory of parts. You also should be taking photographs of the finished products before you disassemble them. And, record the steps you’re taking, from even before the point of drainage, so you can do them in reverse later, if possible. That way, you can have a reference for how things were set up originally. This goes especially for older equipment where you may not be able to search online for instruction manuals!
Preparing and moving pool accessories
While underground or specialized pool equipment would need servicemen, some of your pool accessories could be moved on your own, of course. Still, if you are unscrewing anything (such as slides or diving boards that are bolted down), you will want to follow the above procedures.
And, make sure kids are not trying to use the slide while it’s not secured! If you are taking down gates or barriers while children are around, you may also want to drain the pool for safety too.
It goes without saying that any lighter, portable accessories should be dried, cleaned and deflated (if applicable) before moving. Of course, you’ll also want to contain the items in bins or bags (perhaps mesh bags?). Don’t let them sit wet in tightly closed conditions for too long, to avoid mould growth.
Remember also that you can’t bring chemicals into moving trucks! They will need to go into your own car, or safely disposed of according to your local bylaws.
To conclude: moving pool accessories equipment involves many services and costs, which may not be worth the hassle
As you can see from the information above, moving pool equipment can be so complex, you may decide not to go for it. The procedure could only be done partially on your own, if you are not a qualified electrician, plumber or swimming pool specialist. And, there will be costs for transport too, even if you could detach and bring pool machinery with you.
So the hassle alone can be a deterrent. This is especially so if you’re planning the move apart from a bigger renovation project. In that case, pool equipment would only be moving a short distance, on the same property. Or, other solutions (such as replacements or cover-ups) can come into play.
It is more likely that you may end up moving your pool ‘toys’ and accessories with you. Movers in Vancouver can help with this, as these items usually don’t involve specialized training or legalities (minus the chemicals, which can’t go in moving trucks).
Plus, if you move into a new home which also has a pool, you may find that you have everything you need built in already.
Being in a milder climate zone, it’s not often those of us who grew up in Metro Vancouver or the Fraser Valley needed centralized air conditioners in our homes. But it sure is nice to have that air conditioning on hot summer days, nonetheless. So, you may have a portable air conditioner. And in some cases, maybe a window AC unit installed. In this article, we’ll explain how to move a portable AC unit, so you can take those cool summer days with you, and not have to settle for a trusty ol’ fan alone.
When you read the steps below, keep in mind that “portable” doesn’t necessarily mean you can move the unit from room to room that easily. It just means it’s not centralized in the home’s systems, but it can be installed and uninstalled for easy moving of homes.
Step 1:to move a portable AC unit, unplug and drain
This is an obvious step, but an important one. Especially the draining part. Not all portable AC units will collect water in the same way. Some might dispose-as-they-go. And others may have a dish to collect it. Somewhere though, condensation is likely collecting. And you’ll need to know where that is so you don’t make up a mess. This article has more info.
The other thing to know here is that when you find the water drainage point, you may also feel like giving your AC unit a good clean.
Step 2: Detach your portable AC unit, very carefully, and place on a dolly
When moving portable air conditioners, remember that they are heavy! And, if you are removing one that is sitting on your window sill, you’ll need to be extra careful not to drop it as you unscrew it from it’s mounting points. In fact, one writer recommends being so careful, you should warn people around you before trying to move the AC unit, such as people in stairways or outside your window.
For this step you’ll need:
• Screwdrivers and grip gloves
• Towels for soaking up water that leaks from the unit
• An extra pair of helping hands, if you can find them
• A plastic bag to store removable parts
• A dolly to roll the AC unit out of the room and into your moving truck
When you detach an AC unit to move it, you also need to find where the hose connects to the window, or where the hot air escapes (this will be obvious). This is usually going to involve a tube, if your unit is not the window type. You’ll want to disconnect the hose, of course. But don’t lose all your little parts. Keep them in a plastic bag or box, and label it.
Have a dolly handy because you’re probably not going to want to carry the unit to the moving truck. Some portable air conditioners might have small wheels you can use to roll them around, though.
Step 3: find a way to seal up your window again
When you install a portable AC, your window might have a gap left behind. Some AC units have plastic pieces that are designed to hold up your window where the air needs to escape, while not letting warm outside air in. Depending on how yours was set up, you’ll need to remove it and also make sure your window can shut closed again. Take that adaptor piece with you.
If you don’t have one of those manufactured ‘window openers’ (not their official name), yours could be a makeshift one. They could be made of custom-cut plastic, plywood, styrofoam or even cardboard. Keep those pieces handy, but keep in mind you’ll need something new that fits the size of your window after you’ve moved in to your new home. This is likely why the makeshift one was there in the first place (the manufactured kit didn’t come with one that fit the window).
The same goes for an AC unit that is installed through a sliding door. Though, hopefully at your new home you’ll find a better place for it. And in that case, you’ll surely need some sort of window opener or adaptor for the appliance to work.
If your portable AC tubing leads through a wall, or to your sealing or attic, follow the same principles, but keep in mind it may have been installed by a professional. So in case it’s not obvious how to uninstall it, you’ll need to call a professional again. For example, there may be caulk holding parts in place that you’ll need to remove, and holes that you’ll need to re-seal. Hopefully you won’t run into any troublesome or scary wiring either.
Step 4: pack the portable AC unit in the moving truck
Use your typical cautions when loading the portable AC unit into your moving truck. This would another great time to mention how important it is to drain and dry out the unit before moving it! You wouldn’t want to get your other belongings wet with goop water.
If you can get the AC unit in a box with styrofoam or padding, that would be best. If there are wheels, secure them in place so they don’t role (such as with tape). And if there are detachable parts or weak parts, like mounting plates, tape them to the machine, or find a way to contain them.
Step 5: reinstall your portable air conditioner after moving
Reinstalling your portable air conditioner after moving into your new home is like going through all the above steps, only backwards. The ‘big’ considerations will be:
• Which window you can sacrifice to get the appliance working again.
• How you’ll keep the window open, and sealed properly for the right temperature effect.
• Whether you can install the tube through a ceiling, attic, wall, air vent or otherwise (and if you need a professional for help to do that).
When you’ve solved the above, the first thing we recommend is looking up the model name of your air conditioner on the web. That way, you can find manufacturer instructions, if you didn’t keep them when you bought the unit (or if you bought it used). Those instructions will be your safest bet when figuring out how to install it.
Otherwise, here is a good guide on how to install a portable air conditioner. Though we’re sure you can find plenty of YouTube videos to solve this piece of the puzzle!
See more on our moving blog:
Coquitlam movers explore portable appliances for downsizing or small-space living
Coquitlam Movers on Setting Heat Sources After Move
Home improvement investments you can take with you when you move
Moving a dishwasher just makes sense sometimes. After all, you’ve invested a lot in your appliances and it would be a shame not to bring them with you to your new home. When you’re moving, you can take appliances with you, provided they’re not part of ‘the deal’ for the new homeowners. Or, you can replace them with cheaper models, but bring your more expensive ones to your new home. This can sometimes be cheaper than buying them new (of course, that depends on the case). In this article, we’ll focus on how to move a dishwasher.
Step 1: moving a dishwasher starts with unplugging it
To start this step, you’ll need to be able to move your dishwasher out of its spot in your cabinetry. Even if it looks ‘built in,’ it is likely sitting in a ‘gap’ of space between cabinets underneath your counter.
Figuring out how to draw it out without a lot of room on the edges to grasp it. The use of a dolly may really help.
Finding the breaker connection that gives the dishwasher power (if it’s not labelled), and turning it off (you must do this for safety before you proceed!)
If you can drain the dishwasher before moving it out of it’s spot, that will be your best bet. If your dishwasher doesn’t drain completely, it may be clogged. Follow these steps from Wikihow to clean it out, or solve the problem otherwise.
Now it’s time to drag out the dishwasher. You’ll want to prepare the floor underneath. You don’t want to damage flooring from dragging the heavy dishwasher.
These videos are great tutorials on the steps below (even though it’s about replacing legs):
Dishwasher legs look like screws, which are levellers for the dishwasher. You may have to ‘unscrew’ these to get the dishwasher out.
Once the dishwasher is out and no longer so close to the wall where its plumbing and electricity are connected, you should have an easier time with the unplugging part.
You will need to know a little bit about plumbing to move forward with the next steps. Start by turning off the water flow with the water valve.
If your dishwasher was connected with wires, and not a standard plug, you also want to ask an electrician for help. Do not pull at exposed wires or try to untwist them yourself if you don’t know what you’re doing! And very importantly we’ll repeat: turn off the power supply to the dishwasher first!
With plumbing, there is going to be the ‘in’ (which can have both hot and cold water connections) and the ‘out’ (where the gray water drains). The drain tube may be connected to the sink or garburator. You’ll want to close up those connections, if you don’t put in a replacement dishwasher.
Unplugging appliances from drains can cause a stink to emanate from the pipes. So get ready to plug them back up with something temporary (like an old rag, for instance). You may also have some water leakage when you do unplug them. So have a mop or rags ready.
Try to remember which hose was attached to which connection with your plumbing. In fact, go ahead and take a photo of the connections with your phone before you unhook anything. You can use that as a reference later, when you re-install the dishwasher after moving.
You can also unscrew or detach the tubes from the main body of the dishwasher in this step, to make it easier to get to the truck, or for cleaning.
Tape your hoses and connections to the dishwasher, or otherwise keep them in a labelled plastic bag or box.
Step 2: Carefully transport the dishwasher to the moving truck
For this step, you will need an appliance dolly, or a type of dolly that can handle the weight and size of the dishwasher, preferably with straps or enough of a base area on the wheels. A moving blanket or some padding would not be a bad idea for this phase either.
Check the bottom toekick of your dishwasher. It may contain a removable plate-like sheet, which won’t be sturdy enough to hold the weight of the machine if you try to rest it on a dolly. Here is an example of what we’re talking about.
You may also want to lay down mats on the pathway you’ll be rolling the dishwasher along in the home. If you have to cut across grass to move the dishwasher to the moving truck, plywood planks may also make your job easier for this step.
Remember that any lifting you do should follow safety protocols. Don’t injure yourself!
When the dishwasher is in the moving truck, find a way to secure it in place so it doesn’t tip over or slip during the ride to your new home. It may be enough to stack weighty items around it (provided they won’t dent or scratch the appliance). But you may also want to use wood blocks or weights at its base to help with this task (again, being careful about denting).
Step 3: unload and re-install the dishwasher after your move
When you begin to re-install the dishwasher after moving, you’re going to want to do a bit of research on your connection options. For example, this article explains that you may want to look up building codes for your area, to see which ones you can use for plumbing connections. This article also explains how to install a new dishwasher, which you’ll find isn’t for the faint of heart (unless you like a DIY challenge!).
Now if your new home did not have a place for a dishwasher, or the width and height were not to the same specifications as your old home, you may have extra work on your hands.
This article explains how to make room for a dishwasher, if you don’t have a place in your kitchen cabinetry for it. And, as this article explains, you’re also going to have to consider connection lines when finding a new place for a dishwasher you want to install. You may also need to create new holes in the cabinetry, and do some electrical work.
To conclude, moving a great dishwasher to a new home can be a good idea, but it can also be a bad one. If your dishwasher is not worth the cost, time and hassle to move it, you may want to leave it where it is, and let the new home dwellers enjoy it. Moving a dishwasher would be worth it, though, if there is something about you existing dishwasher that isn’t standard in most homes, and the price point justifies it.
When you hire professional movers to move a dishwasher, ask them about the deinstalling and reinstalling. They may include that in their service, and may recommend you hire professional plumbers and electricians to do the job.
When you’re moving, you’re probably also purging. There may be junk you need to get rid of. You could pay a junk removal company to come and take it all away – and that may be your best bet for various types of junk and a big load.
But did you know that many Metro Vancouver cities offer free pick up or junk clear out? They are limited though, so don’t think you’ve hit the jackpot! There is a reason junk removal companies in Vancouver are so abundant.
In this article, we’ll let you know a few ways you can have your junk removed by city services, which you may already pay taxes for.
Corporation of Delta yearly spring clean up
If you are moving within or out of Delta, and if moving day is in the spring, you could plan to get rid of a lot of your junk for free. While there are limits to what the corporation will take, you can use this opportunity to throw out broken furniture, useless toys, old couches, BBQs and stuff that can be bundled up, as long as it doesn’t violate the ‘not accepted’ terms. Mattresses are not accepted – keep that in mind!
If you are a Burnaby resident, you can ask the city to come to your curb to pick up the ‘big things’ that you need to throw away. Mattresses are eligible, unlike Delta’s spring clean up rules. But, they do require you call them beforehand to make sure they will take your item. If you live in an apartment, you may have to make arrangements to move your large item to a special area, which can involve some heavy lifting.
New Westminster fee-based disposal pick up service
Ok, this one is not free. And there may be some restrictions on what the city could pick up for you. But if you live in New Westminster, this may be worth looking into, especially if you only have one big thing you need to get rid of. Then, compare that fee with the price of having a local junk removal company come to get it.
Like in Burnaby, residents of Richmond can take advantage of the city’s large item pick up service. However, this is clearly limited to only “four large household items per year.” And there are restrictions. But for the most part, your furniture junk should be ok. They do make a note that mattresses have to be kept dry and wrapped in plastic, so keep that in mind. They also have an online form to fill out if you don’t want to call in, so that may be a convenience to try.
Similar to Richmond’s program, the City of Surrey offers residents – seemingly only from Newton – to dispose of up to 4 large items per year. And mattresses are accepted. You do have to call in to schedule a pick up. Also, only some apart buildings are eligible for this service: https://www.surrey.ca/city-services/21317.aspx
See more info below:
https://www.surrey.ca/city-services/4550.aspx
City of Coquitlam large item pick up
Again, this one is limited to 4 large items per year, and the restrictions are similar to the above programs. They don’t mention anything about apartment dwellers, but their phone number is on their site to find out more.
While the City of Vancouver doesn’t advertise large item pick up, they do allow you to upgrade your bin size to accept more garbage on the regular schedule. This could be a way to accommodate your junk needs all year round, if they accumulate for you. That said, be aware of the restrictions!
Some things to keep in mind about municipal junk removal before moving
City junk removal services are not ‘full service’! You will have to sort your waste, and bring it to your curbside. If you can’t do that, it’s best you hire a junk removal company to help you out.
These services are also not likely going to work on your timeline. If you are trying to have junk removed last minute – especially if it’s actually on moving day – you may be in a rut. So this is something you need to plan for.
There may be items that are banned from city waste pick up services. You’ll need to handle these yourself by taking them to the appropriate dumping or recycling facilities.
Most of the time, as you’ll see in your investigations, ‘commercial’ waste is not accepted. So if you’re hoping to use these services for getting rid of your car parts or renovation junk, chances are it won’t work. They’re meant to be residential.
There are fines for illegal dumping, so don’t try it!
If you didn’t see your municipality listed above, you can google its name with “large item pick up” to see what comes up. And also, keep in mind bylaws can change all the time. So by the time you read this – especially if it is years from the date of publishing – the rules may have changed. Be sure to call your city services to find out more!
When you’re trying to fit your furniture in your car to do a DIY move, and they just won’t fit (even with the seats folded down), you may be tempted to try a roof hauling on moving day. If you do go this route, keep in mind some of these things to know, before you find yourself in a moving-day pickle!
Know your insurance and liability before moving furniture on top of your car
Recently, a driver in the USA was ticketed for overloading the roof of his car with furniture.
In B.C., you’ll want to check with ICBC about non-collision damage and equipment damage or loss (see page 12 of this document). You’ll notice it’s hard to find information about coverage for items you’re strapping to your roof. Since we’re not lawyers or insurance agents, do your bit and call to find out the rules regarding what you’re going to transport on top of your car.
But you’re not just protecting your own car from damage. What if your furniture flies off the roof of your car on a freeway and hits someone else’s windshield? Don’t let dumb things like this happen. As Popular Mechanics says, “don’t be an idiot.”
Know your weight allowances and potential damage to your vehicle
When you move items on top of your car, especially furniture, you can damage your car. Even the tie down process can affect the weather strip on your car doors, which can eventually lead to leaks. Your car also has weight allowances for what it can carry (see Popular Mechanics article linked to above). And if you’re using a car roof rack, it can also have it’s own weight limitations.
Be sure you are protecting your car when you haul furniture on top of it. It’s not worth the money you’re trying to save if you dent or scratch your car while trying to do a DIY move. Hire a professional for the really heavy, clunky stuff. Or, rent a real moving truck made for the job.
You are also going to need to drive slowly, for obvious reasons, and avoid freeways if you can. Consider wind resistance when driving with items on your car roof. And, if you overload or load incorrectly, your car’s center of gravity can be affected, which can get dangerous and wobbly. Read this article about the dangers of overloading and too much weight on your car.
Get the right straps to haul furniture on your car roof for moving day
You will need really good rope (if you know how to tie knots properly), but preferably proper moving straps to haul furniture on your car roof. According to an article linked to above, bungee cords are not enough here.
Ratchet moving straps, or loading straps can be bought just for this event, if you don’t have them. Even IKEA sells these.
The Popular Mechanics article above also recommends a cargo net as a catch-all just in case.
Tie your furniture to your car properly, and with foresight to how you’re going to get in and around
If you read this article, you’ll see that we can make some silly mistakes when we’re so focused on tying down the furniture on the roof of our car. One girl accidentally tied all her doors shut after a lot of complex, logistical strapping, and had to climb in from the window!
Plus, an article linked-to above also describes that when you tie items to your car, you need to consider things like “tension” and “air loads.” This is why the right straps are important, as well as the right skills in how to tie your furniture to your car.
Then, if you’re going to be heading out of a garage, will your load be too high and hit the top edge? What about bridges or tunnels? Be careful! Measure if you have to.
Your best bet will probably be to have a roof rack on your car for this job. There are, of course, travel boxes you can have tied to the top of your car, which would come in handy for camping or other excursions later on.
This article describes in detail some good tying down methods for moving items on top of your car.
If car roof hauling proves to be too complicated, consider your other options
If this is your first time trying to tie a load onto the top of your car, it may be best to put this off until you can practice with a bike rack or smaller items later on.
Other options can be hitching a trailer to the back of your car, borrowing a friend’s truck or SUV, or, hiring professional movers.
When you look online for Vancouver hot tub movers, or instructions on how to move a hot tub, you’ll get some confusing information. But if you look a little more, you’ll find out that moving a hot tub is no easy feat. This is why you may want to hire professional movers for this job. But if you want to do it yourself, or make sure your hot tub movers know what they’re doing, we’ll give you some tips in this article.
Moving a hot tub is expensive
The first thing you’ll want to really consider is whether or not it’s worth the payoff to move a hot tub in Vancouver. Sometimes, the cost of moving this large, over-sized luxury is about as much as it would cost to buy a new one. But, that doesn’t consider factors such as installation and delivery fees. And of course, if you invested in a pricey luxury spa for your backyard, moving it might be worth it, if you want to keep that investment.
Keep in mind however that once you move your hot tub, it will need to be re-installed. So you’ll have delivery fees (which can cost hundreds), and then installation fees. Possibly even repair fees if things go awry during the move.
If you read this guy’s story of finding a used hot tub, then transporting it himself (with friends), you’ll see that while yes, he saved money on the big picture. But he also had to do A LOT of work, pay a lot to move it, and already had the know-how in “physics, engineering, plumbing, hydrodynamics, electrical engineering” to make it all worthwhile. A novice – or merely a busy person – would probably not be able to do all this. So there is a reason why professionals need to charge as much as they do for moving something as complex as a hot tub.
Moving a hot tub is risky
A hot tub can break during transport, and it can also cause injuries. These spa pools can weigh between 500-1000 pounds. You will likely need to get the structure on its side, and that will require heavy lifting. Do you want to put your friends through that risk? A professional mover will have the right workers compensation insurance for any potential injuries, not to mention trained staff.
You need proper equipment to move a hot tub
You could try to wing it and move a hot tub with a few small doilies and some reliable, strong friends. But chances are, you’ll find that it’s a heavy, heavy item. It probably won’t fit in a moving truck (depending on size, of course). So you’ll need to get it on a trailer.
There are companies that make equipment specifically for hot tub movers. Here are some to check out, so you get an idea of what you’ll need for this job:
If you don’t have the made-for-hot-tub tools, you’ll need at least 4-wheeled dollies, preferably those with a flat bed of some sort (like skid movers), 4×4 wood or pallets, straps and the right protective gear.
Remember the small details when moving a hot tub
When you move a hot tub, you’ll also need to consider the small details. For example:
How are you going to wheel it to a truck once it’s on dollies? Some videos online will show movers using planks of plywood to create a flat, smooth surface all the way to the vehicle. You’ll need to purchase these as well.
Is it completely drained and dry for the move? You won’t want to move a hot tub that is wet, as that will make the job all the more annoying. In fact, this article mentions that if you’re moving in cold temperatures, water can freeze and damage your pipes in the tub! On that note, you may want to get it well cleaned before you move, or right after it lands in its new spot.
Do you have the padding material to keep it safe? Don’t let it crack or dent! Get the right protection for your hot tub when moving it. And that is not the top cover! Tape cardboard, blankets, whatever it takes to keep it from hard bumps.
What about re-installation? We mentioned this above, but don’t forget you can’t just plop it down on the grass in your hard and fill it with water! It needs proper installation.
Will your warranty cover a self-move? Maybe you want to hire insured movers for this, so that you’re covered if the hot tub breaks during transport.
How will you store all the small parts? We recommend you keep the blowers, pumps, heaters, cords, plugs and caps, wires or anything small and detachable that goes with the tub in a contained, separate bag or box. Don’t let these lie around where you’ll forget about them!
What if you have to get the hot tub through small spaces? Think about the logistics before you try to relocate your hot tub!
Consider recycling an old hot tub
If your hot tub is old or damaged, and you basically want to get rid of it before you have to move, you can consider two options:
Call a junk removal company to come and deal with it for you
And yes, there are fees associated with the above options.
Need a hot tub mover in Vancouver?
As you can tell by the above advice, moving a hot tub is not easy, and we don’t recommend doing it yourself. We have plenty of advice on how to move other items on your own, on our blog. But this one is a bit of a mountain to climb. Give us a call, and we can discuss how to move your hot tub if you need us to, or if it’s a good idea.
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