Professional Moving Services in Union Bay, Comox BC

Estimating moving costs for a 2-bedroom home in Union Bay (Comox) in 2025 depends on several Union Bay-specific factors: narrow waterfront roads near the Union Bay Wharf and boardwalk, long rural driveways common in the Union Bay village and Baynes Sound area, and round-trip drive time to urban hubs like Comox and Courtenay. Base labour rates for two movers commonly start at CAD 140–200 per hour in the Comox Valley market in 2025; a three-person crew is often recommended for 2-bedroom moves with stair carries or wharf transfers. Minimum-callout charges for Union Bay jobs commonly add 1–2 hours to cover travel from Comox or Courtenay.

Travel and access fees are prominent cost drivers. From central Comox to Union Bay, expect 20–30 minutes drive time under normal conditions; Courtenay-based crews typically add 25–35 minutes. Some Union Bay properties sit on long private driveways (200–800 metres) which increase labour time — companies often charge per 100 m of additional carry or levy a driveway fee. Wharf or boardwalk operations at Union Bay Wharf may require time-consuming loading methods and municipal permits (see permit FAQ below), which can add CAD 100–300 to the total. Fuel/travel surcharges of CAD 25–75 are common when moving outside downtown Comox.

A practical 2-bedroom pricing scenario tied to Union Bay realities:

• Quick local move, easy driveway, 2 movers: CAD 1,100–1,400
• Standard move with medium driveway or some stairs: CAD 1,400–1,800
• Wharf/boardwalk loading or long driveway + 3 movers: CAD 1,800–2,200+

As of December 2025, ask movers for line-item estimates showing travel time, driveway carry fees, wharf/permit charges and minimums. Clear photos of the Union Bay property, the access road, and the nearest legal parking spot by the boardwalk or wharf help produce accurate quotes.

Movers serving Union Bay, Comox use both hourly and flat-rate pricing. Hourly pricing is common when the scope is uncertain, while flat-rates are offered after visual surveys. For Union Bay-specific jobs, companies factor in travel from staging locations in Comox or Courtenay, the likely need for larger crews if wharf loading or long carries are present, and extra time for narrow waterfront roads and the boardwalk area.

Hourly pricing (2025 typical ranges):

• Two movers + truck: CAD 140–180/hr (minimum 2–3 hours + travel callout)
• Three movers + truck: CAD 190–260/hr (recommended if heavy furniture or wharf loading)
• Add-ons: packing services CAD 40–85/hr per packer; stair carry CAD 5–15/item; driveway carry CAD 1–4 per 10 m beyond truck.

Flat-rate scenarios used by local companies for Union Bay:

• Studio/one-room local: CAD 600–900 (short carries, easy access)
• 1BR move: CAD 850–1,200 (standard crew, short drives)
• 2BR move: CAD 1,100–2,200 (dependant on driveway length and permit needs)
• 3BR move: CAD 1,900–3,400 (larger crew, possible second truck)

Minimum callout/travel fee: Many Comox-based movers apply a CAD 75–150 travel fee for Union Bay or add 30–120 minutes of charged time to account for all travel. Courtenay-based companies may sometimes be slightly cheaper on labour but add travel time equivalent to or longer than Comox crews. When comparing quotes, ask movers to separate base labour, travel time, fuel surcharge, parking/permit fees for Union Bay Wharf/boardwalk, and any mandatory minimums.

Union Bay's character — a coastal village on Baynes Sound — presents repeatable access scenarios moving crews learn to manage. Narrow waterfront roads near the Union Bay Wharf and the boardwalk are where standard 26' moving trucks can be difficult to position, especially during high-traffic summer weekends. Many properties are on long, private driveways or have limited turnaround space, requiring one of three practical approaches:

1. Smaller truck/shuttle method: Use a midi-van (15–20') parked in the nearest legal spot (often Island Highway or a permitted parking near the boardwalk) then shuttle items to a larger truck staged off-site. This is common where narrow access prevents large-truck overnight parking.

2. Crew carry or trolley: For driveways of 200–800 m, movers use additional crew members or equipment (dollies on gravel) to move items safely. Companies usually add driveway carry fees per distance.

3. Wharf/boardwalk transfers: When loading at Union Bay Wharf, movers may transfer items to and from boats or use the boardwalk path; this requires extra hands and often municipal permit clearance. Pre-move site visits or detailed photos are essential.

Most reputable moving teams will ask for photos of the driveway, the street approach, the Union Bay Wharf if applicable, and the parking situation near the boardwalk before giving a firm quote. In 2025, the trend is toward flexible fleets (smaller trucks and staging vans) and explicit line items for shuttle time and driveway carry to keep unexpected delays and costs down.

Union Bay Wharf and the adjacent boardwalk are popular community spaces and are subject to local bylaws that regulate commercial activity and parking. For moves that require direct loading from the wharf or blocking parts of the boardwalk or adjacent roadside, movers typically advise clients to secure permits or approvals in advance. Common routes for permit processing include the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) for regional crown land queries and the Town of Comox for local bylaw clarifications, depending on the exact ownership and jurisdiction of the wharf and waterfront parcels.

Practical permit steps for 2025 Union Bay moves:

• Identify the exact loading location (Union Bay Wharf, boardwalk ramp, or beachfront street). Take and submit photos to the mover and the CVRD or Town of Comox permit office.
• Contact the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) permitting department and the Town of Comox by email or phone to confirm whether a temporary commercial access permit or special event permit is required for wharf or boardwalk loading. Many small moves can be approved with a simple written request but require 48–72 hours’ lead time.
• If parking a truck on Island Highway (Old Island Highway) or nearby residential streets, request a temporary parking exemption or a no-parking signage placement to reserve space for the mover; local contractors/companies often arrange this on clients’ behalf for CAD 50–150.

Always confirm permit requirements at least 7–10 days before the move date in 2025. Failure to obtain necessary permits can cause on-site delays, fines, or forced relocation of the truck, adding labour costs.

Union Bay sits on Baynes Sound with convenient marine links to Denman Island, Hornby Island and other smaller communities. Some Comox/Union Bay moving companies offer island delivery as a specialized service: they handle truck-to-boat transfers, coordinate barge schedules, and provide island staging. Because island transfers involve marine carriers, tide windows, and often additional handling (moving from truck to boat and then from boat to destination), expect higher costs and longer lead times.

Common island-handling models in 2025:

• Full-service island delivery: The moving company books barge passage, coordinates vehicle drop-off, and completes final delivery on the island. This option is rare and typically quoted as a flat-rate supplement.
• Transfer to local island carrier: Movers bring goods to a pre-arranged island ferry or water taxi; the island carrier completes the last leg. This model requires aligning schedules and often involves separate invoicing for the marine carrier.
• Customer-arranged marine transfer: Some movers will deliver to a Union Bay staging point and let customers arrange a boat transfer. This reduces mover liability but requires careful coordination.

Expect marine transfer fees of CAD 150–700 depending on volume, vessel availability and season. Denman and Hornby island summers are busy — reserve a combined mover+marine slot early. If your move is to or from small private docks in Baynes Sound communities, include photos and tidal access details when requesting quotes to ensure accurate pricing.

Whether Comox or Courtenay movers are cheaper for Union Bay depends on the specific firm’s travel policy, minimums and fleet flexibility. Comox is geographically closest, so many Comox-based movers charge lower travel-time surcharges and can often fit Union Bay moves into day schedules with smaller additional time blocks. Courtenay companies sometimes offer lower base hourly labour rates due to different overheads, but longer travel times and minimum callout windows to reach Union Bay can offset those savings.

How to compare: request line-item quotes including the following fields — base hourly rate, minimum callout hours, anticipated travel time and travel fee from the mover’s depot to Union Bay, driveway carry fees for long private driveways, and any wharf/permit handling charges for Union Bay Wharf/boardwalk. For moves in 2025, use the following checklist:

• Ask for a photo-based on-site estimate or virtual walkthrough focused on Union Bay Wharf/boardwalk or the property driveway.
• Confirm where the mover stages their truck (Comox yard, Courtenay yard or off-site) and the added drive-time to Union Bay.
• Compare total estimated hours including travel time, not just base hourly rates.

In many real-world comparisons, Comox movers end up being equal or cheaper for Union Bay customers once travel and minimums are accounted for, but always verify the all-in price. If a Courtenay mover provides a significantly lower quote, validate whether the company will add travel or overnight fees after the fact.