Packers Movers in India: How to Shift Home Without Hidden Charges
You will begin by someone saying:Someone at home says, “We’ll manage, it’s not that much stuff.”Then you get to your loft.
All of a sudden there are boxes you didn’t even know you had. The pressure cooker from your first job, 3 old phones, a box of invites from your wedding in 2016 and a ceiling fan you can’t remember buying. This is generally when you’ll look up packers movers.
Don’t panic! You don’t need to know everything today. We just need to have a plan and be realistic about how much work a move will take. We have been helping families move and store their belongings since 2015 and this is the plan we would use for our own family.
Four weeks before: decide, don’t pack
A common mistake people make is packing too early. 4 weeks ahead don’t touch any boxes. Only make decisions.
Go through every room with a notepad or notes app on your phone. Write down what you are taking, selling, donating and taking to the kabadiwala. Be strict! If you haven’t used it in 2 years then you probably won’t miss it in your new house.
This will reduce the amount of cartons you need and give a clear understanding of how much you are moving. This makes sure your packers movers give you an accurate quote.
This week you should also confirm that your new home will be ready on time. Ask your builder or owner directly when they will be ready. What date? If there is a chance of a delay then keep a storage option in mind. We’ll discuss this more later.
Three weeks before: get quotes (the right way)
Call people. But not just any 10 numbers off the internet!
Choose 3 companies who have correct addresses, GST numbers and realistic reviews. Real reviews will have comments such as ‘They were 30 mins late but packed everything very neatly’. Fake reviews will have comments such as ‘Best service, highly recommended! x50’.
Ask them if they can come to view your goods. Whether this be at your home or via video call. A company that gives you a final price over the phone without viewing your goods is just guessing. They have a funny habit of increasing their price on the day of the move.
Check what is included in the quote. Some quotes may look cheaper because they don’t include half of the following; packing/loading, delivery, unpacking, boxes, and disassembling the bed. Choose a company that offers a free quote with SafeStorage.
We offer a packers and movers service within the city and between cities across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Gurugram and Noida. We also have a dedicated move manager and free cancellation.
What really decides the price
Everyone wants a number, but truthfully 2 2BHK moves within the same city can be very different prices.
It doesn’t depend on how big your flat is, it depends on how much you have. A very organised 3BHK could actually weigh less than a cluttered 2BHK. Distance is obviously a factor. Moving between cities will increase price due to tolls, fuel and extra days on the road. How high up you live and what floor you’re on. If the lift isn’t working or the society won’t let movers use it then it will take longer and more people.
Large or fragile items will increase the price. Things such as sofas that double as beds that won’t fit through the door, glass dining tables, treadmills or large aquariums. Disassembling furniture and carpentry can often be an extra cost. In some areas such as Mumbai, Pune and Kerala there are local union loading fees which are usually paid by the customer.
The last weekend of the month is the busiest time for packers movers as most leases finish then. Often mid month weekdays are easier to book.
Two weeks before: the boring but important stuff
Administrative week! Not fun but you will be glad you did!
Let someone know in your society/apartment association that you are moving and book the lift. Find out what times you can get the truck in. One of the most common issues is having to wait for 2 hours outside the gate because no one has told security.
Cancel your electricity/water connections and book your gas. Book your broadband early to make sure you have internet in your new place (Sometimes it takes up to a week). Book your broadband change.
Eventually you will have to update your new address on your Aadhaar. This can be done on the official UIDAI website. If you are taking a car/bike to another state, check the regulations for re-registering your vehicle and getting a NOC on the government’s Parivahan portal.
Start boxing up items you don’t use often. Books, winter clothing, extra crockery, decor. If you are boxing some of these up yourself make sure you use proper boxes and packing materials rather than old newspapers and shopping bags. Newspapers leave ink everywhere and offer very little protection.
One week before: the essentials box and the final count
Packing ‘first night’ bags for everyone in your family. Pack 2 days of clothing, toothbrushes, medications, chargers, important documents, towel and some snacks for the kids. In a separate box, pack up your Wi-Fi router, bedsheet and a few steel glasses.
This will save you so much stress later.Take pictures of any wiring behind your telly and computer. Sounds silly but you will be standing in your new house trying to figure out what cable was what.
Defrost and empty your fridge the day before. Empty your washing machine. Don’t forget to empty your water purifier as it holds a lot more water than you would expect!
Write down a simple list of how many boxes and large items you have. When you are putting them on the truck count them and when you are taking them off count them again. If anything is missing you will know straight away.
With SafeStorage, we ask that you let our team know within 24 hours of the move and submit a claim within 48 hours. This will make the entire process very quick and simple.
Moving day: what to do (and what not to do)
Be present on the day. Don’t try to do it remotely from your office. Be present when the packers and movers arrive so that you can highlight any items that need taking care of and answer any questions.
Ensure all your valuables are with you – gold, cash, passports, property documents, laptop. Never put these items inside a box or the truck.
Once everything has been packed, do a final walk around your home. Open all cupboards, check your loft and behind doors. Often something will be left behind such as boxes of shoes or framed photos.
Don’t pay any money upfront. Usually a deposit will be required but only pay the remainder once your items have been packed.
When your new home isn’t ready yet
This can often happen. The painting isn’t quite finished! The owner wants “just one more week”. You’re going abroad for a year or your new flat is smaller and your wardrobe won’t fit!
Rather than trying to squeeze all your furniture into a relative’s spare room (and then hearing about it for years), we can store your items for you. We’ll collect from your door, pack and log your items. All items will be stored in a warehouse with 24/7 CCTV, pest control and free insurance. We can deliver them back to you when you’re ready.
From just ?99 per month, we can create a plan to store your items. We have a minimum of 1 month so you won’t be tied down to a long term contract. If you’re taking your car or bike with you, we can store it safely in our vehicle storage.
Only have a few extra boxes to store? Such as books, winter clothing or children’s toys. Our box storage service is an easy and affordable option. If you’re moving an office, our document storage service is a great way to save on expensive office rent.
The first week after the move
Don’t try to do everything in one go! Start with the basics (kitchen & beds) so you can live a normal life. Everything else can wait till the weekend.
Whilst opening up your furniture & electronics, check they are all in one piece. If there’s any damage, take photos and notify the moving company within the given timeframe. Don’t leave it till next Sunday!
Make sure to find the closest chemist, supermarket & hospital. Update your bank, work and delivery apps with your new address. Also say hello to your neighbour! Sounds old fashioned but having a friendly neighbour in a new building is better than any app!
Small mistakes that make moving harder
Things we have seen happen multiple times:
Booking packers movers 2-3 days before the end of the month – all good teams will be booked up. Picking the cheapest quote without checking what is included. Getting charged for extra cartons and floor charges on the day.
Not counting your boxes. Not telling the society. Putting your medication in a carton and it gets put at the bottom of the truck.None of these are huge issues but overall it makes your day exhausting and worse.
Why families trust SafeStorage
SafeStorage was founded in 2015 with the simple idea that when your life is changing you shouldn’t have to worry about your possessions. We have helped over one lakh customers in 16+ cities across India and have a 4.9 star rating on Google.
By choosing us as your packers movers you will have an end-to-end move manager, fully verified moving partners and a transparent quote. As we have our own storage warehouses we can store some or all of your items if your dates don’t match up.
We have one team to handle your move and storage. No hassle switching between companies.If you would like to know more about how we work or which cities we cover then please take a look at our locations page.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much in advance should I contact packers movers?
For local moves, ideally contact packers movers 10 days ahead. For intercity moves or month end dates, ideally give us 2-3 weeks notice.
2. Is it safe to move electronics?
Yes! As long as everything is well packaged. You will want to use the original boxes, but if you don’t then just ask for more bubble wrap and foam. TVs should be stood upright.
3. Can I just move some of my things?
Yes! A lot of people will move their essentials first, and leave their extra furniture or seasonal items in storage.
4. What shouldn’t I put on my moving truck?
You should not put any cash, jewellery, documents or medications. You shouldn’t put any gas cylinders, kerosene, paint or anything flammable.
Are you ready to move?
Moving will never be enjoyable but with a bit of planning and the right packers movers, it won’t be stressful. Plan ahead, ask the right questions, ensure you read through your quote and have a storage solution to hand.
Once you are ready give us a call on 8088848484 or visit safestorage.in. Let us know where you are moving and we’ll take it from there.
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