India’s Garden City and Silicon Valley, Bengaluru is one of India’s most desirable cities. From careers to ‘nature’s AC’, from great nightlife to a peaceful retired life, it means many things to many people. No wonder, then, that there is a year-round influx of people shifting in Bengaluru, each moving in with their own ‘grand dream’. Having said that, being a destination of metro-esque proportions and particulars, the act of relocation to Bengaluru – whether you are moving office or home – brings its own set of Do’s & Don’ts. So here are certain things to keep in mind when you are packing and moving to Bengaluru.

The cost of living in Bengaluru can be on the higher than other places. In particular, the cost of accommodation, food and travel can be on the higher side – sometimes considerably. Sharing – particularly for bachelors – offers an easy solution. When you add in the cost of food, raw materials, cleaning, maintenance and domestic help, the costs can go high. If you decide to eat outside, or rent a meal service, they can be expensive too – so do keep extra moolah aside and plan for your new lifestyle accordingly.

They say language is a big leveler. So if you feel ‘left out’ in the city because every other person is speaking in Kannada (yes, that is the most popular language in the city and the local lingo), you must prepare in advance. Take a language course at least 2 months prior to shifting in bengaluru. If you don’t have the time, start the course at your earliest convenience. And make sure you mix and converse with the locals as much as you can – it’s the easiest way of learning a new ‘tongue’.

Travelling inside Bengaluru can be an issue. Not because of lack of transport – the city is well endowed with a robust public transport network featuring virtually every conceivable mode of transport – but the traffic can be exasperating. The extreme rush can also sometimes make procuring a mobile cab service like Uber or Ola difficult. Under the circumstances, the metro or buses are perhaps the best and safest way to make your way around the city. Either way, you have to plan your daily activities well in advance, and keep sufficient time in hand.

June to September is monsoon season in the city of Bengaluru, so prepare in advance. If you are shifting in Bengaluru during this time, it can mean extra precautions, hazards and headaches. There are greater chances of belongings getting damaged or spoilt during the rainy season. Travelling is also more hazardous and susceptible to accidents. It is highly advisable, therefore, to choose the right packer and mover. And never forget to take insurance.

Start by comparing quotations from reputed relocators and pick the one that is best suited for your range of items. Did you know that the ShiftKarado app shares a no-hidden-charge quote in seconds? Or that we offer the best prices for relocation to metro cities? Make your shift to Bangalore a breeze, with our services.

Headed to the city of Charminar? Here’s an honest Moving Guide from ShiftKarado – leading packers and movers in Hyderabad.

When you move to Hyderabad, you enjoy the unique advantage of moving to two different cities at the same time. On the one hand you will be coming face to face with the sparkling, old world charm and culture of the ancient city, while on the other, there will be the joys of ‘Cyberabad’ – the cutting-edge IT hub – to savor. Whichever city you prefer – most people prefer a blend of the two – it’s good to make note of certain steps you must take to make your transition to this amazing city truly memorable.

The best way to experience the culture and life of Hyderabad is to mix with the locals, and that involves learning a bit of the local language – certainly some of the most common words and phrases that will let you get by initially. And this means familiarizing yourself with Telugu. In the ‘old city’, you will find people speaking in the Dakhanvi dialect. Gradually, as you interact more and more, you will be picking up the lingo on your own. Hindi, of course, remains popular, so if you are aware of Hindi, you start with an advantage.

No matter which packers and movers in Hyderabad you have chosen to partner for your move in the city, they will tell you (if you have taken the initiative to ask) that the cost of living in Hyderabad is one of the delights of the city. This is truly one of the cheapest metros in India. So no matter what your professional stage of life is – young, middle-age or senior – you are bound to find a satisfying and suitable apartment as per your budget.

If you are a young and starting out (or ‘starting up’), Hyderabad can be your ideal Launchpad. Teaming with a young population, the city naturally has plenty of facilities and amenities – be it for work, stay or entertainment – for the young crowd.

While choosing your accommodation in Hyderabad, it will make sense to opt for an address that is as close to your workplace as possible. If your workplace is not decided, or if it can change in the future, it will make sense to pick a spot that is centrally located or well connected with road networks and comes with robust public transport facilities. Traffic in Hyderabad can be bad – which isn’t a surprise if you are coming from another metro with bumper-to-bumper traffic like Bengaluru or Mumbai or Delhi, but can be a discomforting feeling initially if you are from a more peaceful and laid back city. Public transport offers an easy way out: Local trains are punctual and the local buses are aplenty, and there are special buses for women. Incidentally, Hyderabad is one of the safest cities for women.

No trip to Hyderabad is complete without food. If you have picked the right packers and movers in Hyderabad, you can unpack and organize your stuff quickly and seamlessly on the very day you reach and head out for a taste of the city by evening. Once you are reasonably settled in, make time to explore the culinary gems of the city. From Biryani & Haleem (the Nizam’s spread) to delectable Indian versions of Chinese to the local street ‘chaat’s, this city is nirvana for food lovers. And from overpriced to dirt-cheap, there are recipes and dishes to satisfy every budget. However, on the whole, outside food can be a little expensive if you make a regular habit of it – so it’s best to cook at home. When out, make sure you have plenty of water with you – carry it in a water bottle.

The easiest way to know more of Hyderabad is to make friends. That’s not difficult to do, since Hyderabadis are a social and friendly lot, and will warm up to you if you are genuine and nice with them.

Hyderabad is all the glitz of the new happily co-existing with the glory of the past. Choosing the best packers and movers in Hyderabad helps here as well, because the start is often the most important part. Once your relocation partner has helped you settle down smoothly without hassles and headaches, you are set to explore the city on your own and slip into your brand new lifestyle. There are plenty of heritage and cultural sites – so plan your itinerary well.

With a peacefully co-existing community (without significant communal conflicts), well developed urban and civic facilities and robust law standards, Hyderabad is a peaceful and exciting place to stay and start your new life’s journey.

Keep exploring (taking breaks with delicious Hyderabadi Irani tea and hearty bites of the local Osmania biscuit) your city with your band of new friends, respect the city’s tradition and history, make time for exercise – and soon you will find yourself becoming a Hyderabad fan.

Looking for the best packers and movers in Hyderabad? ShiftKarado’s easy app, experienced team and quick, personalized and reliable service can be the best way to go.

Did you catch the new campaign & mantra: “You App It, We Zapp It” with ShiftKarado – Packers and Movers App

Did you know the volume of Mobile users today solidly outnumbers the ‘desktop population’? Or that people are often more comfortable with a quick and impersonal ‘conversation’ with their mobile app rather than a formal & laborious face-to-face with service representatives? No wonder then, that Apps have become the new ‘poster boys’ (or girls) of the modern businesses. Millennials swear by them, mature age-groups find them a ‘go-to’ saviour in daily life, and brands are betting big on their future.

Nothing embodies the App-first approach of the new economy better than ShiftKarado’s new multi-tasking Packers and Movers App. For the first time, the powerful touch of technology is transforming the packers & movers space – a domain that is largely considered ‘unorganized’.

A breath of fresh air in the relocation space, there are several reasons why ShiftKarado’s cool Packers and Movers App is garnering rave reviews from customers, and is amongst the most referred-to Apps today. For one thing, it lets them stay closely connected to the brand. Secondly, they can choose the kind of messages and notifications they receive. Finally, anyone moving home or office can book a relocation in a jiffy or make a hassle-free payment in a simple swipe of the thumb.  From the convenience of booking their favourite packers & movers (ShiftKarado) from the comfort of ‘anywhere’ to the transparency of an instant and upfront quote that carries ‘no hidden charges’, ShiftKarado’s revolutionary App is something the relocation industry has never seen before.

Yes, ShiftKarado’s Packers and Movers App has been able to deliver a truly advanced relocation experience to virgin markets and demographics who were so far relegated to the vagaries and downsides of traditional packing & moving methods. Not only that. Digital monitoring of behaviour and consumption patterns has also empowered ShiftKarado’s technologists to personalize the packing & moving experience to the exact needs of its customers, thus making possible a dream relocation experience – one that is quick, cost-smart and worry-free.

This ground-breaking transformation in the packer & mover space – ushered by ShiftKarado’s all new Packers and Movers App – demanded the right stage to be presented to the audience. It came in the form of our high-buzz and high-engagement campaign entitled YOU APP IT, WE ZAPP IT. This quirky and bold communication exercise has been unleashed across media channels like social, digital, video print and outdoors, and has been busy attracting eyeballs and cornering conversations ever since its launch.

The reason the campaign works is its simplicity, and the clever use of contemporary, ‘public lingo’. The dual, stimulus-response format makes the messaging easy to understand, and the benefit clear to comprehend. The message is simple, yet revolutionary: All someone has to do, in order to avail India’s smartest and most cost-intelligent packer & mover – ShiftKarado – is simply APP the company. And sit back and relax, as ZAPPS them with a world class packing & moving experience.

That’s right. No matter what your shifting requirement, nature of belongings, destination city, budget or timeline, all you have to do is App ShiftKarado. And let us delight you pleasantly with a packing & moving service that’s instant, easy, quick, thoughtfully customized and refreshingly cost-intelligent.

We’re ready to ZAPP. Are you ready to APP?

#AppItZappIt #ShiftKarado #PackersAndMoversApp #PackersAndMovers

Shifting of your home or office can be a challenge at the best of times. During the monsoon season, however, we need to be extra careful about it, and take thoughtful measures to ensure a smooth and hiccup-free operation. So if you are thinking of moving during the incoming monsoons, here are some pointers you will do good to keep in mind.

Keep those plastic garbage-bags handy.

When it’s dripping all over, plastic garbage bags can be a heaven-sent. Versatile, waterproof and light, they can be used to store and move a variety of items. If you are short of space, it’s easy to punch a hole in them and hang them up on the wall.

Don’t spread it around.

Gather all your boxes and cartons around in a single room. This way, it won’t just be easy to manage them, but you will be able to cut down on the walking around, thereby preventing the floors and premises from getting all wet, slippery and inconvenient. When it’s time, transfer the goods from this room to the vehicle you are using to relocated – some call it a ‘single roof transfer’.

Prevent slipping.

With floors and grounds likely to be all wet and mushy, chances of slipping, falling and injuries rise during the monsoons – especially if you have heavy boxes and items to carry or move around. Get creative and build makeshift or temporary floor-mats that can help your feet get a grip as you move. You can use anything from paper cartons to old rags to sheets.

Keep them wrapped.

The rains warrant extra protection for your valuables and belongings. Make sure you provide an extra wrapping over and above the boxes, cartons or packaging material that you are using. Take particular care of wooden items and furniture, important paper documents and sensitive electronic and digital gadgets. Use heavy duty tape to first seal up the boxes and cartons, and then wrap them all around with a final coating or covering.

Dry as you unpack.

After you have arrived at your destination, you will start to offload the vehicle or car. As you bring each item down, make sure to run a dry duster or piece of cloth over them. Removing the excess drops and moisture will prevent ‘watering up’ the new premises and go a long way in making the relocation exercise less messy.

Stay dry.

Be it waterproof headgear, raincoat or skid-proof footwear, make sure you are dressed for the occasion, so to speak. From an uncomfortable sticky feeling all day to outright cold & flu, employing a ‘monsoon wearable’ is your talisman against a range of unsavoury circumstances.

Guard your valuables.

It’s a good idea to use waterproof zipper-bags for your sensitive documents, valuable data and important files.

Use a closed-body vehicle

During the monsoons, using a vehicle that is closed from all sides is an absolutely non-negotiable decision. From getting wet to getting struck by lightning to every little contingency in between, anything can happen when it’s raining cats and dogs.

Ensure insurance.

It is wise to take insurance coverage if you are shifting during the monsoon season. There are higher-than-usual chances of damage or loss if you are relocating during the rainy season. Consult your relocation partner (yes, you should go for a professional packer & mover) on the right coverage premium.

Get professionals to help you move.

Even when the sun is shining, so to speak, getting professional packer & mover makes sense. They have the experience and on-ground resources to tackle the many unpredictable factors of the exercise. During the monsoons, it becomes a must.

Our career often ‘takes us places’. And while this sentence is usually used in the metaphorical sense, its literal sense is equally true for a lot of us. That’s because – be it a transfer or a promotion or a company expansion – companies send their employees to new geographical destinations all the time. When you are faced with relocation for work, there can be a thousand doubts and apprehensions crossing through your mind. Here are some issues that you need to tackle head on, and some questions you must ask straightaway, if your work is, so to speak, ‘taking you places’, too:

Will I get temporary accommodation assistance?

When you are relocating for work, there can be a gap or lag phase before you settle down and your family joins you. This interim or ‘stopgap’ period is one where you need to find a place to stay. It should, ideally, be close to your workplace so that you can avoid commute and maximize ‘work time’. However, finding the right stopgap address in a locality that you are totally new in – without any idea of local neighborhood cultures, public transport or roads and connectivity – can be tough, especially since you will also be pressed for time on the work front. If one cannot negotiate well, it can also become an expensive proposition. It is therefore important to ask your employer or client well in advance whether they will be helping you out in this area – be it finding the right address or fixing the right price for it.

Will you help my family settle down?

When your family finally joins you in your new address, there will be new needs to take care of. Kids will need the right school, Day Care Centre or Babysitters. Senior Citizens will need special attention and services. Pets will need walkers and pet-friendly zones. That apart, your household will need certain service providers to cover daily needs like groceries, electricity, plumbing, drivers, security and so on. You may also need help in transport like a car or a pool service. If you are relocating for work, it is important to clarify with your employer the nature of support you will receive from them in each of these areas.

Will I get assistance in figuring out the best location?

Perhaps the most important part in your relocation exercise is finding the right location for your residence. Not only does it need to be in a peaceful and ‘homely’ locality where your family will be able to find ‘like minded folks’ to connect with, it should also have good connectivity with other parts of town (which goes beyond your workplace and includes shopping, utilities such as  banks and post-office, culinary, leisure and entertainment avenues as well). Find out whether you will get help from your company in ‘homing into’ the best locational advantage for your new home.

What are the financial ‘adjustments’ I can expect to receive?

Moving to a new city or location – especially one that’s a level above your previous (which is the normal situation in a case of an ascending professional journey) – may involve a rise in living standards, and by extension, a rise in the cost of living. This is quite apart from the ‘one time’ cost of relocation that you will incur for shifting your co-ordinates. That apart, there may be new tax implications and complications to consider in your new zone of residence. To what extend will your employers or clients be ready to ‘ease’ your situation in these financial areas? Find out, before you shift.

Relocation can be a complex exercise, given its range and nature of uncertainties. It helps to prepare a list of questions you must ask your employer or client before you make your move. Once you have satisfactory answers to them, you are, as they say, good-to-go.

When it comes to moving home or office, we are quick to worry about the possible damage and loss of our valuable possessions, and spend most of our time fretting about what will happen should our dear (and often, expensive) belongings run into rough weather or suffer damage or loss while moving from one address to another.

Fretting and worrying about that eventuality – which, at times, can be quite real – isn’t the answer. Neither is appointing a priest to do a havan, trying the old ‘lemon-and-green-chilli fix’, or consulting a tarot card reader. Insurance, is.

When you are moving home or office – especially between cities or metros – taking insurance isn’t optional, it’s usually considered a ‘must’. After all, we aren’t talking about nominal or insignificant financial numbers here. Often – and this is true especially of offices and workplaces with expensive equipment and machinery to move – the value of the goods being moved can range anywhere between a few lacs to a few crores, or even more.

It simply doesn’t make sense to ‘leave it all upto fate’. Of course, getting the right relocation team on the job can go a long way to ‘insulate’ you against untoward incidents and minimizing the risk of damage or loss. But there are certain ‘unforeseeable’ circumstances and ‘Acts of God’ (such as natural calamities) that even the best packer and mover professionals cannot pre-empt or hedge you against.

Which means that while prevention is certainly better than cure, even prevention doesn’t always work. Thankfully, there’s insurance.

As there are different types of liabilities (goods and items that are being moved), there are – correspondingly – different kinds of insurances one can choose from. Remember that not all of your items and belongings may be eligible for coverage under insurance protection. Also, you may not get full (ie, 100%) coverage for all your goods. Finally, the nature of coverage you choose plays a vital part in determining the manner in which you will be reimbursed should your possessions get lost or ‘dented’. There are legal clauses and disclaimers to consider in each case. But the bottomline is fairly simple: Whatever can be covered, should be insured to the extent feasible.

There are, broadly, two types of insurance you can consider: Transit and Comprehensive.

Transit insurance kicks into action when the entire consignment fails to reach its destination, and suffers loss due to occasions such as fire, lightning, floods and other contingencies. Comprehensive insurance, on its part, covers all kinds of damage that can happen during the shift or shifting journey.

Generally speaking, insurance tends to be affordable, and probably won’t burn a hole in your pocket. But it is in terms of its benefits that it really shines. When something goes wrong, it is only the ‘painkiller’ of an appropriate insurance solution that can be of any tangible help or worthwhile solace

The short-sighted can fall into the trap of treating insurance as a cost outlay. The wise always interprets it as an investment.

Here’s the Rule of Thumb, so to speak: Figure out how much your items are worth to you – both in monetary terms and in terms of your emotional attachment to them. Compare and analyse the different insurance options available for them in the market. If you have a responsible and resourceful relocation partner, approach them for a customized advice. And go for an insurance that makes maximum sense to your specific ‘move’.

As a customer-facing company, we believe in putting you first. We believe that in the fast- moving times we live in, you are constantly bombarded with new ideas and options, all of which go into changing your outlook and approach almost overnight. In our endeavours to keep up with that change, and to always bring you the best relocation experience. A considerable slice of our time, therefore, goes into analysing your behaviour patterns and studying trends that affect you. In our recently concluded surveys and data analysis, a clear indication has emerged. And it is that our discerning patrons and new generation customers – while being quality conscious – are most sensitive to price. We are not surprised. At a time when prices everywhere are rising, you must naturally weigh cost considerations before taking decisions – especially a major one like relocation or shifting between cities and towns.

We realized that this was a space where we could move-in fast, so to speak, and engineer a real difference. And make a real impact on your next relocation decision.

Our latest campaign – LOWEST PRICE CHALLENGE – is a big step towards achieving that goal. At its heart, the philosophy is simple: To remove the last shred of doubt and regret in your mind that by choosing us, you are truly making the best possible choice – yes, even in terms of cost.

What you have to do is simple. First, fill in a few simple details in our app or website to get an instant (and hidden-cost-free) quote from us. While our low tariff should delight you instantly, we don’t want you to stop there. So go ahead and procure similar rate-cards and quotes from as many other relocators and packers & movers in your city as you can. Most of them don’t have an instant-app based quote facility like ours, so you will have to approach them via email or phone. This may take some time, but at the end of it all, you should have a fat bunch of quotes at your disposal. Please note that only renowned packers and movers (in a comparable class and category) are eligible for the LOWEST PRICE CHALLENGE.

As you compare prices, in case you find one that’s lower than ours, Challenge us! Simply thumb your mobile or throw in an email (with a copy of the lower quote attached as reference), and our team will get back to you promptly. We will accept our ‘defeat’, but we will also make you smile wider with a brand new offer: One that matches the lower rate, making ShiftKarado’s quote the lowest. That should put your mind to rest.

The sense of satisfaction doesn’t end there, of course. That’s because when you decide to choose ShiftKarado, you know that you aren’t just opting for the ‘best price’ the market has to offer, but the finest experience as well. Our technology driven processes are flawless. Our fleets and teams are hand-picked.
Our package-plans are customizable to your budget. And we also offer you the peace-of-mind that insurance brings.

Please check out the terms and conditions related to ShiftKarado Lowest Price Challenge here.

We did it again!

Just when you thought the packers and movers space couldn’t be disrupted more, that’s exactly what we went ahead and did: Reduce our prices – to turn it into India’s ‘best price’, no matter where you are relocating.

Yes, we have been in disruption mode for a while now. First, we built an app that took the surprise and unpredictability factor out of the cost, by guaranteeing you a no-hidden-charge quote within minutes of your query on our app. In an industry that’s notorious for its fluctuating pricing, this was a big change. All you had to thumb our app, and our quote would be with you – helping you take a decision and plan your move without wasting precious time.

Then, we brought you flexibility and convenience the likes of which were probably never heard of before. You could choose the kind of packaging material, box and approach you want for your precious belongings from a wide list of options, to arrive at one that matches your budget precisely.

From individual attention on the littlest detail to the expertise of relocation veterans to an easy, headache-less process that is managed like clockwork, there are many more instances where we have made you nod in approval.

Our LOWEST PRICE CHALLENGE is the latest in this string of endeavours, and one that is slated to make you smile the widest. Here’s what it is, in a nutshell: As the most price- intelligent packing & moving option in India, we have always been charging you rates that are highly competitive, and consistently on the lower side. Today, we have taken it one step farther.

Today, we claim that our charges are the lowest in market of all packers and movers – period.  Which means that no other renowned packers & movers or relocator in the country moves your home or office at a lower price than we do. However, we are aware that our customers are value- conscious, and would want to check out ground realities first. Which is why we have come up with the challenge.

So don’t take our word when we claim that it is impossible to shift at a lower tariff point today. Go ahead and do a dipstick survey or research or recci by yourself. Compare the price- sheets of other renowned relocators . Ask friends and colleagues who have shifted recently. Trawl Google. And in the unlikely event that you find a lower estimate, contact us first before you make your decision. If we find that the price is indeed lower that ours (in the same class and category of move), we will match it down to the last penny.

So why move at a higher price? Or even at the same price with some other relocator, when we are also giving you the advantage of transparent pricing, thoughtful features and personalized attention?

So if you are thinking of moving, stop. And take our LOWEST PRICE CHALLENGE first.

Ready?

Please check out the terms and conditions related to ShiftKarado Lowest Price Challenge here.

Pictures and paintings are some of our most precious possessions. Naturally, when it’s time to move home or office, we give them extra attention. And more often than not, suffer from extra tension as well – since their delicate and sensitive nature makes them unsuitable for ‘standard packaging’ methods. So, if you are planning to move in the near future, here are some points to keep in mind when it comes to ‘ how to pack pictures, paintings and antiques for moving’.

Start with enough and adequate supplies

The process of packing your pictures and painting starts much earlier than the actual act of packing. It’s all in the preparation, you see. Begin by making sure you have all the essential supplies ready to ensure a quick and hiccup-free job. Some items you will need here are cardboard boxes or special picture / frame boxes of various sizes, soft packing paper, bubble wrap (large sheets), packing tape (high quality), marker / highlighter pens and so on.

Take care of the stain

Remember that there are certain packing materials that can leave an etch or stain on glass or canvas. Newspaper, for example, is one such material. Even if it is not wet, it can still cause the ink on the painting to smudge or run. Another example is parchment paper, which can scratch or etch your masterpiece. So it’s best to avoid such materials.

The thumb rules of packing.

When it comes to fragile and high value pictures, paintings and antiques for moving, it helps to follow certain basics. For example, make sure you double pack your pictures and frames in a suitable ‘material’ such as cloth, soft paper or felt. Don’t forget to protect the corners by adding suitable and sufficient padding. If you are placing them inside a single box, then make sure there’s padding between two adjacent frames as well. Get creative and use stuff like crumpled paper, old clothes, unused curtains & rugs, etc to provide extra cushion to your artwork.

Mark boxes as ‘FRAGILE’ for items that are more prone to damage or breakage than others. Apply duct tapes tightly (to prevent it from staying loose) and consider a double or triple layer of taping for an extra dose of protection. If you have a particularly expensive or valuable work of art that is large, you can also consider ‘breaking it down’ by dissembling the different parts (like canvas, frame, glass, etc), and packing them separately via waterproof packaging methods.

Finally, always label the packaging appropriately, so that you can quickly and safely ‘de-mount’ them once you reach your new destination.

 Take care

When moving highly ‘sensitive’ elements like mirrors, or pictures with a glass covering on them, it makes sense to apply a packing tape along the glass section. Even if the glass accidentally breaks during transit, the tape will prevent the glass pieces from spilling and spreading inside the package, thus causing more damage to the rest of the painting or photo. Before you upload them on the moving vehicle, remember to ‘test’ your package for ‘movement’. Give it a gentle wiggle and nudge and try to figure out if the things inside are jiggling or shifting. If they are, you have to open it and fill up the ‘extra space’ with packaging material.

Professionals do it best.

If you have a genuine masterpiece on your hands, an antique frame or a series of particularly ‘fragile’ paintings that you want to relocate safely, it will make sense to approach a professional packer and mover to have it professionally ‘crated’, especially the one who can also provide you insurance for your valuables.

This blog helps you on how to pack pictures, paintings and antiques safely while moving.

When you are moving house, one of the prime concerns in your mind is the safety of your belongings. And furniture features right on top of that list. After all, some of your most favourite possessions happens to be your furniture. Be it emotional or financial, they command high value in your universe. Stands to reason, therefore, that you must be extra mindful while moving these items. After all, carelessness in this area can lead to wooden pieces getting scratched and gashed, upholstery getting shredded and can cause glass to break as well. Here are some pointers therefore to keep in mind while moving your furniture.

Get the basics right

Make a list of all the items of furniture in your house before moving house or office, and create an accurate inventory of all the items that will be moving with you into the next destination. Follow this up with a detailed measurement of the bigger pieces. Jot down the width, depth, height and diagonal dimensions of each, and map them back to the floor plan of the new address that you are headed for. It is important to ensure that the two are ‘matched’. Then, you must make a note of pre-existing damages and imperfections in your furniture – old, outdated, worn out or outright damaged. Take photos so that you can compare them later. It is a good idea to remove as many knobs, drawers, castes and ‘pulls’ and pack them separately to save on storage space. Finally, wash (if possible) or dust your furniture clean before you move on to the next phase.

Keep the supplies handy.

Head on over to your local hardware store or log onto your favourite online shopping site and stock up on all the knick-knacks that you will need to pack and protect your belongings. Some of the things you will need are duct or packing tape, cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, ‘moving blankets’,  covers for couches and mattresses, plastic stretch wrap, corrugated cardboard sheets, packing paper, shrink wrap and sealable plastic bags (for screws and furniture parts – you can also use plastic garbage bags for this). That apart, make sure you have your measuring tape, markers, highlighters, post-it slips, pieces of paper (for writing notes), pencils, erasers, rule & scales, unused fabrics (such as old T-shirts, pyjamas, rugs, towels, aprons, bedsheets and curtains that you no longer use), newspapers and crumpled papers ready at arm’s length.

Dissemble with care

You must dissemble as much of your furniture and décor accessories as you can. Remove the covers from the cushions and other accessories. Take the bed frame apart one piece at a time. Dismantling makes the large and unwieldy items easier to handle and move. It will help you save space in the vehicle that’s carrying your furniture when moving house or office. And it will go a long way in keeping them out of harm’s way.

Wrap ‘em up gently

It’s time to ‘pack and package’ your furniture. This is the all important step in the process – what all your previous actions have been building up to. The idea is not to ‘stash’ your furniture into the moving truck, but to ensure that they get there with proper protection against dirt, moisture, dust and other similar hazards.

The first layer of safety, so to speak, when packaging is ‘Soft Packing Paper’. Once you have done that, plastic wrap (or plastic sheeting) and Bubble Wraps are your Go-To saviours. Use plastic wraps (or plastic covers) and specially designed sofa covers to wrap your furniture items, especially those that carry upholstery and those that have legs (tables, desks and chests-of-drawers, for instance). The clingy and tear-proof qualities make them an ideal candidate for the task. The other article that’s used for such items are ‘moving blankets’. Being thick, they not only buffer your furniture from damage and wreckage but protect your walls as well. If you don’t have blankets, you can use old items made of fabric or cloth  (T-shirts, rugs, towels and the like), big pieces of sheets and flat shaped cardboards. What about those bubble wraps then? Well, bubble wraps are used to insulate more delicate and fragile items of wood and accessories like table tops, mantle-pieces and mirrors. Corrugated cardboard sheets, on their part, will provide a great way to protect the glass surfaces of your furniture pieces. Finally, as you ‘wrap up’ your task, ensure that you have placed each item between two sheets of corrugated cardboard.

Move in sequence.

It can be a big help during crunch time if you have a ‘placement plan’ in advance. So move the square items (like tables and dressers) first, placing them against the corners of the box or vehicle to get maximum space and leverage for the remaining items. The mattresses can go in next – set them up on a bed of old clothes or blankets. You can now upload your upholstered items into the vehicle. Try to secure them against the hooks of the containers or vehicle wall for added security from jerks and shakes during travel.  After you reach your destination and are offloading your furniture from the truck or vehicle, make sure you mark your pathways clearly so that each furniture is taken to the right room. The longer it takes for your delicate and heavy furniture to settle down, the higher the risk of damage.

Parting tips.

Relocation services may sound easy (sometimes it doesn’t even sound that  way), but it actually isn’t. It is a good idea, therefore, to not attempt this potentially hazardous task all by yourself. Getting yourself the services of a professional packer and mover for moving house or office, ensures that they use specialized vehicles, materials, processes and technologies to get the job done. To sign off, it is always safe to opt for insurance. Consult your packer and mover on the type and size of your insurance. Make an estimate of the value of your furniture, and get sufficient premium to cover it adequately.