How to pack and move on
transfers
| A checklist that will help you wade through your packing and moving
problems |
— Photo: N. Sridharan
TIRESOME PROCESS: A middle class family shifting their household articles to
a new residence.
For those in transferable jobs, moving from one place to
another once every two or three years becomes mandatory. Even after many
transfers there is not a single family that does not dread packing and shifting.
There always seems to be a hundred things to do. Even after meticulous
planning something remains undone. This is a checklist that will help you wade
through your packing and moving problems.
Useful tips
Some get their posting order well in advance, while some get very less time
to plan their move. This checklist starts 31 days before D-day (day of leaving
the place).
D minus 31: On receipt of posting order inform your landlord about vacation
date and refund of advance amount and adjustment of rent as per your date of
vacation.
D minus 30 – 28: You can decide on disposing vehicles, electronic gadgets,
furniture etc., to buy better models in your next posting. You may advertise for
the same or spread the word around.
D minus 27 – 25: Book railway or air tickets for self and family. If
travelling by car, plan your route, night halts, places of sight seeing, etc.
Find a good transporter for your household goods.
Set a date four days in advance of your date of departure to send the truck
containing household items. Even if there is a delay of two days, your journey
will not be affected.
Loading of truck
Never set the same date for loading of truck and your travel. Your truck
should leave on D minus 4.
D minus 24: Call up somebody at your office and find the names and addresses
of good schools for the children, to enable locating a house nearby.
D minus 23 – 21: If you have packing material such as boxes, cartons,
hessian, wooden crates, anti-static bubble paper and thermacol, take them out
and air them.
Buy locks with duplicate keys for the wooden boxes. If your transporter is
doing the packing for you, then there is no need to worry about packing
material.
D minus 20 – 18: Just before you set out to pack, complete your social
obligations like inviting those you wish to, for lunch and dinner.
D minus 17: Maintain a diary. Make a note of items that have to go into
boxes, crates, cartons and hessian packing. If you feel you have less, then
arrange to make or buy more.
D minus 16: Apply for transfer certificate to be obtained from the schools.
If you are a member of a local club, library or any other association, close the
membership and get back the deposit (it will take a few days to reach your
hands).
D minus 15 – 13: Commence packing. Non-essentials can straight away go into
the boxes/crates. You can also pack room by room. As soon as a box is filled,
make a note of everything that has gone into the box in your diary. Start
numbering the boxes as you pack. You can take help for packing bigger items, but
the best person to pack the valuables, glass, crockery and cutlery is the owner
himself or herself.
D minus 12: Make arrangements with somebody in the new place of posting to
receive your luggage (in case it reaches before you arrive there). You may also
request them to arrange for temporary stay till you find a house.
D minus 11: Prepare relevant papers for insurance of household items,
vehicles, etc. Copies of vehicle registration, relevant papers for transfer
claim to be submitted at the office, etc. should be made ready.
D minus 10 – 6: Pack the rest of the household items. The essentials can go
in last. If travelling by car with children, essential paraphernalia for
carrying water, food, etc., should be kept out. Surrender the gas cylinder and
collect the receipt.
D minus 5: Once the packing is over, lock the boxes and tie the hessian
pieces like carpets, mattresses and wrap them with polythene to protect them
from rain. Count the total number of pieces including furniture and vehicles
like scooter, cycle and make a note in the diary along with the contents. Make
labels of numbers and stick one on each piece of luggage. Get stickers from the
transport company and write or print your name with forwarding address on all
the pieces. Also draw arrows indicating “this side up” for electronic
gadgets and glass.
D minus 4: Insist on positioning the truck in the morning. Inspect the
loading to ensure the heavy pieces are stacked on the floor. Also ensure the
pieces marked “this side up” are standing up. If you are loading the car
ensure that it is loaded after the household items are loaded. The tarpaulin
sheet should be thick and devoid of holes. Flower pots can be loaded in the
driver’s cabin so that he can water them during the course of the journey. If
needed, an escort can be sent along with the luggage. Pets can be sent along in
the truck if the driver is an animal lover; otherwise it is better to take the
pet with you.
D minus 3 – 1: Settle your payment with the transport company. Get bills in
duplicate or triplicate as is required for office purposes. Collect the advance
from your landlord. Check if all your bills have been paid. If you have not sent
your car, then go for picnics to some nearby spots. You can shift in with a
relative or friend or a hospitable neighbour for a couple of days. Relax and
chill out before D-day.
D-day: Make arrangements to reach the airport or railway station. If you are
driving, then start in the morning to avoid night driving.
The above checklist is a general guideline. Adjustments can be made here and
there. But do not leave anything to chance. Never put off things till the last
moment. Don’t compromise on money and choose a sub-standard transport company.
Last but not the least, take time to say good bye and thanks to those who
helped you in any way during packing and moving. Never know, you might end up in
the same place after some time.
AMUTHA KANNAN
Courtesy:
Property Plus, The Hindu
