How to pack and move on transfers
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A checklist that will help you wade through your packing and moving problems
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— 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
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