SCM FOR YOU

The most important factor in Relocation is to choose a right Packer and Mover service provider. If you are relocating for first time it becomes all the more difficult. There are thousands of packers and movers available in your area. All are claiming to be genuine. So how to choose the right one?

You need to be very smart to get to the right mover. It starts from your first interaction. A right Packer and Mover will converse with you in a civilized tone. Ask the following questions.

1.Where is your office located?

2. How many vehicles you have of your own?

3. What is your team size?

4. Are you a private limited company?

5. For how many years you are working in this field?

6. What is your specialty?

7. How much time will it take to pack and shift my goods from Place A to Place B?

8. Check the google reviews

9. If they claim to own a vehicle ask them to share Registration certificate of the vehicle which must be in the name of the company and not individual

10. Ask for the picture of the vehicle and check the number plate and cross check the same with Registration certificate

11. Ask for the quotation

12. Check that the quotation is on letterhead which must have CIN(Company Identification Number) issued by Govt of India,GST Number and complete address of the company

13. If possible go and visit the office of the Packer and Mover,this will give you a glimpse of the packer as to which sort of employees he is having,the way they deal with the customers

14. Will he provide insurance?

15. If yes, what are the terms and conditions of the insurance?

16. The insurance terms are very important or else you will not get any money in case something goes wrong

17. Do not go for the lowest quotation. Most of the fake packers and movers give the lowest quotation and once they have their goods in their possession they start asking more money on some or other pretext

18. Try to look into the breakup of the total cost. The total cost includes labour,packaging material and transportation cost

19. Ask for GST billing which will help you in getting your Insurance claim easily

20. Most of the customers go for 5% GST which is not correct as per GST law. 5% GST is applicable if you are utilizing only transportation. If you use packaging,loading and unloading than it comes under services for which the GST is 18%. So for 5% GST the description must be “Transportation Charges” and for 18% GST it must be “Packing,Loading/Unloading and Transportation”

21. There are many lead generating companies which recommend the packers and movers. Please do not believe them 100%. Its always better to pick the packer and mover who is directly involved in the business

One of the important issues which most of the customers neglect is the GST invoice.

The bogus packers and movers do not know about it and they simply charge the customer either 0%,5%,12%,18% or even 28% GST without even having a GST number.

Goods and services tax were launched in India from 1st July 2017 under which there are five slabs.

0%-

This slab is applicable which is also called Reverse charge mechanism (RCM) under which the recipient gives a declaration that he will pay the GST directly to the government of India. The recipient must have a GST number in this case.

5%-

This slab is applicable if a customer is utilising only transportation services. The packers and movers usually provide five services i.e

Dis-mantling

Packaging

Loading

Transportation

Unloading

Since different rates are applicable for different services if you are taking only transportation than you need to pay only 5% GST. In case of loading/unloading/packaging labor/packaging material is used and for this you need 18% GST as per GOI.

12%-

Whenever transportation services are provided to a company 12% GST is charged. Just remember, in this case also only transportation is covered. If a company takes other services like Dismantling, Packaging, Loading/Unloading than GST will be charged at 18% of the total amount.

18%-

Your GST bill must be with 18% as for packers and movers’ complete services which includes dismantling, packaging, loading, unloading, transportation and insurance the applicable GST rate as per Government of India is 18%. This gives you an additional benefit as insurance companies.

28%–

28% GST is charged for luxury items like gold/silver or high-end fashion clothing. If a Packers and Movers services provider is charging you 28% GST than its against the GST laws.

A reputed packer and movers’ services provider always guides its client accordingly, so that the billing is done as per government of India guidelines. The interest of customer is also protected, as in case of any eventuality, the insurance claim comes handy.

In case the GST is charged at 5% on the invoice value, the insurance company will not process the claim citing documentation error.

We suggest you go with the best packers and movers, so you get peace of mind during and after your relocation. Refer our guide on “How to get the right packers and movers’ services provider”.

Other articles by SCM For You on house shifting services are :

21 Tips to choose the right packers and movers

51 tips by SCM Packers and Movers on Pre-Relocation

SCM Packers and Movers in-depth guide on Fragile item packing

After selecting your Packers and Movers Service provider, the next big thing is to prepare your self for the relocation

1. Hold a meeting among the family members and share your views/suggestions, prepare physically and emotionally for the Relocation

2. Create a folder in your desktop and start collecting your documents/bills etc.Put a request for change of address in your bank

3. Collect necessary documents from the school of your child

4. Give information to your newspaper, daily need vendors, Internet service provider etc. regarding your relocation

5. Change the address for your insurance policy

6. In case you have ordered something online, ensure its received or the address is changed accordingly

7. Take a backup of your laptop/desktop and keep it safe

8. Look for a pediatrician/doctor and a veterinary doctor if you have a pet in your new location

9. Check your rent agreement for the notice period and notify your landlord accordingly

10. Get the basic repairs done in the house so that your security deposit is given back without any issue

11. Check that your furniture(Sofa, Dining table, Double bed, Almirah, Bar etc.) which was assembled inside your house may be moved out easily. At times furniture comes in easily as its assembled inside house but while taking it out it gets stuck in doorways, stairways etc.

12. Get your car serviced, Chimneys, ACs, Geysers also require servicing so do it before you start packing

13. You have an opportunity to cleanup your household stuff. Decide

14.1. What you want to take along to your new house

14.2. What may be given to the maids, Security guards etc.

14.3. What you may sell online

14.4. What is scrap and must be thrown in dustbin as it occupies unnecessary space

15. Decide what will go in which room in your new house, its better to decide the rooms of the family members beforehand so that relevant cartons may go in those rooms

16. The left over items as per para 14.1 above needs to be collected in that room itself

17. Make an approximation as to how many cartons you will be needing to pack the entire household stuff

18. Order 20% extra cartons to what you have presumed

19. Once the cartons are available start packing little by little on each day

20. Do not forget to mark the cartons with your existing room number as well as new room number if known

21. Do not overstuff the carton, use another one to ensure safe transit

22. Kitchen and fragile items needs special packaging do not try to pack these yourself. Ask your packers and movers service provider to use an expert to pack the fragile items. Refer our guide on packing fragile items

23. In case, it needs to be disassembled than the same to be done before the packaging start

24. Choose a date for packing and moving and fix it with your Packers and Movers Service provider

25. Ensure you and your wife gets a leave accordingly from your offices

26. House shifting needs at least three full days to do the packing properly so plan accordingly

27. Book your Air-tickets accordingly and reserve your hotel stay in advance

28. Check your medicines and ensure you have sufficient stock till you are comfortable to buy in new location

29. Check the enrollment process for your child in new location

30. If possible apply for internet and TV connection in advance

31. If you are moving to a new state your car needs to be re-registered in new state

32. Ensure you take NOC(No objection Certificate) from existing state

33. Ensure all your fixed deposit receipts, Insurance papers, Cheque books, Valuables (Gold Jewelry, Cameras, laptops, IPADs etc.),cash is kept safe in your suitcases which you must carry with yourself

34. Also keep minimum clothing which you might need before your luggage arrives at your new location

35. If you wish to carry your plants ensure these are adequately watered and manured for the period in transit

36. As your moving day is fixed buy your grocery accordingly so that it finishes before you leave

37. Try not to pack flammable liquids, cleaning fluids, oils etc.

38. Give away frozen items, fresh vegetables etc and defrost your Refrigerator

39. Give away the small bicycle which your child no more use and inculcate a habit of donation in your child

40. Collect your door keys & almirah keys of present house for handing over and keep the door keys of new house handy

41. Check the weather forecast of the day to prepare for the unexpected

42. On the packing day involve yourself with the packer to know what is packed in which carton

43. Start packaging small items first and do not forget to label these

44. Once packed get these arranged in rooms in such a way that bigger items i.e furniture etc is packed easily

45. Ensure your carpets and floors are protected from sharp objects which will leave a mark if dragged without cusioning

46. Arrange cleaning of your house after the packing is over

47. In case you are the house owner, If possible get your house painted in front of you before leaving the town, it enhances your chances of getting it rented out at the earliest and with best rentals

48. Arrange clearing of all debris from outside of your home as once you leave it will give an awful look

49. Once cleaned take the photographs and video of the house to upload on the web for renting it out

50. If you are giving your car for relocation ensure it is moved in a car carriage

51. Ensure the diesel/Petrol is just sufficient to move it to 50Kms

DO YOU WANT TO SAVE YOUR FRAGILE ITEMS WHILE HOUSE SHIFTING? REFER SCM PACKERS AND MOVERS IN-DEPTH GUIDE ON FRAGILE ITEM PACKING

Got a promotion, bought a new house, change of business location or simply got a transfer order. The thrill, a feeling of newness and pictures of unknown places starts streaming in your mind

Along with these feelings, moving away from your dear ones also start sinking. But the most intense feeling is of moving your fragile items

We all love our crockery, our glass wares and those costly sculptors with whom we were living for long and seeing these every day. There is an unspoken bond with these non-living but beautiful creations

These have to be packed in such a way that these keep giving us the happiness, in our new house.

PLAN YOUR FRAGILE ITEM PACKING

Count your fragile items and make a list. Check that there are some items which may be packed together. As fragile items need extra cushioning its always better to make at least 30% cushioning for fragile items

The carton boxes which are usually used to packaging have to go through lot of rough handling and if sufficient cushioning is not done there are likely chances of getting these items damaged

Packing of fragile items also take time. You can not rush with the packaging of these items

So, plan your house shifting service keeping in mind your valuable fragile items

PACKING YOUR FRAGILE ITEMS

Make a soft cushion and bring the fragile Item one by one

In order to protect the polish and paints wrap these with a soft cloth/paper roll. Use of newspaper is not advised as it may leave a mark

Best paper to use is white packaging paper

On this white packaging layer add four to five layers of bubble wrap

Remember to use 30% space in the carton for cushioning

Put a separator sheet at the bottom of carton, so that items do not slip off in case carton opens up

Also put a separator sheet between two fragile items

Once packed properly put these in small cartons. Small cartons to be used as big cartons at times collapses due to heavy weight of fragile items, mainly glass items

Fill the remaining space with news paper balls or packing balls

MARKING THE CARTONS “AS FRAGILE”

Once packed cartons must be marked as fragile with a fragile tape. Fragile symbol is also to be pasted on the carton and fragile must be written in local language for the loading staff to understand and take adequate precautions, in addition to English

HEAVY SCULPTORS PACKAGING

Heavy sculptors to be packed in a wooden frame. Do not try to pack these sculptors your self as there is a weight to wooden plank thickness ratio which needs to be maintained

Also, extra support is required to secure the sculptor. Manual moving for it is not advised, ask for

forklift so that your sculptors are safely loaded after these are packed

ELECTRONIC ITEMS PACKAGING

The best packaging for electronic items like Television is the original packing given by the manufacturer. If its not available try for soft paper cushion and a wooden crate with soft padding on inner corners

Strapping of packaging material is also useful on electronic items

HIRE THE BEST PACKERS AND MOVERS

Trust only the best packers and movers if you are planning to move your fragile and breakable items. Any local packer and mover will take up the job and break your fragile items with unprofessional packing techniques

Most of us are tempted by the low cost offered by the packers and movers. We advise you to choose the best packer and mover who will give you value for the money spent

Among the various factors you need to keep in mind while relocating Insurance is the one which is often neglected or not understood, where as its one of the most important factors.

Insurance is extremely important as absence of it could cause a substantial financial loss

Most of us under the impression that we have hired the right packers and movers service and that’s end of the story. Little do we know that accidents could happen even with the best

Its in interest of all those who are looking for home shifting services to have an in-depth understanding on insurance

What may be insured?

Insurance is not available on certain items like :

   Cash

   Jewellery

   Glassware

   Fine arts

   Collectibles

   Documents

   Certificates

Its advised that these items may be carried in person or packed properly with extra precautions. Refer our guide on Fragile items packaging for more information on how to pack your fragile items

Items which may be insured are :

   TV

   Refrigerator

   Sofa

   Bed

   Dining table

   Wardrobes

   Cloths

   Sound systems

   Cabinet book case etc

   Computer

   Vacuum cleaners

   Garden tools etc

The next important aspect is the amount of money you pay which usually depends upon

   The value of goods

   The type of goods i.e

o   Electrical/Electronic items

o   Furniture

o   Cloths etc

   The distance to be travelled

   The age of goods

   Claim history if any

To start with make a list of items you are moving

If possible, look for the invoices of the items as this helps in getting your insurance claim faster.

 What are the types of house shifting Insurances?

House shifting Insurances are mainly of three types :

1.    Transit Insurance

2.    Declared value insurance

3.    All-inclusive insurance

1.Transit Insurance

Transit insurance covers only the damages which are occurring during transportation and it doesn’t include damages which results in during

   Dismantling

   Packing

   Loading

   Unloading

   Re-assembling

2.Declared value Insurance

In declared value insurance only those items whose value is declared are covered for any damages during dismantling/packing/loading/unloading/re-assembling and transportation

3.All-inclusive Insurance

All inclusive insurance gives you complete peace of mind as it takes care of your entire household items

The coverage is for both

   Dismantling/packing/loading/unloading/re-assembling

   Transportation or in-transit

How to get the Insurance?

You may get the insurance directly from the insurer or your packers and movers’ services provider may get the same done for you

We suggest you get it done from your service provider as he is experienced in the same and will be in position to help you get the claim if there is an untoward incident/accident

Do not forget to take a copy of insurance from the packers and movers service provider

 How to ensure your Insurance claim is processed without any hurdle?

Insurance claims get stuck for various reasons. We suggest the following precautions

   Ensure you go with a reputed packer and movers’ services provider

   Read the insurance policy carefully

   Standard packaging is must to get the insurance

   Ensure you have the product invoice

   Keep the Lorry Receipt with you

   You must take GST bill with 18% GST as if the bill is with 5% GST than insurance is applicable only for in-transit period. Refer our blog on GST billing for more clarity on GST

    Take the picture of the product before packing

   In case of damage take the picture of damaged carton and if possible do not remove the packaging

   In case of an accident, ask your Packers and Movers Service provider to give a copy of FIR and COF(Certificate of facts).These two documents along with Lorry Receipt and Invoice copy(both product invoice and relocation invoice) will be required for settling claim

   Do not transfer or move the damaged package from the delivery location which is mentioned on invoice and insurance copy

   Ensure you file a claim as soon as possible but not later that a week

   Claims at times are rejected due to poor packaging. Ensure you hire the best packers and movers for your relocation. Refer our article “21 tips to get the best movers and packers” for your relocation