The Ultimate House Shifting Checklist (India): 8‑Week Plan, Costs

This guide is designed for renters and homeowners planning local or intercity moves within India, including 1RK, 1BHK, 2BHK, and 3BHK households. It is equally relevant for society moves requiring lift permissions and gate passes, and for families relocating with kids, seniors, pets, or special items such as appliances and heirlooms.

Quick summary

• An 8‑week countdown ensures nothing gets missed, especially during peak season and monsoon windows.

• Actionable checklists cover supplies, room‑by‑room packing, building permissions, and move‑day operations.

• Practical benchmarks outline cost ranges, truck sizes, and labor planning for common home sizes.

Week‑by‑week plan

• Week 8: Set goals

  • Decide move date window and flexibility options (weekday vs weekend; morning vs evening slots).

  • Audit belongings and define what must move, sell, donate, or recycle.

  • Create a shared folder/spreadsheet for inventory, quotes, and receipts.

• Week 7: Budget and shortlisting

  • Set a budget range with a 10–15% buffer for contingencies such as extra packing or waiting charges.

  • Shortlist three service providers and start collecting itemized quotes (packing, loading, transit, unloading, unpacking, insurance, GST).

  • Check service add‑ons: furniture disassembly, appliance uninstall/reinstall, handyman services.

• Week 6: Society and permissions

  • Confirm lift availability, timings, padding, and floor protection requirements.

  • Apply for society gate pass/NOC and reserve loading/unloading area or parking slot.

  • If intercity, confirm e‑way considerations, route timings, and any state border documentation the transporter requires.

• Week 5: Supplies and staging

  • Order cartons, bubble wrap, packing paper, foam, stretch wrap, and tape; add color labels or stickers for rooms.

  • Set up a staging area (spare room) to start pre‑packing low‑use items.

  • Photograph valuable items and electronics cabling for reassembly later.

• Week 4: Declutter and pre‑pack

  • Sell, donate, or recycle items; schedule pickups where needed.

  • Pre‑pack books, decor, off‑season clothing, extra linens, and rarely used kitchenware.

  • Start digital backups: documents, photos, device settings; note serial numbers for electronics.

• Week 3: Utilities and address

  • Schedule internet shutdown/reinstall, LPG transfer, DTH transfer, and utility meter readings.

  • Update address for banks, Aadhar/PAN (if needed), subscriptions, and e‑commerce addresses.

  • Confirm lift booking and society requirements; share truck details with the security desk if available.

• Week 2: Room‑wise packing

  • Kitchen: pack fragile items and label FRAGILE—TOP. Keep a “last‑to‑pack” essentials box with 2–3 days’ supplies.

  • Bedrooms: vacuum‑seal linens if possible; pack seasonally to simplify unpacking.

  • Bathrooms: discard near‑empty liquids; double‑bag toiletries to prevent leaks.

• Week 1: Final prep

  • Create first‑night box: bedding, towels, basic utensils, snacks, chargers, extension board, personal meds, basic tools.

  • Confirm schedule, crew size, vehicle access, and payment method; keep cash for petty expenses.

  • Photograph current home condition (especially rentals) to avoid deposit disputes.

• Move day

  • Protect floors, door frames, and elevator interiors if required by society.

  • Supervise inventory check‑off and labeling as items leave the home.

  • At drop‑off, confirm count, note any damages on the delivery challan, and test major appliances for basic function.

Supplies checklist

• Cartons: small (books), medium (kitchenware), large (linens, lightweight items)

• Protective: bubble wrap, foam sheets, corrugated corner guards, stretch wrap, packing paper

• Tools: tape gun, utility knife, zip ties, cable organizers, screwdrivers, hex keys

• Labels: color stickers by room, permanent markers, “FRAGILE” and “THIS SIDE UP” labels

• Covers: mattress and sofa covers, appliance transit bolts or cushioning

• Clean‑up: trash bags, microfiber cloths, basic cleaning spray for move‑out and move‑in

Packing by room

• Kitchen

  • Wrap plates vertically with packing paper; stack with dividers to reduce breakage.

  • Use cell boxes for glasses; pad empty spaces to prevent shifting.

  • Tape knives to a cardboard sheet, blade‑down, and cover securely.

• Living room

  • Remove TV stand, pack TV in double‑walled carton with screen facing padded side.

  • Wrap frames/art in glassine or bubble wrap; mark arrows for orientation.

  • Coil cables with labeled zip ties; pack remotes and wall mounts in a dedicated bag.

• Bedrooms

  • Use wardrobe cartons or roll clothes; keep outfits for first two days in a separate duffel.

  • Pack jewelry and sentimental items personally; avoid mixing with general cartons.

  • Flatten and tape disassembled furniture parts; bag screws and label per item.

• Bathroom

  • Seal liquids in zipper bags; tape caps to prevent leaks.

  • Keep a basic hygiene kit accessible for first night.

  • Discard expired products; lighten overall load.

Special items

• Appliances

  • Defrost refrigerators 24 hours before; drain washing machines and secure drums.

  • Use transit bolts or internal padding; avoid laying refrigerators flat.

• Electronics

  • Original boxes are best; otherwise, double‑wall cartons with anti‑static padding.

  • Photograph cable setups and label both ends for quick reassembly.

• Plants and pets

  • Water plants lightly a day before; use ventilated crates for travel.

  • For pets, prepare crate familiarization, hydration plan, and a calm‑space area in the new home.

• Valuables

  • Carry documents (IDs, property papers), jewelry, hard drives, and cash personally.

  • Maintain a digital copy of critical documents in encrypted storage.

Society compliance

• Permissions

  • Confirm move‑in/move‑out time windows, lift reservations, padding, and deposits if any.

  • Obtain gate pass/NOC; provide truck number and crew details when requested.

• Protection

  • Use floor and lift padding; avoid scratches on common areas to protect deposits.

  • Assign a point of contact for the security office and coordinate vehicle entry.

Move day plan

• Role assignment

  • One person manages inventory and labeling; another coordinates with building staff and parking.

  • Keep water and quick snacks for crew to maintain pace in long or hot moves.

• Loading sequence

  • Heavy, boxy furniture first; soft items and lighter cartons later for cushioning.

  • Keep first‑night box, valuables, and critical electronics last‑in, first‑out.

• Handover

  • Cross‑verify item count; photograph delivered items with visible labels.

  • Note any damage on paperwork before signing; retain a copy.

Cost benchmarks

Indicative cost drivers and ranges vary by distance, floor access, lift availability, packing complexity, and service scope. Consider:

• 1RK/1BHK local: typically influenced by minimal furniture, number of boxes, and labor hours.

• 2BHK local: costs rise with kitchen fragiles, wardrobes, and appliances needing uninstall/reinstall.

• 3BHK local/intercity: higher packing time, larger vehicle(s), and potential storage add‑ons.

• Add‑ons: premium packing materials, furniture disassembly, appliance handling, long carries, or waiting time.

• Intercity: distance slab, route conditions, tolls, and potential overnight halts influence totals.
  These guidelines help anticipate budget but always request itemized quotes, clarify inclusions, and confirm taxes and insurance.

Truck and labor

• Vehicle sizing

  • 1RK/1BHK: small to medium LCVs often suffice depending on furniture volume.

  • 2BHK: medium LCVs or a single larger vehicle depending on modular furniture and appliances.

  • 3BHK: one large vehicle or two trips depending on access and society restrictions.

• Labor planning

  • More floors without lift mean additional crew or extra time.

  • Complex disassembly or fragile packing requires skilled packers; schedule accordingly.

Monsoon moving tips

• Waterproofing

  • Wrap cartons with stretch film; use plastic bins for critical items.

  • Line box bottoms with plastic sheet; double‑tape seams.

• Scheduling

  • Prefer morning slots to avoid afternoon downpours where common; keep buffer time for weather.

  • Cover pathways with anti‑slip mats; keep towels and a mop handy.

• Electronics and furniture

  • Use silica gel packs for electronics; keep devices off damp floors.

  • Protect veneers and wooden legs with plastic and foam to prevent swelling.

After move tasks

• Utilities and internet

  • Prioritize broadband setup and DTH/LPG transfer; confirm meter readings.

  • Test major appliances and fixtures; report issues to landlord or builder promptly.

• Unpacking sequence

  • Bedrooms and bathrooms first for comfort; then kitchen for daily routine.

  • Leave decor and rarely used items for last to reduce clutter during setup.

• Documentation

  • Update address on banking and critical services; schedule police verification if required by society.

  • Record condition photos to close out any move‑in checklists.

Reuse and recycle

• Cartons and materials

  • Flatten and store sturdy cartons for future use; recycle damaged ones.

  • Donate excess materials to neighbors or housing groups.

• E‑waste and bulk waste

  • Use certified e‑waste collectors; coordinate society bulk‑waste days for furniture or mattresses.

  • Compostable and dry waste should be segregated per local rules.

Scams to avoid

• Too‑low quotes

  • Extremely low prices often exclude critical services or understate packing volume.

• Re‑weighing or re‑quoting

  • Insist on pre‑move surveys (virtual or in‑person) and a written, itemized scope.

• Unclear insurance

  • Confirm coverage type, sum insured, claim window, and documentation required.

• Cash‑only pressure

  • Prefer traceable payments with GST invoice and vendor GSTIN details.

FAQs

• How far in advance should a move be booked?

  • Ideally 3–4 weeks for local moves and 4–6 weeks for intercity; earlier during festival or monsoon peaks.

• What’s the fastest way to reduce packing load?

  • Enforce a strict declutter rule: sell, donate, or recycle anything unused in the last 12 months.

• Is weekday or weekend better?

  • Weekdays often mean easier elevator and parking access; weekends might be convenient but busier and sometimes pricier.

• What should be carried personally?

  • IDs, property papers, jewelry, cash, medications, small electronics, and irreplaceable keepsakes.

• How to handle kids and pets on move day?

  • Assign a quiet room or a sitter; pack familiar items and keep routines stable where possible.