House Shifting Checklist: What to Do Before, During and After

Shifting a house is stressful because a hundred small jobs land on the same few days. The trick is to spread them out. This checklist is written for Indian homes - flats with society rules, lifts that need booking, gas connections and everything in between - and works for a move within the same city or to another state.

4 weeks before the move

• Fix the date. Month-end, the first week of the month and weekends are the busiest days for movers. A mid-week, mid-month date is usually easier to get and may be cheaper.
• Declutter. Walk through every room and decide what to sell, donate or throw away. Every item you do not move saves packing material, space in the truck and time.
• Make an inventory. List large items (beds, sofa, almirahs, fridge, washing machine, TV, AC units) and estimate the number of cartons. This tells you the truck size you need.
• Decide: movers or do-it-yourself? Full-service packers and movers pack, load, transport and unload. If you have little furniture and helpful friends, a mini truck for local shifting can be enough.
• Collect quotes. Post your requirement on WheelSniffer to see a fair-price estimate and bids from verified movers. Read our packers and movers charges guide to judge them.
• Give notice. Tell your landlord in writing, as your rent agreement requires, and ask about the security deposit refund.

2-3 weeks before

• Book your mover or truck and confirm what is included: packing material, dismantling and reassembly of beds, AC uninstall/install, loading floors, tolls, GST.
• Society permissions. Many societies need advance notice, a lift booking or a no-objection letter for moving out. Check both the old and new buildings for allowed timings.
• Address changes. Start updating your address for bank accounts, Aadhaar, insurance policies, your employer, online shopping apps and subscriptions.
• Utilities. Arrange final meter readings for electricity and water, and plan the transfer or closure of your LPG connection, broadband and DTH.
• School and medical records. If you are changing cities, collect transfer certificates and copies of medical files.
• Vehicles. If you are moving a car or two-wheeler to another state, ask your mover about car/bike transport and keep RC, insurance and PUC copies ready.

1 week before

• Start packing things you do not use daily: books, showpieces, off-season clothes, extra utensils.
• Label every carton with the room and a short list of contents, e.g. "Kitchen - steel utensils - FRAGILE". Number the cartons so you can count them.
• Pack heavy items in small cartons and light items in big ones. A large carton full of books is too heavy to lift safely.
• Wrap fragile items (glass, crockery, idols, mirrors) individually in bubble wrap or newspaper and fill empty space so nothing moves.
• Use up food in the fridge and freezer; stop buying groceries in bulk.
• Service or disconnect appliances that need it - AC units usually need a technician to uninstall.

1-2 days before

• Defrost and dry the fridge at least 24 hours before, and drain the washing machine and RO purifier.
• Pack a first-day box: bedsheets, a change of clothes, toiletries, medicines, phone chargers, a torch, basic tools, a kettle, tea/coffee, snacks, and toilet paper.
• Keep a documents bag with you - not in the truck: ID proofs, property or rent papers, jewellery, cash, cheque books, laptops and hard drives.
• Confirm with the mover: arrival time, vehicle size and number, number of helpers, and the contact number of the person in charge.
• Charge your phone and keep some cash for tips, parking or small extras.

On moving day

1. Be present when the team arrives. Show them what goes, what stays and what is fragile.
2. Click photos of furniture, the TV, the fridge and other expensive items before they are packed, so any damage can be proved later.
3. Note the vehicle number and the driver's name and phone. On WheelSniffer these are shown in your booking.
4. Count cartons as they are loaded and keep the number written down.
5. Do a final walk-through of every room, loft, balcony and bathroom. Check cupboards and meters, switch off mains and hand over keys.
6. Share the drop location exactly - a map pin avoids confusion in new colonies.

At the new home

• Clean before unloading if you can - it is much easier in an empty house.
• Tell the team where each room is. Labelled cartons go straight to the right room.
• Count cartons again and check large items for scratches or dents before the team leaves. Note any damage in writing and with photos.
• Have beds reassembled first so everyone can sleep well on the first night.
• Give the delivery code only when you are satisfied, then pay the agreed amount - ideally digitally, so there is a record.
• Rate the transporter in the app. Honest ratings help the next customer choose well.

The first week after

• Check that electricity, water, gas and internet are working, and note the new meter readings.
• Update your address on Aadhaar, bank accounts, vehicle RC and voter ID as required.
• Register with the society office and share vehicle details for parking.
• Unpack the kitchen and bedrooms first; the rest can wait.
• Recycle or give away the cartons - or keep a few if you move often.

Common mistakes

• Booking at the last minute - you end up with whoever is free, not whoever is good.
• Paying a big advance to an unknown mover. Read how to avoid transport scams.
• Underestimating the truck size. Two trips cost more than one bigger truck.
• Packing valuables in the truck. Jewellery, cash and documents should always travel with you.
• Not checking the new building's rules for moving hours and lift use.

Common questions