Agarwal Packers and Movers Blog

Key Considerations for Choosing a Reliable Mover for Your Relocation Needs

Calcutta or Kolkata is a metropolitan city in India that is known for its high quality of life, vibrant culture, delectable food items, and affordable cost of living. Numerous people relocate to this amazing city due to numerous benefits including professional and personal growth. So, the first step towards moving is to choose a trusted relocation company that can help you make your shifting process extremely smooth and worry-free. So, when researching the movers and packers in Kolkata, make sure to keep in mind a few things that will guarantee the hiring of a trusted expert only.

1. Research about mover

If you want to hire the best mover in town, then you must research them in detail. Make sure to check out the popular moving companies and search about their experience, performance, reviews, ratings, and more before finally selecting them. Good research is extremely important before hiring a company.

2. Ensure the company is registered

It is important to make sure that the company is properly registered and licensed to guarantee the authenticity of the movers. A company with no license can be fraudulent and thus, you must avoid dealing with them. If you don’t want to become a part of any moving scam, then it would be better to hire only accredited movers. Also, make sure to check their cancellation policies, insurance coverage, dispute resolution process, and more. To give your mind peace about the safety of your belongings, you have to check these policies.

3. Check online reviews & ratings

It is essential to check the reviews and ratings of the company you are dealing with. You can do this by checking the comments, reviews, and ratings on different social media platforms and online forums. Make sure that how they operate, how they handle the items, and whether they offer any insurance or not. Ask them about these questions to the company or check the comments of other people on the same questions. Ask for recommendations from friends or family as word of mouth is the best option for choosing a moving company.

4. Check their professional accreditation

Checking professional accreditation is extremely important. Make sure that the moving company is registered under the Indian Companies Act of 1956. Also, they must have a license such as ISO certification for the quality of service and company organization structure. Also check that the company has State or Central government such as Goods and Service Tax registration, PAN card, shop license, and more.

5. Ask for risk coverage

You must ask your movers if they are providing a risk coverage facility or not. It is essential to get such a facility to ensure that your goods remain covered during the move and in case of any damage or misplacement, you will get fair compensation. If your company is not providing complete compensation for the loss, then it would be better to hire a third-party insurance provider as safeguarding your possessions is important. After the move, make sure to check each item properly while unloading as this will help you in claiming the loss.

6. Ask them about charges

Make sure to ask them about the charges of the move beforehand as there are a lot of things that need to be calculated before making the final estimate. The factors on which the cost is dependent include the type of service, the size of the move, and the time of year you choose to relocate. Ask them to provide you with the estimate after inspecting your premises and belongings. Make sure that there are no hidden fees involved. Also, clarify all sorts of doubts related to the move and carefully read the contract before signing. It would be better to take quotations from at least three different companies before choosing the final one that suits your budget.

7. Pay them a visit

It is a great idea to visit the company’s office directly as it will help you in getting a clear picture of the company you are going to choose. You can’t blindly trust anyone and thus, it is essential to visit their office to confirm that the company is verified and trustworthy. Make sure to check their storage facility, original papers, trade license, PAN card of company name, company registration no, service tax registration no., etc., to understand the authenticity of the company.

8. Compare the moving estimates

After shortlisting a few relocation companies, it is time to get the estimates from them. Don’t entertain the companies offering estimates over the call or via email. Make them visit your premises and ask them to provide you with the estimates. Compare the estimates and choose the one that suits your budget.

Conclusion

Relocation is certainly a difficult task to do. But, if you hire professional packers and movers Kolkata after following the above-mentioned tips, then rest assured for the safe and trouble-free move without getting any risks of getting scammed at any moment.

The Ultimate Guide to Choose the Right Transport Mode for Shifting Household Goods in India

Moving to a new place can be both an exhilarating and challenging experience. And, the most complex part of relocation is transporting the household goods to the destination. No matter where you are residing in India; be it Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, or Kolkata, you need to hire a professional moving company to handle your packing and moving tasks.

Selecting the right household goods shifting services mode has a significant impact on the overall shifting experience. It is extremely important to choose the best mode of transporting your belongings and for this, you need to have a thorough knowledge of the types of diverse transportation modes and the way they operate.

If you are residing in Kolkata, then search for the best packers and movers in Kolkata to learn about the perfect mode for transporting your goods safely to your destination. To gain knowledge of the different types of transport modes that operate in India so that it becomes convenient for you to select, keep on reading the blog post.

Popular transport modes in India

1. By road transport via Trucks

One of the most popular options for relocating goods is via roads by loading the items inside the trucks. This is because they offer flexibility in terms of load capacity and distance coverage. The most common types of trucks used for moving household goods are:

• Light commercial vehicles (LCVs): These are perfect for relocating moderate volumes of goods and can manage medium to long distances.

• Heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs): These are specifically designed to transit large volumes of items over long distances, offering sample space to your possessions.

• Mini trucks: These trucks are ideal for small moves or a limited number of goods. The mini trucks are cost-effective and can easily move through narrow streets and residential areas.

• Container moving truck: These types of trucks offer a secured and weatherproof option for transportation, making them ideal for long-distance moves or when you need to transport your stuff to another state.

2. By rail transport via trains

The best and most cost-effective way of shifting household goods is via trains. In India, railways are regarded as one of the best and safest mediums to transport goods, especially when it comes to long distances. They offer diverse services suiting different needs such as:

• Luggage compartments in passenger trains: You can book a particular space in the luggage compartments of passenger trains for shifting your household goods, making it a suitable option for luggage movers.

• Container freight service: Container freight service is a suitable, secure, and spacious option for huge volumes of goods. It is also the most economical way to move furniture items to another state.

• Parcel service: This service permits you to transport specific items or small consignments at reasonable prices.

3. By air transport via cargo airlines

Cargo airlines are one of the fast and efficient transportation modes for shifting household goods. This method is quick and extremely efficient for time-sensitive moves. Different types of cargo airline services are:

• Air courier services: Air courier services offer door-to-door delivery of your household goods, providing both convenience and speed.

• Domestic cargo airlines: As the name suggests, this cargo airline is meant for domestic moves and can offer prompt and trusted transport services.

• International cargo airlines: International cargo airlines provide proficient transit options, ensuring that your possessions reach their destination securely. Sea freight companies are also involved in helping people transport their household items to various countries.

Why Choosing the Right Mode of Transport is Important?

There are numerous reasons due to which a person has to choose the appropriate mode of transportation. One such reason is safety. If you fail to select the right type of transport method, then it can harm your goods during the move. The major reasons behind the importance of selecting the exact mode are:

• Safety: The top priority in a relocation process is to safely deliver the items to the destination. Thus, the right transportation mode will help in reducing the risk of damage to the goods.

• Reliability: A trustworthy mode of transportation ensures peace of mind to the people who are relocating. Also, they ensure on-time delivery and minimal complications.

• Time efficiency: Some transit methods offer faster transit time than others. It depends on your moving schedule to choose the one that can deliver your goods at the time you need them.

• Cost: Each transit mode offers different types of costs. By choosing the most appropriate option, you will be able to optimize your moving budget at an affordable price along with avoiding unnecessary expenses.

Factors to consider when choosing a transport mode

1. Distance: Distance between the present location and destination plays an important role in deciding the type of transportation mode. For a short-distance move, you can choose a truck or a mini truck but for a long-distance move, trains or cargo airlines will be more suitable. For international moves, shipping or cargo airlines are the preferred options.
2. Volume of goods: As per the volume of the goods, the mode of transportation has to be picked. For a small volume of items, you can consider shared trucks or train compartments. For a large volume of items, you can book a container truck or an entire train compartment.
3. Time constraint: When time is a constraint in shipping your belongings, then you can make choices between the type of transit modes. If you have a flexible schedule, then you can opt for slower and cost-effective options. But, if you have tight schedules, then you have to choose faster options like trucks or cargo airlines.
4. Budget: Your relocation budget is also a big factor in deciding the best transportation mode. If you have a low budget, then you must consider the shared transport services option like trains, trucks, etc. If you have a high budget, then you can go for faster and more convenient options like cargo airlines or dedicated transport services.
5. Delicate items: Selecting the right mode of transport also depends upon the fragility of the items. If you need to transport delicate items, then you must choose a mode that offers options like specialized packing and handling services when shifting visa trucks, cars, or trains.

Conclusion

To relocate your belongings in the safest manner possible, you must follow the above-mentioned tips. Choose movers and packers in Kolkata after scrutinizing your requirements for transporting your household items.

6 Essential Tips for Safely Moving Heavy Furniture

Are you planning to relocate to a new neighborhood in Kolkata? This will be perhaps not as simple as it sounds. When you plan your shifting process, the most important thing that you have to keep in mind is moving your furniture items. And as we all know furniture items are huge and heavy. This is why they need patience, precision, and power to be shifted from one place to another. And, when you need to relocate your furniture during summer, then you have to consider traffic and heat too leading to a more stressful task. Thus, here comes the need to hire professional packers and movers in Kolkata to carry out the task of moving your heavy furniture items. Even if you hire them, make sure to follow some of the tips that guarantee a hassle-free furniture move.

Tips to relocate your heavy furniture items safely

Furniture items are typically bulky and difficult to handle. Thus, you would require proper technique and planning to move these oddly shaped and heavy items. Here are some tips to make your move convenient.

1. Plan the move

Planning is the core element of every move. If you want to guarantee that your furniture gets delivered without any hassle to your destination, then plan about its packing, handling, and moving techniques upfront.

If the item requires disassembly, then you should plan how it will be going to happen. Whether you will do it on your own or you would need the assistance of a professional. Moreover, how the items will be handled for the move and in which vehicle, those items will be transported.

Start by noting down the number of furniture items that you have along with their accurate dimensions and weight. By analyzing this, you will be able to determine how many experts you will require and what size of truck you will need for the relocation process.

This will also help in analyzing whether you need any special type of equipment like straps, blankets, dollies, etc., or not. If there is any need, then you will be able to arrange them beforehand.

2. Get rid of the unwanted furniture item

Purging your belongings is highly essential. Moving is the best time to get rid of all those furniture items that are outdated and useless. You can donate, sell, or recycle the items that you do not want to use in the future. This helps you save a lot of space and reduce the clutter in your home. This is also a good chance to make some extra money by selling the old furniture.

3. Take proper measurements

Before moving your furniture items, make sure to take proper measurements of the hall, doorways, stairways, and even the area of your new place where you will be going to keep those furniture items. The dimensions are important to ensure that your furniture will easily make it out of the door or stairs. If there is any issue, then you can easily get it resolved beforehand. Make sure to get your furniture fit through them, if not, then you can try out other ways of shifting them like disassembly or moving out of the window, etc.

4. Disassemble your furniture items

Disassembling furniture is the easiest way to get the weightiest items transported to another place easily. But, this process needs perfection and experience. You cannot do it on your own if you don’t have any idea about dismantling a furniture piece. Here, you will require the aid of a skilled professional. Most of the bulky items like beds, wardrobes, tables, etc., can be easily disassembled and then, reassembled at the destination. This process makes the heavy items compact and convenient to move. Make sure to carefully store the screws, bolts, and any other hardware as they will be required at the time of reassembly.

5. Use protective covers

For moving any furniture item, you must protect it from any sort of damage during the move. This is why all the furniture items should be covered with moving blankets, bubble wrap, or plastic covers. These protective materials will ensure zero dents, scratches, or dust on your furniture item. Wrapping each piece of furniture individually is extremely important to fully protect them. After packing everything, make sure to properly label every part.

6. Hire Professional Movers

Hiring professional movers and packers in Kolkata makes things a lot easier. Professional movers have the expertise and experience to move all sorts of items safely and efficiently. They also have the necessary equipment and tools to move your furniture without damaging it. Moreover, they can help you pack your furniture, disassemble it if necessary, and reassemble it at your new home.

Conclusion

Moving your heavy furniture items is not easy. If you are in the slightest doubt, you must hire professionals. You must conduct thorough research before selecting and booking a particular company or else you can ask for referrals from your friends, family, or colleagues to get a verified moving company to handle your relocation task. Search for the “Best Relocation Company in Kolkata” on the internet and hire the one that meets your needs and budget. It is essential to book them in advance to avoid last-minute delays or hassle.

The Complete Guide to Move Non-Allowable Items: What You Need to Know?

Are you planning to move to a new place in Kolkata? If yes, then there are a lot of things that you have to take care of as you are about to relocate your entire household. But, do you have any idea that there are certain specific things that you can’t take along at all? If your answer to this question is no, then you need to read this entire blog post thoroughly.
People usually prefer hiring experts to relocate their belongings to the new destination. But, indeed, you can’t move each item with you due to safety reasons. Also, your hired movers and packers in Kolkata will refuse to move them along in the vehicle as these items are categorized under the non-allowable ones. If you don’t have any idea about these things, then keep on reading to know the details.

 

What are non-allowable items?

The non-allowable items are the ones that are not allowed to be shifted along with the movers in their vehicle due to numerous safety reasons. Below are the three major conditions under which these non-allowable items fall:
1. Items that the movers cannot move
There are diverse types of items that movers don’t allow and hazardous materials are one of them. These types of things are an immense threat to your household goods and also to the safety of the people around you. This is the reason why the moving team doesn’t allow any sort of hazardous item in their moving truck. Make sure to dispose of such items properly and safely before the final move.
These types of dangerous and flammable materials are:
• Flammable, corrosive, or Explosive items
• Fire Extinguisher
• Charcoal
• Propane Tanks
• Charcoal Lighter Fluid
• Nail Polish & Nail Polish Remover
• Paints & Paint Thinner
• Acids
• Fireworks
• Aerosols, Gasoline, & Kerosene
• Ammonia, Pesticides, & Poisons
• Household & Car Batteries
• Ammunition
• Matches
• Scuba Tanks
• Cleaning Solvents & Darkroom Chemicals
• Weed Killer
• Lamp and Motor Oil
• Pool Chemicals & Liquid Bleach
• Loaded Guns & Gun Reloading Supplies
• Chemistry Sets

2. Items that can’t be moved (excluding the special circumstances)
There are items that the moving team doesn’t allow to be moved but under special circumstances, they agree to move them. Only upon special request, these items can be moved with appropriate consideration. These items are food materials and plants. In case the food items are already open and easily perishable, then they will be disallowed to be moved. But, if these items are non-perishable and enclosed in a box, then they can be moved along. Plants are however not permitted to be moved but in certain circumstances and where the restrictions are not applied, the movers can relocate them by following the perfect packing and protection methods.
Movers allow perishable items to be moved under certain circumstances that are:
• If the items are appropriately packed.
• If it does not need any servicing during transportation.
• If it has to be traveled fewer than 150 miles.
• If it will be delivered within 24 hours of pickup.
If the above-mentioned criteria are met then the moving team will probably relocate the perishable food items along with them in the moving truck.

3. Items to be moved in a private vehicle
There are numerous valuable items at your home that you do not want to give to the moving team for relocation. The list includes jewelry, family heirloom, items of sentimental value, personal items, important documents, and similar other things. It is also advisable that you should not move such items with movers due to the chance of getting damaged or lost during the travel. No amount of money will be able to replace any of your sentimentally-valued items. Thus, you should move such items along with you in your vehicle.
Movers also do not allow your pets inside the moving truck. Either you have to move them along with you in your vehicle or you have to arrange a pet relocation provider, who will transport your pet or pets to the destination in the safest manner. There are multiple reasons behind not transporting your pets in the truck as there will be issues with ventilation and most importantly, safety. There are higher chances of falling anything on them, which might hurt them.

Here is a list of the items that you cannot move along with the movers:

• Family Heirlooms• Jewelry & Cash
• Certificates of Deposit
• Medical & Dental Records
• Checkbooks
• Medicine
• School Records
• Sterling Silver
• Cell Phones
• Photographs, Photo Albums
• Keys to furniture, safe, home
• Address Books
• Airline Tickets
• Insurance Policies
• Car Keys
• IRAs/Deeds/Tax Records
• Research Projects
• Car Titles
• Laptop Computers
• Stocks/Bonds
• Financial Documents
• Professional Files (attorney, accountant, physician)

 

Conclusion

Items that you will not be able to take along must be disposed of properly. You might become aware of the essential items that you should leave behind, dispose of, take along in your private vehicle, or simply throw away after reading this blog post. Remember, Packers and Movers in Kolkata will not allow to move these items in their moving truck due to safety reasons only.

10 Worthwhile Ways to Deal with the House-Moving Mess!

Seeing you land up on this blog post makes it evident that you are struggling hard to organize your coming house move. Is that so? Well, believe us, yours is not a new story! Everyone out there conducting a house move is facing it. So, for your upcoming Kolkata to Delhi relocation, speak to the packers and movers in Kolkata, and comfort yourself with the following tips!

Your first conversation with the moving team would take place over the phone and based on that, they will come over to your address to conduct the goods survey. Although different moving companies have different ways of operations the process of pre-move evaluation of goods is a must as it gives you a fair idea of the estimated cost you may need to pay.

Once you are done with that, you should take note of the points we have shared below. Focused on the different areas/aspects of the move, these pointers will let you prepare for the big change without any hassle.

1. Check every area to empty: It is only when there is a house move taking place that we decide to give our homes a deep clean-up. We look around to spot things that we would not need in our new house and then set them aside to focus on what is important. So, whether it is a pile of old books, piles of small, worn-out clothes, outdated utensils, or furniture, redundant things should be discharged.

2. Start with the place you are in: House moving is a hassle and everything that it involves has some degree of risk and headache. To begin with the process, we would advise you to start with the place or room you are in. Do not go anywhere else. Start with the packing task of your household from the room you use the most or you are in because you will be comfortable managing your own space first.

3. Keep aside days for cleaning: What most of us tend to do is focus on the packing task rather than all the other things that we should do instead. For example, we must first go through our entire household to analyze its status – like - to have an idea of the number of days the packing would need, and what all things would be sent off for disposal, donation, or considered for sale. So, think through all that and keep ample time in hand.

4. Progress from small to big: To optimize your household packing task, you should pay attention to the time you are devoting to the job and to the goods that you are handling. The ideal way to process the packing task is by progressing from simple tasks to tricky ones. Things that are easy to handle should be dealt with first, followed by the ones that are challenging because, for the latter, you will anyway have professionals to assist you.

5. Consider swapping items: Many families that conduct relocations often think of repurchasing their furniture, appliances, and other items because they do not feel like moving the current ones (that are in old, obsolete condition) to be shifted to their new homes. Or at times, they consider revamping their space (new space) and starting afresh with newly bought items and for that, they de-clutter the house entirely and get the things again in the new house. If you too want to revamp your new space and give it a break from the monotonous look (like the current one), do discard all the old-fashioned, damaged things from your house before you move out.

6. Indulge in therapeutic tasks: At some point, we do feel that we need a break from all this chaos and that is not just for the pre-move phase (when we are prepping for the move) but also for the post-move time. In that case, diverting yourself to some other activities and indulging in things that can be fruitful and therapeutic at the same time is a good option.

7. Prepare important papers: To ensure that your move goes on smoothly, you should keep the important evidence, IDs, documents, and papers with you. Have your car insurance, house insurance, car titles, birth and marriage certificates, health documents, travel insurance, school, college, and office documents, employment papers, etc. with you, in a compact folder so that everything remains safe until the day time you reach your new house.

8. Pack your luggage bags: Besides the moving boxes that will be prepared and moved, there would some things that would be better if packed in luggage bags. These would be the items that you would want to keep with you at all times during the move. You can make use of your suitcases, duffel bags, carry-on luggage, roller bags, etc. to pack your essentials, clothes, stationery, utility items, etc.

9. Sync with a plan and lists: Even if you have not put together a plan for the move or somehow did not look into the checklists you prepared for the same, we would advise you to go through it once so you can figure out if everything is going on the right track and there is no loophole or disturbance along the course. In the end, all things should be worked out as planned.

10. Oversee goods protection: The packing quality of your belongings would depend on how the packing task has been conducted. If the professionals do it, you can rest easier but if you choose to do it yourself, you will have to be extra careful. Make sure the boxes used for the purpose is sturdy, wrapping materials are protective enough and the techniques implemented are secure and seamless. Double-check how the boxes are being packed and see if they are labeled.

If you feel planning of a house move is the most dreaded thing in the world, we can bet you would not feel the same again if you check out the tips shared above. Also, the movers and packers in Kolkata will be worthwhile and wonderful in every way!

5 Common Moving Questions + Answers you must check out!

The day your house moving date got deliberated upon and finalized, you did a couple of things – you first hired a pro team of packers and movers in Kolkata, as you are departing from Kolkata, and secondly, you are thinking through a set of questions that you would put up to the movers so you can eventually start with your packing and moving preparations peacefully.

What usually happens when you plan for a move is you first lay out a plan that briefs you of all the tasks that you would undertake during the journey and then you devise a realistic timeline within which you plan to attend the tasks. But that is not all; you should also prepare yourself with the help of a moving questionnaire because in there you will not only get to see the commonly-asked questions by moving customers but will also find suitable answers along with them, which in a way will be a lot beneficial.

You can note down the packing/moving ideas that you come across from the questionnaire post and implement them into your move and get through the journey seamlessly!

Let’s begin:

• What are the foremost things I should take care of when I hire a mover?

When you are relocating, and have assigned a professional team of workers to look after each of your moving needs, there are certain things that you give special attention to. These are all those aspects that may impact your move if not taken care of beforehand. For instance, you cannot simply hire a mover without doing background research and so, while you do it, you must check if the company offers a complete range of Logistics solutions or specializes in only a specific range of relocation services. Depending on your needs, you may inquire if your mover offers assembly and disassembly services, installation services, special packing services, corrugated packaging assistance, a custom crating facility, etc. Well, all of these special services would come at a charge but you have to address them to be able to execute a hassle-free move.

• Name three things that should be prioritized when planning a move.

There are a lot of things that can be listed out here but if you ask about certain particular things that one must take care of, then we would say – it is the valuation coverage you have purchased from the mover to cover up for the transit damages (if there happens any). You may get a suitable insurance coverage plan from your home insurance provider because the agent will be the best one to help you in this matter as he knows what would work best for you as per your pocket permit and move requirements. The second thing would be the quality of packing materials that would be integrated into the packing task. Arrange them in surplus amount and also invest in the right kind of moving boxes as well. The boxes would be the ultimate resource that will ensure that your goods remain in good condition.

• Share some tips to avoid falling into the trap of moving scams.

The minute one gets into the planning and assessment phase of moving companies to prefer one suitable moving company of their, one realizes it is not that easy. There is a lot more than what meets the eye. Henceforth, here are some tips that you can pay attention to if you want to make an informed moving choice – you should not go with moving companies that have extremely low rates, nor should you choose movers that have a lot of advertisements and promotional offers coming up on their website. Moving companies that are fairly priced, experienced, and have an impressive panel of testimonials and ratings can be chosen. Be watchful of hidden fees, and abrupt costs, and always choose a mover that is licensed, verified, and registered.

• What is the best way to plan for a move?

There is not just one way to prepare for a house move or say for any kind of move, for that matter because there is a step-wise process to go with it. At first, you lay out a practical design that you tread to prepare for the move, then you pay attention to individual phases to cater to what those areas call for. For example, the budgeting phase, the de-cluttering phases followed by sorting and inventorying, and so on. Packing in that way turns out to be the last thing in the moving plan which then either gets worked out by you or by the professionals you hire. Though honestly, there is not just one ideal route to plan a move, because for different people, different plans work or they either do not work at all. So, it works that way “one moving plan may or may not address everybody’s moving needs”. The only thing that is to be taken care of here is the timeline. So, keep up with your pace and work smartly.

• Is hiring a professional mover compulsory?

For some people, hiring a professional moving company is by far the most important thing to work out ahead of the move while for others; DIY moves can also be a suitable option. It all depends on their moving budget and the kind of requirements they have. In a general sense, the ideal is to have a full-service moving company hired for the move because having a team of professionals employed on a relocation project can fairly streamline the journey by taking care of all the pre and post-move arrangements. Also, since moves are not carried out every day, every year, what is appropriate is to not take a chance with your move and prepare for it in the best possible way.

If you hire a diligent team of movers and packers in Kolkata to prepare for your move, you would not face many hurdles along the way. In addition to that, if you spare a moment to refer to the questionnaire we posted above, you will not only enjoy an insightful move but quite a confident journey as well.