In a country like
India, purchasing of a property is never an overnight decision and is usually
witnessed once or twice in most people’s lifetime. Due to our cultural
upbringing, we tend to involve our primary and secondary circles into the
buying decision. For most, purchasing of a property involves spending of entire
life’s savings and thus it has to be properly chalked out. Once a property is
being bought; an even more tedious task is on the way; relocation of the
residence. The thought and process of relocation begins from the date of
earning the possession of the purchased unit and till the time the residents
are settled.
Relocation of a
property can be physically as well as mentally stressing and can also put a
strong pressure on customers’ pockets. Thus, it becomes crucial that a well
laid plan is formed and executed in a systematic manner so as to make sure a
hassle free shifting process. Moving forward in this chapter, we’ll look into
various tips and tricks to avoid a troublesome relocation process.
Block your Dates
The first and foremost
task should be the selection of date(s) for shifting. Moving from a small unit
to a similar sized unit within a city is quite an easy task and can be managed
in a single day’s time. This form of shifting is most suitable and observed
amongst nuclear families and young students/working professionals. On the other
hand, moving inter-state or outside the country require several days to shift.
In either cases, marking the date(s) on the calendar is of utmost importance so
that the home packaging work begins on time and you’re sitting ready to move
out. “When planning to relocate to a new region, it is most important that
shifting dates are decided well before time. This allows the residents to
prepare themselves and accordingly begin with the work. Selection of dates in
the beginning is like setting a deadline for self, and consequently meeting the
target becomes crucial”, explains Ankit Aggarwal, CMD, Devika Group.
Do your Homework
Once the date(s) for
shifting has been decided, understanding and knowing the region should be the
next task. Most of us shift to a new place and then search for shops or places
to meet day-to-day requirements. Then again, if shifting within the city, it is
still easy to find places or even go back to the older destination for goodies.
But when shifting to an altogether new location; due homework is a must to
ensure a tension-free living. Knowing about the presence of a grocery store,
dairy, hardware store, etc. is important as once shifted, it is imperative to
know these places as they come extremely handy not only later, but especially
during the initial days. “It becomes very difficult to settle after shifting if
the area is unknown. Before relocating, it is important for the residents to
know their region completely so that they don’t become aliens. This task can be
carried parallel while starting the packaging process. It is thus crucial to
know about your surroundings well before shifting to the location”, avers Rahul
Chamola, MD, One Leaf Group.
Packaging Planning
Moving systematically
from one place to the other is significant in order to ignore trouble during
the settling process. In India, we usually just shift from place to place
without considering the management aspect that can help us cut down on time,
money and effort. An ideal way of shifting is room wise. Once we know that we
are about to shift, we don’t have many guests visiting and hence, packing the
drawing and dining rooms can be done at first. Gradually every room can be
prepared keeping the bedrooms and kitchen for the last as they are the ones
that are utilised till the end. This concept is suitable for any and every unit
size. Once the resident starts living in the new home, they’ll automatically
see the stuff already in place. “The concept of shifting room by room is
gaining popularity in India as it reflects better management. The later on
efforts are literally reduced to half as whatever was carried has been brought
forward to the correct places. With this concept, the problem of stuff getting
missed or left with other packages of different rooms is also removed, thereby
highlighting a flawless shifting”, elucidates Sudeep Agrawal, MD, Shri Group.
Selection of Packers
& Movers
Professional help
during relocation is of utmost significance as these Packers & Movers know
perfectly how to carefully handle, pack, relocate, unpack and settle your
stuff. From furniture to steel, equipment to antiques and so much more; they
can move anything and everything present in the house. The process of hiring
this help is simple and is just a phone call away. Now days we have ample of
Packers & Movers agencies present in every region. They charge on the basis
of number of rooms to be shifted, number of personnel involved, distance of
travel, number of cartons/bubble wraps used and few other parameters. Their
prices vary from region to region and on the basis of demand/supply dynamics.
The time of travel for their vehicles is usually late night/early morning as
heavy vehicles are not allowed to cross borders during day hours. If relocating
within city, then there are lenient hours for travel plus, not many vehicles
are involved. “Earlier in our country, this concept was different, where
logistics help was hired along with labour in the region. This combination went
quite expensive as local logistics and labour could not provide sufficient
professional support. Packers & Movers of today are trained thoroughly and
even the drivers’ drive with utmost caution to avoid any form of damage to the
packages. They also take care of unloading, unpacking and settling the stuff at
the desired places thus, assisting the households from the first to the final
task”, shares Deepak Kapoor, President CREDAI-Western U.P. & Director,
Gulshan Homz.
Check your Fittings
We Indians are
extremely rigid and lethargic by nature. If we don’t have a plug point next to
our bed, we just cannot walk ten steps to use the one on the wall. Similarly,
plumbing and other electrical fittings are something that we get used to over
the time and it becomes very difficult to adjust in the new home, with fittings
not at the places where we desire. Therefore, it is important to check the
fittings at the core places of the new home such as bedrooms, kitchen and
bathrooms; and get them adjusted according to the need so that own home does
not become difficult to live in. In fact, if there are plans to upgrade
furniture, renovate, paint walls or any plans to change the look and feel of
the home; better get it done prior to the shifting date so that it does not
become painful later.
Know your Neighbours
Neighbours are not only
there for us when we need a bowl of sugar. Jokes apart, when planning to
relocate, those living in the society before you, are the ones with the ground
level experience. They know it all. From loopholes to benefits, directing you
to the right people in the society and much more. They’ll have intel about
almost everything; and most importantly, you'll have someone physically present
there to assist, when you land with the stuff. Thus, while making site visits
before shifting, it is most important to have an ice-breaking with the people
residing around you.
Time to Shift
Once the planning phase
is complete and everything is readied for shifting, now is the time to bid
adieu to your old home and make your way for the new one. One important aspect
of shifting is filtering the stuff. In cases where a family is relocating after
decades of residence at one place, then leaving old stuff behind is the best
strategy. Lots of things keep popping up when making the travel for the new
destination that usually makes a person confused. Thus, it is best to sit back
and relax, and think about the next plan of action. “If someone plans to
relocate in a systematic manner, then they don’t have to think a lot. Shifting
with the things that matter is important, rest can be left or purchased later.
There are several bottlenecks that everyone faces once they start residing at
a new location, due to the change of habitat. It is therefore important
to take the procedure of shifting very lightly and conduct it with the highest
degree of management”, enlightens Rakesh Yadav, Chairman, Antriksh India.
On your Own now
Once the relocation
process is finally complete, the time to settle out begins. The settling phase
completely depends on how well the shifting phase was managed. A systematic way
of relocation guarantees an easy and short settling phase. Thus, a well planned
relocation must be there to ensure quick settling and moving forward in life.
“Relocation, if compared to settling down the home is quite an easy task. But
with the kind of services that are available to a modern day resident, settling
down has become much easier. There are companies today who provide services to
settle down the home in a very small span of time. The decision to relocate is
very crucial as the place where you choose to relocate has been acquired after
lot of efforts in life. Thus, moving properly through this decision is
significant for a peaceful future living”, concludes Vikas Sahani, CMD,
Property Guru.
No comments:
Post a Comment