On this page · 9 sections
A relocation is a transport job with careful hands at both ends. Most problems on move day trace back to planning that was skipped: an incomplete inventory, a vehicle that does not fit the lane, or no agreement on who packs what.
This guide covers offices, plants and homes. The steps are the same. The scale and the shutdown window are what change.
Start with the inventory
Everything else depends on this list. Walk every room, floor or bay and record:
- Each item or group of items, with rough size and weight
- Fragile, high-value or sensitive items, such as servers, artwork and instruments
- Heavy machinery, with weight, dimensions and lifting points
- Items that will not move: things to sell, scrap or leave behind
Share the list with your mover early. It decides the vehicle size, the crew size and the packing material.
Set the timeline
| When | Household | Office or plant |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 8 weeks before | Fix dates, get quotes | Fix shutdown window, map new site layout |
| 2 to 4 weeks before | Finalise inventory, confirm mover | Plan machinery and IT sequence, confirm vehicles |
| 1 week before | Sort and pack non-essentials | Label desks, racks and cables by destination |
| Move day | Supervise loading, keep documents with you | Supervise by zone, one contact per site |
| After | Check items against inventory | Commission machines, test IT |
Packing
Ask in writing who supplies packing material and who packs. Good packing means:
- Every box labelled with room or zone at the destination
- Fragile items wrapped individually and marked
- Machinery drained, secured and blocked against movement
- Electronics in original boxes where possible, cables bagged with the unit
Photograph valuable items and machine condition before packing. It makes any later claim much simpler.
Vehicles and access
Check both sites before move day. Narrow lanes, entry time restrictions, lift sizes and loading bays all affect which vehicle can be used. Heavy machines may need a trailer or lifting equipment at both ends.
SSL arranges 76,000+ truck hires a year and delivers to 2,000+ destinations. Our desk plans the vehicle around your inventory and both sites.
Documents
- Inventory list. Signed by you and the mover at loading.
- Goods receipt. The carrier’s receipt for the consignment, with declared value. Read its terms.
- E-way bill. For business goods, the CGST rules on e-way bills generally apply. Check CBIC’s Rule 138 for how used personal and household effects are treated.
- Identity and address proof. Keep copies with you, not packed in a box.
Insurance questions to ask
Ask these before you book, and get the answers in writing:
- Is transit insurance included, optional or not offered?
- Who is the policyholder, you or the mover?
- How are goods valued: declared value, invoice value or another basis?
- What is excluded? Common gaps are pre-existing damage, self-packed boxes and electronics.
- What is the claim process and the deadline to report damage?
You can check that an insurer is registered on the IRDAI website. A carrier’s own liability under the Carriage by Road Act depends on the declared value and the terms of the goods receipt.
Handover
At delivery, unload and check against the inventory before signing. Note any damage or shortage on the handover itself. Keep your copy.
How SSL handles a relocation
You send the inventory and dates. One SSL desk plans the vehicle, arranges the packing crew through vetted partners, places the trucks and unloads at the other end, with a signed handover. We have moved goods since 1951 and work from 110+ branches and offices. See our relocation, packing and moving service.
Checklist
- Full inventory with sizes, weights and fragile items marked
- Dates and shutdown window fixed
- Both sites checked for vehicle access
- Packing responsibility agreed in writing
- Insurance answers received in writing
- Goods receipt and e-way bill position checked
- Handover process agreed
Ready to plan your move? Send a request for quotation for a larger office or plant move, or get a quote with your inventory and dates.
Figures for Safe & Secure Logistics are for FY2025-26 from our booking register. How each one is counted is on the Facts and sources page.