9 min readUpdated
How to Choose Packers and Movers: A Vetting Guide
How to actually verify a mover before you book — GST, IBA billing, survey quality, quotation red flags and a genuine mover vs broker comparison.
How do I verify a packers and movers company is genuine?
Check their GSTIN on the GST portal, confirm they have a physical office address you can visit, and insist on a survey (in person or video) before accepting a quotation. A genuine company answers these checks without hesitation and puts the details on the quotation itself.
Most complaints against packers and movers in India are not about a truck breaking down. They are about a broker who took an advance, subcontracted the job to whoever was cheapest that week, and disappeared when something went missing. Vetting a mover properly takes twenty minutes and prevents most of this.
Start with GST registration, not a phone call
A genuine, established mover is GST registered and will give you the GSTIN without hesitation, on the quotation itself. You can verify any GSTIN on the GST portal in under a minute — it will show the registered business name and whether the registration is active. If the number does not match the company name, or the person quoting you cannot produce one at all, that is worth treating as a serious flag, not a minor gap. Aadhya Packers and Movers, for instance, operates under GSTIN 36CKLPR1589J1ZE, and that number is on every invoice we raise.
Ask for IBA-format billing if you need reimbursement
If your employer is reimbursing a relocation, they will usually specify an IBA (Indian Banks' Association) format bill — a standardised invoice format that most corporate finance teams recognise and accept without back-and-forth. Ask upfront whether the mover can issue one. A mover who does not know what you are asking for is probably not used to corporate relocations, which tells you something about their scale and process maturity.
What a real survey looks like
A quotation given without anyone seeing your goods is a guess, and guesses are how "extra charges on the day" happen. A proper survey — done in person or over a WhatsApp video call where the surveyor asks you to walk through each room — results in an itemised inventory: furniture piece by piece, appliance by appliance, and an honest note on anything unusual (a piano, a large aquarium, marble slabs, a business worth of stock). The vehicle size and crew count in your quotation should trace directly back to that inventory.
- Insist on a video or in-person survey before accepting a final quotation
- Ask for the inventory list to be attached to the quotation, not just a total figure
- Confirm floor, lift and approach-road access at both ends during the survey — narrow colony lanes common in older parts of Karimnagar and similar towns change the vehicle plan
- Get the survey date, vehicle size, and crew count in writing, not just verbally over the phone
Reading the quotation: inclusions and exclusions
Two quotations that look similar on total value can cover very different scope. Read the fine print for what is included and, just as importantly, what is explicitly excluded.
- Packing material — is it five-ply carton for heavy items or thin single-ply for everything?
- Dismantling and re-assembly of beds, wardrobes and modular kitchen — included or charged separately?
- Loading and unloading labour, or does that need a separate arrangement at either end?
- Insurance — is transit insurance included, optional, or not offered at all?
- Waiting charges, toll and parking — who bears these if the destination access is delayed?
- Unpacking and placement at destination, or just delivery to the doorstep?
Transit insurance and declared value
Transit insurance covers loss or damage during the move, and it works against a declared value that you provide, not an assumed figure. Under-declaring the value of your goods to save on premium is common and almost always backfires at claim time, since the payout is capped by what was declared. Ask specifically what the policy excludes — most transit covers exclude items packed by the customer themselves, and glass or marble often needs a specific rider. Get the insurer's name and the policy document, not just a mention that "insurance is included".
Warning signs to walk away from
- A large advance demanded before any survey has happened
- No written inventory — just a lump-sum figure
- No verifiable office address, only a mobile number and a WhatsApp profile
- A quotation given purely over the phone, sight unseen, with round numbers that feel guessed
- Reluctance to share GSTIN or company registration details
- Pressure to confirm "today only" with a discount that disappears tomorrow
- Reviews that are all recent and unusually similar in wording
Genuine mover vs broker: how to tell the difference
A large share of complaints in this industry trace back to lead-generation brokers who never touch your goods themselves. They collect your enquiry, quote a number to win the booking, then subcontract the actual job to whichever local operator is available and cheapest — often without vetting that operator's own standards. The mover you spoke to on the phone is not the crew that shows up.
| Signal | Genuine mover | Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Office address | Fixed branch office you can visit | Usually none, or a virtual address |
| Survey | Own staff does the survey | Survey skipped or outsourced |
| Crew on moving day | Same company's trained crew | A subcontracted local operator, unknown to you |
| GST invoice | Issued directly under their own GSTIN | Often issued by a different, unrelated entity |
| Accountability if something goes wrong | Single point of contact, same company throughout | Broker and operator blame each other |
| Pricing | Based on actual survey | Often a low quote to win booking, revised later |
A simple test
Ask directly: "Will your own crew and vehicle handle this move, or will it be subcontracted?" A genuine operator answers this plainly. A broker either avoids the question or gives a vague answer about "our partner network".
Questions worth asking before you book
- 1Can I see your GSTIN and verify it?
- 2Will you do a survey before quoting, in person or by video?
- 3Is packing material, dismantling and re-assembly included in this quotation?
- 4Is transit insurance included, and what does it exclude?
- 5Will the crew that surveys my house also be the crew that packs and loads it?
- 6What is your process if an item is damaged in transit?
- 7Can you issue an IBA-format bill if my employer needs one?
A mover that answers all of these without hesitation, and puts the answers in writing on the quotation, is worth shortlisting. In and around Karimnagar, Sircilla, Siddipet, Peddapalli, Jagtial and Hyderabad, Aadhya Packers and Movers works this way as standard practice — survey first, written inventory, GST and IBA billing on request.
Comparing multiple quotations properly
When you collect quotations from two or three movers, line them up by scope, not by the final figure alone. A lower total that excludes dismantling, insurance and unpacking is not actually a lower cost once you add those back in with a second vendor. Put the inclusions side by side on paper before deciding.
- List what is included in each quotation under identical headings — packing, dismantling, loading, transport, unloading, insurance, unpacking
- Check whether the vehicle size and crew count are specified, or left vague
- Confirm the payment schedule for each — how much is due at booking, at loading, and at delivery
- Ask each mover the same direct questions from the list above and compare how specifically they answer
- Check the cancellation and rescheduling terms, since moving dates sometimes shift due to handover delays
What happens if something goes wrong
Even with a genuine mover, ask before the move how damage claims are handled — who you contact, what proof is needed (usually photos at the time of unpacking), and the typical timeline for resolution. A company that has a clear, calm answer to this question has clearly handled it before and has a process, which is itself reassuring. A company that gets defensive at the question is telling you something too.
Questions people ask
How do I verify a packers and movers company is genuine?
Check their GSTIN on the GST portal, confirm they have a physical office address you can visit, and insist on a survey (in person or video) before accepting a quotation. A genuine company answers these checks without hesitation and puts the details on the quotation itself.
What is the difference between a packers and movers company and a broker?
A genuine mover surveys, packs and transports your goods with its own crew and vehicles. A broker collects your enquiry, quotes a price, and subcontracts the actual job to a third party you never vetted. Ask directly whether the company's own crew will handle your move.
Is transit insurance necessary for a house shift?
Yes, transit insurance is worth having for any move of value, since it covers loss or damage during transport. Declare the actual value of your goods rather than under-declaring to save on premium, since claims are paid against the declared value, not the actual value.
Why does a mover need to survey my house before quoting?
A survey lets the mover see the actual volume, item list and access conditions at both ends, so the vehicle size, crew count and material estimate are accurate. A quotation given without a survey is a guess and is the most common reason for disputed extra charges later.
What documents should a packers and movers company provide?
Expect a written, itemised inventory from the survey, a quotation stating inclusions and exclusions, a GST invoice with a verifiable GSTIN, and an IBA-format bill if your employer requires one for reimbursement. Ask for all of these in writing before the moving day.
What are warning signs of a fraudulent mover?
Watch for a large advance demanded before any survey, no written inventory, no verifiable office address, a phone-only quotation with round numbers, reluctance to share GST details, and pressure to book immediately with a same-day discount.
How much advance should I pay a packers and movers company?
Advance amounts vary by company policy, but a large upfront demand before any survey or written agreement is a red flag. A genuine mover typically ties the advance to a confirmed, written quotation issued after the survey, not before it.
Can I get a GST invoice for a house shifting service?
Yes, a GST-registered mover issues a proper tax invoice showing their GSTIN, and can provide an IBA-format bill on request for employer reimbursement claims. Confirm this before booking if you will need it for tax or reimbursement purposes.