Are you planning to relocate your office soon? If so, you know you have your work cut out for you — especially if you’re in charge of that office relocation project plan yourself. And you’re not alone: as many as 70% of office employees tasked with managing a move are doing so for the first time, which can create headaches without the right planning. However, by breaking down the moving process into manageable steps, you should be able to move with as little stress as possible. Before you begin gathering boxes and doling out tasks to employees, take a look at these four easy tips for moving office furniture and supplies.
- Create a checklist. Whether you’re looking into other tips for moving office furniture and supplies or not, this one will be the most universal. You won’t be ready to move anything until you’ve developed a thorough checklist for everything that will be part of the move. Think about what stays, what goes, and what deadlines you have to get everything packed up.
- Use care with IT systems. Some of the most expensive items in offices won’t include furniture. Computers, monitors, servers, and other IT equipment are all necessary parts of day to day operations for offices everywhere, but they also need care when handling them. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when you go to pack these items up. Your company might also benefit from cloud storage during a move, so employees can still access files when the old facility is packed up and the new one is just getting unpacked.
- Pair up to lift heavy objects. If you and your employees must move large boxes, filing cabinets, or other heavy objects, make sure to pair up. Most of these items require what is called a “team lift” in order to move them. This ensures that employees do not get injured on the job. If heavy office fixtures are a problem, consider dumping them for modular office furniture, mobile file systems, and other portable accessories.
- When in doubt call the professionals. Not sure you can handle moving all those desks and chairs yourself? If so, it’s time to call in a professional office moving company to get the job done. A company that specializes in corporate moves may be better equipped to handle your computers and other IT resources. A move is also a good time to evaluate your office furniture needs: will it be worth it to move old furniture to a new location, or could you order office furniture installation services for brand new fixtures instead? In addition to moving and installation, office moving companies also offer services such as storage, warehousing, and facility decommissioning.
Have more questions about your move? Need more tips for moving office furniture? Don’t wait until the last minute. Use our Ultimate Checklist for Moving Your Office to perfect your office relocation process.
