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Moving Tips 101

Posted on September 13, 2010 by company1

By Brad Murphy– A member of the Commercial Relocation Network and moving professional at Armstrong Relocation

Moving a small to mid size office is not all that complicated.  There is a “method to the madness” that movers typically use.  There are a lot more details to planning an office move but here are some simple tips that will make the physical pack & move easier to understand for your employees.

• Label everything going (no tag, no go is the philosophy…so if you don’t wish to take it to the new facility don’t label the item)
• Label according to destination spot (i.e. room # / cube #)
• A layout of your new facility should be placed in a break room area in your current facility so employees can review their room assignments.
• Colors code your destination facility into quadrants or departments.  This makes a good reference for the mover when entering your new facility and makes your move time more efficient.
• Tag each individual piece – CPU, Monitor, Computer bag, pictures, file cabinets, desks, chairs, totes, etc.  If an item breaks apart into multiple pieces (i.e. conference table) then label each piece so the item can be put back together.
• All bookcases with shelves that are removable need to have each shelf labeled, removed from the dowel pins, and place in the bottom of the bookcase.  Then remove dowels and secure them together with tape or a bag to insure these tiny items are not lost
• Disconnect all electrical & computer equipment (see IT – they may want to perform this function for all electronic equipment)
• Place keyboard, mouse, and electrical wiring in computer bags (label computer bag).
• All miscellaneous contents need to be packed in moving crates provided.
• Moving crates have two metal bars in the lid that slid out and can be placed in slots within the container to create a hang file system (both legal and regular size) (this is great for lateral filing cabinets b/c they must be emptied anyway).
• Personal effect should be taken by employees (unless authorized for moving company to move)
• Check the back of your door while packing.
• Your company needs a person assigned to the origin facility to make sure the mover has taken everything and to answer any questions that may arise.  Your company should also assign a person to the destination facility to assist with any questions.
• If moving into or out of a facility with elevators…request a key to lock the elevator(s) out.  Also, find out who services the elevators and get an after hours and weekend contact name & phone number in case there are any elevator issues.  This will help eliminate any down time.

Destination Tips

• Please provide a layout of your new offices (with office numbers on it and color coded if you have decided to color code) at the entrance of the new facility (also need layout for placement of item in each individual room taped to every doorway or entrance).
• Sometimes moving pads or handling cause lables to come off so there needs to be “Missing Label” area.  Please create an area for items not labeled as they enter the destination facility, or that may have been mislabeled,  for all employees to find “missing” items.

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