Packing up an office and storing the office furniture in a warehouse can be time-consuming, and often stressful. To help take some of the burden off of your shoulders, we’ve assembled a list of 6 tips to make sure your move in Toronto goes as smoothly as possible.
Make sure you have all your schedules and logistics planned well ahead of time. Dismantling an office can present a major disruption in workflow, and that disruption can become exponentially worse if an important element of your move is either left too long or forgotten altogether.
Any sensitive files, be they paper or digital, needs to be secured. Make sure you have a secure off-site facility or warehouse for hardware and paper documents, and make sure that the rest is shredded ahead of time. It is easy for loose files and paperwork to get swept up in post-move cleanup and improperly disposed of.
To ensure that data isn’t lost in the unlikely case of hardware failure, you should make sure that you have off-site or ‘cloud’ server back-ups of all important data stored on computers that are being moved or stored.
A checklist distributed to your employees can help make sure that their workspaces are ready come moving day. This list should have them pack up and take out any small personal effects, such as pictures, plants, and other decor pieces, and packing up their office supplies in clearly labelled and secure boxes; including items that will go directly to the warehouse for temporary storage.
Make sure that this list doesn’t involve lifting heavy pieces such as desks or partitions, or relocating sensitive equipment such as packing up computers, printers, or fax machines. Improper handling of these can lead to an injury of the employee or damage to the device. Heavy and delicate items should be left to the professionals!
Before you move, have your IT staff disconnect and pack all cables and cords from computers, copiers, fax machines, shredders, and other hardware. Cables that can be completely disconnected from the device should be clearly labelled for easy re-installation, while those permanently attached to the device should be properly rolled and bound. Doing this before the movers come in can save a considerable amount of time, and reduce moving costs.
Any delicate equipment such as computer monitors or breakable decorations such as framed artwork should be properly secured. The original packaging is ideal, but if that’s not available, the liberal use of bubble wrap and packing foam can suffice. Make sure that it is properly packed so that it will safely make its way to the warehouse to be stored until the move-in date.
The most important tip is to make sure you use a Toronto furniture installation team who knows what they’re doing, and a storage warehouse that’s designed specifically for the safe storage of office furniture.
At Choice Office Installations, we’ll go the extra mile to make sure that your move is smooth, your delicate equipment and sensitive files are secure, and your workflow is as un-interrupted as possible. If you’re planning a storage or relocation, contact us today.