10 Tips for Decluttering Your Office Before Moving

Having a cluttered working space can significantly impact productivity and stress levels. When everything is scattered in piles, nothing is prioritized, and you feel pressured to get everything done at once, it can be hard to get anything done.

Add moving into the mixture and things get much more complicated. Finding a moving company, packing, coordinating with employees, and notifying contacts of the address change are only a few steps in the moving process. BUT there are some ways to make this process a little less stressful and a big part of that is decluttering. While it can take some time to sift through everything in your working space, doing this will not only save a lot of time and money during the moving process, but help you to be more efficient and productive in the long run.

Check out these 10 tips for decluttering your office before moving:

1. Start with Nothing

One of the most common ways people declutter is starting with their cluttered space and removing things. But this doesn’t often work because you still end up with a lot of stuff.

Instead, try clearing everything from your space and then adding items you need a little at a time. This means clearing out the top of your desk and drawers, putting them in a box, and start working. When you need something, grab it from the box, and give it a home on your desk. After a few days, you will find what you really need vs. what is “nice to have,” making it easy to get rid of the unnecessary items.

2. Consider What You Really Need

If you feel a little uncomfortable about starting from scratch, you can also think about what you really need at your desk and what can be donated or thrown away. Did you know that we clutter because we think everything is important. When going through your belongings, think “Do I really need this item? Is it still usable? Am I keeping because I really need it or I might need it?”

One way to think about it is if you don’t remember that it was there, you probably don’t need it. But after answering the questions above, you should have a good idea of what to do with the items – even if you don’t like the real answer.

3. Organize by Priority

After figuring out which items to keep and get rid of, next is deciding where to put the items you do want. This is important since you will want quick and easy access for the items you use the most. If your desk has drawers, organize them in the order of importance, starting with the closest drawer and working your way down.

If you use a lot of paper, use the left-to-right method. When work comes in, keep it on the left, moving it toward the middle as you work on it, and shift it to the right once it’s completed. This way, you and others will easily know what is done and what you have to do for the day. It will also be clear for the tasks to be completed next.

It’s normal for clutter to start building again after decluttering, but just remember to keep up with the flow of paperwork and not to let that or other items pile up in your working space again.

4. Attack the Hoard of Cables

Especially if you have a complex server, multiple computers, not to mention charging cables, this can quickly turn into a chaotic mess. But there are some simple tricks to tame the hoard. It may sound strange, but attach rain gutters to the bottom of the desk to keep them off the surface. You can also look into cable boxes for an efficient way to hide everything.

5. Identify the Most Cluttered Spots

If you look at your working space at a distance, you may not find the cluttered spots. But you might be surprised that if you took a picture, you might find them easily. Take a few pictures with your phone and try it out.

6. Expand Your Working Space

If you really have a lot of important stuff, you may want to consider enlarging your work space (or invest in extra storage space). But in terms of enlarging the space, there are a few cost-effective ways to do it rather than buying a brand new desk.

If you have a small office space, think vertically instead of horizontally. Some ways include raising your monitor and mounting shelves to the wall, making use of every inch at your desk. As long as everything stays organized, this is a good solution for items that just cannot be thrown out.

7. Use Hidden Areas

If you don’t care to use traditional shelving, you may want to use pegboards for hiding cables, routers, and other equipment behind your desk.

You can also hide things on the back of your monitor or use clips and magnets to mount papers and supplies to the wall. You may be surprised at what you can accomplish.

8. Designate a Spot for Everything

Everything you need on your desk should have a home in which it fits neatly next to everything else. If they don’t, then the whole desk becomes a home for everything.

If you’re having a difficult time organizing, you can use the breadbox test to make things easier: if it’s smaller than a breadbox, put it away in a canister or drawer.

9. Clean Off Your Desk Every Evening

Regardless of how clean you keep your workspace, it’s normal for it to get messy throughout the day. This is okay because you’re working and being productive. But when things are not cleaned up regularly, the working space will become messy over time.

To prevent this from happening, clean off the desk at the end of the day everyday. Taking 5 – 10 minutes each day to straighten things up is a lot easier than tackling large messes every few months. You will even feel more motivated to come into work every day knowing you have a clean desk.

10. Don’t Overdo It

While everyone needs a clean, organized working space, you can overdo it. Becoming obsessive with maintaining a clean working space can result in wasted time that could have been spent working. A good rule of thumb is to think that if something wasn’t wasting your time in the first place, there’s no need to organize.

Recognize when it looks “good enough” and when it’s time to stop worrying about decluttering and get back to work. Keeping your working space spotless can, in fact, make an impact on your productivity. You may even forget why you started organizing in the first place: to be more productive and efficient at work.

Decluttering Before Moving

Moving is a great time to declutter since there will be less items to move after you’re done. While it does take extra time to go through and organize your belongings, it will be well worth the investment instead of spending extra time to move junk you don’t really need.

Need Extra Help?

If you’re running particularly short on time before moving, Chicago Office Movers offer professional decluttering services as an add on service to the move. As a full service moving company, we can also handle a number of other tasks to help you save time, including decommissioning, shredding, furniture assembly, move management, and more.

Moving everything from warehouses to libraries, you can count on us to move your business safely and efficiently. Our professionals are trained, insured, background-checked, and experienced to pack, move, assemble furniture, and provide any other service for which you might need.

Free Estimate

For more information, or to request a free estimate, contact Chicago Office Movers at 312-244-2246.

When you think about moving your business, it can be discouraging to think about how many opportunities you will lose during the relocation process. In fact, some companies lose out on a lot more than they originally plan due to unexpected complications like bad traffic, broken items, not having approval to move in to your new location, etc.

But with an efficient moving company and the right plan, there is a way to relocate your business while minimizing downtime. Check out these steps on how to move your business without losing productivity.

1. Create a Plan

There’s no such thing as over planning, and it’s never too early to start. So as early as possible, plan out everything to keep all disruption to daily activities to a minimum.

• Meet with all employees and prepare them for the upcoming move.
• Make lists of all tasks that need to be completed (coordinating with the move company, packing, finding a new working space, getting supplies, etc.).
• Consider all of the possibilities and potential setbacks and have a plan on what to do for each situation.

2. Create an Inventory

To get started with the planning process, move throughout the office and write down all of the items that will be moved to the new location. Ask yourself these questions:

• How much inventory needs to be moved?
• How many large items need to be moved?
• How will you be transporting important documents?
• Is your new location have enough space to hold all of your belongings? Do you need a storage space?
• How will you be moving electronics, like computers, phones, and monitors?

3. Consider Getting Rid of Some Items

While you may not be moving all of your belongings to your new location, you will need to form a plan for the remaining items. Many families and businesses use moving as an opportunity to declutter as they can save a lot of time and money by not moving everything.

This is also an opportunity to update everything – out with the old and in with the new. For example, it would be a good idea to get rid of that old 90’s sofa that’s been turning yellow for years. Many furniture stores will offer free delivery (after spending a specific amount), so you can save money during the move by keeping the weight off.

You may also want to update the office equipment as older items may require more maintenance than the newer models. This could save a ton of time and even resources when it comes to being more productive.

Lastly, instead of throwing away the older items, consider donating to your local charity.

4. Record Your Inventory in an Excel Spreadsheet

A successful move is one with a detailed inventory. After looking through everything that needs to be moved, start organizing items to help you figure out how many and what kind of packing supplies you will need, the duration of the move, and size of a moving truck you will need.

Having a detailed list will also prevent items from going missing during the relocation process.

5. Create a Timeline and Moving Schedule

One of the most important steps in the planning process is to forecast how long everything will take. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How much time do you have before having to move out of your current place?
• How much overlap will you have in between when your new location will be ready and when you have to be out of the old one?

Make sure to plan ahead early enough so that you will have time to get through the process while still having enough time to work on daily tasks.

6. Pack as Early as You Can

It can be annoying to sort through your items and figure out those you won’t need until after the move, but packing these things ahead of time will save time when it comes to finalizing everything last minute. Make the workload easiest on yourself by spreading it out.

7. Buy All of Your Supplies

Many moving companies will supply you with the materials you need, but they can be a bit more expensive. So if you’re looking to save a few dollars, here’s a list of what you’ll need to pick up:

• Shrink wrap
• Bubble wrap rolls or packing paper
• Packing peanuts
• Packing tape
• Labels
• Markers or sharpie pens
• Moving blankets
• Furniture movers and sliders
• A variety of different sized boxes

8. Use Specialty and Different Sized Boxes

Getting regular boxes to pack everyday items is important, but don’t forget to buy different sizes. While it may seem more efficient to load everything into large boxes so there’s less to move, but this can be physically challenging and even dangerous for the movers.

Small and medium sized boxes on the other hand will keep the weight off the items packed on the bottom and are also easier to lift and move.

Don’t forget to label your boxes so the movers will know which room to leave them in after arriving. Some companies even use color-coded labels and match them up with the color in the room.

9. Pack Efficiently

Moving is already expensive. You don’t want to add to it by reckless packing and breaking valuables. Always make sure to use bubble roll and packing peanuts with fragile items. Heavy duty boxes can also prevent items from becoming damaged, especially if they will be supporting the weight of other heavy boxes.

Don’t forget to wrap electronics separately, wrapping them with bubble wrap and using boxes that are fitted to their size. Cover all furniture with moving blankets and stretch wrap to prevent them from becoming dirty or scratched.

Finally, use packing tape to seal all the boxes properly.

10. Coordinate with Utility Companies

There’s more to planning than just the physical moving of belongings. You will need to contact all vendors and inform them of where you are moving and the date it’s happening.

Also, who will be setting up your computer equipment, phones, security systems, and internet at the new location? These are things you don’t want to forget about.

11. Notify All Customers and Public of the Move

Before moving, put up a sign that will inform your customers of when you are moving and the address of the new location. This will also show that you are well organized.

Also, putting up a sign at your new location will stand out for bringing in new customers. Even if it’s temporary, having something is better than nothing.

In addition, you can send change-of-address cards to customers and vendors. Many stores will have different, inexpensive designs to choose from.

Finally, inform the post office of your new address and forward your mail to the new location.

12. Plan Activities for Move Day

While many companies choose to move over the weekend to avoid interfering with daily business activities, but this is usually more expensive. However, if you do move during the week, make sure that the calls are routed to a mobile number and someone is assigned to pick up during moving day.

Choose the Right Moving Company

When looking for a moving company, some will help you with the planning process, including all of the steps listed above. Specific movers, like Chicago Office Movers, are available to do all of this for you. Everything from planning to furniture assembly, you have the option to be as hands on or off as you’d like, allowing you more time to focus on daily business activities.

If you are searching for a moving company in the Chicagoland area, choose Chicago Office Movers. Our union moving professionals specialize in business moves of all sizes, moving them both locally, long distance, and international. We are trained, experienced, IOMI-certified, uniformed, and background-checked to provide you with complete peace of mind throughout the entire move.

Get a Free Estimate

To get a free estimate from Chicago Office Movers, contact us directly at 312-244-2246 or fill out a contact form and we will be in contact with you shortly. We look forward to working with you!

The suburbs have been a haven for big business for decades. Chicagoland suburbs like Oakbrook, Schaumburg, and Northfield are a handful of locales that in past years exploded with growing businesses.

The Move to the City

However, recent demands for cutting edge technology and the people behind them spur companies to rethink and re-strategize. Businesses that once soaked in the luxury of their suburban locale, with ample parking spaces, quick access to highways, and quiet surroundings, are now moving to the city. The shift in mindset is not restricted to Chicago, but takes shape all across the country.

McDonald’s, Kraft Heinz, and ADM Move to Chicago

McDonald’s corporate headquarters is one example of a transnational company that has shifted from its cozy base in Oakbrook to an exciting nine-story building on Randolph and Carpenter Streets in Chicago. Motorola, based in suburban Schaumburg, as well as Kraft Heinz and ADM, have also made the move to the bustling city of Chicago. Long gone are the days when people moved to where jobs are—these days, companies are shifting to reach a new type of employee.

Why Companies are Moving to the City

The city boasts plenty of lure. City life offers vibrancy, diversity and opportunity. A tax incentive gives companies reason to eye the city landscape. Companies are relocating to the city to gain access to a younger workforce and, as a result, to stay competitive in the new digital playing field.

Work with Millennials and Technology

Cities are teeming with tech-savvy millennials. As computer technology roles are now nearly equivalent to the high-level positions of CEOs, corporate leaders are seeking to fill their top ranks with exceptional talent.

People under 35 and with expertise in IT prefer the slew of opportunities and attractions that cities feature. Tech professionals, like those who build e-commerce tools, prefer the endless choices of dining spots in the city in comparison with the humdrum of a single, suburban corporate cafeteria.

Millennials are also reluctant to buy cars. Rather, top talent favor public transportation abundantly available in cities. In Chicago, Fulton Market is bustling with brand new apartments and the finest restaurants in the city. The Chicago Loop, with its burgeoning business district, is also attractive for Generation Y talent. Suburban companies are taking note of millennials’ tendencies and uprooting their suburban bases in favor of city ones.

Opportunities for Companies

Companies are quick to note that 140,000 college graduates are produced each year by local colleges. When companies post jobs in their downtown hub, their human resources departments are flooded with four to five times more applicants. Despite the congestion, Chicago continues to lure companies and a highly qualified workforce.

Access to Customers

Technology is making giant leaps and giving customers the ability to make purchases with their smartphones. Companies want to win the new generation of customers that are using technology to buy products. Businesses also are aware that customers are increasingly avoiding the long trek to the outlying suburbs to shop.

Access to Digital Operations

Businesses thrive with instant access to the digital hubs of other companies. McDonald’s, for instance, shifted its digital operations to Chicago to be near the digital bases of Yelp and eBay.

Rather than meander in the remote suburban office park, young professionals seek to easily mingle with similar creatives. Companies with hubs in the city offer innumerable opportunities for invaluable interaction with like-minded professionals, allowing creativity to flourish far more readily.

Access to Airports

Being in major cities, many companies have access to airports, which is an advantage for businesses with international clients, interstate customers, or overseas locations. Executives can be at the airport terminal in under 20 minutes.

Downsize to Save Costs

Companies are rejecting the open spaces of suburban locations. Rather, businesses in recent years have elected to downsize, making doing business from the city an optimal choice. Kraft Heinz, once based in suburban Northfield and employing 2,200 people, now has its headquarters in Chicago.

With cost-cutting efforts, Kraft now has 1,500 employees working in downtown Chicago. Motorola retains 1,600 employees in its suburban Schaumburg space, while 1,100 workers operate from its downtown Chicago location.

By eliminating the isolation plaguing suburbs, corporate campuses create an open atmosphere. Brand recognition is developed by and associated with where businesses are located. Technology companies are opting out of the tree-lined ponds of the suburbs and choosing the buzz and exhilarating activity that city environments offer.

Ability to Work Remotely

Telecommuting and collaborative work environments have offered employers the chance to reduce the office space required per employee. Three decades ago, each office worker required 200 square feet of office space. Now, 125 is the standard. The reduction in necessary office space makes operating out of the city, where space is scarce and costly, financially feasible.

Moving Your Business to the City

Tech companies are keen to see the major advantages of moving to the city. When your company is planning to dive into the benefits of recruiting, mingling, and doing business in the city, turn to Chicago’s most renowned corporate mover, Chicago Office Movers. As a moving company dedicated to corporate relocation, Chicago Office Movers will skillfully handle your office move from start to finish.

Work with a Professional Mover

Upon providing a free estimate, Chicago Office Movers will help you with planning and corporate relocation. Once a moving plan tailored to your unique business needs is formalized, the plan will be executed. Our team of licensed and background-checked union movers will carefully pack and unpack office property. Insurance and service contracts are offered for maximum protection. You’ll receive tracking information so you are fully aware of the moving truck’s location at each phase of the move.

No matter what type of business you are relocating, Chicago Office Movers has the experience and qualifications to make the corporate move seamless. Included in the list of goods Chicago Office Movers has professionally moved are science lab equipment, artwork, IT systems, cubicles, electronics and office furniture.

Get a Free Estimate

Chicago Office Movers offers professional experience to ensure your office move happens on time and within budget. Our dedicated team of specialists stand by to answer any questions about your corporate move.

Give us a call at 312-244-2246 or fill out a contact form to receive a free quote!

As a full-service commercial moving company, we know that people hate moving. Even when you’re relocating to keep your dream job, the process of packing everything up and getting used to a new location is stressful.

In fact there’s a number of things you’ll need to do before and after moving, like getting a new driver’s license, switching over the utilities, finding a new home, selling or subletting your current place, and everything moving-related. So it really boils down to how much you love your job or want a new one.

While many individuals are simply unable to relocate due to family or other personal reasons, Careerbuilder has claimed that 44% of employees are “willing to relocate for a career opportunity.” If you are one of those people, you’ll want to check out these tips on what to expect before moving for work.

Benefits of Relocating for Work

Despite the headache of having to switch everything over, adjust to a new location, and pay for all of those moving expenses, some employers are willing to cover them. There aren’t too many that are willing to pay for full-service relocation packages, but depending on the demand for employees, you might be able to get away with paying nothing at all (or a small portion).

But regardless if they’re paying for your move or not, here’s what you’ll want to keep in mind before going.

1. Look for a New Home

If you have a family, the first question you will need to ask them is if they are willing to relocate as well. It would also be a good idea to take some time to visit the new location and visit some new houses before buying one right away.

Even if you can’t find the perfect home during the visits, it’s still beneficial to get to know the area. You might find a good restaurant, park, or other attraction so you will have something to look forward to before moving. These places can also help you to feel more comfortable about your decision to relocate for work.

 2. Find a Temporary Home

It’s not likely that anyone is able to find a permanent home before moving day. But finding a place to stay that offers month-to-month leasing can buy some time until you do find the perfect place to call your own again. If you have kids that are in school, make sure to check out the school districts before committing to your new home.

Some companies are also willing to cover the cost of first and/or second month’s rent. It’s common for corporations to place employees in executive condos, apartments, or home that’s particularly used on a temporary basis.

3. Know What Costs are Covered

If your company is covering your moving expenses, it’s important to know what exactly is covered. Some packages only cover the transportation costs while others go as far as managing your entire move, packing, furniture assembly, and moving your belongings for you.

In some cases, employers will offer a lump sum to their employees. So you will want to make sure that you keep all receipts from your move, such as packing supplies, movers, and gas for the moving truck. Also keep in mind that you may qualify for a tax deduction if you moved more than 50 miles.

4. Keep Your Items in Storage

In some case, temporary housing won’t have the space to fit all of your belongings. There also isn’t much point in unpacking everything if you’ll only be living there for a few months. So it’s important to find a secure storage space that allows easy access to your belongings, as well as accommodations for moving everything to your new location.

The storage spaces at Chicago Office Movers is designed to hold large, heavy items, including desks, office furniture, warehouse equipment, and other large assets. We also offer insurance plans to keep your belongings covered at all times.

5. Additional Funds for Extra Expenses

Anyone who has moved before knows perfectly well that surprise expenses pop up throughout the moving process. But some companies understand this and are willing to cover them too. Some are even willing to compensate up to $5,000! Just make sure to save your receipts to support your reasoning.

In addition to covering moving costs, some employees have been able to use this money for their down-payments on new homes or first rent payments. Some cases might involve a family member staying behind temporarily, so an extra rent payment that can be covered with these additional funds.

What to Keep in Mind

Nobody really looks forward to the moving process when relocating for work, but for some professions, it’s necessary. But it’s important to know what exactly is covered within company relocation packages, if offered, and any other perks to make things easier.

Also keep in mind that some things are negotiable. As long as you stay within reason, you may end up with a lot more than what you started – all because you said something!

Working with a Professional Mover

While finding a mover to move your home is important, you’ll also need one to move the company. Specializing in commercial moving, Chicago Office Movers handle everything from move management to transporting heavy equipment both short and long distances.

Our union movers specialize in commercial moving and can handle all of your business relocation needs. Give us a call for a free estimate!

With the vast number of businesses in different industries, we understand that specialty equipment will vary. But with the help of our moving resources, we can safely pack and relocate everything you need to your new location.

Our professionals are also licensed, trained, experienced, uniformed, and background-checked to keep your business protected at all times. Especially when it comes to keeping your items safe and any physical documents confidential, you can depend on us to cover the relocation process while you focus on your business needs.

Get a Free Estimate

For a free estimate on our commercial moving services, contact Chicago Office Movers at 312-244-2246 or fill out a contact form and we will contact you shortly!

Especially for businesses that serve customers at their location, known as local businesses, their location can have a significant impact on their profitability. But unless you have a home office, buying or leasing a location is necessary. While each company will need to comply with different requirements, it’s important to review the needs of your business when choosing the location and type of space you will be inhabiting.

The following are examples in which a location would be necessary for your business:

• Your vendors are nearby
• It’s known and easily accessible for the products and services you’re selling
• You are in close proximity to your target audience
• There are other businesses nearby that complement your business (such as a pet store located next to a dog shelter)
• Real estate or leasing rates are affordable in the area
• It’s a growing and/or prospering area that offers opportunities for your business to grow

Tips for Choosing a Location

• Research all options. In addition to researching the area, look into the demographics and economics, making sure that the area would be able to support your business.
• Research other businesses in the area. It’s important to know the location of all competition as well as businesses that complement yours.
• Research local councils. Get to the know the area by speaking with the local members, asking about planned development, rates, business activity, and zoning.
• Review the current and future needs of your business. Make sure your marketing plan is updated and your future location is aligned with your business goals and needs.

Types of Business Locations

Each business is limited to specific layouts of potential spaces. In other words, a retail store should not be looking at offices or warehouses for their next location. When researching your next commercial space, it should support your business’ operations and needs.

You should be able to look around and picture your assets in the potential new space, giving you a good idea if you have found your next location.

The types of business locations include:

• Retail stores
• Shared commercial office suites
• Temporary spaces, or pop-up businesses
• Warehouse, manufacturing plant, or storage space
• Standalone office space

Steps Included in Choosing the Business Location

1. Choose your next location
2. Request the purchase documents/lease
3. Review the documents with a real estate attorney
4. Negotiate the price
5. Sign the purchase documents/lease
6. Work with a professional moving company to start the relocation process

When choosing a location, it’s important to find one that will meet the financial needs of your business, allowing it to grow. Consider seeking legal and/or financial advice regarding the area before signing any documents and to avoid any mistakes that you may regret later.

Relocating Your Business

If you are in need of a larger space or you are no longer able to reach your target audience, it’s important to find a new space that will solve this issue. Keep in mind that businesses change over time; so what may have been a good fit for you before may not be so accommodating now.

Make sure to review the current situation of the company and choose a space that accommodates your needs and allows you to expand without having to relocate again in the near future.

The needs for business relocation:

• Client and customer convenience: If you own a retail store that is hidden or not easily found by local customers, this can be a huge problem. You’ll want to have a location that is easily accessible, allows customers to conveniently enter and exit, and even show off your products if you have a storefront window.
• Lower business costs: If recent changes to property taxes or the price of your lease increased substantially, moving your business to a more affordable location can be the best option. This will allow you to cut costs and possibly even increase profits.
• You need more space: It can be exciting to search for a bigger space after your expanding your company. But in any case, if you are limited by your current space, such as not having enough parking spots, desks, or space available for equipment, you will need to look for a larger space.

Important tip: As with any move, you must notify the government the change in your address and to forward any mail from your old address to your new mailbox.

Business Moving Professionals

After you have chosen your new location and signed the purchase or leasing documents, you’re ready to work with a moving company that can relocate the business. When looking finding one that can handle all aspects of the process would be ideal so you can focus on business tasks.

At Chicago Office Movers, we specialize in business moves. Our professionals ensure to handle the entire process, from planning to installing furniture at your new location. We will work with you to determine what you need, provide the moving supplies and manpower to safely relocate all items and equipment.

Whether you are looking to move computers, inventory, furniture, or other pieces of equipment, we make use of professional resources in order to keep the service efficient and minimize downtime. After the move, we will ensure that everything is installed properly in the right places and that you are satisfied with your new location.

Free Estimate

For more information regarding our business relocation services or for a free estimate, give Chicago Office Movers a call at 312-244-2246 or fill out a contact form. We look forward to working with you soon!