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How to Safely Pack Fragile Office Items for a Move

How to Safely Pack Fragile Office Items for a Move

How to Safely Pack Fragile Office Items for a Move

Written by Kari-Ann on . Posted in Corporate Relocation, Office Moving, Packing

How to Safely Pack Fragile Office Items for a Move

Office relocations require careful planning, especially when moving fragile office items. Whether you’re relocating glass-topped tables, sensitive electronics, or valuable artwork, proper packing is essential for minimizing the risk of damage during the move. Here’s a guide on how to pack delicate office equipment and furniture for a safe and efficient office relocation.

What are Fragile Office Items?

Anything described as fragile can be easily broken or damaged. Offices contain an abundance of fragile goods and equipment. The conference room may contain glass-topped tables, and the management offices may be furnished with glass-topped desks—all of which are extremely fragile.

Today’s offices operate on complex electronic systems. When relocating, it’s necessary to pack up sensitive tech equipment, such as computers, monitors, and printers. Fragile items like these can be damaged by the impact if dropped during the moving process.

Offices with sophisticated designs may need to move marble or stone worktops. These fragile goods should be handled with special care to prevent damage. Similarly, framed artwork and antiques that decorate offices require careful packing to remain in pristine condition.

Packing Fragile Office Items: Step-by-Step Guide

Preparing for a relocation means it’s necessary to pack up the whole office. While employees can pack their own belongings and contribute to packing the rest of the office, it requires time during working hours. Conversely, let professional movers handle the packing to save time.

1. Packing Glass Tables

When opting for DIY packing, disassemble glass tabletops. Remove the legs and dismantle the fragile glass frames. Pack these components separately. When unscrewing the table legs, drop the screws into a sealable plastic bag and tape it to the table so it does not become lost during the move.

Wrap the glass top with packing paper. Secure the paper with tape but be sure to prevent the adhesive from coming into contact with the glass. Next, cover the tabletop with bubble wrap, with the bubbles facing inward. Place the wrapped glass into a specialty telescopic box for maximum protection.

2. Packing Tech Equipment

Sensitive electronics should be packed with care to streamline the reinstallation process at the new office. Before packing, back up all important files to an external hard drive or cloud-based storage to prevent data loss. Also take photos of the setup, which can be invaluable during reassembly.

Disassemble and label cables and cords. Box the devices in the original packaging, when possible, which is designed to provide optimal protection. Wrap the tech in bubble wrap and place them in boxes with cushioning. Pack keyboards and mice in smaller boxes or bags to maintain organization.

Utilize anti-static bubble wrap for packing the electronics. If the original boxes are unavailable, select sturdy, corrugated boxes to pack the equipment. Choose boxes that are slightly larger than the devices to allow room for protective padding, such as packing peanuts.

3. Packing Office Artwork and Antiques

Office artwork and antiques are vulnerable to the bumps and jostles of the moving process. Appraise the valuables prior to packing them, in case they are damaged during the relocation. Avoid wrapping wooden antiques in bubble wrap, since multiple layers can damage the porous wood surface.

Secure fragile parts, such as drawers or doors, but avoid using tape to do so. Cover the antiques with moving blankets, which can keep these parts securely closed. Next, add padding to the outside of the moving blankets. Remove any small pieces and store them carefully.

4.Marble-top Tables

Marble is a heavy material but can be easily damaged during a move. Protect these fragile goods by wrapping them in moving blankets. Ensure the blankets cover the pieces from the top and wrap around the bottom. A wardrobe box can be effectively used to further protect the marble.

Upon purchasing a special carton or crate to house the marble components during the relocation, pack no more than one marble piece inside. Keep the carton or crate upright and never lay it flat while storing or moving it. Clearly mark the carton as fragile.

Tips for Packing Fragile Office Items

When packing fragile office items, bear in mind a few general strategies:

  • Use Strong, New Boxes: Always choose new, sturdy boxes designed for office moves. Avoid old, flimsy boxes that can collapse under pressure.
  • Separate Items: Avoid packing fragile items together to reduce the risk of breakage. Use bubble wrap and packing paper to cushion each item.
  • Label Boxes: Clearly mark all boxes containing fragile items to alert movers. You can also color code the boxes for a better organization.

3 Materials You Can Use To Keep The Office Fragile Items Safe

When preparing for an office relocation, using the right packing materials can make all the difference in keeping your fragile items intact. Whether you're moving high-end tech, delicate décor, or glass furnishings, these three materials are the go-to choices for protecting your office essentials during transport.

Top 3 Packing Materials to Protect Fragile Office Items

Bubble Wrap:

Bubble wrap is a must-have when it comes to safeguarding breakable office items. Its air-filled pockets provide a cushioned barrier that helps absorb shocks and vibrations during loading, transport, and unloading. This makes it especially effective for wrapping fragile objects like monitors, computer towers, glass table tops, and framed artwork.

How to Use It:

  • For best results, wrap the item completely with the bubble wrap, ensuring the bubbles face inward to protect the surface.
  • Secure the wrap with tape, but avoid taping directly onto the item itself.
  • When packing multiple items, stack them carefully and add extra layers of bubble wrap between each item to prevent shifting during the move.

Packing Paper:

Unlike newspaper, which can leave ink stains, packing paper is clean, pliable, and safe for delicate surfaces. It’s ideal for wrapping smaller items, filling in gaps inside boxes, or layering between stacked pieces to prevent scratches. Glassware, ceramics, and decorative office pieces benefit from being individually wrapped in packing paper to avoid direct contact with other items.

How to Use It:

  • Roll individual items, such as glassware and small office décor, in several layers of packing paper to ensure they are fully cushioned.
  • Use packing paper to fill any empty spaces in boxes, ensuring items don't shift during transport.
  • For larger, more fragile items, use the paper as a cushion around the item and layer it with bubble wrap for added protection.

Sturdy Corrugated Boxes:

Using high-quality, corrugated cardboard boxes is essential when transporting fragile office goods. These boxes provide structural strength and help distribute weight evenly, reducing the risk of contents being crushed. Double-walled boxes offer even greater protection for heavier or more delicate items.

How to Use It:

  • Choose boxes that are slightly larger than the items you're packing to allow for protective padding, such as bubble wrap or packing paper, around the contents.
  • For heavier items, like monitors or printers, use double-walled boxes for extra strength. For fragile items like glass or ceramics, use specialized boxes designed for these goods.
  • Label the boxes clearly as "Fragile" to ensure they are handled with care during the move.
  • To prevent crushing, pack the heaviest items at the bottom of the box and lighter, more fragile items on top.

Professional Office Movers that can Safely Handle Fragile Items

Safely packing fragile office goods for a move can be accomplished with the right skills and packing supplies. When your team is busy preparing for the relocation, save valuable time by delegating the packing and unpacking to the experienced commercial movers at Chicago Office Movers.

Our moving crews are equipped with sturdy boxes and packing supplies as well as expertise to safely pack your entire office. Whether you are moving precious antiques, sensitive IT servers, or other specialty items, we pack your possessions carefully to prevent the risk of damage during the corporate relocation.

As a part of our expert packing services, we label boxes to ensure proper placement at the new office. You receive a full inventory of all goods packed. The items are packed in boxes and crates guaranteed to protect the contents. Plus, our crews unpack your items at the destination.

Our corporate moving services include additional conveniences, such as short- and long-term storage in our secure facilities. We offer insurance and service contracts. Moving crews are licensed, trained, and background-checked to give customers maximum confidence that their goods are in secure hands.

Whether you plan to move your company locally, long-distance or internationally, choose Chicago Office Movers for safe packing and seamless relocation. Call our Elk Grove Village, Illinois, office today for a free estimate and assign your corporate relocation to Chicagoland’s most trusted office mover.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

When packing delicate office lighting fixtures, first remove any bulbs and secure them separately. Wrap the light fixtures in bubble wrap or moving blankets, making sure to cushion the bulbs and other fragile parts. Place the wrapped lighting in a box that’s slightly larger than the item to allow room for protective padding. Label the box as fragile.

While it’s tempting to reuse old boxes, it’s better to use new, sturdy boxes for fragile items. Old boxes may have weakened over time and could fail to protect delicate items. If you must reuse boxes, make sure they are still in good condition with no tears, dents, or weak spots.

When packing office shelving units or bookshelves, remove all items from the shelves and disassemble any removable parts. Wrap individual shelves in bubble wrap or moving blankets and pack them separately. If the shelving unit is too large, protect it with moving blankets and ensure it is secured upright during the move.

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how to unpack after moving to your new office

How to Unpack After Moving to Your New Office: A Step-by-Step Guide

Written by Kari-Ann on . Posted in Corporate Relocation, Office Moving, Packing

 

how to unpack after moving to your new office

The new office is impressive and the staff are excited to begin work. Everything is proceeding well—except the mountainous boxes piled up in nearly every square inch of space are intimidating. Rather than be overwhelmed, use these tips to unpack with ease after a relocation.

Jumpstarting on work projects in the new location is impossible without unpacking the essentials, from technology that streamlines tasks to important paperwork. The work mounts and the employees grow increasingly frustrated without knowing where to start with the unpacking process.

Fortunately, unpacking after moving to a new office can be accomplished with minimal stress. Organization is key during the unpacking efforts, as it allows for a more organized workflow once complete. Breaking up the unpacking into smaller chunks also makes the process manageable.

1. Take Inventory

Accounting for all the office possessions is the first step in the unpacking process. Check the inventory list the moving company provides to ensure all the items are delivered. This should be done as soon as possible after arriving so that corrections can be made and mistakes fixed.

Do a headcount of all major office goods, such as desks, chairs, equipment, and filing cabinets. Communicate with office personnel to confirm they have received the boxes necessary to perform work tasks. If necessary, open the boxes to verify the contents.

2. Arrange Furniture

Ideally, the layout in the new office will be established prior to relocating. If not, scope out the new space, which will have different configurations than the old one. Arrange the desks and chairs to create a growth-oriented, dynamic office environment the staff will appreciate.

Factor in work zones, such as specific areas for collaborations and others for individual workstations. Balance personal and collaborative workspaces for a more productive work environment. Maintain an open flow through the office and maximize natural lighting when arranging desks and cubicles.

3. Set up Technology

Setting up the technology is also preferably done prior to arriving at the new office. IT staff should have access to the building to set up servers and wireless networks. Once the desks and monitors arrive, IT personnel run the cables, implement security measures and validate the IT systems.

The office’s IT teams should manage the computer cables to reduce tripping hazards and maintain the visual aesthetics at individual workstations. Effective cable management, though a mundane task, optimizes the functionality of the network infrastructure and promotes smooth network operations.

4. Unpack the Essentials First

Once the critical technology (monitors, mice, and keyboards) is unpacked, the less-important files and office supplies should be removed from their boxes. Rarely used office goods, such as reference books, can be left in their respective boxes and unpacked leisurely.

Advise each employee to unpack their boxes and containers at their workstations rather than delegate the unpacking to other staff. Office workers best understand how they’d like to utilize their given space. The responsibility of general unpacking, however, can be shared amongst employees.

5. Unpack Right Away

The longer the boxes sit in the new office location, the longer the company downtime will be. Unpack as soon as possible after relocating to minimize downtime. If unpacking requires a bigger investment in time than is practical, unpack a few boxes each day until the task is done.

A time-saving convenience many offices take advantage of is the unpacking services corporate movers provide. Once at the destination, the moving crews unpack boxes, install equipment, and reassemble furniture, such as large conference desks. They also provide initial packing services for added ease.

6. Encourage Staff Input

Once the office is unpacked, ask the employees for their input. Any suggestions they make to their individual workstation setups or the office in general can increase productivity, promote comfort, and create an efficient work environment. Staff also feel valued and part of the change.

Remember that once equipment is in place and the supplies are in their containers, the office setup can be modified as work needs change. Employees may find a different workstation configuration better suits their needs. Or an office bookshelf may be more suitable elsewhere.

7. Take Time to Adjust

It may take a few weeks for the team to adjust to the new location once unpacked. Allow ample time for employees to settle in and give them opportunities to make tweaks as they see fit. Remember that the new office layout should evolve with the company as needs change.

Teams may expand over time as the company grows. Furniture may need to be rearranged or equipment upgraded as priorities shift. In general, however, it’s important that the workspace remains functional as soon as the office goods are unpacked as well as anytime needs change.

To make your office move even smoother, check out [What to Pack First During an Office Move] for helpful tips on tackling the initial packing phase efficiently.

Top Commercial Movers in Chicago and the Suburbs for a Smooth Office Relocation

While relocating to a new office is an exciting event, the packing process is often stressful. Chicago Office Movers takes the stress out of your move with a comprehensive range of services designed to streamline your corporate relocation and prevent unnecessary angst.

commercial movers helping with the corporate relocation process and set up

Our licensed and insured commercial movers are experts at packing offices of any size. We successfully pack a range of items, from fragile artwork to bulky machinery. Plus, our crews are background-checked to assure our valued customers that their goods are in secure hands throughout their corporate move.

We are also available to unpack your office goods at the new location. Our packing services minimize overall moving time as well as corporate downtime. You receive a full inventory of all items packed so you can quickly account for all your belongings.

Additional conveniences offered include short- and long-term storage options, insurance and service contracts and professional assistance with planning the relocation. Since we specialize in commercial moves, our specialists can provide you with expert tips to ensure a seamless office relocation.

Whether you intend to move IT systems, science labs, or cubicles, Chicago Office Movers is prepared to help you pack and relocate with ease. We are available to relocate your company locally, long-distance or internationally. Call our Elk Grove Village, Illinois, office for a free estimate today at 312-244-2246 !

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Items and old furniture on street outside house moving day or getting rid of junk concept

3 Steps on How to Purge at Work Before Moving

Written by Kari-Ann on . Posted in Office Moving, Packing

How to Purge at Work Before Moving

Office moves are stressful, requiring advanced planning, strategic packing and coordinating with employees. A successful move, however, can be readily achieved by packing and relocating less stuff. Here are three effective tactics to help you purge at work before the big moving day.

The Benefits of Downsizing Before Moving

Downsizing is one reason many business owners shift to a smaller office space. Rent is usually cheaper in an office with less square feet. The cost of utilities is likewise less expensive. Property taxes decrease in proportion to the smaller-sized building. Less furniture and supplies are also needed.

Reducing the number of items to be moved is critical when moving to a smaller office space. Imagine dragging a five-foot executive desk from a large office into one more restricted in size. In such cases, donating or selling the executive desk and opting for less extravagant furniture is practical.

Paper files, too, consume large amounts of office or storage space. The massive files and piles of paperwork contribute to a chaotic office environment. It makes sense to reduce the clutter of paper to focus on the work at hand and avoid drowning in a flood of files.

The advantages of relocating to an office with less stuff are clear. However, additional benefits help the business owner relocate seamlessly. An office move is simply cheaper when moving crews are obliged to pack, load and transport fewer office belongings.

For example, relocating a 3000-square foot office with huge amounts of files and furniture will cost an average of $1500 to $9000. Moving a 10,000 square foot office space runs from $5000 to $30,000. But moving fewer items, such as in a 1500 square foot space, costs $750 to $4500.

By eliminating surplus supplies, files, furniture and other office goods, a relocation will be significantly more cost-effective. This is mainly because moving quotes are based on the length of time it takes to load the truck, the expected difficulty, and the number of moving personnel.

Furthermore, the level of stress on moving day is drastically reduced when transporting less office goods to the new space. At the destination, employees have fewer boxes to sort through and unpack. Less furniture means less reassembly time is required upon arrival.

1. Evaluate Office GoodsOffice Decor and Supplies

How do employees declutter at work before moving day? The first step is to evaluate the necessity of each item in the office. If an item has not been utilized in the last six months and using it in the next six months is unlikely, consider donating or selling it.

Remember that holding on to items that may (but not definitely) have some use left in them does not help employees move toward their goal of purging the workspace. Rather, eliminate low-cost items that can be easily replaced, if needed, in the new work environment.

2. Digitize Paperwork

Decluttering requires organizing the filing system if the office still utilizes paper files. Organization may be accomplished via date, subject matter, or type of document. Better yet is to eliminate unnecessary paperwork altogether—the bonus is that an uncluttered office helps boost productivity.

Instead of packing up the endless paperwork and files, consider making use of advancements in technology. Paperless offices are good for the environment. Plus, electronic documents are easier to access, increase security, reduce paper supply costs, and help to decrease human error.

Store paperwork using cloud-based applications rather than holding on to mountains of physical documents. Start invoicing electronically and sending statements virtually. Use scanning apps and document management software. At the end of the paper purging process, recycle the inessential physical documents.

3. Sell, Donate or Recycle Furniture

Reconsider relocating outdated, unused, or broken office furniture. Many business owners simply replace old furniture once they arrive at their new destination. Getting rid of bulky furniture is a large project, but three options are ideal for properly disposing the office furniture.

Sell desirable office goods to third-party companies. These companies remove the furniture and pay a lump sum. When selling, evaluate the furniture quantity, condition, and age. Sometimes products may not be in demand, which leads to the second option of donating.

A range of companies accept surplus office furniture and give them to schools and charities. These companies manage the labor and logistics of handling the donated goods. The tax write-off for the office furniture donations can be attractive to business owners.

If the furniture is unusable in its current condition, recycle or dispose of it. Local recycling centers will separate the items into metals, plastics, and timbers. Recycling helps to conserve natural resources, while helping office managers achieve their goal of purging the workspace.

A stress-free office move takes long-range planning. Smaller offices may require only three months of preparation time; medium to large offices may demand at least six months of planning. Purging the workplace, however, can be gradually done in daily increments of 15 minutes or more.

Work with a Professional Commercial MoverShipping Out Old Moving Boxes - Chicago Office Movers

If plans for relocating are on the horizon, you will benefit from the assistance of professional packing crews from Chicago Office Movers. Each of our packers is licensed and insured. We are experienced and trained, so your office belongings reach their destination safely and securely.

Chicago Office Movers specializes in commercial moving. Local businesses place full trust in our professionalism, reliability, and reputation for making office transitions as smooth as possible. We label all boxes, provide an inventory of packed belongings, and unpack the items at the destination.

Relocation is an integral part of our comprehensive commercial moving services. Small and large companies benefit from our free estimates, licensed and background checked moving crews, assistance with planning and executing the corporate relocation, insurance contracts and long- and short-term storage options.

Our professionals are experienced in packing and transporting a wide range of office goods, from furniture to IT systems. Choose Chicago Office Movers for all your commercial packing, storage and relocation needs. Based in Chicago, we are available to help you move locally, long distance or internationally.

Get a Free Estimate

Give us a call at 312-244-2246 or fill out a contact form for a free estimate on your next commercial move.

Color Labeling Moving Box

How to Color Code Moving Boxes

Written by Chicago Office Movers on . Posted in Packing

Color Labeling Moving Box

Relocating an office is a major event. A lot goes into packing and unpacking the office goods. When you are looking to reduce the stress associated with relocating an office, consider color coding the moving boxes. Here are five practical tips to smoothly transition from office to office.

Before packing up the office, make a conscious decision to donate or sell any unused office equipment or items that will no longer serve a functional purpose in the new space. Moving fewer items will be more organized, less stressful—and preferable.

Importance of Color Coding Boxes

Also prior to the move, business managers should communicate the contents of the boxes to the commercial mover. When surrounded by mountains of plain cardboard boxes, it can be challenging to correctly identify each one. Color coded moving boxes are the solution to this common predicament!

Unpacking is manageable when the movers and office personnel know what box belongs in each room. Each color assigned to an individual moving box should represent a particular zone. The copy room, for instance, should be assigned a certain color, and the breakroom kitchen a different one.

A piece of red tape, for example, may be placed on all the boxes containing storage items. The office supplies may be packed into multiple boxes with purple tape adhered to them. Color coding in such a way helps to quickly identify the contents of the boxes without unpacking them.

Such a tactic is extremely useful since the items that require immediate unpacking can be quickly identified. Knowing what is inside the boxes helps office managers seamlessly continue business operations without experiencing the disruptions caused by the avoidable hassles of unpacking.

1. Gather the right supplies.Business-Woman-Packing-Office

First and foremost, colored duct tape is necessary to color code moving boxes with ease. Large selections of colored duct tape may be found in local retail stores. Choose solid colored duct tape, as opposed to patterned ones, to facilitate quick and easy legibility.

Waterproof permanent markers are needed to write on the colored duct tape. If opting for colored duct tape, choose black permanent markers. The waterproof feature of the markers prevents the ink on the labels from smudging during rainy weather. Offices can always re-use the markers later.

2. Pack the boxes smartly.

In order for the color-coding process to work effectively, the boxes must be packed properly. Smart packing simply means packing similar items together in each box. Office supplies belong in a separate box, while important records should be packed together in a different one.

Mixing up the contents in each box may save on the number of boxes utilized during the move, but it also makes unpacking much more difficult than necessary. Labeling is also easier when the box contains only the items listed on the colored duct tape.

3. Label each box with details.

Each box should be labeled with descriptive information. Noting the contents of the box and what room it goes into is important. Write down the general weight of the box and whether or not it is fragile. Draw arrows to show which way the moving crew should hold the boxes.

4. Place the labels strategically.

The colored duct tape ideally should be adhered to the sides of the boxes. Some moving companies recommend only one side of the box needs to be identified with the tape. However, office personnel might go as far as placing the color-coded tape on multiple sides of each box.

Avoid placing the labels solely on top of the boxes. When the boxes are piled on top of one another in the moving truck, office employees will be unable to see the labels. Adhering the labels on the sides of the boxes allows staff to see them at first glance.

Upon arrival at the destination, the office manager in charge will be better able to direct moving crews as to where to place each box. Depending on the label, some boxes may not require unpacking right away. The color-coded strategy will thus serve its purpose.

5. Create a master list.Man-Writing-on-Clipboard-in-Storage-Warehouse

Creating a master list of the colors assigned to each box is extremely helpful. Keep the master list in a safe place or with the office team member in charge of the move. Be sure the master list can be readily accessed upon arrival at the destination.

Consider using Google Docs or Google Sheets to create the master list. The ease of online programs allows users to access the document anywhere and on any device. Office managers may also want to print out a hard copy (but remember this can get lost during the move).

Another tip is to print several copies of the master list. Hang one master list in a highly visible spot on each floor of the new office space or in each room. Moving crews will reference the list, which facilitates the correct delivery of each box to the appropriate room.

Work with a Professional Mover

Packing up your office can take time away from business operations. Instead, assign the task of packing to an experienced and office mover, like Chicago Office Movers. Our highly efficient packing services are top notch and trusted by many local businesses.

Commercial Move Chicago

When choosing Chicago Office Movers to pack your office goods, you can expect careful handling of your fragile office equipment. Each item is organized, wrapped, and securely packed in sturdy boxes to ensure a smooth transition to your new office space.

Our union movers are trained and background checked, allowing area businesses to place full confidence in our professional packing services. As a part of our comprehensive moving services, we also unpack office goods. Our moving crews will place each box in its correct location at the destination.

Chicago Office Movers has served Chicagoland for the past 35 years. When you need an office relocation company to handle every aspect of your move, count on Chicago Office Movers.

Contact Us

We offer a free estimate for our moving and packing services to businesses in the Windy City. Give us a call at 312-244-2246.

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6 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Packing Moving Boxes

Written by Luis Toledo on . Posted in Corporate Relocation, Moving Tips, Office Moving, Packing

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