How to Plan a Last-Minute Office Move in Chicago

How Businesses Use Storage Solutions During Office Renovations

Written by Kari-Ann on November 24, 2025. Posted in Office Renovation, Storage Services

Renovating an office brings valuable benefits to both employees and the company, but it also raises practical questions, especially about where to keep furniture, equipment, and other office items during the process. The most efficient and secure solution is to use a climate controlled storage facility provided by a professional office moving company.

At Chicago Office Movers, we regularly support Chicago area businesses during both phased and full office renovations. We see firsthand how smart storage decisions can protect assets, keep projects on schedule, and minimize downtime for staff.

Quick answer: how businesses use storage during office renovations

During an office renovation, businesses typically move furniture, equipment, files, and other assets into a secure, climate controlled storage facility. They create an inventory, pack and label items, and use a commercial mover to transport everything offsite so contractors have a clear, safe work area. When renovations are complete, the mover delivers the items back, places them according to the new floor plan, and can assist with reassembly and setup. Flexible storage terms allow companies to keep items in storage for as long as the project requires, whether that is a few weeks or many months.

Why do businesses renovate?

Businesses are attracted by the numerous reasons to renovate. Modernizing the space or optimizing the existing layout gives staff a morale boost. A contemporary workspace that enhances collaboration, removes hazards, or creates a healthier environment can significantly increase employee productivity.

Clients and partners are also impressed by a space that reflects the company brand and supports modern operations. A renovated office is efficient, better suited for future growth, and more compatible with today’s technology. Long term operational expenses, such as those related to HVAC systems and lighting, may also be reduced by renovating the office.

If you are planning a refresh, you can explore creative branding ideas for office interiors in our blog on creative branding ideas for office interiors.

How long do office renovations take?

While the advantages of renovating the workplace are clear, the process takes time. Minor renovations, such as painting the walls or adding new furniture, often require one to two months. Mid level renovations, such as adding new flooring, can take anywhere from two to four months.

Major renovations with significant design changes typically require at least four months and may last up to a year. Structural changes and new plumbing or electrical systems are examples of full buildouts that need the maximum length of time to complete.

Major renovation projects naturally take longer than minor updates, but several additional factors can affect the timeline. Supply chain delays may slow the arrival of construction materials, and unexpected plumbing or electrical issues can cause further setbacks. Labor availability also plays a significant role in determining how quickly the work can be completed.

How do businesses use storage solutions?

The role of dependable storage is critical during renovations, whether they last two months or a year. A storage facility gives businesses a temporary, organized space to store office goods securely. Company assets are protected offsite, and the renovation crew can work more efficiently in a clear, uncluttered environment.

A climate controlled storage unit helps protect sensitive electronic equipment from moisture, light, and extreme temperatures, which can reduce the risk of damage or data loss. When documents and records are involved, it is also important to follow best practices for privacy and compliance, which we cover in our guide on how to handle sensitive documents during a move.

Climate controlled storage can also help prevent mold on wood and paper items. Surveillance cameras, alarms, and access controls inside the storage facility safeguard business assets from theft, damage, and vandalism.

Because renovations often take several months and can stretch even longer when unexpected delays arise, the flexibility of storage facility contracts becomes a major advantage. Businesses can choose short or long term storage options, renting units for days, weeks, or months as needed, with the ability to extend the rental period at any time.

In some cases, companies renovate in phases rather than all at once. For example, a downtown Chicago office may update one floor or department at a time. Storage allows the business to move only the furniture and equipment from the active phase offsite, keep hallways and work areas clear for trades, and then bring items back in stages as each phase is completed.

What steps do businesses take to secure storage units?

1. Create an inventory list

Before hauling office equipment and furniture to a storage facility, businesses should take an inventory of their goods. Creating a detailed list of each item and its condition helps track what is in storage and what will return to the office. It is also useful to note which items should be given priority for reinstallation once renovations are complete.

2. Pack the office goods

Protect company equipment from damage by packing it securely before sending it to storage. Common packing materials include bubble wrap, moving blankets, sturdy boxes, and crates. Label boxes or packages clearly by department, function, or location to make it easier to locate items later and prevent misplacement.

3. Transport the office items

Once equipment is packed and labeled, an office moving company transports it to the storage facility. It is important to choose a mover with specific experience relocating office goods. A dedicated commercial moving truck is built with internal protections, such as padding and tie down points, to minimize damage during transport.

How do companies ensure a smooth return of goods?

After the renovations are complete, the office mover transports the items back to the workplace. When renovations lead to updated floor plans, the moving crews position desks, chairs, and equipment in their new locations, which supports an immediate return of staff productivity.

Moving companies provide several additional services to reduce downtime. They can adjust placements based on management direction, help reconfigure the space during final setup, reassemble furniture, and reconnect electronics in coordination with in house IT teams or vendors. Efficient, organized coordination by the moving crew allows companies to resume daily operations quickly and with less disruption.

How do companies choose an office mover?

Partnering with the right commercial moving company helps ensure that office equipment remains protected, disruptions are minimized, and timelines stay aligned with the renovation teams. A qualified mover that understands logistics, building rules, and tight schedules is key to a smooth process. Companies should look for an office mover that is licensed and insured to protect business assets. The ideal moving company offers storage options with adequate space to house the company items during renovations and provides reasonable access to those goods, such as weekdays, weekends, or after hours as needed. Checking the mover’s track record is essential. Businesses are encouraged to ask for examples of past office renovation projects and references. A strong feedback history gives confidence that the moving company can handle complex logistics, communicate clearly, and coordinate with contractors and building management throughout the renovation and relocation process.

Storage solutions from Chicago Office Movers

When planning a renovation, Chicago area businesses can rely on Chicago Office Movers for comprehensive storage solutions. We accommodate companies of all sizes and industries, securely storing computers, IT equipment, documents, furniture, machinery, and even delicate artwork.

Our 60,000 square foot storage facility is climate controlled so temperature sensitive items are stored without risk of damage from environmental conditions. The facility is highly secure, with multiple layers of protection, to give companies added peace of mind. Our storage costs are structured to be affordable and flexible for businesses with different budgets and project timelines.

Businesses trust our comprehensive storage solutions and relocation expertise. Our union movers specialize in the safe, secure, and confidential handling of office assets. Using a detailed inventory and tracking system, we carefully pack and transport your equipment, furniture, documents, and other items to our storage facility and keep them organized for a smooth return.

Working with a commercial mover experienced in renovation support helps create a seamless process from start to finish. That is why many Chicago area businesses turn to Chicago Office Movers. We manage every phase of your move, reduce stress on your team, and coordinate closely with your renovation schedule. Our crews are also available to assist with unpacking and final placement once renovations are complete.

No matter the complexity of your moving or storage needs, Chicago Office Movers provides dedicated crews, expert logistics, and tailored storage services.

Fill out our online form to reserve a storage unit or contact our Chicago or Elk Grove Village locations to learn more.

FAQs about storage during office renovations

Do we have to move everything out of the office during a renovation?

Not always. Some projects only require clearing certain areas or phases, while others benefit from moving most or all items offsite. When you work with Chicago Office Movers, we review your renovation plan, building rules, and contractor needs to help you decide what should leave the space for safety and efficiency.

How long can we keep items in storage during an office renovation?

Storage timelines are flexible. Many businesses store items for a few weeks, while larger renovations can require several months or more. With Chicago Office Movers, you can keep your assets in our storage facility for as long as you need and extend your storage period if the project is delayed, so you are not forced to bring items back before the space is ready.

What items should always go into climate controlled storage?

Electronics such as computers, servers, and networking equipment, as well as documents, wood furniture, artwork, and other temperature or humidity sensitive items, are best kept in climate controlled storage. At Chicago Office Movers, our climate controlled facility helps prevent warping, mold, and other environmental damage to these critical assets.

Can we access our items while they are in storage?

Yes. Businesses often need to retrieve specific items during a renovation. Chicago Office Movers can arrange scheduled access and, in many cases, deliveries from our storage facility so you can get what you need without disrupting the entire project or bringing everything back at once.

What is the advantage of using a commercial mover’s storage instead of self storage?

Using Chicago Office Movers for storage gives you more than just space. Our team provides professional packing, detailed inventory systems, trained union crews, and trucks designed for office furniture and equipment. Your assets are packed, tracked, transported, stored, and returned in a coordinated way that supports your renovation schedule and helps reduce downtime for your team.

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Kari-Ann

Director of Marketing & Development
Office: (847) 621-5176
Cell: (312) 497-3203

At Chicago Office Movers, Kari-Ann is our Director of Marketing & Development. As the master of visibility, she is responsible for all things Branding and Marketing related. Kari-Ann comes to us with experiences in Marketing for a multi-brand and multi-location company, the service industry, non profit marketing event planning and fundraising, and retail management. She is the Chair of the Board for the Schaumburg Business Association 2021 & 2022, a member of the Elk Grove Village Chamber Board of Directors, and past chair and top fundraiser for the Northwest Suburban Walk To End Alzheimer’s.

Kari-Ann received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Western Michigan University. She is Master Certified in Constant Contact Email Marketing and has held numerous social media training classes.

Best Practices for Managing Office Inventory and Supplies

Written by Chicago Office Movers on July 18, 2023. Posted in Storage Services

Offices run smoothly when they are equipped with the necessary supplies and maintain their inventory. Running out of much-needed supplies at an inopportune moment can lead to disaster. Here are best practices to ensure the office remains well-stocked with supplies and inventory is well-managed.

Supplies most utilized in the office span a wide range, from desk supplies and writing supplies to technology supplies and kitchen supplies (a break room will be less popular without an adequate store of can openers, paper towels, plastic plates and cups, and tinfoil!).

Most offices rely on supplies, like rubber bands, paperclips, dry erase boards, printer paper, mailing labels, legal envelopes, binders, hole punchers, and file folders. Printer toner and ink are necessary to operate the printer. Surge protectors and extension cords keep the electronics running safely.

Staff often utilize time tracking supplies, such as day planner refills, calendars, and to-do lists. When sending off packages to customers or business partners, padded envelopes or bubble mailers come in handy. Employee birthdays wouldn’t be the same without a stock of birthday candles.

Considering this partial list of office supplies, it’s easy to see the necessity of managing them regularly. If the printer runs out of paper when an important document must be mailed, panic in the office can ensue. Avoid this and similar hassles by following these best practices for supply management.

1. Track Inventory

Successfully managing inventory starts with an efficient tracking method. Numerous options are available to businesses large and small. Keeping track of inventory via paper and pen is convenient for small companies, for instance; manual record-keeping of maintenance records also works well.

Mid-size businesses may utilize a spreadsheet to enter the dates of equipment repairs and warranties. Companies may alternately opt for a more robust method of tracking—an inventory management system. This software may include integration capabilities that decrease overhead expenses.

Inventory management software is especially useful when offices buy and store a large quantity of supplies. The software can be set up so that it sends out alerts as soon as supplies run low. An office supply manager is the ideal person to manage the software.

2. Assign a Supplies Manager

Who goes about tracking the inventory? As mentioned, a company will appoint a supplies manager to the task. Assigning one person to organize, monitor, and track inventory helps streamline the process. This individual is also the go-to team member for supply related questions.

The supplies manager acts as the gatekeeper, controlling the flow of outgoing supplies. Employees may accidentally take more than what is needed, leading to overordering and overspending on supplies. If one supplies manager isn’t practical, give the task to a select group of employees.

3. Organize Supplies

A neat and tidy supply room helps simplify inventory maintenance. Office staff should be able to easily find paperclips and thumbtacks, and this can be achieved by grouping similar supplies on the same shelf. Store frequently used items at eye-level, and place less popular ones higher up.

4. Maximize Existing Supplies

Office supplies deteriorate over time, making them unusable. Printer ink dries out after a few months and highlighters can lose their vibrancy. Encourage the office staff to use their existing supplies before opening new ones. Both office waste and its carbon footprint are thereby reduced.

5. Order in Bulk

Supply companies often offer discounts for bulk orders. Taking advantage of the price perks for larger orders involves keeping track of heavily used supplies and calculating the amount of time for the shipment to arrive. This strategy requires extra effort but pays off in the long run.

6. Create a Master List

One product’s brand may be preferred over another. When offices are loyal to a specific brand of toner, for instance, it’s helpful to keep track of it for re-ordering purposes. Create a master list containing not only the brand, but the name, color, number, and any other product details.

7. Perform Routine Supply Checks

Some offices may go through supplies quickly. Stay up to date on the amount of inventory available by running weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly supply checks. This step simply involves counting the toner, bags of pens, or boxes of paper and updating the spreadsheet with the current quantities.

8. Establish a Day to Reorder

Reordering supplies is simplified when it’s scheduled for a specific day. The appointed day should be one when supplies normally run low. This best practice prevents the confusion associated with placing multiple orders on random days. It’s a plus when all the supplies are delivered together.

Managing office inventory and supplies is a critical step to ensuring a business runs without interruptions. Workflow is also seamless when you partner with a commercial mover, like Chicago Offices Movers. We will get your company from point A to point B with the least disruptions.

As the city’s premier commercial moving company, Chicago Office Movers is the go-to resource for corporate relocations in the surrounding area. Our dedicated crews are available to transport your office goods locally, long-distance or international, while staying within budget and the estimated timeframe.

Our licensed, background-checked office movers are experts in packing, moving, and unpacking a wide range of bulky and fragile goods, such as office furniture, antiques, IT systems and servers, cubicles, and electronics. We handle your possessions with care and use protective equipment during loading, transport, and unloading.

Chicago Office Movers also offers convenient services to ensure your corporate move is stress-free. Short- and long-term storage options, insurance and service contracts, and help with planning the relocation are just a few of the many services we provide to our valued customers.

Corporate moves can be stressful and disrupt workflow. Working with Chicago Office Movers, however, minimizes disruptions and ensures that your company resumes operations quickly after a move.

Call our Chicagoland office at 312-244-2246 (CHI-CAGO) for a free estimate or to learn how your business will benefit from our highly rated corporate relocation services.