| verything is packed and moved in the same way. | | | | they are your responsibility. Your family pictures, your |
| Security files are not packed in the same manner as, | | | | lighter, your fake plant, your legal |
| say, desks or your own personal items. Knowing how | | | | papers—it’s generally up to you to move |
| to prepare each item prior to an office move will save | | | | them. In fact, we’ll even go so far as to |
| you, the movers, and everyone else time and work. | | | | suggest that you do move them yourself, whether or |
| So, that being said, here is how various different items | | | | not you even have to. For your own protection and for |
| should be packed accordingly: | | | | privacy reasons, it’s a good idea. If anything |
| Larger items. Large items, which could include desks, | | | | happens to your stuff, you will be at a loss with no |
| wall units, shelves, bookcases, and so on, should be | | | | recourse. |
| packed in boxes—as securely as possible. With | | | | Security Files. You should lock up all of your files |
| regards to filing cabinets: no they do not need to be | | | | before moving. Some security regulations may even |
| emptied out, but make sure that you lock and/or | | | | require you to have escorts with particular files; if this is |
| fasten them shut extremely tightly—the last thing | | | | the case, inform the moving consultant so that they |
| you need during an office move is hundreds of files | | | | may make arrangements with the mover. |
| pouring out onto the floor. | | | | The stuff you leave behind. You’re not going to |
| Desks, on the other hand, should be emptied out. Pack | | | | want to move everything. If you are leaving behind a |
| all of the contents, from paper, to books, to letter trays | | | | few pieces of equipment or furniture, or if you plan to |
| and staplers. Take the smaller items, like pencils, pens, | | | | throw something out, make sure that you tag the |
| and paper clips, and seal them tightly in an envelope. | | | | items in question with “Do Not Move” |
| Pack the envelopes in a larger box with other items. | | | | labels. It’s a waste of your time and the |
| Don’t forget to label each envelope, and not | | | | mover’s time—and space—to |
| just with the items inside—mention whose they | | | | move these items. There are a lot of items being |
| are. And lastly, anything breakable, like glass, should be | | | | shifted around in a move, and without labels clearly |
| packed with stuffing—newspaper will do. | | | | stating that a particular item is not to be moved, |
| And as for storage cabinets, unlike filing cabinets, they | | | | chances are it will be. |
| should be emptied out. Pack all of the items in boxes, | | | | As for garbage, you’ll definitely want to throw it |
| as you would with anything else. They are not as | | | | out in advance of the move. If you need a dumpster, |
| tightly packed as filing cabinets, and leaving items inside | | | | ask the city for permission to have one temporarily |
| risks making a real mess and potentially breaking a | | | | placed by the building. Get rid of everything you |
| few things. Nonetheless, make sure that afterward | | | | don’t need. This will make your move a lot |
| you still lock or tie the cabinet doors shut—you | | | | easier. But be careful not to accidentally throw out |
| do not want them breaking anything, nor your shelves | | | | anything important. |
| to fall out. | | | | Remember: Preparation is perhaps the most important |
| Personal items. First and foremost, remember that the | | | | part of any successful move. So keep that in mind, |
| movers are not responsible for your personal items; | | | | and good luck. |
