Whether you need to get to a different location, renovate your office space, or simply upgrade your equipment, moving an office's worth of electronics can be a daunting prospect. It's not as simple as packing up one bulky desktop PC and a few DVD players. The mission calls for many more steps than that – luckily there are plenty of relatively inexpensive options to help you keep costs down.
In this post, we'll outline some logistical tips for moving electronics in an office environment without breaking the budget.
1. Unplug everything 24 hours ahead
Don't just unplug your computer, monitors and peripherals – all of the electronics in your office. Knowing that you have more time to prepare will help avoid any rushed, last-minute decisions. Unplugging your electronics 24 hours ahead will also make sure the devices are cooled down enough, thus preventing any internal damage whilst they're being transported. It will reduce the risk of static electricity causing any unexpected shocks which could damage your equipment further.
2. Choose your boxes carefully
If you want to move your electronics in their original boxes, they'll be more likely to survive the trip intact. When packing up your workplace, it's also important to use extra care when packing fragile items and avoid overpacking. Even if you're using sturdy boxes, it's still important to take care when selecting them. Make sure that they are robust enough not to crush or break during transportation and are sized correctly so that they can hold all of your equipment securely.
3. Remember to snap a shot
How many times have you thought back and realised that something is missing, or in the wrong place, after it's already been moved? Taking a picture before you pack everything up can be a great way to capture all your office equipment in one shot. This will help you make sure you're not misplacing anything when putting everything in place in the new office. Keeping track of all your office equipment with a few simple pictures can be a good way to prevent any mistakes down the line. This is especially relevant if your office has an unusual layout.
4. Don't forget the labels
Furniture and equipment can be placed in any location that you choose in the new office. Not using a pre-printed label system will make it a lot more difficult to identify or track down certain items later on. You could print out some labels for the locations you expect your equipment to go, for example, printer A goes in cupboard 6. Labels are especially useful if the furniture is going to be moved around multiple times and there's no dedicated room for all of your equipment.
Labels are also useful when it comes to packed boxes. If you label your boxes clearly, you won't have to open and close them to remember what is where. This will save you a lot of time and frustration.
5. Consider using a commercial removalist service
Moving office equipment is hard work, particularly if you have to do it yourself because you don't own a truck or car. If the cost of hiring a vehicle takes up too much of your budget, consider using local commercial removalists. These businesses will help with packing, transporting and unpacking once it arrives at your new location.
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