Moving Tips

Office Moving Tips

Relocating an entire office is an enormous task. Planning ahead can make the process smoother and help get your new office up and running as soon as possible. The following tips can help you develop a schedule that keeps you on track and minimizes downtime before, during and after your move.

Before you move:

• Ask vital questions to assess your current situation, assets and moving needs.
• Meet with your mover and/or move consultant to finalize the move schedule.
• Form a supervisory team to assist in delegation and implementation.
• Finalize floor plan for new office and assign label/placard colors and department numbers to provide to your mover.
• Prepare communication packets for your employees that provide the move schedule and instructions for purging and/or shredding unneeded documents.
• Schedule a move orientation meeting to familiarize your employees with what’s going on and what is expected of them throughout the process.
• Take inventory of all high-value items and note any pre-existing damage. Declare all high-value items to your mover in writing.
• Contact your insurance agent to discuss coverage during your move.
• Meet with your IT department to discuss special needs for moving equipment.
• Schedule an office-wide purge of unnecessary papers and equipment two weeks before the move.
• Assign individuals to be on-site during the move to answer questions and supervise the process.
• Distribute list of contact names and telephone numbers where contacts can be reached on the day of the move.
• Arrange loading dock and elevator reservations as appropriate at the origin and destination locations.
• Make a list of employees who will not be present for the move and assign an individual to pack and label their work area.

During the move:

• Conduct a final prep meeting with the supervisory team, mover or move consultant. Review the move schedule and address any last minute needs.
• Communicate with your employees throughout the week, making sure the packing process is going smoothly and answer any questions.
• Distribute two-way radios and cell phones as appropriate for use during the move.
• CoMplete a thorough walk-through of your new office space and take inventory of existing damage to walls, doorjambs and flooring.

• Install doorjamb, wall and floor protection at new facility.
• Conduct a thorough and final walk-through of the origin site with your mover to ensure that all items have been moved.

After your move:

• Assess completion of the move at the destination site and rearrange as necessary.
• Take inventory of any items damaged during the move.
• Make a list of items that need to be addressed.

Household Moving Tips

Moving your home is a big job. But with a little planning, packing up all of your worldly possessions and moving them to their new home can be relatively smooth task. The following tips can help you develop a schedule that keeps you on-track and make the whole process easier before, during and after your move.

Before the move:

• Take inventory of your belongings and start deciding what stays and what goes. Check with your local trash pick-up service for special instructions before putting large items out for pick-up.
• Contact health providers and dentists for referrals in your new area. Collect copies of medical records and renewable prescriptions.
• Contact your insurance provider to arrange a transfer of coverage to your new home. Also make sure that moving is covered.
• Notify your children’s current school administrator, as well as one in your new location, about your upcoming move.
• Check and clear your tax assessment.
• Service appliances before you move if you are taking them with you. If not, contact a local charity to donate them.
• Obtain copies of your pets’ veterinary records to bring with you and ask your veterinarian for a referral for your new area.
• Notify the post office of your upcoming move and obtain change-of-address forms for each member of your household.
• Arrange for cancellation or transfer of utilities and services.
• Inventory all of the high-value items in your home and note any pre-existing damage.
• Sketch a floor plan for your new home, indicating where furniture and appliances should go.
• Drain water from all garden hoses, dispose of gas from lawn and garden equipment, and dispose of all clippings and trimmings.
• Pack cleaning supplies and toiletries in a crate to be loaded last and unloaded first.
• Defrost and clean refrigerators and freezers.

During the move:

• Plan to be around while the movers are packing to answer any questions.
• Confirm your delivery date, new address and a phone number where you can be reached during the moving process.
• Make a final sweep of your house to check for any missed items.
• Lock all doors and windows, turn lights out and transfer keys.
• Plan to arrive at your new home at least a day ahead of your movers to make sure that utilities are connected.
• Review your floor plan and make any adjustments for the placement of major items in your new home.

After the move:

• Assess completion of the move and rearrange boxes and furniture as necessary.
• Take inventory of any items damaged during the move.
• Make a list of items that need to be addressed.