Moving a Home Office

Packing and moving the kitchen is often considered the most challenging room in the house. Surprisingly, moving a home office takes the second spot regarding difficulty. Just picture yourself carefully packing and carrying all those expensive and delicate electronics, large desks, and other heavy office furniture, books, framed art, and the critical and sensitive documents and files that must remain undamaged, unlost, and out of the wrong hands.

However, you can easily accomplish a smooth home office move with proper planning and handling. Here are our tips on how to pack and move all the elements of your home office, when to begin packing, how to establish your new home office, and when to enlist the assistance of moving professionals.

Create a timeline

Just like with any move, begin with a plan. Have you finalized a move date? Can you afford to take a few days off work, or do you need to work continuously through your move? Can you pack items that you will only need after the move? Once you’ve established the dates and major tasks, it will be easier to maintain focus on work while initiating your move.

You can utilize our Moving Checklist to inspire and streamline your home office move for the entire household. While it’s designed for all moves, some significant tasks, such as ordering supplies and downsizing, are also relevant to home office moves. Gather all your moving supplies (and purchase any you lack) six weeks before the moving day. If you’re using professional movers, schedule them six weeks in advance.

Gather your moving supplies

Next, gather the moving supplies you already possess and order the ones you don’t have. You likely already have a few boxes in the house, some markers for labeling, and some tape. To pack your home office, you will need:

• Strong cardboard boxes (electronics and books can be heavy)
• Specialty boxes like a TV box for computer monitor(s) if you don’t have the original packaging
• Bubble wrap for all your fragile items
• Packing paper
• Packing tape
• Moving blankets 
• Paper shredder
• Plastic bags for cords, small furniture, and electronic parts
• Markers

Start researching moving companies

• If you are moving locally (within 50 miles), follow our tips for researching and comparing local moving companies. Whether moving locally or over a long distance, choosing a moving company should involve obtaining referrals, reviewing customer feedback, inspecting the BBB for complaints, and verifying professional accreditation. Look for potential warning signs and ensure the mover holds the necessary licenses and insurance.
• For more comprehensive guidance, refer to our tips on hiring reputable movers and the crucial questions to pose before selecting a moving company. Make sure to inquire if the mover under consideration can handle substantial office equipment and heavy furniture. Suppose you possess many office equipment (such as servers, monitors, computers, etc.). In that case, you may need to opt for a commercial mover.
• Office moving services exhibit distinctions from residential moves, and your moving experience can significantly differ if you hire an office moving company with expertise in commercial relocations. All the moving companies on our list of top-rated companies provide commercial moving services. 

Get at least three moving quotes

After identifying movers capable of handling your move and serving your location, obtain free quotes from several. Securing at least three quotes before finalizing your preferred choice is advisable.

Declutter and downsize

• Just as you would when moving the rest of your home, it’s essential to declutter and downsize before packing your home office. Take an honest assessment of your surroundings and determine how to reduce your belongings. Are there any outdated or non-functional equipment? Can you part with any books, manuals, or reference materials? Are there working electronics you no longer use? Do you have office furniture you’d instead not transport?
• Various charities offer free item pickup services, including books, furniture, and electronics (ensure all devices you donate to have their data wiped). Alternatively, you can gift or sell the items you no longer want. Subsequently, shred any documents that contain personal or sensitive information and are no longer necessary, and recycle any paper that is no longer needed. To minimize the load, consider scanning and storing certain documents in digital format.

Back up your data

To mitigate the risk of losing your crucial files, take proactive steps. Back up all essential data, duplicate your hard drive and keep it in a separate location, preferably in the cloud. Ensure you possess installation files for your software if reinstallation becomes necessary. Also, securely store all your passwords in a location with easy accessibility.

Notify your clients

Approximately one month before the move, inform your clients and customers about the specifics of your relocation. Communicate your new address, telephone number, and, if necessary, fax number. If you plan to take time off during the move, inform them of your schedule. At the very least, notify them that you may not be available on the moving day.

Additional Tips for Moving a Home Office

Ready for more tips? Here are some tips on how to move a home office:

• Label all essential boxes with “unpack first” for easy identification and immediate access.
• Stay open to the possibility of modifying your new home office design. Even if you have precise measurements of your new space and a straightforward arrangement in mind, it may evolve after you’ve spent some time in your new home office. Consider factors such as access to heating vents, outlets, and windows.
• If you have a unique phone number, record it for convenient access.
• If you need to store any electronics before your move, contemplate renting a climate-controlled storage unit since electronics are temperature-sensitive.
• If you’re utilizing movers, just in case any damage occurs during transit, capture photos of all your valuable equipment. This documentation will be helpful when filing a claim with your insurance company.
• If you’re engaging a moving company, inquire about their options for valuation coverage. While all movers offer their customers a primary Released Value Protection option, it only provides coverage at 60 cents per pound per item. This means that in the event of damage to your computer, you won’t receive appropriate compensation. To enhance your coverage, discuss the more comprehensive plans the moving company offers. Consider considering purchasing additional moving insurance from a third-party insurance provider. Further information on moving insurance is available here.
• Secure the box using a seatbelt or rope if you plan to transport your desktop computer in your car.
• In addition to utilizing bubble wrap, packing paper, and moving blankets, consider using sweatshirts, sweaters, bathroom towels, or other soft materials to pack your electronics.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving a Home Office

Where do I start?

When faced with the prospect of moving both your home and your home office, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. We recommend that you initiate the process by establishing a timeline for your home office move, incorporating all significant tasks and their respective deadlines (which can vary in flexibility). This approach will aid in maintaining productivity and organization.

Can my mover move heavy office furniture?

Yes, typically, this is part of the service. However, if you possess a substantial amount of large and valuable equipment, such as servers and multiple monitors, consider hiring a mover with expertise in office moving.

Can you set up the internet before you move in?

Not precisely. You can (and should) arrange the transfer or setup of services in your new home in advance to ensure you’re prepared to connect as soon as you begin settling in. However, you will still need to install your modem and router and configure your network.

Where is the best place to put a modem and router?

The quality of your WiFi may improve if you position your modem and router optimally. Opt for a central location in an open space, reducing the need for the signal to traverse numerous walls to reach the areas where it needs to function effectively. Elevate your modem and router above ground level for optimal results by placing them on a small table, desk, or shelf.

Moving Your Home Office Soon?

If you find moving your home office overly complex, consider enlisting the assistance of professionals. Manasota Movers boasts extensive, reputable, dependable movers capable of packing and relocating your entire home. Moreover, we possess the expertise required to pack your computer and printer to ensure they arrive in optimal condition at your new residence. With our support, you can have your new home office operational quickly.

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