Tag: Moving Services

What Is a Commercial Cube Sheet?

Posted on by rhunt

What is a Commercial Cube Sheet?

List are one of the most common tools to make a move run smoothly. Offices will have lists of important documents that need to be saved, who will be working on which floor, and other important information. Commercial moving companies make lists too. Their lists contain all the items being moved from your business.

That is where a commercial cube sheet comes in. The commercial cube sheet will list quantities of inventory, then use the corresponding volumes of those items to generate a price estimate for the move. Generally, these items include common office furniture like desks, computers, and cubicles and their volumes.

Why Does My Business Need One?

Estimators will use a commercial cube sheet to create an inventory of items that need to be moved. For example, common items like chairs will be recorded for quantity under the same category of ‘desk chair’. Generally, items that have no category on the sheet will be marked by the size of box they require. Once everything is accounted for, a total volume is calculated that a price estimate can be based on.

Do I Complete the Cube Sheet?

No. A sales representative will complete the cube sheet for you.

However, understanding how a cube sheet works will make it easier understand how your movers look at your business. You will be in charge of telling our rep what will move with you and what won’t. Making those decisions early will better organize your business for the moving process.

How Is a Cube Sheet Completed?

Again, your sales rep will handle the completion of the cube sheet from start to finish. They will work with either you or whomever you designate to manage your move. Then, they will go room by room, discussing with you/your manager which items will be moved and what will not. This is the time to provide greater detail to your sales rep so that there is clear understanding between you, the rep, and the moving crew.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Cube sheets are a very simple part of your moving process. The only thing you should keep in mind is whether the scope of your move has changed vs. what’s recorded on the cube sheet. If there are significant changes of what is or isn’t going, the sales rep will usually need to adjust the move plan and maybe even your price. The cube sheet is a record you can reference to recall the agreement of what’s included in the service. If the basis of the service has changed, be sure to let the sales rep know so he or she can prepare.

Any questions you have about cube sheets can be directed to an Olympia sales representative.

Contact us today at 800-222-4744 for more information or to schedule a proposal meeting.

Where to Donate Old Office Furniture

Posted on by rhunt

Typically, office furniture that has reached the end of its life goes into a dumpster after liquidation. Most businesses just want their old stuff out of sight and out of mind. However, there is another option: donation.

Olympia helps many different organizations liquidate their unwanted inventory and funnel it to charities and non-profits. Here are some organizations you might be able to partner with to donate your gently used office furniture.

International Recycling Network

The International Recycling Network is a recycling network out of New Hampshire that works with colleges, corporations, hospitals, and other large organizations. Olympia has been in partnership with the IRN for over five years. We assist them in loading, storing, and delivering large quantities of furniture to classrooms and offices in need of supplies.

Green Standards

Green Standard is a recycling company that has worked with companies like Adobe and KPMG to recycle and re-purpose old office furniture. Their method combines recycling, resale, and donation to prevent large amounts of furniture going to landfill. For more details the process, visit their How It Works page.

Food for the Poor

Food for the Poor is a non-profit organization working out of 17 countries in the Caribbean and South America. Their primary activities revolve around providing food for impoverished communities, but they also build and furnish safe homes in said communities. In May 2019, Olympia facilitated the delivery of gym lockers and sports equipment liquidated from Boston University to Jamaica.

My Brother’s Keeper

My Brother’s Keeper is a Christian ministry in Massachusetts that provides furniture and food to those in need. In the past, Olympia has assisted their volunteers with loading and transporting inventory.Unfortunately, they do not accept deliveries. However, they will come and pick up unwanted furniture.

A Wider Circle

A Wider Circle is a Maryland-based organization focused on raising families and individuals out of poverty. Although they mainly look for donations of basic need items, Olympia has worked with them on bulk furniture donations.

Clearly, there are a variety of organization to choose from. Depending on what your business needs, there are advantages and disadvantages to each. Of course, location is key to making the donation process work for you. If the examples provided don’t make logistic sense, a little research will help you find a suitable option closer to your business.

Regardless, when it comes to furniture liquidation, a professional moving company can help handle the heavy lifting.

Want to donate your office’s old furniture? Call Olympia to schedule a proposal meeting at 800-222-4744 or request a quote online.

Best New Technology for Your Office

Posted on by rhunt

Moving to a new office is a the perfect opportunity to upgrade your tech. When you move out, all the old, out of date stuff crowding your desks and closets can be disposed by your moving crew. In a previous post on our blog, 9 Things Companies Just Don’t Need Anymore, we outlined common office fixtures and furniture that have run their course. Why not jump at the opportunity to change things up? Even you’re content to remain in the same office space, making the leap to the cutting edge can make your current space brand new.

 

Charging Office Chairs

The future is here! The OFM Model 2201 is an office chair with two USB charging ports and one AC outlet built into it. As more offices are ditching walls, this chair is the answer to extension cords and power strips.

USB 3.0 Docking Station

This beautiful little port changes the way you use laptops. It can connect two additional displays to your laptop while providing additional USB ports and headphone jacks. Your laptop can be your main workspace without sacrificing the functionality of another monitor.

Wireless Charging Trays

While the docking station revels in cord, the wireless charging tray rejects them. Drop your phone, smart watch, or any other wireless charge-capable device on the pad and go about your day.

Treadmill Desk

Exercise improves brain function and lowers stress. The successor to the standing desk, the treadmill desk allows you to keep the blood flowing while you work on your latest project.

Smart Windows

Smart windows, aka windows that change tint based on the intensity of sun hitting them, are beginning to replace their suddenly outdated counterparts. They aren’t cheap, but they are said to reduce eye strain from glare and save energy costs by keeping unwanted heat out.

Electronic Whiteboards

Smart boards have existed for many years, but in recent times this versatile technology has become crucial to any office. The ability to write on Powerpoint presentations or draw diagrams aids communication, and nothing is more important to a company’s success than communication.

Portable Conference Rooms

Conference calling is the bread and butter of companies with multiple offices. The need for conference calls has only increased with more people working remotely. Poor connection, however, can be the death of clear communication. Portable wireless conference systems remove the risk of missing key information with speakers that connect to your various devices.

Garden Spaces

There’s nothing new about green spaces, but a new push from productivity experts highlights gardens and green spaces as crucial futures to office design. Greenery promotes productivity and positive mental health in workers, which translates into better returns for your company.

Moving Quick…

If you need one of the innovations on this list, don’t wait. Olympia Office Movers can liquidate your existing furniture and equipment and replace them with newer models. Then, Olympia can receive the your new tech and deliver it to your offices. From there, our crews will install your new furniture or equipment and get you on your way to the future. For more on what we can do for an office in transition, see our most recent case study on Office Resources and Cengage in Boston’s Seaport.

 

If you are looking to make a change to your office, call Olympia to schedule a proposal meeting at 800-222-4744 or request a quote online.

How Can Moving Services Help Colleges and Universities?

Posted on by rhunt

Olympia Office Movers participates in hundreds of interesting projects for colleges and universities. We have helped schools from Austin to Boston with a variety of unique challenges. Here is quick overview of some of the services we provide.

Dorm Move-In Services for Colleges and Universities

At the start of the semester, Olympia helps students move into their dorms. Our services have been used by Northeastern University and Bentley University, among others. We also donate our moving services to Special Olympics Massachusetts to assist athletes being housed on participating campuses.

Student Summer Storage Services

With our long-term client, College Boxes, Olympia has helped students move out of their dorms for over a decade. Students pack their own belongings with College Boxes’ packing supplies and then Olympia picks them up and brings them to storage. Harvard, Boston University, and Georgetown have all relied on Olympia and College Boxes to clear their dorms for the summer.

Read our Harvard & College Boxes Case Study for more on this partnership.

Installation

Olympia crews can install desks, furniture, and other fixtures in classrooms, dormitories, and buildings around campus. Whether a university is opening a new building or refreshing an old one, our team can meet the school’s installation needs.

Resource Shuffling

Olympia provides crews to shuffle the contents of dorms, classrooms, and laboratories. These services are especially crucial for schools with multiple campuses. For example, in the event that the desks of Classroom A are being replaced with new models, Olympia can move the older desks into Classroom B on a different campus.

For a closer look at the depths of our service, check out Tufts University Facilities & Logistics.

Asset Management and Storage

A few universities have used Olympia’s services to reuse furniture and save money and the environment. Olympia has worked with some schools to move their old inventory, such as desks, chairs, tables, and cabinets, into storage. When a need for these items arises elsewhere on campus, the school checks the online inventory with Olympia to see if there are items to reuse before purchasing new ones. The school “orders” the old inventory, and Olympia delivers the furniture to its new home on campus.

Renovation and Liquidation Services

Renovations often include the disposal of furniture and inventory that has reach the end of its life. Olympia can remove then liquidate or recycle unwanted furniture. For a more detailed look at our furniture recycling work, read this Brandeis University Furniture Removal case study.

Dorm Reset

In order to prepare for new residents in the next school year, universities need the man power to reset hundreds of dorm rooms at the end of the semester. This means setting bed frames back to their original heights, ensuring the correct arrangement of furniture in each room, and taking notes on room condition for repairs over the summer. Our crews halve the workload of campus facilities so that repairs and updates can be made much quicker.

Learn about a dorm reset with Boston University.

Disconnect/Reconnect

Our crews can handle sophisticated operations like technology disconnects and reconnects. Classroom renovations and resource shuffles usually require these services. Our crews have experience disconnecting and reconnecting technology for many departments and colleges.

Event Logistics

Graduations, conferences, and other events need careful planning. A professional team of movers can provide the logistics support required for things to run smoothly. Set up, break down, and every task in between can be assigned to a moving crew. Olympia has picked up, stored, and later delivered event furniture for organizers who’ve lacked sufficient storage space.

Could your university use the help of a moving crew? Call Olympia to schedule a proposal meeting at 800-222-4744 or request a quote online.

Downsizing Your Office

Posted on by rhunt

Downsizing Your Office for Increased Efficiency

Downsizing is a major reason companies move offices. When it comes to office space, less is sometimes more. With rent on the rise, downsizing your office can be an effective way to reduce fixed costs. If downsizing and relocating offices is a possible fit for your company, consider these reasons companies are making this move:

Photo by Alesia Kazantceva on Unsplash

Eco-Minded

Downsizing your office space means that less energy is needed to heat, cool, and keep the lights on in your office space. Not only does this save your company money, but it also reduces overall energy consumption.

Remote Work, Rotating Desks

A changing technological landscape allows many people to work from the comfort of their home. If your employees spend half of their days working out of the office, a permanent desk can be more of a placeholder than a necessity. One solution is to designate a certain number of desks as ‘free to use’ for a rotating crew of remote employees. This allows you to remove extraneous seating space without removing in-office work space entirely.

Downsizing Your Office with Open Space

Open concept offices can give the feel of more space without the extra expense. A balance between open collaboration and private work space can increase efficiency. Consider what would work for your company. For a deeper look into open concept office space, see our blog post Open Concept Office Positives and Negatives.

An Opportunity for Simpler Design

Photo by Dylan Gillis on Unsplash

Feeling cluttered? Changing the layout and design of your office can get employees out of a rut. Downsizing your office can provide the impetus to ditch the old, out-of-date furniture and decorations for something fresher. Don’t send those items to landfill, though—let Olympia Moving and Storage take them off your hands and Recycle Old Furniture Instead of Trashing It.

Choosing a new office can be daunting. If you’re not sure what is best for you, check out our post How Much Office Space Does Your Company Need?

If you are ready to downsize your office space, contact Olympia Moving and Storage at 800.222.4744 or fill out our form to schedule a free quote for your move.

Moving Office? Feng Shui Your New Space

Posted on by olympiamoving

When moving into a new office space it’s the perfect time to reorganize and decorate. These are some tips to help your transition and plan an office that will generate positive energy and inspiration.

Trash the clutter.

Businesswoman watering plant at desk

Go through all of the loose paper and random sticky notes and trash anything that isn’t relevant! The tricky part about this is keeping it de-cluttered; try to get into a habit of leaving your desk clean at the end of the day and don’t over crowd items . If it’s still feeling cramped, possibly invest in a mirror to open up the space.

Get some plants.

Encourage your coworkers to give the office some green and fresh air by adding plants to the office. This will spruce up your desk space and improve what you are feeding your brain while at work.

Give your desk a “commanding position.”

Office6Tips3

Orient yourself so that you can see out the window and people in front of you; this creates a safe space. People working behind you can often be distracting and you may get the feeling that someone is always looking over your shoulder.

Harmonize the layout of your desk.

The left side of your desk has to do with wisdom, relationships and wealth. You should decorate this area with cooler colors, family photos and plants. The center of your desk should be clutter free and clear, this area aligns with your career, health and reputation. You can fill this space with motivational quotes, business cards and colors like yellow, black and red. The right side of your desk promotes creativity, love and compassion. Bring in the colors gold, white and silver, a mantra or flowers for inspiration in these aspects of your life.

Bagua-horz-pageOnce you have established a work environment that allows you to be productive, reach goals and enjoy every minute of it, you can then begin expanding Feng Shui techniques into other areas of your life.

Before you can Feng Shui your office space, you need to move there! Request a free office moving estimate online or by calling us at 800.222.4744

Announcing New Philadelphia Commercial Moving Company Location!

Posted on by olympiamoving
Philadelphia PA Moving Company
Olympia Moving & Storage is now open in Philadelphia, PA

Olympia Moving & Storage, a leading moving company in Boston and Washington DC, announced the opening of their newest Philadelphia moving company location.

“We chose Philadelphia as our newest location in response to the demand from area relocation and real estate professionals. Philadelphia’s historic homes, universities, and industry are a perfect fit for Olympia’s 25 years of experience.” said Michael Gilmartin, President and Founder of the Boston-based moving company.

Olympia Moving & Storage uses highly-trained moving experts, technology, and an extensive a-la-carte menu of services to provide companies with a move that goes far beyond lifting boxes.

In addition to local, interstate, and international moving and storage, the new Philadelphia moving company offers relocation concierge services, designed to assist companies with every aspect of their move. Olympia’s moving consultants recommend services to make the process smoother. Olympia’s concierge services include, office moving, workstation installation, electronics disconnection/re-connection, crate delivery, storage and recycling & disposal.

Olympia uses a combination of personalized customer service and technology to ease pre-move stress and ensure a seamless move. Each client is assigned both a dedicated move consultant and coordinator to plan the move, guide the whole office through the process, and be responsive to client needs. Olympia Moving customers can also track and manage their move online via the Olympia Move Portal, where they can sign and download documents, review details, access moving resources, and more.

Most importantly, Olympia Moving & Storage employs the best full-time moving professionals in
the industry. Olympia’s movers practice their skills in the fully furnished Olympia Training House before stepping foot onto a move site for the first time. The crews’ extensive training includes packing, furniture protection, moving, furniture assembly, and customer service.

“Our goal is to redefine the moving industry. We work with our customers to eliminate the stress and intimidation from the move so they can concentrate on enjoying their new home,” says Michael Gilmartin. “We’re excited to show Philadelphia that there’s a better way to move.”

If you’re in need of a move in Greater Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey, or Northern Delaware, request a free, no obligation moving estimate online or by calling 610-951-6090

3 Tips For Preparing Employees For A Relocation

Posted on by olympiamoving

Deciding to relocate your business is a big deal. There are a ton of aspects to consider, so how much should you include your employees in the decision-making and how should you be preparing them for a move?

Your employees are a huge part of your business, so it’s important to ask yourself if you know what’s important to them. You may want to create a communication plan ensure you’re in touch with their needs and get organized for the relocation.

While there are countless things you need to convey while preparing your employees for a relocation, we understand that you’ve got plenty on your plate.  We’ll keep it short with these 3 tips:

  1. The size of the new space and what they can bring

    Whether an employee has worked at a company for 6 months or 6 years it’s more than likely that their desk has accumulated more junk than they realistically need or want. You’ll want to keep this in mind when planning a relocation due to the change in space. Let your employees know if their new work spaces will be larger or smaller than the area they’re currently occupying so that they prepare for their own relocation accordingly and they aren’t over-packing.

  2. Commute Logisticspreparing your employees

    Another commonly overlooked, but important, aspect to take into account is the geography of your new office. Preparing your employees for a change is important because you run the risk of losing employees based on commute time and accessibility. Once you have a space in mind it’s important to factor in how your employees will be getting there. Have an open conversation about how commutes will change and let your employees know the best routes, transit lines, and parking options so that they feel comfortable and valued during the upcoming change.

  3. Area Amenities

    Whether or not we like to admit it, food is a huge culture builder in and out of the office. One of the main complaints from employees is lack of accessible food or coffee options in the areas surrounding their offices. Do a little bit of research on the food, drink, and fitness options new area. Let your employees know that you care by sharing a list of top spots in close proximity to your new space. They’ll appreciate your attention to detail and their caffeine needs and they’ll feel better about preparing themselves for their first day in your new office.

No matter what your reason may be for relocation, the best course of action is to keep everyone involved well informed and preparing employees is a huge part of that.

Looking to move your office or have more questions about preparing for an office move? Give us a call today at 800.222.4744 to discuss your options or request an estimate.

You might also be interested in:

  1. Countdown to a successful move
  2. Open Concept Office Positives and Negatives
  3. Employee Relocation Instructions 

 

Office Moving Mistakes

Posted on by olympiamoving

moving mistakes

Moving is never easy, but when other people come into the equation your responsibilities to the move change drastically. It’s important to know what you should be doing when planning an office move, but what about the common moving mistakes to avert?

5 office moving mistakes to avoid:

  1. Don’t wait to finalize your moving plans

    When you’re planning a move for your office you have more than just employees to worry about. Whether you’re moving internally or to a new building, you’ll want to have all of the details planned out ahead of time to minimize stress and room for error. Commercial moves require different types of people with specific attention to detail, and the building you’re relocating to might have special requirements from the crew you’ll be working with.

    It’s no surprise that procrastination is moving’s worst enemy, so don’t add to your workload by doing so.

  2. Don’t keep your employees out of the loop

    Employee happiness is directly related to their work environment. If you’re planning a move you should inform your employees as soon as plans are set and give your employees enough time to plan for their new office. When you keep information from your employees you run the risk of disrupting productivity and happiness.

  3. Don’t forget to do your research

    Are you really willing to risk damaging your company’s belongings or new work space after all of that effort you put into planning your relocation? Not all moving companies are the same, so don’t make the common moving mistake in thinking so.

    You’ll want to do more than just compare prices when it comes to choosing your mover. We suggest reading reviews and speaking with a representative of the company in order to make a better informed decision about who to work with. While price is always a factor you’ll want to be sure that the company you choose can handle your type of move and specific needs. Make sure you know about the quality of work and accountability your mover is putting into your relocation. At the end of the day you’ll be paying for quality and experience.

  4. Don’t forget to ask questions

    All moves are different, and that includes yours! Communicate with your movers and vendors and make sure you’re all on the same page. This will help you avoid any moving mistakes and confusion during or after your move, when it’s time to pay for services rendered.

  5. Don’t forget to budget the actual move portion into your plans

    If you’re planning an office move, you might also be involved in some other planning activities. Finding a space, renovating, or upgrading your furniture and equipment are all tasks associated with office moves, but while you’re choosing your favorite chair you’ll want to remember to leave room in your budget for the actual move.

    Many people make this moving mistake and underestimate the time and costs associated with the physical portion of their relocation causing them to be forced to settle for cheaper moving companies who are ill-equipped to deal with their needs. Keeping relocation costs in mind throughout your planning process will save you unexpected costs on what matters most, the integrity of the new items and space you’ve put time and money into.

    Here’s a tip: many vendors work together so if you’re at a loss for who to contact, ask someone you already trust.

Planning an office move or considering a relocation?
Avoid these moving mistakes and call us today at 800.222.4744 to discuss your options or request an estimate

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What is a Shared Workspace?

Posted on by olympiamoving

Bright colors, inviting design, and cold brew coffee in the kitchen, this is what comes to mind when we think of a shared workspace.

It’s no surprise that the concept of shared workspaces is becoming increasingly popular. High rents and a changing economy make running a business expensive. With the rise of the boutique business, people are finding new and creative ways to save on cost. But, is a shared workspace right for your company? What does it entail? Olympia Office Movers spoke with Dave McLaughlin, WeWork‘s East Coast General Manager, to get the real deal on using a shared workspace. shared workspaces

I must admit, based on how nice the offices are, we figured a shared workspace at a place like WeWork would be a bit pricey.

The truth? A shared workspace in the WeWork common area can range from $45 to $350 per person per month, based on your needs. Sounds good, right? It gets better.

All Commons packages include amenities such as high speed internet, discounts and benefits from over 250 partner companies such as AT&T, Hubspot and Uber, access to an online professional network of over 40k members worldwide, guest reception & community managers, and not least of all, kitchens with free coffee. When asked whether they had collaborated with another WeWork member on something, 70% of members said yes.

“I would say my favorite thing is the opportunity to network regularly with people within the community and other event goers. I meet at least 1 new person every event who I can connect with a friend in need of their service or collaborate with myself,” says Nike John, of Vibe Residential, on her company’s shared workspace at WeWork

shared workspaceWeWork builds their spaces around their shared kitchens, creating a place where people can interact and share ideas. Their mission is to build communities, not offices, and with locations worldwide they show no sign of slowing down. Focused on building a larger community, WeWork has created a place where members can connect with potential clients and business partners from around the world to build better businesses. With the use of a digital app to address frictions, WeWork seems to have found a way to make business solutions easier for the community as a whole, mapping what members need and delivering accordingly.

Shared workspace communities often offer events benefiting personal and business development, from exercise boot camp to business advice forums, the events offered are bound to catch your interest. WeWork’s members are even welcomed and encouraged to host events in their spaces.

It’s a common misconception that shared workspaces only work for small startups. WeWork’s Boston location is home to a financial company of 100 employees, which is by no means a small start-up! Rest assured that whether you’re a company of 1 or 100, they can make it work.

Inc.com reported in 2014 that according to a report from the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, the number of shared workspaces in America had gone from one to 781 since 2005. The shared workspace trend is only growing more popular as that number increased 83 percent from 2012 to 2013, while and memberships at facilities increased by 117 percent in that time.  With over 50 shared workspace options in the Boston and D.C. areas with attractive amenity offerings, month to month leasing, and a visually appealing space outside of the 9-5 cubicle norm, it’s easy to see why companies are drawn towards using a less traditional workspace to build their teams and attract young talent.

If an open office concept isn’t right for your office you can still take advantage of collaborative office shares with private office options. It’s important to keep in mind that the space you’re inviting employees into directly affects their mindset and productivity.

Interested in a shared workspace? Check out WeWork and request an estimate to move into your new workspace!

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