What Is a Commercial Cube Sheet?

Posted on July 19, 2019 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 July 10, 2019 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.

How Can Moving Services Help Colleges and Universities?

Posted on June 20, 2019June 26, 2019 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.

6 Ways Restaurants Can Use A Professional Moving Company

Posted on June 11, 2019 by rhunt

Restaurants are rarely need to move. In fact, the measure of a restaurant could be whether it has become an institution in its current location. Tacconelli’s Pizzeria in Philadelphia has been in the same spot since the 1920s and is still so popular that customers have to call ahead to reserve pizza dough. Tune In, a local favorite in Washington, D.C, has sat in the same spot on Capitol Hill since 1947. And, J.J. Foley’s Cafe in Boston has been a city-wide favorite for Irish pub food since 1909.

Clearly, moving usually isn’t a hallmark of the most successful restaurants. However, there is still a lot that a professional moving company can do for your restaurant. Here are just a few:

Updating Interiors

Old, cracked vinyl diner booths still hold just as much charm today as they did in 1950. However, not all old restaurant furniture can say the same. If you need to ditch your worn tables and chairs, a professional moving company can be very helpful. If you plan on getting rid of larger items like stoves, bars, large dining tables, and appliances, a professional moving company becomes crucial.

So, you’re getting rid of old furniture, what are you going to do with it? Common practice would be to just throw it out, but using a professional moving company means you might have other choices. Furniture is an under-looked but highly sought after donation to non-profit organizations looking to furnish public spaces. A professional moving company can remove unwanted furniture from your restaurant and then store it and transport it to those in need.

Installing New Interiors

Just as your old furniture in going out the door, new furniture is coming in. In that flurry of activity, you might realize that your restaurant lacks the space to accommodate a delivery of that size. Not to worry! A moving company like Olympia has the storage capacity to receive large deliveries and then delivery and install your new furniture or equipment in your restaurant.

Seasonal Furniture/Patio Furniture Storage

The same applies to patio furniture. It’s not likely to fit in the supply closet nor should it stay out to face the elements year-round. Olympia has provided many restaurants with winter storage for their patio furniture, with disassembly and reassembly included. Your furniture can be picked up at the first sign of frost and returned when spring has sprung.

Fire or Flood

Tragically, it’s not always a good thing when furniture needs to be moved. If your restaurant has experienced a fire or a flood and needs space to make repairs, a moving company can be on hand for removal and delivery to repair professionals or storage. Or, in the worst case scenario, they can be called on to junk ruined furniture so you can focus on fixing what survived.

Restaurant Logistics for Large Catering Events

If your restaurant is catering its own event, a professional moving company can help you handle time-consuming logistics. You and your staff need to focus on providing delicious food, so hiring a professional moving company relieves pressure.

For more information on outdoor events for your business, read some of Olympia’s best tips.

Moving In or Moving Around

A professional moving company can help a restaurant at all stages of life. If you are opening a restaurant, hire a moving company to take over furniture delivery and set up, allowing you to focus on all the other factors of a grand opening. And, after huge success leads to multiple locations, a moving company can transport large equipment like ovens or freezers between locations if a shuffle is required.

With just these six examples, its clear a professional moving company can do a lot to help restaurants of all sizes. Olympia Office Movers is proud to work with a range of restaurants in Greater Boston, Washington DC, Austin and Philadelphia. If you have a similar job or something totally unique to your business, it’s important to find a moving company that works for what you want.

If your restaurant needs logistic support, call Olympia to schedule a proposal meeting at 800-222-4744 or request a quote online.

Downsizing Your Office

Posted on May 10, 2019 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:

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

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.

Meet our new installation division!

Posted on December 4, 2018 by olympiamoving

Olympia Office Movers is proud to introduce our new commercial furniture installation division! With this expansion of our commercial moving service offerings, Olympia is now one of the few New England companies with the skill and capacity to service installation projects of any type or size.

Olympia has brought Juan Guardado on to lead our installation team. Juan joins Olympia with over 15 years of dedicated installation experience. He holds certifications in several major furniture brands including AIS and Hayworth. Juan’s experience includes leading installations for major pharmaceutical companies. In addition, he has also executed complex architectural walls projects and unique installs such as stadium seating.

*Juan Guardado*
*Account Executive, Interior Construction*
*Olympia Moving & Storage*

Olympia’s new installation division perfectly pairs with our full range of office and industrial moving services. Project managers can add Olympia’s decommissioning, product receiving, storage, or commercial moving services to an installation. The result is a smooth, efficient project, managed under one roof.

Learn more about Olympia’s commercial furniture installation services. We offer installation in the Greater Boston, Washington DC, Austin TX, and Philadelphia markets. Click here to request a quote for your next project.

Office Moving & Employee Relocation

Posted on September 30, 2015June 26, 2019 by olympiamoving

Office moving can be a daunting task. Finding a new space, choosing vendors who can facilitate your needs and choosing an office layout are just a few of the things to think about during office moving.

But what about relocating your employees? Anticipating employee needs in order to keep them comfortable and productive is an important part of the process in office moving.

Not only can Olympia Moving & Storage help you plan the details of office moving, from the pack to the installation of new office furniture, we’re here to be a resource for the things that may get overlooked during your company’s move. We came up with a list of to-do’s, essential for a positive and fresh start in your new office!

Things to consider during office moving include:

1. Keep your employees informed

Once you have made the decision to move into a new space, let your employees know about the specifics.

Timelines of the pack and deliver will be of utmost importance to your employees and the work that they are doing. Minimizing hiccups with proper planning and communication between you and your moving company is key. Ask your moving company if they will come to your office to present a short pre-move seminar to fill your employees in on necessary move preparations.

2. Share your plans

Keep in mind that we spend half of our lives at work so it’s important to create an environment your employees will feel good about working in.

Whether you’re taking your employees suggestions into consideration or making the decisions without them, it’s a good idea to share your new office’s floor plan so people can easily locate their new work space. Send out instructions, including information about changes in your employees’ transportation and parking options at your new office, so that there is no confusion when they arrive on their first day.

Office moving also includes relocating your employees personal work spaces, and you’ll want to decide whether or not your employees will be packing themselves. This may be a good way to give people a sense of ownership over their own space or take a little stress off by letting the movers do it for them. Olympia Moving & Storage can offer your company full or partial packing services based on your needs.

3. Give them a guide!

A change in routine is never easy so give your employees a head start with a handy list of nearby places in your new area where they can grab coffee or lunch. Be sure to include some after work spots so they can explore and grab dinner or drinks together, too!

4. Start fresh

You’re in a new office, so you may as well revamp and start fresh with new resource materials. Take the time to go through your employee contact list and give your employees up to date directory information. Lord knows Linda hasn’t been at 152 for quite some time!

Moving is also the perfect opportunity to get rid of old files and declutter the supply closet. Olympia Moving & Storage also offers document destruction & purging services, so those out of date files can be disposed of without worry.

5. Welcome them

Everybody loves a bagel; treat your employees to a breakfast and a short tour on the first day in your new office.

Many of your employees will be trying to downsize their desks when packing or prepping for a pack and will need some necessities for the new office. Keep them stocked by providing office essentials like post-its and notepads or even a gift card to your nearby office supply store on the first day so they’ll be ready to dive into their new work space right away. For some office fun, have co-workers vote on who best-decorated their new space.

Need more information about employee relocation and office moving? We have you covered. Download our PDF for everything you need to know, from prep to unpack.

Whether you’re moving an office of 40 or 400, we’re here to help during every step of office moving. Check out the services we can offer to help you plan your office move and request your free estimate today.