Category: Moving Tips

Office Decommissioning Office Checklist For Closing An Office

Whether you are closing an office, retail store, hotel, restaurant, or any kind of business, you must implement a plan to decommission office space successfully with minimal waste and maximum ROI. An office decommissioning plan creates a smooth transition for you and everyone involved with the business and avoids unnecessary costs and complications.

Office or business decommissioning involves many steps, from notifying all parties to properly disposing of assets and equipment. This comprehensive closing-an-office checklist will equip you to handle each stage of the process.

Ensure you meet all legal requirements, maintain positive relationships with employees, vendors, and partners, and effectively manage your resources. Following this business and office decommissioning guide will help you close down your business location efficiently, responsibly, and with minimal impact on your operations and reputation.

Office Decommission Step 1: Communicate the Closure of the Location

Notify Landlord

When decommissioning office space or a business, the first step is notifying the landlord. This first item on the closing-an-office checklist helps avoid misunderstandings or legal issues.

• Review the lease agreement for any specific terms related to termination or notification.
• Provide written notice to the landlord according to the lease terms.
• Schedule a final walk-through with the landlord to discuss any required repairs or maintenance.
• Arrange for the return of the security deposit and discuss any potential deductions.

Announce to Employees

Inform your employees about closing the office as soon as possible to manage expectations and allow them to plan their next steps. Clear and compassionate communication maintains morale and facilitates smooth transitions.

• Hold a meeting or individual meetings followed by a formal announcement to all employees.
• Have a clear plan and offers for the next steps for each employee:
  • Relocation to a new office location.
  • Options for remote work if applicable.
  • Severance packages for those who will not be continuing with the company.
• Offer support services such as job placement assistance or career counseling.
• Set up individual meetings with HR to address specific concerns and questions.

Announce to Partners & Vendors

Informing your business partners and vendors about closing an office is crucial to maintaining professional relationships and managing contractual obligations. This step ensures that all parties know about the business location closure and can make necessary adjustments to their operations.

• Create a checklist of all partners and vendors that need to be informed.
• Assign team members to communicate with each partner or vendor.
• Provide formal written notices to partners and vendors.
• Discuss any outstanding contracts or obligations and negotiate terms for termination or fulfillment.
• Arrange for the return or transfer of leased equipment or assets.

External Announcements

Public announcements inform clients, customers, and the general public about the location closure. This office decommissioning step manages your brand reputation and customer expectations.

• Plan and execute marketing emails to your customer base announcing the closure.
• Post announcements on your company’s social media channels.
• Update your company website with relevant information regarding closing the office or location.
• If applicable, place signage at the physical location to inform walk-in customers.
• Prepare a press release for local media if the location closure is significant.

Office Decommission Step 2: Make a Plan For Furniture and Assets

Proper asset and office furniture decommissioning is crucial to minimize waste and maximize the return on your assets.

Inventory For Office Furniture Decommissioning

Start by creating a comprehensive inventory of all furniture and assets. This office furniture decommissioning inventory will help you keep track of everything and make informed decisions about what to do with each item.

• Create a detailed list of all items: Include desks, chairs, electronics, kitchen appliances, decorations, and any other equipment.
• Categorize items by type and condition. This will help you assess their value and determine the best course of action.
• Tag and label each item: Use tags or labels to identify each piece of furniture and asset during the appraisal, office furniture decommissioning, and moving process.
• Photograph items: Take clear photographs of each item to document their condition and for use in appraisals or listings for sale.

Appraisal of Items for Sale

Assessing the value of your items is an important step in determining which office furniture can be sold and for how much.

• Hire a professional office furniture appraiser: If you have high-value items, consider hiring a professional to appraise them.
• Research market prices: Look up prices for similar items to understand their value.
• Create an appraisal report: Document the appraised value of each item, along with any relevant details such as brand, age, and condition.
• Identify potential buyers: Consider internal buyers (employees), local businesses, or online marketplaces where you can sell the items.

Select an Office Furniture Decommissioning Plan for Each Inventory Item

Decide what to do with each item based on its condition, value, and potential for reuse. 

• Move: Determine which items to move to a new office or storage facility.
  • Assess the cost and logistics of moving each item.
  • Ensure the new location has the space and need for the items.
• Store: For items that will be needed in the future but not immediately, arrange for storage.
  • Find a suitable storage facility that meets your needs.
  • Ensure items are properly packed and labeled for easy retrieval.
• Sell: Identify items to sell to recoup some of your investment.
  • Hire an office decommissioning company to sell the furniture
  • List items for sale on online marketplaces such as eBay, Craigslist, or specialized office furniture websites.
  • Hold an office liquidation sale.
• Donate: Consider donating to local charities or schools for items that are still usable but not worth selling.
  • Research organizations that accept furniture and equipment donations.
  • Arrange for pick-up or delivery of donated items.
  • An office furniture decommissioning company can arrange and transport the donation.
• Recycle: Items that cannot be sold or donated should be recycled.
  • Hire an office furniture decommissioning company to dismantle and transport the office furniture to the recycling center.
  • Find local recycling centers that accept office furniture and electronics.
  • Ensure items are properly disassembled and sorted for recycling.
• Dispose: As a last resort, dispose of items that cannot be reused, sold, or recycled.
  • Hire an office furniture decommissioning company to dismantle and dispose of the furniture.
  • Contact local waste management services to arrange for disposal.
  • Dispose in an environmentally responsible manner.

Office Decommission Step 3: Hire Decommission Vendors

Hiring the right vendors can make all the difference in the business or office decommissioning process. Each office decommission vendor plays a vital role in handling each aspect of closing an office, from moving to secure information purging.

Office Moving Company

• Research a reputable commercial moving company with office relocation experience.
• Obtain quotes and compare office moving and decommission services to find the best value.
• Schedule the move and provide a detailed inventory to the movers.

Office Furniture Decommission Seller

• Find local or online office furniture decommission sellers that buy used office furniture.
• Get appraisals and offers from multiple sellers.
• Arrange for pickup or delivery of the sold furniture.

Office Furniture Donation Recipient

• Identify potential office furniture donation recipients such as local charities, schools, or non-profits.
• Contact and arrange donations and obtain donation receipts for tax purposes.

Secure Information Shredding and Purging

• Hire a secure information purging service specializing in data destruction.
• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations and document the purging process.
• Hire a secure document shredding service that offers on-site shredding and certificates of destruction.

Junk Removal

• Find reputable junk removal services with good reviews.
• Schedule a pickup and confirm proper disposal of items.

Dumpsters

• Determine the size and number of dumpsters needed for waste disposal.
• Rent from a reliable provider and follow disposal guidelines.

Hiring the appropriate office decommission vendors can streamline the process of closing an office and handle all tasks professionally and efficiently.

Office Decommission Step 4: Close Accounts With Office Vendors

Closing down office operations involves carefully closing accounts with all office vendors to appropriately terminate all services and deliveries. Ensure there are no outstanding payments or obligations. In addition to notifying each vendor of the closure and terminating contracts, here are some specific steps for each:

Janitorial Services

• Schedule a final cleaning and settle outstanding invoices.

Office Supplies

• Cancel recurring orders and settle payments.
• Arrange for the return or donation of unused supplies.

Delivery Services

• Cancel scheduled deliveries and redirect incoming deliveries if necessary.

Utility Services

• Schedule final meter readings and settle bills.
• Confirm service termination and provide a forwarding address.

Maintenance Contracts

• Settle remaining payments and schedule final checks if needed.

Equipment Leases

• Arrange for the return of leased equipment and settle final payments.

Going through this closing-an-office checklist and closing each account with office vendors, you are one step closer to a hassle-free decommission. Leave no loose ends or surprise costs.

Office Decommission Step 5: Employee Move Out

Successfully managing the employee office moving process includes helping your team be well-prepared and organized to minimize stress.

Pre-Office Move Training for Team

Prepare your employees for closing the office by providing clear instructions and training.

• Conduct a training session to explain the moving process and timelines.
• Provide detailed guidelines on packing, labeling, and organizing their belongings.
• Distribute a move-out checklist to ensure everyone knows their responsibilities.

Employee Office Crate Packing

Equip employees with the necessary materials and instructions for packing their personal and work-related items.

• Supply packing crates and materials such as bubble wrap, paper, and tape.
• Set up designated packing stations with additional supplies and assistance if needed.
• Instruct employees to label each crate with their name, department, and new location or storage destination.
• Schedule packing days and set deadlines to pack all items on time.

Office Decommission Step 6: Secure Information Disposal & Purging

Carefully managing the secure disposal and purging of sensitive information is vital to protect your business and comply with data protection regulations. Proper handling of both electronic and physical documents is the best way to prevent data breaches and give yourself peace of mind.

Electronic Waste Disposal

Proper disposal of electronic devices will help avoid data leaks and ensure environmentally responsible practices.

• Ensure data wiping and destruction of hard drives and other storage devices.
• Document the disposal process with receipts and certificates of destruction.

Secure Document Shredding and Purging

Shredding sensitive documents keeps confidential information out of the wrong hands.

• Schedule shredding sessions to coincide with your decommissioning timeline.
• Ensure all sensitive documents are collected and securely stored until shredding.

Serial Number Documentation of Secure Disposal

Keep a detailed record of all items disposed of for accountability and compliance.

• Create an inventory list of all electronic devices and storage media.
• Record serial numbers and descriptions of each item.
• Document the disposal method and obtain certificates or receipts from disposal vendors.

Office Decommission Step 7: Liquidate & Decommission Office Furniture and Equipment

The next step is to liquidate the business’ office furniture and equipment. This office decommission step involves careful disassembly, transportation, and documentation of all assets.

De-cable Workstations

• Disconnect and organize all cables from computers, phones, and other equipment.
• Label each cable to ensure proper reconnection.
• Bundle and secure cables to prevent tangling and damage.

Furniture Disassembly

• Disassemble large furniture such as desks, shelves, and conference tables.
• Organize and label all parts to make reassembly easier.
• Store hardware in labeled bags attached to the furniture pieces.

Remove Art from Walls

• Carefully remove all artwork and decorations from the walls.
• Wrap and pack items securely to prevent damage during transport.
• Label each piece for easy identification.

Move Office Furniture and Assets

• Distribute to other offices: Identify items other office locations can use.
  • Coordinate with receiving offices.
  • Arrange transport and delivery.
• Storage: Store items that are not immediately needed but may be of future use.
  • Choose a suitable storage facility.
  • Label and document items for easy retrieval.

Office Furniture Decommissioning and Liquidation

• Sell: List items on online marketplaces or hold an office liquidation sale.
• Donate: Give away usable items to local charities or schools.
• Recycle: Responsibly recycle items that can’t be sold or donated, with particular consideration for electronic recycling facilities. 
• Dispose: Properly dispose of unusable items through junk removal services.

To ensure accountability, keep detailed records of all decommissioned office furniture and products throughout this process. You can do this by photographing each item before disassembly and transport, recording serial numbers and descriptions for all equipment, and maintaining an inventory list with notes on the final disposition (sold, donated, recycled, disposed).

By meticulously liquidating and decommissioning office furniture and equipment, you can maximize your returns, minimize waste, and have a smooth and organized decommissioning process.

Office Decommission Step 8: Clean the Space

Ensure that the office space is left in good condition to meet lease obligations, avoid additional charges, and maintain a positive relationship with the landlord. This office decommissions step involves thorough cleaning, repairs, and final inspections.

Restore and Repair the Office Space

Address any damages or alterations made during your tenancy to restore the space to its original condition.

• Patch and paint walls: Repair holes and repaint any marked or discolored areas.
• Fix flooring: Clean carpets or polish hard floors and repair any damage.
• Check fixtures: Ensure all light fixtures, blinds, and other fixtures are in working order.
• Address any specific lease requirements: Review the lease agreement for additional restoration obligations.

Walkthrough Inspection with Photos

Conduct a detailed inspection to document the final condition of the space.

• Schedule a final walkthrough: Arrange this with the landlord or property manager.
• Take comprehensive photos: Document the condition of each room, including walls, floors, and fixtures.
• Create a detailed report: Note any remaining issues or repairs that need addressing.
• Obtain sign-off from the landlord: Ensure they acknowledge the space’s condition and any agreed-upon deductions from the security deposit.

Office Decommission Step 9: Turn over Space to the Landlord or Property Manager

The final step in decommissioning is handing over the space to the landlord or property manager.

• Collect and return all keys, access cards, and fobs from employees, organizing them for easy handover. 
• Address any remaining concerns and settle outstanding issues during the final walkthrough with the landlord. 

Handle Office Decommissioning Like a Pro

Decommissioning an office doesn’t have to be a headache. With this thorough checklist, you can turn a daunting task into a streamlined, efficient process. Every step on this closing-an-office checklist will bring you the best ROI and avoid unnecessary waste, from notifying vendors and organizing employee move-outs to securely disposing of data and liquidating assets. 

If this process feels too overwhelming to take on alone, you can hire an office decommissioning company. Olympia Moving can not only help you plan a building office decommission but also take care of the entire process with specially trained teams that know how to break down workstations and cubicles, handle sensitive information, and responsibly dispose of materials. 

We hope this closing-an-office checklist will help you close up shop with confidence! If you need any professional support along the way, don’t hesitate to contact Olympia Moving. 

Moving can be one of the most stressful experiences you encounter during your adult life. From finding a new place to call home, to bidding farewell to your current place, to all the logistical details in between, a move can be an extremely overwhelming process. However, one way to alleviate some of the anxiety around moving is to prepare properly. There are several strategies you can utilize to tackle your next big move with ease, including hiring professionals from your local moving company to help you handle the job. If you’re planning to relocate in the near future, read on for some helpful tips and tricks so you can enjoy a smooth move.

1. Plan Ahead

With so many details to work out, moving often takes longer than you anticipate. Even tasks that seem like they will be quick might reveal time-consuming complications once you begin. The process is exhausting enough without adding additional stress from rushing at the last minute. That’s why it’s wise to start taking steps toward your move as soon as possible, such as contacting leasing agencies to schedule apartment tours or visiting potential areas where you can see yourself living months in advance.

2. Hire Your Local Moving Company

Some independent individuals insist on attempting everything themselves. However, your local moving company is ready to help you! There’s no shame in calling for backup. In fact, professional moving companies assist Americans with about 650 thousand moves every year, according to OnCue.

Movers have the experience, knowledge, and equipment necessary to handle your move with ease. Rather than risking injury by improperly lifting heavy objects, wasting time with inefficient strategies, or possibly causing a traffic accident by driving an unfamiliar moving van, let the professionals handle your move. You’ll have plenty of other tasks to take care of during the process, and relying on your local moving company frees up time and energy for you to handle the rest of your checklist.

3. Book Your Services Early

If you have a tight schedule, you’ll want to book your rentals as far out in advance as possible. Some days are more popular than others, such as weekends when people have the free time to devote their day to a major project. Contacting your local moving company ahead of time will ensure that you’re on their calendar and have the date and time that works the best for you secured.

4. Stay Organized

Set yourself up for success in the future by remaining organized while you pack and prepare. It’s always a good idea to pack everything you need for a room together. For example, keep all your kitchen utensils, appliances, and towels together and clearly label them. When you arrive in your new kitchen, you’ll have everything you need to start cooking readily accessible. Taking the time to pack with care will make the process of unpacking so much simpler and help your local moving company know where each box needs to go. You’ll be thankful to your past self for making your life a little easier!

5. Keep Track of Important Documents

There are certain documents that you’ll want to set aside for easy access throughout your moving experience. Passports, marriage certificates, Social Security cards, and other legal documents should all be handled with caution. Save yourself from the nightmare of having to dig through all of your boxes if you realize you need something! Set them aside and designate a specific and secure place to pack them so you never lose track of them.

6. Pack Fragile Items With Care

If you have special or fragile items to transport, they need extra care to ensure they arrive at your destination in one piece. Artwork, ceramics, family heirlooms, and other delicate objects should be packed with extra consideration. It’s also wise to clearly label any containers you pack them in. The movers will know that they should handle those boxes with extra care. Do you need help packing your valuable items? Your local moving company has strategies to make sure your precious belongings stay safe during your move.

7. Get Rid of Clutter

One great way to make packing a breeze is to make sure you aren’t dealing with anything you don’t want! Sifting through your belongings and removing things that are broken, worn out, or don’t fit your style anymore will save you time and space when you pack up your home. Donating items that are still in good condition to local clothing drives or charity stores is also a wonderful way to give back to your community. If you’d like to earn a little extra cash, you might be able to sell some of your books to a used book store, clothing via thrift apps, or bigger electronics to friends. A garage sale is another fantastic idea! You can use any earnings toward moving expenses, killing two birds with one stone.

8. Be Strategic When Grocery Shopping

While it’s important to be properly fueled up with nutritious meals during a physically demanding experience, be smart about how many groceries you purchase leading up to moving day. If your fridge is still full of perishable items, it’ll be difficult to keep them cold during a long move. Frozen items pose even more of a challenge. One helpful guideline is to make your last grocery run two weeks before your moving day. That way you can cut down on buying extra food items that you simply don’t need, giving yourself less to transport and avoiding any food waste.

9. Consider Hiring a Packing Service

In addition to helping you move all of your items, your local moving company can handle your packing, too! You can turn to them for a packing solution that’s speedy, efficient, and will protect all of your belongings. Save yourself hours of stress and labor by turning over this task to the experts. You’ll be amazed at how much easier moving can be!

8. Schedule Utilities for Your New Address

During the moving process, it’s easy to be so focused on your current address that you forget to think ahead. However, your new home needs attention as well! Make sure you contact the appropriate providers so that you’ll have all the utilities you need by moving day. If you’re moving to an apartment, your landlord should be able to provide you with details about which utilities are your responsibility and which companies you need to call. Some companies will have a delay between receiving your request and commencing services, so arrange this as soon as possible. You don’t want to be left in the dark or without water after a long and stressful day of moving!

10. Pack an Overnight Bag for the Big Day

Pack yourself a bag for moving day just like you would for a weekend trip. This will make sure you have access to all of your essentials such as clean clothing, electronics chargers, and toiletries without needing to dig through any of your boxes.

By using these strategies, you can reduce your stress and maybe even look forward to your move. After all, getting a fresh start in a new location is an exciting opportunity! If you need help with your move, be sure to give our team a call at Olympia Moving & Storage. As a licensed and insured local moving company, you can trust us to handle the entire process with incredible efficiency and high-quality customer care. Just reach out to us today to get started with an estimate. We would love to assist you!

Feng Shui, in a very literal sense, means “wind-water”. The idea behind it is to balance buildings, objects, and space in an environment to achieve harmony and balance. Natural elements often play a crucial role in balancing out all of these elements, hence why this practice is called feng shui. While it is impossible to compile even a fraction of the practice in this article, with different regions of China practicing differently from one another, and feng shui changing from year to year, there are some core foundations and ideas that can be outlined. Here are some core ideas.

The Four Concepts of Feng Shui

Each of these concepts can be an article of its own, with how in-depth and complex each concept can be. But generally speaking, the four concepts are the five elements (fire, water, earth, wood, and metal), the Bagua areas (energy map of your space), color, and a “command location”. The Bagua would tell us what element each part of your space needs, while the color will help supplement the space

5 Elements

The five elements of feng shui are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Utilizing them properly in your space stimulates energy and promotes wellbeing. Each element has its own properties for specific effects.

• Wood: Wood promotes health, vitality, and growth. It is often expressed with green and brown. Decorations like lush plants, green cushions, botanical imagery, etc will promote it.
• Fire: Fire promotes creativity, love, and passion. It is often expressed with different shades of red and yellow.
• Earth: Earth is the element of nourishment, protection, stability, and support. It is often expressed with beige and other sandy colors
• Metal: Metal is the element of structure and discipline, efficiency, and productivity. It is often expressed in white and grey.
• Water: Water is the element of harmony, flow, and renewal. It is often expressed with blue and black.

Bagua Area

Bagua is an energy map of your space. It divides your space into eight areas, defined by the compass direction of your front door. Each of these eight areas corresponds to one of the five elements, which needs to be supplemented in its corresponding area for good feng shui energy. This whole process is a bit complicated and can change depending on who you ask and where you are, so finding an expert in your area will be optimal.

Color

Different colors carry different energy qualities. According to feng shui, it corresponds to the energy of the five elements. This is one of the easiest ways to bring some elements into your home without buying any major decor or making any major changes.

Command Location

The command location is essentially the best place you can be in a room to get the most optimal energy flow. Thus, major furniture pieces like a desk, couch, and bed can be placed with feng shui in mind. The process of deciding where these pieces should be is complicated, but a general rule of thumb is to ensure that you can see the door from where you’re sitting, standing, or lying down.

The next time you move with Olympia, make sure you let your team know if you have anything you want in any particular place. Our team of professionals will be sure to accommodate to the best of their abilities. Contact Olympia for a free quote today!

Selling your home can seem like a complicated and overwhelming task. The standard, most well-known process would include leveraging a local real estate agent while you sit back and see the offers roll in. And the extent of your involvement, apart from ensuring the house is staged and set to show properly, would be to accept or decline offers. And the costs? A hefty percentage of the selling amount.

In this day and age, especially given the market conditions and the level of demand, you may feel underwhelmed at the amount you pay your agent for the amount of work that’s put in. Meaning in a hot neighborhood, the agent may just have to set the price, show a house for a weekend, and boom! You have an offer with tens of thousands in commission headed to the agent. Is there a way to avoid this hefty commission rate?

For sale by owner is an option to consider, but there are factors that need to be accounted for when making this decision. FSBO (For sale by owner) is an effective way to save some of that money while still being able to market and advertise to a similar size audience. In the past, it used to be that the seller had limited access to the marketing vehicles agents did. The seller did not have the network or system access that a typical agent did. However, in this day and age all that has changed, and if you’re willing to spend some money (but still fractional compared to an agent’s commission).

These type of sellers now have access to website such as Zillow, Forsalebyowner.com and FSBO.com just to name a few. There is also the possibility to get it listed on MLS for a flat fee and of course if you’re attune to website creation and development, create your own listing page. These digital activities, combined with the analog activities of yore such as word of mouth and distributing self-made brochures, could garner that audience you need to find that buyer.

Keep in mind though, researching the market and following the correct legal process to properly sell your home are a requirement to ensure that you for sale by owner listing closing holds up to your legal and personal expectations. From a market standpoint, make sure pull your comparables to understand what has sold in your area that is most like your house and use that as a bellwether to price appropriately. If you have limited insight into the condition of key elements of your house (roof age, basement moisture, radon, etc..) that impact pricing, then it may be wise to pay for a professional inspection so you have a complete view of issues that may impact the price of your house.

As far as the rules go for selling, make sure you engage a real estate lawyer and seek the professional advice to help guide you through the necessary documentation for a FSBO listing.

According to the National Association of Realtors, in 2020 approximately 7% of homes were for sale by owner. While clearly not a large portion of home sales are FSBO, it is a significant enough number that had made its way as a mainstream option.

And remember, selling your home is just half the battle! Once you have identified the buyer and signed your papers, there’s still the actual process of moving. As we always recommend, research your moving company and ensure they have the reviews and experience to provide a move that meets and exceeds your expectations.

Renting a home, buying a home, finding an apartment and similar real estate activities go hand in hand with moving. As the experts in moving, Olympia Moving & Storage is here to help. As we near the end of 2021, we have experienced an unprecedented moving year from labor shortages to material shortages to a historic spike in moving demand. We offer some advice on whether you’re renting a home or trying to find an apartment.

2021 will forever be known as a seller’s market. Data across the country showed houses sold for prices way above asking with numerous bidders, and contingencies being waved left and right. Anecdotally, we heard a lot of sellers taking advantage of being able to sell high, gaining an influx of cash, however with no place to go. This result is renting a home or finding an apartment to rent. It’s a hot topic still to date, because as this seller’s market continues to drive prices higher, finding an apartment or renting a home becomes pricier. We see our customers and buyers across the country not able to find their next permanent residence in a timely fashion. The only solution becomes opting for a “temporary home.”

These solutions may be renting a home in your desired town, playing the waiting game for a forever home that is affordable to pop up. The other option is finding an apartment either in your same town/city of choice or looking at surrounding areas that keeps you close to your ideal location. Keep in mind, whether deciding to rent a home or find an apartment, the responsibilities may vary. With a home and depending on the state, the renter may be responsible for the care and maintenance of the home, including lawn mowing, snow shoveling and similar weather-related activities. An apartment may be a lower maintenance option; however you sacrifice the privacy you would have with a home rental. Since this is not a topic to take lightly, we suggest researching additional advice about the pros and cons of renting and buying.

In both cases, there is the argument to make that if you can be patient and wait out the market, you would benefit from the additional cash gained from the sale and you find the home of your dreams. Patience is the determining factor here, so make sure you set your own expectations to deal with an extended timeline. And with this extended timeline, understanding the lease and the termination clauses will play a big part in the whole process. There are a large number of factors that will affect your decision so make sure to do your research. There are government and private move websites that will tediously identify all the things to consider. Moving is one of the most complex and stressful things to go through in life, so make sure you’re prepared and do your homework.

Also keep in mind, when renting a home or trying to find an apartment, you’ll still have to move all your belongings. Whether you keep it in storage with a trusted provider or find storage on the temporary property, you most likely will need help. With 30 years of expertise, and the ability to move anything to anywhere, Olympia can provide the guidance and help to get your move completed effectively and efficiently.

A simple question however, extremely loaded at the same time. The easy answer would be that you are looking to save money and control your own destiny. The complexities are layered, although it appears to be a straightforward decision. The multiple items to consider when renting a truck include:

• The size of truck
• How long the move will take you?
• How comfortable are you driving a large vehicle around (possibly with through narrow streets)?
• How does insurance play a factor?
• Will you have enough room?
• How to pack to avoid damage?
• Do you have help moving?
• Do you need parking or elevator permits?

And what about the cost? Does the rental company charge by mile or what happens if you’re just moving one way? Look out for those extra fees, and don’t forget the gas! Those massive rental trucks have voluminous gas tanks and are not shy about guzzling down.

We get it, sometimes it just makes more financial sense to rent a truck, relying just on yourself. But think of the timing, if you’re moving during peak months or heaven forbid on the first of a month (yikes, September!)  near or in the city, you are going to encounter a significant headache which may not be worth it. Balancing all these factors is overwhelming in it of itself, now throw in family and work obligations, and boy oh boy, have you got a big nut to crack. So, the question becomes, is it worth it?

What is worth it? Would it be worth it to work with an expert in the industry, replete with awards, 95% satisfaction rate on the last 10k moves, and hundreds upon hundreds of reviews praising the personnel and the overall experience?

Consider going with a moving service that you trust, with the experience and customer reviews to provide you the comfort knowing this will not be a nightmare scenario. When making your final decision, look at the big picture and see if renting a truck is the most effective use of time, money, and overall impact to your mental health.

There is a common cliche that moving yourself is one of the most difficult and aggravating things you can do. When you are weighing your options, and apart from all the costs incurred from both sides, make sure you factor in that most intangible and very hard to measure cost – aggravation and frustration. And what cost will that have on top of all the truck rental associated fees? When you weigh those factors against the ease and professionalism that comes with hiring a seasoned and expert moving company, you will find that sometimes the juice is worth the squeeze. That way, instead of managing through layers and layers of complexity during the move itself (and don’t forget the packing!), reach out to a moving company that can handle your move, providing a dedicated representative to walk you through the move from start to finish. Sounds like you should reach out to Olympia Moving & Storage for a free estimate. You stressless move starts with us.