Many people have an office or study in their home. Some people work from home, and some use it as the headquarters of the home. It usually contains computer equipment, including the scanner, printer, etc., as well as all of your important documents and papers that you have accumulated over the years.

Before You Start Packing

Before you begin packing, get rid of things that you don’t want to move, like outdated and nonworking equipment. Take time to sort through your papers, and shred or dump the papers you no longer need. You can safely throw away the store credit from the department store that closed years ago, as well as instruction manuals from appliances you no longer own. Depending on how long you’ve lived in your current home, you may have a LOT to sort through. Papers have a way of piling up over the years!

Gather your supplies in the office so that you have everything you need to pack. You’ll need boxes, packing tape, scissors, packing materials and markers.

Important Papers and Files

Carry your important legal and financial documents with you. It would be disastrous if these got lost in the move, plus you may very well need some of these papers during the move. Make copies of everything.

Empty your file cabinets, and throw away papers that you no longer need. You can purchase cardboard file boxes at an office supply store which you can use for moving your files. Keep the files in their correct order to make unpacking easier in your new home. Reduce the volume of paper by scanning some or all of them and discarding the paper copies.

Back up all of your computer files onto USB drives, and carry those with you.

Computer Equipment

Shut down your computer, printer and other related equipment. Disconnect cables and paper trays. Remove ink cartridges. Label everything so that you know which cable goes where when you reassemble the computer in your new home.

The best way to pack your computer equipment is in its original packaging. If you no longer have it you can buy a computer wrapping kit.

Furniture

If you have modular office furniture in your home office, you will need to disassemble it for the move. Keep all screws and bolts together in a bag and tape it to the furniture. Take a picture of the furniture so you know how it should look when reassembled.

Books

Pack books of similar sizes together either flat or with their spines touching the sides of the box. Use small boxes for books because they are very heavy.

Office Supplies

Put your pens, scissors, hole punchers, etc. in Ziploc bags, and then place them in boxes. Pack your CDs in protective cases.

After You Finish Packing

Make sure your boxes are tightly packed, but not too heavy. Seal them with packing tape. Label the boxes with your computer equipment “FRAGILE” and “THIS END UP” where appropriate. Clearly label the boxes “OFFICE” so that you and the movers know where they are to be placed when you move into your new home. Write a brief description of the contents on each box, and keep a more detailed inventory for yourself so that you can find specific items that you are looking for after the move.