Back up first

Before anything is unplugged, back up your files in two places, such as a cloud service and an external drive. If a device goes missing or is damaged, you will not lose your work.

Photograph your setup

Take photos of how everything is connected, from several angles. When you are tired on the first night, you will be glad of them. Note serial numbers on valuable equipment.

Keep key things with you

Laptops, phones, passports and important papers should travel with you, not on the van. This matches our own advice for any move, and it means you can still work if the van is delayed.

Tip: Photos from several angles will save you time reconnecting everything on the first night.

Use the original boxes

If you still have the boxes for your monitor, printer or other equipment, use them, because they were designed to protect the item. If not, wrap electronics well and pad the corners.

Label cables and boxes

Group cables by device and label them clearly, for example "main monitor". Put the room and contents on several sides of every box.

Clear out the paper

Scan what you can, shred what is sensitive and do not move paper you no longer need. It cuts down the number of boxes.

Plan your working days

Think about how you will cover the days around the move. Some people plan to pack the office first and work from a laptop until the move, and many allow a day or more after to get set up. Tell clients and colleagues when you will be less available, and send your new details when you are up and running.

Your new space

Measure the new room and decide where the desk will go before the day, so it can be put in the right place when it arrives. Our Packing Guide covers general packing, and you can tell us about heavy desks and shelves at the survey.