Before packing any heavy furniture, including your desk, check it for damage. If you are hiring a professional moving service, take photos of any chips or scratches so you can identify if further damage has occurred during the move.
Empty the desk, packing small items in boxes. Wrap fragile items individually in newspaper, tissue paper or bubble wrap. Pack the heaviest items at the bottom, then medium-weight items, and lighter or fragile items at the top. Don’t forget to label the box with a permanent marker.
If the desk has a keyboard tray, remove it. Pack the keyboard tray and accessories with the rest of the office items.
Wrap the desk completely in moving blankets, securing the blankets with tape. Be careful that the tape does not touch the furniture’s finish, where it could leave sticky residue or even peel off paint.
Now that you have everything packed, it’s time to move the desk. Start by plotting your route through the house or apartment, measuring to make sure the desk can fit through tight spots. You will need two people to move a desk safely. Together, lift one short end of the desk onto the cart or glides. If using skates, repeat this step for the other side. One person has to pull while the other pushes the desk into the house.
If you use a full-service moving company, the movers must pack the office and load it into the van for you.
Moving a secretary’s office
An office of secretary is a high desk, often with drawers or shelves in its upper part, hidden by doors. The writing area usually has a hinged cover. To pack your secretary, start by removing all items from the desk, including those in drawers. Pack them in a box that you label, indicating the contents.
You will need at least two people, if not more, to move a secretary desk. Lifting it with your legs, carefully load the desk onto a moving cart or sliders. One person should keep a supporting hand on the top of the desk to prevent it from tipping. Be careful not to let gravity take over when lifting the desk.
To move a secretary desk up or down a staircase, two people can “walk” along the staircase, stopping at each step. Moving gloves or forearm lifting straps can make the task easier.
Moving a safe
Moving a safe can be quite simple, but you will need to pay close attention to the items inside.
If you are moving yourself, you can move the safe and its contents together in the moving truck. Otherwise, you will want to remove the items and place them in an envelope or small box that you store in the glove box or trunk of your car. If these items are important enough to be placed in a safe, you don’t want them ending up in the hands of strangers, even if it is a moving company of confidence.
Make copies of important documents, such as the deed to your new home, birth certificates, marriage certificates, legal documents, and tax documents from the last ten years. Some documents, such as marriage and birth certificates, must be originals with an embossed seal. Obtain copies before moving and pack each copy separately to avoid losing both sets.
Moving a safe is similar to moving any other heavy piece of furniture. Wrap the safe in moving blankets to prevent damage not only to the safe, but also to the walls and other parts of the moving truck.
Moving a workbook
Before moving a filing cabinet, reduce the paperwork it contains by following the U.S. government’s guidelines for managing household records.
Separate important papers that need to travel with you, such as birth and marriage certificates, legal documents and recent tax returns. Then pack in a box or storage container all the documents that will remain in your new home’s filing cabinet, including:
– device manuals, service contracts, warranties
– receipts for expensive or tax-deductible items
– house renovation files
– car maintenance reports
– insurance policies
– investment certificates
– bank statements less than one year old
When your filing cabinet is empty, remove the drawers or lock them so they don’t slide around. Protect your filing cabinet with moving blankets.
Moving a library
Before moving a bookcase, remove everything from the shelves. This is the time to evaluate which items you want to keep and which ones you would prefer to sell, donate or abandon.
Pack books upside down in a moving box, which will allow you to fit more in one box. Be sure to reinforce the bottom of the cardboard with tape or use plastic storage bins instead. As books weigh a lot in relation to their size, be careful not to overload the boxes. Pack one layer of books, then fill the rest of the box with lighter items from the bookshelf or your home office. Take a photo of the contents of the box and tape it to the outside of the box so you’ll know what’s inside when you arrive at your new home.
Remove shelves from your bookcase, if possible, to reduce the weight of the piece. Pack the shelves in boxes, along with an accompanying hardware bag. Wrap the shelves with regular newspaper, bubble wrap or fabric. Then close the box and label it.