Moving can be a chaotic and stressful time, especially in regards to having to move all of your things, such as your technology. Whether you're relocating your home or office, it's essential to take care when packing and moving your devices and other tech items. To help ensure this process goes smoothly for you, we recommend following this handy checklist so your technology remains safe and sound during the move.
Back-Up Everything
Before you start disassembling and packing your technology, make sure to back up all the data they have stored. This is especially important for any files, documents, and photos that you wouldn't be able to replace if they were lost. You can either use an external hard drive, cloud storage, or both. This helps to protect your data in the event something unfortunate happens during the move that would normally cause you to lose it.
Organize and Label Cables
We all know the struggle of untangling a mess of cables. It is especially annoying when you're trying to set up your devices in a new location. To avoid this headache, take the time to organize and label your cables before packing them. Tying the cables up to keep them neatly bundled and attaching labels to identify which cables belong to which devices makes unpacking them a simple task. Additionally, before you unplug the cables from your devices, you should take a photo of the connections. This reference will be very helpful when setting up your new location, as you won't have to worry about remembering which cable goes where.
Pack Devices Carefully
When packing your devices, consider using their original boxes when possible. Generally, the original packaging is designed to provide the best protection during shipping, with specific compartments to secure each component. If you don't have the original boxes, it is advised to wrap each device in bubble wrap or anti-static foam to prevent any damage, filling any empty space with packing peanuts or crumpled paper to ensure a snug fit.
Remove Ink Cartridges and Batteries
It might seem easier to pack up your printers "as is" to move them, but that's not a good idea. However, for printers and devices that use ink, it's crucial to remove those cartridges, as they can leak or dry out during transit, causing a mess and rendering them useless. The same thing can also happen to batteries from devices such as laptops, cameras, or remote controls, or they can accidentally power on and potentially get damaged. To prevent this, pack the cartridges and batteries separately in sealed bags and label them.
Pack Your Wi-Fi Equipment Together
Reconnecting devices to the internet is often one of the first things people do after a move. To make the process easier, we recommend packing all your Wi-Fi network equipment together in the same box or potentially even separately from all your other items. This includes your modem, router, ethernet cables, and other network connectors.
Secure Fragile Screens
When moving devices with delicate screens, such as TVs or monitors, you must take extra precautions to protect them from getting damaged. Protect the screen by covering it with a soft or microfiber cloth secured with elastic bands or tape. (Note — please do not attach tape directly to your screens) Additionally, pack these items with the screen face up and nothing on top of them to reduce the risk of damage.
Inform the Movers about Fragile Items
If you are enlisting the help of professional movers, be sure to communicate with them clearly about your technology and its transportation needs. Clearly label the boxes containing your valuable devices as "fragile," and provide any necessary special instructions to handle them with care. By communicating your concerns upfront, you reduce the chances of accidents while moving.
Test Everything After the Move
You don't want to find out about problems with your tech on a busy Monday morning. Once you've moved and re-setup your technology test them to ensure they work as usual and weren't damaged. Something may not look damaged on the outside, but there could still be internal damage. You want to know this upfront so you can file a claim and call in an IT service professional to help.