Tips and tricks for relocating a workshop

Whether you’re relocating a workshop to your new house or because of job opportunities, prepare to organize it well to avoid headaches. Moving a workshop is a complicated process and you need to make a good plan to relocate the equipment and tools safely. Workshops contain machines, heavy equipment, various dangerous and power tools, that need to be transported and packed carefully. We’ve prepared some useful tips and if you follow them you’ll relocate a workshop without stress. Consider hiring long distance moving companies Florida to ease your relocation and help you move without stress.

Make a plan for relocating a workshop

Relocating a workshop successfully is not possible without a good plan and organization. Moving your workshop is a great opportunity to improve its quality in your new location. No matter what kind of workshop you’re relocating, try to make a plan.

Write down all inventory from the workshop and make three columns. In each, write things you need to relocate: large, heavy and small items. Organize buying packing supplies. Find a reliable moving company. Pick the best time to relocate because tools and equipment left outdoors on snowy and rainy conditions can be damaged. Cross country moving companies can help you to relocate your workshop easily and safely to a new location.

Gather packing materials and supplies for relocating a workshop

Before you start relocating a workshop, gather all the packing materials and supplies you’re going to use. These things depend on the type of workshop. For example, you will need different packing supplies for moving  an art workshop and a garage workshop. Let’s see what an average workshop requires for packing:

• plastic containers
• food containers
• plastic jars
• plastic zip lock bags
• garbage bags
• moving boxes
• packing paper
• tape
• ropes
• old clothes
• sticker labels or markers for labeling boxes
• large heavy-duty trash cans

If you’re about to relocate a workshop to your new house, check improvized in-house storage ideas and renovate on a budget.

Get rid of things you don’t need and save money

Workshops and garages are often full of cluttered mess. When moving, every dollar matters. Since movers charge by the hour, but also by the weight of the shipment, try to save money by decluttering your workshop. Get rid of old and damaged things. Other things, if they are in good condition but you don’t need them anymore, can be sold or donated. There are always some risks of relocating your business. Make sure you stick to your moving plan.

Clean the tools and equipment before moving

When you declutter your workshop and decide what you’re going to relocate, it’s time to clean the tools and equipment. Before packing, wipe tools and clean dirt from the surfaces. You will have fresh and clean tools when you relocate a workshop, and you’ll avoid mess in moving boxes. Use towels, old clothes or damp rags to remove dust, dried mud, dirt, sawdust, oil spills, pests, and spider eggs. Stored tools and things you didn’t use for years may contain bugs and spiders so make sure to wear gloves.

Know what’s prohibited on a moving truck

This is an extremely important part when it comes to relocating a workshop. You need to know what’s prohibited on a moving truck. Avoid being unpleasantly surprised by informing yourself about forbidden things. Some sorts of chemicals like dangerous liquids and paints are not allowed on a moving truck. Still, oil-based paints can be moved by moving truck because they’re hazardous, but you must put them to a recycling center. Although a list of prohibited things is long, let’s see some of them:

• gasoline
• kerosene
• paints
• motor oil
• acetone
• paint thinner
• bleach

Remove fuel, oil and everything in liquid condition

We’ve already mentioned that fuel, oil, and liquid paints are prohibited on a moving truck. Make sure to remove them before packing. You can drain or properly dispense oils and liquids from tools. This is because tools like these are full of flammable fuels. Besides, fuels and gasoline can soak and stain moving boxes and damage your equipment. Just make sure to avoid dumping gas, oil, and gasoline in your yard. Take them to a disposal site or an auto-service garage. You can check some local recycling facility, too.

Moving heavy equipment

Relocating a workshop usually means heavy equipment and machines. If you want to move them yourself, make sure to have the clean floor and free of any debris. You will also need the help of a few friends or family members. Remove cables and wires and unplug devices. Moving and packing heavy machines require professional equipment such as forklift jacks, dollies, straps, chains, crowbars, etc.

Packing large tools when relocating a workshop

Whether you’re relocating a workshop with art or garage equipment and tools, the process is the same. Collect all large tools you want to relocate and put them in a large trash can and bind them with a rope. This is a fast and easy way to store a lot of tools. Take apart all electrical and power tools. Follow the instructions and empty the fuel and oils. Remove all sharp parts and wrap them in cloth. Make sure to secure them to avoid moving during transport. Trash bags are also great for packing larger items.

Pack smaller tools for moving

Once you throw away clutter from your workshop, gather all small screws and parts. You can pack small tools and items in plastic containers or plastic bags. If containers are not transparent don’t forget to label what’s inside each. If you already have a toolbox you can relocate small parts in it.

Rent a PODS container

Since there are things prohibited on a moving truck, you need to find another solution to relocate them. For relocating a workshop items that can’t be moved by moving truck, rent a PODS container. PODS containers are not expensive. You can load them yourself or with friends without hiring movers. The large PODS can hold 10,000 lbs, and an average workshop can be loaded in an 8- x 8- x 16-ft. container. This means you are able to move machines, lumber, shelves, tools, and equipment with one container.

Hire professional movers

If tips for moving your workshop aren’t working for you, consider hiring professional movers to relocate your equipment and tools safely to a new location. Hiring professional movers is the best way to relocate your workshop, to avoid stress and possible injuries. Lifting and moving heavy equipment is not for amateurs. Although their service is not cheap, your workshop items will be completely safe and secured during transport. You can also get moving insurance for extra protection. This is extremely important if you own expensive and valuable machines in your workshop.