Decommissioning Offices When Downsizing or Closing Workspaces

For a facilities or office manager, figuring out what to do with furniture that is no longer needed because a workplace is downsizing or closing can be challenging. Where does the furniture go? What if I want to store some of the furniture for later use? How is the move-out process coordinated with the landlord? What else should I be taking care of before leaving?

These questions are timely as many organizations reevaluate their office space needs in response to changing times.

The Process of Decommissioning Offices

As part of its furniture solutions portfolio, ODP Business Solutions™ Workspace Interiors offers office decommissioning services to help make it easier for commercial tenants to reconfigure or leave office spaces. We've worked with various companies over many years to take the stress out of what can be a complicated situation with many moving parts.

Here are the top six things many organizations wonder about when they begin the process of decommissioning offices:

Considering what happens to the furniture that is no longer needed

In general, when an office closes, furniture is repurposed, recycled or disposed of. Repurposed furniture is often donated to a nonprofit organization where it finds a second act. Otherwise, unneeded furniture is deconstructed and delivered to a recycling service and responsibly discarded. It may be necessary to engage an electrician if any of the furniture is hard-wired.
Storing furniture that might be needed later

Furniture that an organization may want to use in the future can be inventoried, packed up and moved to a storage warehouse.

The Process of Decommissioning Offices

Disposing of electronic equipment

Many municipalities or government agencies require special certifications for the disposal or recycling of electronics. It can be helpful to archive this documentation in corporate records.
Coordinating with the landlord

Working hand-in-hand with the landlord is helpful when moving out or reconfiguring office space to understand when the move needs to take place (daytime or after hours), if there is access to an elevator or dock and expectations for the conditions of the emptied space. It may also be necessary to coordinate certificates of insurance before a move-out can begin.
Finalizing the condition of the site

In addition to removing furniture and equipment, figuring out how to finalize the condition of the site before handoff can include repairing walls, removing cables and signage and disconnecting electrical. It may also be necessary to remove any debris and vacuum or sweep the floor.
Handling office sites in multiple locations

If the changes in space leases affect multiple sites, how will the logistics be handled when several parties are involved? It can be helpful to work with vendors that have a national footprint.

The Workspace Interiors Approach

The team at Workspace Interiors seeks to be a trusted advisor to simplify the process of closing or reconfiguring office spaces and decommissioning furniture by working directly with the property managers and other service providers to do a site survey, create a working timeline and handle the move-out.

Are you looking for more information about decommissioning offices and furniture? We can help

Looking for insight and guidance to select school desk shields or demountable walls that work for your needs? ODP Business Solutions^® Workspace Interiors has years of experience working with school districts to create spaces tailored for their specific needs.

All content provided herein is for educational purposes only. It is provided “as is” and neither the author nor publisher warrants the accuracy of the information provided, nor do they assume any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.

All content provided herein is for educational purposes only. It is provided “as is” and neither the author nor publisher warrant the accuracy of the information provided, nor do they assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.

Decommissioning Offices When Downsizing or Closing Workspaces