Local service guide
Office relocation in Columbus, OH: Hiring and Setup
Plan office relocation in Columbus by hiring a mover against a written inventory, furniture placement plan and list of setup tasks. Confirm loading access at both buildings before choosing a date. Assign computer reconnection to a named person, and ask the electricity provider to confirm service at the new address. If Ohio Power Company serves your office, contact it about business service; its online start-service function serves residential customers. [3]
Specify the moving and setup work
List desks, chairs, cabinets, boxed files, printers and computers. Add photographs of furniture that needs dismantling and measurements for large items. Describe the floors, stairs, elevators, doorways and truck-to-door route at each building. Ask the mover to visit if those details leave questions about access.
Attach a floor plan with room names and desk labels. Name the person who will pack files, disconnect equipment, assemble furniture and remove packaging. Ask the mover to identify any other company it will use and the work that company will perform.
Write down how you will check completion. Specify assembled desks in assigned rooms, boxes beside the correct desks and packaging removed from walkways. Give your computer support person responsibility for backups, reconnection and testing, unless you have agreed on those tasks with another provider.
Compare written quotes for the same work
Request separate prices for transport, packing, furniture assembly, storage and equipment handling. Ask whether the mover offers a fixed price or charges for crew time, and record any minimum charge. Obtain written terms for waiting, extra truck trips, changes to the date and added work.
Ask for proof of insurance and the contract terms for damage to equipment, furniture and building surfaces. Read the exclusions, reporting deadlines and claim process before signing. Send the documents to both building managers and ask what else they require.
Base your budget on written bids and confirmed building or city charges. Ask each bidder to price furniture disposal and temporary storage as separate options if you have not decided whether you need them. Require your approval before the crew performs extra work that adds a charge.
Confirm loading access and public curb use
Ask both building managers about dock access, elevator reservations, permitted work hours and truck size limits. Record who will unlock doors and meet the crew. For proposed use of public parking spaces, a sidewalk or a street lane, describe the activity to Columbus Public Service and ask which permission applies.
The city's published Chapter 903 rules address construction-related right-of-way occupancy. They require occupancy applications at least three business days ahead and full street-closure applications at least ten business days ahead. Treat these as submission deadlines, not promises of approval. If your relocation includes renovation work, ask Public Service how the rules apply before booking the crew. [2]
For work covered by these rules that restricts city paid parking, the applicant pays the daily lost parking revenue for each space removed from use. The applicant must provide mobile-pay zone numbers, applicable meter numbers and the number of spaces requested. Ask who will arrange permission and pay the charges. [2]
Use the Columbus parking calculator for an initial estimate based on the proposed area and dates. The city warns that final costs may vary and that selected special zones may require additional closure or occupancy costs. Ask Public Service to confirm the charges rather than treating the calculator result as a final bill. [1]
Arrange electricity and computer setup
Ask the landlord which electricity provider serves the address and who holds the account. Ohio Power Company, formerly AEP Ohio, directs business customers to contact it because its online start-service function serves residential customers. Confirm the business account process and the requested start date with the utility. [3]
Arrange electricity at the old office through final packing and inspection with the landlord and utility. Confirm service at the destination before equipment arrives. Schedule internet installation with your provider and ask your computer support person to test the connection before staff return.
Agree on when staff must stop using shared equipment. Back up required files, label cables and photograph connections before packing. After delivery, test business phones, printers, shared files and the programs staff need for their first working day.
Check delivery before signing completion
Choose one person to approve furniture placement and record unfinished tasks. Photograph equipment and building surfaces before loading. At the destination, compare delivered items with the inventory and record damage or missing items with the crew leader.
Walk through the office with your placement plan before the crew leaves. Check furniture assembly, ask the crew to correct misplaced items and keep walkways clear. Record who will finish remaining work, the agreed date and any added charge before signing the completion record.
Selected Columbus right-of-way permit fees
Local details that affect your job
Contact the utility for business electricity
Ohio Power Company's start-service page limits the online start function to residential customers and directs business customers to contact the utility. It lists 800-672-2231 for help. If it serves your destination, confirm the account requirements and electricity start date before committing to computer setup. [3]
Check permission before ordering a curbside container
Columbus requires an occupancy permit for dumpsters or containers in the public right-of-way. For a container-only permit outside a larger construction project, the published rules limit placement to seven days unless the city approves a longer period in advance. Before ordering a container for unwanted furniture, assign permit responsibility and confirm its location and dates. [2]
Estimate parking charges for the actual address
The Columbus parking calculator lets you select an area and date range or enter values without drawing an area. The city labels the results as estimates and warns about additional costs in selected special zones. Give the person arranging curb access the proposed spaces and dates, then ask Public Service to confirm applicable charges. [1]
Choose the work to include in your quote
| Your situation | Work to request | Before accepting |
|---|---|---|
| Staff will handle computers | Furniture and box transport, protection and placement | Assign packing, furniture dismantling and delivery checks. |
| Desks need dismantling and rebuilding | Transport and specified furniture assembly | Attach photographs and identify who supplies any replacement parts. |
| Shared equipment needs reconnection | Equipment transport and separately assigned computer support | Agree on backups, handling instructions and tests. |
| Renovation work may occupy public curb space | An access plan checked with Columbus Public Service | Ask whether Chapter 903 applies; covered occupancy applications need at least three business days' advance submission. |
| The destination needs business electricity | Utility arrangements before computer setup | If Ohio Power Company serves the address, contact it about business service; its online start function serves residential customers. |
Your hiring checklist
- Send each bidder the same inventory, photographs and furniture placement plan.
- Record dock, elevator, stair and truck-access arrangements at both buildings.
- Assign someone to ask Public Service about proposed public curb use.
- Review insurance, damage-reporting deadlines and terms for added charges.
- Confirm electricity and internet arrangements before equipment setup.
- Back up business files and label equipment, cables and destination rooms.
- Agree on delivery checks and record who will finish outstanding work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does setup include connecting computers and printers?
Specify those tasks in the contract. Name who disconnects, transports, reconnects and tests each type of equipment. Ask your computer support person to review the plan and list the tests staff need before returning.
Does every office move need a Columbus occupancy permit?
The cited Chapter 903 rules address construction-related right-of-way occupancy and require permits for dumpsters or containers in the public right-of-way. They do not establish a permit requirement for every office move. Describe your proposed truck location, parking restrictions and any renovation work to Public Service and ask which permission applies. [2]
Can I start business electricity through the online form?
Ohio Power Company's cited page limits its online start-service function to residential customers and directs business customers to contact the utility. Confirm which provider serves the address, who holds the account and how to arrange business service. [3]
How should I budget for reserved curb space?
Identify the spaces and dates, then use the Columbus parking calculator for an estimate. For paid-parking restrictions covered by Chapter 903, the applicant pays lost parking revenue. Ask Public Service to confirm permit and parking charges before accepting those costs in your mover's quote. [1] [2]
Sources and scope
This guide combines the sources below with practical planning guidance. Figures apply to the stated geography and period; request a written quote for your property.