Office moves are rarely as simple as moving desks from one building to another. Most businesses also need to move filing cabinets, office chairs, IT equipment, archive boxes, meeting room furniture, storage units, display materials and sometimes years of business records. If the new premises are not ready, or the move is being completed in stages, those items may also need to go into storage before being delivered back.
This is where containerised storage can make a real difference. By reducing how often goods are handled, containerised storage helps lower the risk of scratches, dents, breakages, misplaced items and unnecessary disruption during a business relocation.
At F Smith & Son, our commercial storage service is built around one simple principle: the less your goods are handled, the better protected they are.
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Why Damage Happens During Office Moves
Most damage during an office move happens during handling. It is not usually the time spent in storage that creates the biggest risk. It is the repeated lifting, carrying, loading, unloading, stacking and repositioning of goods.
Every extra handling stage creates another opportunity for something to be knocked, dropped, scratched or placed in the wrong position. This is especially important for business items such as:
- Desks and office chairs
- Filing cabinets and storage units
- Meeting room tables
- IT equipment and printers
- Archive boxes and business records
- Reception furniture
- Shop fittings, displays and commercial equipment
During a poorly planned storage move, goods may be handled several times. They may be loaded into a vehicle, unloaded into a warehouse, moved again inside the warehouse, reloaded when needed and then unloaded at the final destination. That level of movement increases both the risk of damage and the risk of items becoming separated.
Professional planning is one of the key ways to reduce these risks. The British Association of Removers provides guidance on choosing professional removals companies and understanding the importance of proper handling, planning and insurance when moving goods.
What Is Containerised Storage?
Containerised storage uses large wooden storage containers to hold your goods while they are in store. Instead of your furniture and equipment being unloaded loose into a warehouse, they are placed directly into a container. The container is then moved into the warehouse and stored securely.
For businesses, this can be especially useful because office contents often need to stay grouped together. For example, a department’s desks, chairs, filing cabinets and archive boxes can be loaded into containers and kept together until they are needed again.
You can see more about this service on our dedicated containerised storage page.
How Containerised Storage Works
The F Smith & Son containerised storage process is designed to reduce unnecessary handling from the start.
1. Goods are loaded directly into the container
When our team arrives at your premises, your goods are loaded directly into the storage container. The container sits inside the removal vehicle, with side doors open so items can be loaded safely and efficiently.
This is an important point. The goods are not first loaded loose into a lorry and then unloaded again into a storage container. They go straight into the container from the current property.
2. The container is transported to the warehouse
Once loaded, the container is transported to our storage warehouse. Your goods stay inside the same container during this stage.
3. The container is moved by forklift
At the warehouse, the container itself is moved using forklift handling equipment. This means the contents do not need to be unloaded and reloaded into the warehouse by hand.
4. Goods remain protected in store
Items remain inside the container while in storage. Furniture can be protected using professional transit blankets where appropriate.
5. The container is redelivered when required
When your business is ready, the container is transported to your new premises and the goods are unloaded into the correct locations as directed by you.
In simple terms, your goods are normally handled twice:
- Out of the current property and into the container
- Out of the container and into the new property
How Containerised Storage Reduces Damage
Reduced handling
The main benefit is reduced handling. Fewer handling stages mean fewer opportunities for accidental damage.
Goods stay together
Office contents can remain grouped by department, room or business function. This helps reduce confusion when items are redelivered.
Lower risk of knocks and scratches
Furniture is less likely to be damaged when it is not repeatedly moved around a warehouse or transferred between different storage spaces.
Better control during the move
Because the container is moved as a single unit using forklift handling, goods do not need to be repeatedly unloaded by hand at the warehouse.
Furniture protection while in store
Goods can be protected using professional removals blankets while in storage, helping to protect furniture surfaces and business equipment.
Continuous responsibility
F Smith & Son maintains responsibility for goods from collection through to delivery into our store, giving businesses greater reassurance during the process.
A Typical Office Move Scenario
A business in Croydon is moving to a larger office in South London. The old lease ends at the end of the month, but the new office is not ready because the fit-out has been delayed by four weeks.
The company needs to remove desks, chairs, filing cabinets, archive records and meeting room furniture from the current office, but it cannot yet place them into the new premises.
With containerised storage, F Smith & Son can collect the office contents, load them directly into storage containers, transport them to our warehouse and store them safely until the new office is ready.
When the new premises are available, the containers are returned and our team unloads the items into the correct rooms. The business avoids rushed decisions, temporary overcrowding and unnecessary double-handling.
Additional Benefits for Businesses
Useful during office refurbishments
Many businesses use containerised storage during refurbishments. Furniture, files and equipment can be removed from the workspace while contractors complete building works.
Helpful during delayed relocations
If a lease, completion date or fit-out is delayed, storage gives your business breathing space. You do not have to force goods into an unsuitable temporary location.
Can free up valuable office space
Some businesses use storage to avoid moving to larger premises too soon. Storing archive files, surplus furniture or seasonal equipment can make existing premises work harder.
Supports phased business moves
Not every move happens in one day. Containerised storage can help businesses relocate departments, floors or sites in stages.
Works alongside commercial removals
F Smith & Son can combine storage with office relocation, packing support and delivery planning, creating a more joined-up service for businesses.
When Should a Business Use Containerised Storage?
Containerised storage is particularly useful when your business needs secure temporary or long-term storage as part of a wider move, refurbishment or reorganisation.
It may be the right option if:
- Your new premises are not ready yet
- You are refurbishing an office, shop or commercial unit
- You need to store office furniture during a phased relocation
- You are reducing office clutter but do not want to dispose of assets
- You need archive or records storage
- You want storage with collection and delivery included
- You want to reduce handling during the move
For wider business storage support, visit our commercial storage page.
Why Choose F Smith & Son?
F Smith & Son has been helping people and businesses move since 1933. As a long-established removals and storage company based in Croydon, we support organisations across South London, Surrey and Kent.
Businesses choose us because we provide more than basic storage space. We offer a practical commercial storage service that can include collection, containerised storage, forklift handling, archive storage, packing materials and redelivery when required.
Our services include:
FAQs
Is containerised storage suitable for office furniture?
Yes. Containerised storage is well suited to office furniture such as desks, chairs, filing cabinets, meeting room tables, storage cupboards and reception furniture.
Can containerised storage be used during an office refurbishment?
Yes. It is often used during office refurbishments because it allows furniture and equipment to be removed from the workspace while works are carried out.
Does containerised storage reduce the risk of damage?
It can help reduce the risk because goods are handled fewer times. Items are loaded into the container, stored inside it and then unloaded when they are delivered to the final location.
Can F Smith & Son collect and redeliver our business items?
Yes. We provide collection and delivery as part of our commercial storage service, helping businesses avoid the need to arrange separate transport.
Can you store archive files and business records?
Yes. F Smith & Son provides archive storage and records management services for businesses that need secure storage for files and documents.
Conclusion
Containerised storage is one of the most effective ways to reduce unnecessary handling during an office move. By loading goods directly into storage containers, moving those containers by forklift and keeping items protected while in store, businesses can reduce risk and keep the relocation process more organised.
For businesses in Croydon, South London, Surrey and Kent, F Smith & Son provides a complete commercial storage service built around collection, containerised storage and redelivery.
If your business is planning a move, refurbishment or temporary storage project, contact F Smith & Son to discuss the safest and most practical way to protect your goods.