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Offices need to be cleared on a regular basis – either because the business is expanding or downsizing or because the workplace is being refurbished. A lot of this applies to residential house clearances too, as homeowners move to somewhere bigger or smaller, or undertake a big renovation project. However, there are some subtle differences between the two.
At ASAP Clearances, we should know – because we are as equally experienced at carrying out an office clearance in Potters Bar as we are a house clearance in Muswell Hill. Here we outline some of the key differences between the two types of operation.
The Higher Volumes
With an office clearance, you are usually dealing with a much higher volume of items. This is because, generally speaking, businesses tend to have a much greater number of occupants as well as visitors.
Also, many offices are on multiple floors, so access has to be considered – is it via stairs or a lift? – as well as more or larger rooms to clear. Both of these impact on the time it takes for any business premises to be cleared, although proper preparation will help to reduce this.
The Different Types of Waste
You aren’t going to get much in the way of domestic furniture to clear from an office clearance; at least, not when it comes to beds and (to a lesser extent) armchairs and sofas. Instead, you will find there are plenty of desks and hard-backed chairs, filing cabinets and suchlike. There may also be quite a lot of electronic waste, such as computers and printers that aren’t needed any more, which may need specialist handling.
And, if it's a complete clearance (for instance, the premises are being prepared for a new or different company, or a complete change of use), then some of the fixtures and fittings might have to go as well. So removing air conditioning units, light fixtures and floor coverings could all form part of the clearance wok.
The Regulatory Compliance
If there is a lot of electronic waste, then the WEEE Directive may kick in – the Waste, Electrical and Electronic Equipment directive. Although this is European legislation, it still applies in the UK and sets targets for countries (and businesses and manufacturers) to reduce the amount of electronic waste they produce.
This means you can’t just assume it will be destroyed or sent to landfill – everyone has a responsibility to recycle or reuse it. There may also be data protection issues if there are old computers to dispose of as all personal data needs to be deleted.
And under the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974, and the Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers have a duty of care to their staff, and this includes identifying any hazards in the workplace and carrying out risk assessments, which obviously is not applicable in domestic clearances.
So sometimes clearances may be necessary to clear up paperwork, old equipment, and general clutter that may be creating trip hazards, blocking fire exits, and accumulating dust and germs.
The Time Pressures
There will be pressure to complete the clearance quickly – although for slightly different reasons. While house clearances may be urgent due to the need to sell the home (possibly it may be a probate clearance), office clearances may also be time-critical as a new tenant may want to move in – in business time is money, and companies cannot afford to be out of action for long. Equally, office clearances may also need to be scheduled out of business hours to minimise disruption.
Office Clearances in Potters Bar from ASAP Clearances
At ASAP Clearances, as our name implies, we can carry out office (and domestic) clearances quickly, efficiently, and in compliance with all the regulations – being a Licensed Waste Carrier.
As far as possible, we recycle and donate items to individuals and charity shops, so you can be sure that many of your old items will find new homes. The same applies to our home clearing services (including probate clearances), which we offer across north London.
To get in touch, call us on 020 3475 0508 or follow this link and fill in the online form.