Quick Answer: Mark clearly what goes vs. stays (tape markers or labels). Ensure elevator is booked if needed. Confirm after-hours access with building management. Have IT confirm all drives are wiped before electronics are removed. Document any items requiring special handling.
The Day-Before Checklist
Mark What Goes vs. What Stays
The biggest source of confusion in office cleanouts is unclear marking. Solutions:
- Green dot stickers on items going
- Red dot stickers on items staying
- Or vice versa — consistent throughout
- Photos of marked items shared with Junk Nurse
Without clear marking, crews must ask repeatedly, slowing the cleanout and risking errors.
Confirm Building Access
- Elevator reservation (freight elevator preferred)
- Loading dock or service entrance access
- Security notification
- Building management contact for issues
- After-hours codes or keys
IT Readiness
- Hard drives wiped or destroyed (corporate IT confirms)
- Servers powered down and prepared for transport
- Network equipment factory-reset
- Printer/copier hard drives addressed
- Sensitive paper documents shredded
COI Documentation
Confirm Junk Nurse has delivered COI to building management. Verify it names correct additional insureds.
Office cleanout scheduled? Call (630) 294-1340 with any prep questions. Mon–Sat, 7am–7pm.
The Day-Of Preparation
Clear Pathways
Hallways, exits, and elevator approaches should be clear for hand-trucks and carrying.
Stage Donations Separately
If donation routing matters, stage donation-eligible items in one room or area. Mark clearly. This helps Junk Nurse route correctly.
Identify Sensitive Items
Anything requiring special handling — branded items, items for return to leasing companies, items needing photography for inventory — flag for crew.
Final Walk-Through With Crew Lead
At arrival, walk through with the crew lead. Confirm:
- Scope of what goes
- Any items requiring special care
- Sequence preferences (some areas first, etc.)
- Final broom-clean expectations
Common Prep Mistakes
Unclear Marking
“Just look at it, you’ll know what to take” — never works. Mark explicitly.
Forgetting IT Readiness
Discovering hardware isn’t data-cleared during cleanout creates delays.
Missing Elevator Reservation
Building’s shared elevator gets booked. Confirm in advance.
No Building Manager Contact
If issues come up (access codes, security questions, building management requests), having a contact reachable matters.
For After-Hours Cleanouts
Building Access Procedures
- After-hours entry methods confirmed (keys, codes, escorted entry)
- Security notified of crew arrival
- Elevator codes if required after hours
- Lighting in work areas confirmed
Emergency Procedures
- Fire alarm protocols
- Building management emergency contact
- Crew lead phone for issues
For Multi-Day Projects
- End-of-day staging areas confirmed
- Continuity of building access across days
- Daily start times agreed
- Progress checkpoints scheduled
Documentation Prep
If you need specific documentation:
- Notify Junk Nurse during scheduling
- Specify documentation needs (chain of custody, donation receipts, sustainability data, etc.)
- Have intake forms ready if required
Coordinating With Other Vendors
If movers, IT vendors, document destruction, or contractors are working before or after:
- Confirm sequence with Junk Nurse
- Buffer time between vendors where possible
- Single point of contact for coordination
What to Have Ready for Crew Arrival
- Building access
- Marked scope
- Designated contact on-site
- Payment authorization confirmed
- Special instructions communicated
Got a commercial project? Call (630) 294-1340 or request a walkthrough. On-site quotes, COI provided. Mon–Sat, 7am–7pm.