WHEN a business or organisation closes its doors for the last time, the premises will not be left to gather dust and fall into disrepair. Offices will be needed to be emptied with all traces of the busy workplace that once was cleared away and disposed of.

The scale of this task can be daunting for managers, even with those responsible for small to medium sized office. Furniture has to be removed, computers taken out and floors and walls cleaned.

Computers and IT equipment need special attention, it’s not just a case of throwing it all into a skip. Data protection legislation must be complied with and security issues need to be considered and acted upon.

First to go from a defunct office will be the furniture, which depending on condition can be sold on, refurbished for re-used or consigned to a skip. Desks, cupboards, shelves, etc, with their sold being solid and sturdy construction stand the best chance of finding a new home or lease of life. Chairs, subject to suitability on health and safety grounds, can be repaired or refurbished ready for use at the new location or elsewhere altogether.

A number of professional clearance firms are ready and waiting to help with a clear out. They can help with: Rubbish clearance, general disposal of waste materials and cleaning of premises. Some also offer valuation, data destruction and relocation services and, increasingly more frequently, recycling schemes.

Insurance is an important factor to consider. A number of firms are covered by Public Liability Insurance, which starts at a basic level but can be adjusted to a higher figure as needed. For larger premises, it is advisable to have a representative from a visit to assess the scale of the job, determine what has to do, estimate how long it could take and provide a quote.