Moving office phone booths and meeting pods: tips for dismantling, transport and reassembly
Sound-insulated phone booths and meeting pods are made up of panels, glass, seals and technical equipment. Careful planning, clear labels during dismantling and reassembly to the manufacturer's instructions help preserve the booth's sound insulation at its new location.
In short
- A soundproof office booth is not moved in one piece but taken apart and moved in sections.
- Whether a booth fits in the elevator depends on its largest single part, usually a wall panel or the glass door.
- For a booth to stay quiet after a move, its panels and seals must be reinstalled exactly as the assembly instructions specify.
- Hardwired electrical connections on a booth are a job for a qualified electrician, not for the moving crew.
Moving a phone booth: what needs to be settled beforehand?
Most of the work in a booth move happens before the first screw comes out. With the right documents and measurements, the crew, tools and time can be planned realistically.
1.Have the model and assembly instructions ready
The manufacturer, model and assembly instructions show the order of dismantling and reassembly, the required ceiling height and the parts list. If you don't have the instructions, ask the manufacturer for a copy.
2.The largest single part is what counts
The booth is moved in sections, so what matters is not its overall footprint but its largest single part, usually a wall panel or the glass door. You'll find the dimensions on the data sheet.
3.Measure the elevator, doors and hallways
Measure the elevator's interior and door width, check its rated load capacity, and measure doorways, hallways, the stairwell and any turns at both locations.
4.Don't guess the weight of panels and glass
Soundproof panels and glass elements are heavier than they look. The weights are listed on the data sheet; heavy parts need several people and the right moving equipment.
5.Check the ceiling height at the new location
To install the roof panel, you need some clearance above the booth. Suspended ceilings, light fixtures, sprinkler heads and ventilation ducts can get in the way. The minimum height is listed in the assembly instructions.
Building management, access and the new spot: what to arrange
Office buildings have their own rules. Knowing them early helps you avoid delays on moving day.
1.Bring building management in early
At both addresses, find out whether the freight elevator has to be reserved, at what times moves are allowed, how access works and where the truck can load and unload.
2.Consider scheduling outside business hours
If you want as little disruption to the office as possible, the booth move can also take place outside business hours; Paradiso Umzüge can dismantle and reassemble booths then, too, on request. Check with both building managers that the building and freight elevator are accessible at that time.
3.Ask about protection requirements
Many buildings require protection for the elevator car, walls and floors. Ask ahead of time what's needed so it's ready on moving day.
4.Choose and mark the new spot
The floor should be level, the spot marked out and an outlet within reach. That way the booth can be assembled right where it belongs.
5.Power: plug-in only
If the ventilation and lighting run on a standard plug, the moving crew can simply plug them back in. Hardwired connections, new outlets or work on the electrical panel are for a registered electrician.
Prepare an acoustic office booth for moving
Before moving day, confirm access routes, gather the manufacturer's documents and agree on the process. Remove personal items from the booth and plan dismantling and reassembly with the moving crew; keep integrated furniture modules assembled until then.
1.Remove personal items
Take laptops, personal belongings and loose cables out of the booth. Leave the booth, fixed components and integrated furniture modules assembled, and include them in the move plan with the crew.
2.Share the model and assembly guide
Note the manufacturer and model, then send the moving crew the assembly guide and technical data sheet. This lets the team plan dismantling and reassembly to the manufacturer's instructions.
3.Record the current condition
Photograph the booth from every side before the move and note any existing scratches, loose parts or damage. Share the photos with the crew so the condition is recorded before transport.
4.Point out delicate glass and seals
Show the crew any known damage, delicate glass surfaces or loose seals in advance. The parts can then be handled and reassembled for the specific model and instructions.
5.Plan technical connections in advance
Confirm which devices use plug-in connections and whether any electrical work is hard-wired. Arrange fixed electrical work with a qualified electrician.
6.Measure the access routes
Compare the largest booth parts with doors, corridors and lifts at both addresses. Send the crew the measurements from the technical data sheet and flag any access constraints in advance.
Reassembling a meeting pod: what matters after the move
The goal is a booth that is put together in the new location exactly as it was before: the same parts in the same places, with the same hardware.
1.Plan reassembly to the manufacturer's instructions
Have the assembly guide and your photos ready for reassembly. Afterwards, you can check with the crew that the booth is in the right position and all parts are in place.
2.Check everything after reassembly
After reassembly, check with the crew that the door closes properly, the seals sit in place, and the ventilation and lights work. Compare with your photos and note any open items.
3.Sound ratings come from the manufacturer
Only the manufacturer can state sound insulation values. If the booth seems less quiet after the move, check the seals and joints, and when in doubt, contact the manufacturer.
What happens to an old booth?
Not every booth makes the move. Deciding early saves you from scheduling an extra appointment around moving day.
1.Resell it or return it
Booths in good condition can often be resold. Some manufacturers offer a take-back option, so it's worth asking.
2.Request disposal early
If you want the booth taken away as bulky waste, mention it when you request your quote. That way, removal can be planned in from the start.
Common mistakes
Trying to move the booth in one piece. Assembled booths aren't designed to go through doorways and lifts. Pushing or tipping them risks damage to the frame, glass and seals.
Not measuring the elevator and ceiling height. Finding out on moving day that a wall panel won't fit in the elevator, or that the roof can't be installed, costs valuable time.
Taking it apart without labeling. Without numbers and photos, reassembly turns into a puzzle and parts end up in the wrong place.
Throwing all the screws into one box. Different pieces of hardware often look alike. Labeled bags for each component save a lot of time during reassembly.
Crushing or losing seals. A misaligned or missing seal lets sound through the gap, and the booth becomes noticeably less quiet.
Telling building management too late. If the freight elevator is booked or moves are only allowed at certain times, the crew ends up waiting outside.
Expecting electrical work on the side. Hardwired connections or new outlets belong in the hands of a qualified electrician and should be planned separately.
Checklist before moving day
- Have the booth's manufacturer, model and assembly instructions on hand.
- Note the dimensions and weight of the largest single part from the data sheet.
- Measure the elevator (interior, door, load capacity), doorways, hallways and stairwell at both locations.
- Compare the ceiling height at the new location with the minimum height in the instructions.
- Confirm the freight elevator, access hours, loading zone and protection requirements with both building managers.
- Photograph the booth from every side.
- Remove laptops, personal belongings and loose cables; leave integrated furniture modules and booth components assembled for the moving crew.
- Mark the new spot and make sure there's an outlet within reach.
- If hardwired power is needed, plan it separately with a qualified electrician.
- Decide what happens to any old booth and mention it in your quote request.
- Request a quote with the model, dimensions, photos and floor details.
Frequently asked questions
Can we take apart and move a phone booth ourselves?
With the instructions, the right tools and enough people, it's possible, but risky: glass and panels are heavy, and damaged or poorly fitted seals reduce sound insulation. That's why many companies hire a moving company for dismantling, transport and reassembly.
Will a meeting pod fit in the elevator?
The pod is moved in sections. What matters is the largest part, usually a wall panel or the glass door. Compare the elevator's interior dimensions, door and load capacity with the details on the data sheet.
What information does a moving company need for a quote?
The manufacturer and model, outside dimensions, photos from every side, ideally the assembly instructions, and the floor, elevator and access situation at both locations.
Can a booth be moved outside business hours?
Yes. Paradiso Umzüge also dismantles and reassembles office, meeting and phone booths outside business hours, so there is less disruption to day-to-day office operations. Check with both building managers ahead of time that the building and freight elevator are accessible at that time.
Will the booth be just as quiet after the move?
It should be, as long as the panels, door and seals are reinstalled exactly as the assembly instructions specify. Sound insulation values, however, can only be provided by the manufacturer.
Will the booth be reconnected to power at the new location?
If the ventilation and lighting run on a standard plug, they can simply be plugged back in. Hardwired connections or new outlets are a job for a qualified electrician.
What should I do with an old booth that isn't coming along?
You can resell it, ask the manufacturer about a take-back option, or have it taken away as bulky waste. It's best to mention this right when you request your quote.
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