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Moving the Future of Science

Relocating a laboratory is perhaps the most delicate logistics operation in the moving industry. Unlike a standard office move, a lab relocation involves irreplaceable research, fragile glassware, hazardous materials, and sensitive precision instruments. A single misstep can compromise years of data or damage equipment worth millions of dollars. You cannot afford to treat this as a standard move.

 

Hollander Storage and Moving Company is pleased to provide your University, hospital, or business with expert laboratory relocation services. We understand the high stakes involved. Whether you are moving a small R&D startup to a new incubator or relocating an entire university science department, we have the specialized resources to handle it. We are your trusted partner, ensuring that your centrifuges, microscopes, and samples arrive at their destination in the exact same condition they left.

The Hollander Advantage

Specialized Expertise

We are not just movers; we are laboratory logistics specialists. We have the experience to handle the unique requirements of scientific environments. We understand the difference between moving a desk and moving a biosafety cabinet. Our crews are trained in the protocols of working within active hospital and research environments, ensuring safety and compliance at all times.  

Protection for High-Value Assets

We offer Replacement Value Coverage. We understand the financial value of your equipment, but we also respect the intrinsic value of your research. While insurance provides financial peace of mind, our operational goal is to ensure you never have to use it. We employ rigorous packing and handling standards to mitigate risk entirely.  

Air Ride and Climate Control

Vibration and temperature are the enemies of laboratory assets. We utilize air ride equipment for all lab moves. These specialized suspension systems absorb road shock, preventing calibration issues in sensitive optics and electronics. Furthermore, we offer climate control service to ensure that temperature-sensitive specimens and equipment are not exposed to extreme heat or cold during transport.  

Comprehensive Laboratory Services

The following is a list of some of the services we provide. We tailor these offerings to meet the specific protocols of your facility.

Planning and Coordination

Successful lab moves start with a strategy. We provide planning and coordination of laboratory relocation at both origin and destination. Our project managers work with your lab directors and facility managers to create a detailed move plan. We identify which equipment requires vendor decommissioning, which chemicals require specialized transport, and the exact sequence of the move to minimize downtime.  

Color Coded Tagging System

Organization is critical when moving thousands of small items. We utilize a color-coded tagging system designed for quick accurate placement of goods. Every beaker, box, and piece of equipment is tagged to correspond with a specific room or bench location at the new facility. This ensures that researchers can find their specific tools immediately upon arrival, allowing them to resume work faster.  

Professional Packing Services

Lab packing requires a higher level of skill. We provide professional packing service by experienced packing crews. We use high-grade packing materials to protect glassware and fragile instruments.

• Supply of packing materials: We provide specialized cartons, bubble wrap, and anti-static materials.
• Custom Crating: For larger or uniquely shaped equipment, we build custom crates to provide maximum protection.  

Equipment Handling and Delivery

We handle the heavy lifting of sensitive machinery. From mass spectrometers to freezers, we have the tools to move them safely.

• Transportation equipment: We use pallet jacks, lifts, and dollies designed for clean environments.
• New Equipment Services: If you are purchasing new gear for your new lab, we handle the transportation, inside delivery, and uncrating of new equipment. We can receive it at our warehouse, inspect it, and deliver it when your lab is ready.  

Post-Move Services

Our job ends when you are back up and running. We offer post-move services including re-arranging, unpacking, and carton/material removal. We clear away the debris so your team can focus on science, not recycling cardboard.  

SINCE 1888 HOLLANDER STORAGE & MOVING

SINCE 1888 HOLLANDER STORAGE & MOVING

Our Laboratory Moving Process

1. Discovery and Assessment

We conduct a site survey to inventory your lab. We identify hazardous materials (HazMat) that may require third-party specialists and flag high-value equipment that needs special handling.

2. The Move Plan

We develop a timeline. We coordinate with your team to determine what needs to be moved frozen, what needs to be moved ambient, and what requires power to be maintained (e.g., -80 freezers).

3. Packing and Labeling

Our crew arrives to pack non-essential items first. We apply the color-coded tags and create a manifest of every carton.

4. Specialized Transport

We load the items onto our air-ride trucks. We secure equipment using straps and padding to prevent shifting. We monitor the climate within the trailer if required.

5. Delivery and Placement

We offload at the destination. We place equipment exactly according to the floor plan. We unpack essentials and remove the trash.

Tips for a Successful Lab Move

Decommissioning Equipment

Contact the manufacturers of your sensitive equipment (like HPLC or NMR machines) early. They often need to come on-site to "decommission" (secure internal parts) the machine before we can move it to ensure your warranty remains valid.  

Manage Your Chemicals

Take inventory of your chemical stores. Dispose of expired or unneeded chemicals before the move. This significantly reduces the cost and regulatory burden of transporting hazardous materials.  

Backup Your Data

Before any computer or instrument with a hard drive is moved, ensure all research data is backed up to a secure server or cloud storage. Redundancy is your best defense against data loss.  

Fill out the form below for a fast, free estimate on your next move.

From the Best Laboratory Relocation Company

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Why Choose Hollander?

130+ Years of Experience
Weather-Ready
Transparent Pricing
Modern Fleet and Equipment
Post-Move Follow-Up

Hollander Storage u0026 Moving is proud to serve all of Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. Whether you’re moving within the city or to nearby areas, we’ve got you covered.

Areas We Serve Proudly

Andersonville

Bucktown

Edgewater 

Elk Grove Village

Evanston

Gold Coast 

Hyde Park 

Lakeview

Lincoln Park 

The Loop

Oak Park

Naperville
River North, Schaumburg, South Shore, Wicker Park and much more

No matter where you’re moving in the Chicagoland area, Hollander is here to help! 

Moving Chicagoland since 1888

Our Affiliations

THE REVIEWS

We treat customers as family

Hollander made our move process very easy Our crew, Marcus H, Alex P, Chris C, and Jack We’re on time! Very thorough! Extremely careful! I have moved quite a bit in my lifetime. Watching them work was a masters class in customer service and move efficiency.

Karl Dorn

Hollander treated us like family from the very first phone call. Their team relieved all our stress and handled our belongings with incredible care. They wrapped every piece of furniture and protected our floors. Truly the best movers in Chicago for local and long-distance needs. We would not trust anyone else with our home.

Northbrook, IL Resident

As a top-rated United agent, they made our move seamless. The crew was professional, affordable, and attentive to every detail. They arrived on time and finished ahead of schedule. Highly recommended for anyone needing a Chicago moving company that actually delivers on its promises.

Corporate Client

This experience was excellent. Our crew was on time, courteous, and very professional. They were clearly experienced … taking any and all measures to move our possessions carefully. Can’t say enough good things about our crew (Kyle, Supervisor; Vedale; Conner, and Turtle). Thank you for doing such a good job!

David Franson
+

years in the moving industry

/5

customer satisfaction ratings

+

successful moves and counting

/5

moving experience

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you move -80°C freezers with samples inside?

In many cases, yes. We can provide generator-powered trucks to keep freezers running during transport. However, for long distances or critical samples, we often recommend transferring samples to dry ice shippers to ensure temperature stability regardless of mechanical issues.

Do you handle chemical transport?

We coordinate the transport of chemicals. Depending on the class of materials, we may utilize our trained drivers or partner with specialized environmental transport companies to ensure full DOT compliance.

How do you protect microscopes?

Microscopes contain delicate optics. We typically transport them in their original hard cases if available. If not, we pack them using specialized cushioning techniques and transport them upright to prevent misalignment of the lenses.

Do you offer insurance?

Yes. We offer Replacement Value Coverage. This protects your investment in the unlikely event of damage. We recommend discussing the specific value of your equipment with your move coordinator to ensure coverage limits are adequate.

Can you move clean room equipment?

Yes. Our crews are trained in clean room protocols. We can utilize wiped-down equipment and follow gowning procedures to enter and exit sterile environments without introducing contaminants.

What is "Air Ride" equipment?

Air ride trucks utilize a suspension system based on compressed air bags rather than rigid steel springs. This provides a much smoother ride, significantly reducing the vibration transmitted to your cargo. This is standard for our lab moves.

Do you unpack everything?

We offer flexible options. We can perform a full unpack, placing items on benches, or a partial unpack where we place boxes on the correct tables for your staff to organize. We always handle the carton/material removal to keep your lab clean.

How far in advance should we plan?

Lab moves require extensive coordination. We recommend starting the planning process at least 3 to 6 months in advance, especially if there are complex equipment decommissioning requirements or hazardous materials involved.

Do you help with layout planning?

Yes. We assist with the planning and coordination at the destination. We can help validate that your large equipment will fit through the doors and into the designated spaces at the new facility.

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Start Your Lab Relocation

Call Hollander Storage and Moving, the laboratory relocation company that will handle the job with expert care. We are ready to support your next scientific breakthrough by ensuring your transition is seamless.

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