Resources to help keep your world moving

Houston, TX, is experiencing a culinary boom, with its dynamic neighborhoods becoming hotspots for food enthusiasts and trendsetters alike. Among these, Montrose stands out as a prime example, known for its vibrant blend of innovative restaurants, bustling bars, and eclectic shops. As Montrose invests heavily in expanding its food scene, restaurant and hotel owners in the area recognize the importance of creating a unique and inviting atmosphere for their guests. This is where FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment) becomes essential. What does FF&E stand for? FF&E refers to movable furniture, fixtures, and other equipment not permanently connected to a building's structure. In a restaurant, this includes everything from the tables and chairs your guests use to the kitchen equipment your chefs rely on to prepare delicious food. FF&E, as part of your tangible assets, is the backbone of your restaurant's daily operations. What Does Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment Include? Furniture:...

Moving a business is far more complex than a residential move. Unlike your home belongings, office equipment requires specialized handling to ensure a smooth relocation. This is where a professional moving company with the expertise, equipment, and manpower comes in. In this article, we'll guide you through the key features to look for when hiring a moving company in Houston, TX so that you can find the perfect partner for ease the stress of office relocation. Look For Commercial Moving Services Commercial moving services are specialized services designed to handle the unique requirements of office, corporate headquarters, and other business relocations, often involving complex logistics, delicate technology, and the need to minimize disruptions to your daily operations. Unlike residential moves, commercial moving often involves: Disassembly and Reassembly of Furniture: Professional movers can dismantle office furniture like desks, cubicles, and conference tables, ensuring safe transport and efficient reassembly at the new...

When COVID-19 hit the United States, healthcare institutions had to quickly adapt to new patient needs by temporarily transforming the design and layout of their care facilities. In addition to mitigating the risk of further spread by implementing social-distancing protocols, hospitals also limited entrances, constructed temporary walls to separate emergency-room patients and established alternate care sites at non-traditional facilities. With reported COVID-19 cases declining, many of these temporary layout changes in healthcare facilities are becoming permanent. Increasing the resilience of hospitals and care sites through responsive, adaptive design will be a priority for the U.S. now and in the future. Healthcare renovation and construction projects of varying sizes have already begun across the U.S. Here are four healthcare design trends that have become particularly prominent in reaction to the pandemic. Increased Surge Capacity At the height of the pandemic, hospitals quickly became overwhelmed by the influx of patients. In June...

Dust off those cubicles because United States offices are officially reopening. Around the country, CEOs are beginning to execute their highly-anticipated return-to-work plans — but it’s not all smooth sailing. Gallup found that fully remote work arrangements are decreasing from three in 10 remote-capable employees in June to only two in 10 for the foreseeable future. However, 34% of those employees want to work from home permanently, and six in 10 fully remote employees said they are “extremely likely to change companies” if their employers do not continue to offer remote flexibility. Eyes are on Houston for guidance as businesses nationwide strategize on the best compromise between fully remote and on-site work. Where Houston Stands in the Return-to-Office Debate As companies start plotting their returns to in-person work, some Houston companies have already begun filling their offices again. Houston has seen office occupancy levels around 58% compared with pre-pandemic levels,...

Houston is booming. In 2020, the metro area saw the highest number of new business applications in all of Texas, a more than 35% increase over 2019. In fact, Houston ranks among the top 20 metro areas in the United States for new business applications, outranking both Dallas and Austin. The area is seeing record growth in the service sector, with new hotels and restaurants popping up on seemingly every street corner. If you’re among those businesses looking to open a new location in Houston, or renovating or expanding your existing location, then you are most likely aware of the challenges that come with procuring and installing the furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) you need to get your operation up and running. If you are interested in learning more about what is FF&E and why its procurement is important. FF&E can make up a large portion of your budget, as...

For decades, Armstrong has been seamlessly moving companies to new locations across the city and the country. But Armstrong recently had the opportunity to experience a move from the perspective of a client. Driven by a growing client base and a changing supply chain, Armstrong – Houston began the process of transitioning into a larger facility that better meets customer needs. As Armstrong faced the unique opportunity to be its own client, the team was appreciative of the fresh perspective — one which makes continuous innovation possible — and reinforced commitment to easing the loads of partners. Here are four takeaways from navigating this relocation process internally. 1. While planning your move far in advance is ideal, sometimes your business has other plans. Though it is recommended that you prepare for your commercial relocations as soon as possible, growing businesses often have urgent needs and tight timelines. Armstrong – Houston...

After the pandemic forced workers to dust off or create their home offices, some employees are realizing that they don’t want to go back to the cubicle life. According to a survey by PwC, 83 percent of employers say the transition to remote work has been successful for their organization, and 55 percent of employees want to continue working from home at least three days a week. As employers prepare for permanent shifts to more flexible workplaces, many are beginning to downsize or decommission their offices — and seeing the hefty price tags that often accompany those processes. Decommissioning involves returning your space to its original condition, as stipulated by your contract. This may include removing all of your belongings and cleaning the floors. Depending on your lease agreement, failure to do so can result in a heap of unnecessary costs. The fees for your agent and legal support, as...

The Armstrong Company - Houston is no stranger to jumping in on jobs of all scales that require a variety of skills. We’ve helped clients move extremely fragile, valuable items across state lines and oceans. When it comes to relocating items of historical and cultural significance, we know how to treat these jobs with the utmost care, professionalism and attention to detail. So, when the Lone Star Flight Museum asked for Armstrong’s help relocating irreplaceable items tied to the history of aerospace, we were ready and eager to help. The Lone Star Flight Museum is located in Houston, Texas. It’s an aerospace museum that houses artifacts and collections related to the history of flight and more than 20 historically significant aircraft. This museum is home to some of the most scientifically important items that America has contributed to flight. Our Role and Challenges In early 2017, the Lone Star Flight...