Server Room Refurbishment & Cleanup | Northstar IT
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SVC · 17 · Field

Maximise Performance with Server Room Refurbishment

Spaghetti patch cords, unlabelled jacks, a switch sitting on a phone book. We take it apart, label every cable, replace the gear that needs replacing, document the result, and hand you a binder.

Book a site walk What we do
// WHAT WE DELIVER

From hairball to handover binder.

Most server rooms grew one cable at a time over ten years. A clean rebuild costs less than people expect and pays for itself the first time a switch needs to be replaced under pressure.

// 01

Cable rebuild

Every cable terminated, tested, labelled at both ends. New patch cords in colour. Bundled and dressed.

  • CAT6
  • LABELLED
// 02

Rack tidy

Switches and patch panels stacked logically. Vertical and horizontal cable management. Rack rails levelled.

  • RACK
// 03

Gear refresh

Replace tired switches, dead UPSs, and any consumer router still in the rack. UniFi or Cisco depending on budget.

  • GEAR
// 04

Power and UPS

Sized correctly for the load. Battery runtime measured. PDUs labelled by circuit. Generator transfer tested if present.

  • UPS
// 05

Labelling and documentation

Port maps, IP scheme, VLANs, vendor contacts. Printed binder plus digital copy. Easy to find at 2 a.m.

  • BINDER
  • DIGITAL
// 06

Photos before and after

Hi-resolution photos before, during, and after. Yours to use for marketing or insurance. Most clients put the before/after on their staff wall.

  • PHOTOS
// HOW IT WORKS

From site walk to handover.

Most jobs are a one or two-day on-site rebuild after a one-day site walk. Cutover happens after-hours so the business does not feel it.

// STEP · 01

Site walk

Two-hour visit. Photos, port count, cable runs, power, ventilation. Quote inside 48 hours.

// STEP · 02

Quote and schedule

Fixed-price quote with a not-to-exceed cap. Scheduled around your business hours.

// STEP · 03

Pre-stage gear

Any new switches, patch panels, or UPSs arrive at our yard, get configured and tested before the on-site day.

// STEP · 04

Cutover

After hours or weekend. Old rack out, new rack in or rebuilt in place. Every cable verified, every port tested.

// STEP · 05

Handover

Binder, digital docs, walk-through with your IT lead, photos for marketing. We answer calls for the next thirty days.

// QUESTIONS

Things people ask us.

If your question is not here, ask. We answer email within a business day.

Do we need to buy all new gear?
Almost never. Usually one or two pieces are tired and the rest is fine. We tell you which is which.
Will the business be down?
We schedule the cutover after hours or on a weekend. Most clients lose zero business time.
Can you support the network after?
Yes, but not required. The rebuild stands on its own. If you want us on a managed contract afterward we will quote it.
Do you do structured cabling for new builds?
Yes. New office fit-outs, renovations, additions, any low-voltage cabling work in commercial or industrial spaces.
What about server rooms in remote locations?
We travel across BC, AB, and Yukon. Mileage and per diem are quoted up front.

Stop being scared of your network closet.

Book a site walk. Most jobs come back with a quote inside 48 hours and a scheduled rebuild within three weeks.

Book a site walk See our projects

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Frequently asked questions

What are the main steps in a server room refurbishment project?

Our process begins with a detailed audit of your current environment. We identify legacy hardware for decommissioning and map out a new layout for better airflow. The core work involves cable management using colour-coded patch leads, installing proper rack organisers, and deep cleaning to remove dust. We ensure every connection is documented and labelled, making future troubleshooting significantly faster for your IT staff or our helpdesk team.

Can a server room refurbishment help reduce energy costs?

Yes, a properly organised server room improves cooling efficiency. When cables block exhaust fans or intake vents, your air conditioning units must work harder to maintain safe temperatures. By clearing obstructions and optimising rack placement during a refurbishment, we facilitate better airflow. This reduces the strain on your HVAC systems and can lower monthly energy bills while extending the lifespan of expensive hardware like servers, switches, and UPS units.

How do you handle downtime during a server room cleanup?

We understand that your business needs to stay online. Northstar IT coordinates with your team to schedule refurbishment activities during low-impact windows, such as evenings or weekends. For critical systems, we can often perform a phased migration to ensure essential services remain available. Our goal is to complete the physical reorganisation with minimal disruption to your daily operations, providing a clear timeline before the project starts.

Is server room refurbishment available for remote locations?

Definitely. While we are based in Prince George, our technicians frequently travel to serve clients across British Columbia and the Yukon, including areas like Terrace, Smithers, and Whitehorse. We provide on-site refurbishment for remote industrial sites and regional offices. Our team arrives fully equipped with the necessary tools and materials to complete the job efficiently, ensuring your remote infrastructure meets the same high standards as a central head office.

Why is professional server room refurbishment better than DIY?

While an internal team can tidy cables, a professional server room refurbishment involves specialised knowledge of thermal dynamics and infrastructure standards. Our experts use industrial-grade cleaning tools that do not generate static, ensuring your sensitive hardware is protected. We also apply best practices in cable tension and bend radius, preventing signal loss or physical damage to fibre optics. By hiring Northstar IT, you ensure the job is done right the first time without risking accidental disconnects.