The task of relocating your business can seem overwhelming at the start. Every business owner knows that, somehow, they need to complete the move as fast and efficiently as possible so that they can get back into full operation and continue to provide for their customers. Here are seven of the best tips to relocating your business office.
- Evaluate Your Business
Conduct a thorough analysis of every part of your business office. This gives owners the opportunity to decide what needs to be moved, in what order, and where it all needs to end up in the new location. Certain items, such as various infrequently used furniture and items in storage, can be moved sooner than others. Equipment necessary for day to day operations will have to stay in place until the day of the move. Be sure that all your employees know the moving plans between six and four months prior to moving day. This gives everyone a chance to plan and prepare for the change in their own department and personal office space.
- Make To-Do Lists
When it comes to moving your business efficiently, a to-do list for every stage of the process will help you make sure that no major tasks are forgotten or overlooked. Start by creating multiple lists for each major step in the moving process. You’ll need separate lists for each stage prior to the move. We recommend lists for three months, two months, one month, two weeks, and one week before the move, and, of course, a list for the day of the move. Not only will this step help you break down the long list of to-dos into smaller, more manageable steps, but it will also help you make sure that all major, time-sensitive tasks are dealt with long before moving day rolls around.
- Hire Professional Movers
Hiring a professional business moving company promises many great benefits. Most professional movers, are licensed and insured, making them liable for any of your equipment that might be broken or damaged. They also provide their own trucks, equipment and moving team so that you don’t have to worry about collecting workers or supplies on your own.
- Embrace Efficiency
Many movers today recommend that business owners take advantage of any tools that will make moving their offices more efficient and organized. The use of plastic boxes to replace cardboard can make packing and unloading less of a hassle. Appropriately labeling boxes to describe their contents or location will ensure that materials end up where they belong. By embracing these additional organisational strategies, business owners can discover that moving their offices is not as intimidating as it seems.
- Margin To Purge
It can be very frustrating to learn that you underestimated the amount of space needed to transport your furniture and materials. If owners do not leave themselves enough time to clean out and organize their offices, they can quickly end up paying more than anticipated to pack and transport these additional files and supplies. Take a few days to spend time purging the office of anything useless, old, or obsolete. Shred up irrelevant files, empty old drawers, and donate outdated equipment and furniture to a local charity. Leaving time to clean out your old office can help give your new office a facelift and save money on transportation fees.
- Update Vendors
Between one and three months before your move, be sure to get in touch with all of your vendors and providers to let them know your anticipated change of location. Adjust your shipping and billing addresses promptly so that there is no confusion or lost mail.
- Inform Customers
When the new location is confirmed and you are ready to begin making moving preparations, it’s time to inform your customers. Leave announcements throughout your office and on your website to give customers a heads-up about your location change.Take time to update your business cards, online profiles, and website with the address to your new office. Don’t forget to let customers know when your business will be temporarily unavailable, and when you expect to be operational again. Make it easy for your current customers to stay in touch with you, despite your upcoming relocation!
