Tips for a Successful Office Move
When relocating your office, it pays to be prepared. Business moving comes with challenging logistics beyond the scope of a typical residential move. These hurdles can include relocating current employees, bringing in new staff from out-of-state, and reducing downtime. These 10 tips will help make for an easier office move when dealing with an expiring lease, looking for a fresh start, or expanding your business.
1. Do Advanced Planning
Prepping is the key to any successful move, and offices are no exception. Create checklists, timelines and other productivity tools as soon as possible (4-6 months in advance, if possible).
2. Hire Movers Early
Plan to hire reputable office movers at least 1-3 months early. Most offices have a lot of equipment and furniture, so make sure whomever you go with is experienced and qualified in commercial moving. Ask for references from their previous clients just to be sure.
3. Label and Document Everything
If you want to enjoy a smooth transition with little downtime, know where everything is and properly label it all. Take photos, color code, mark/label packing boxes, and create inventory lists.
4. Purge Your Office
Your space has probably accumulated a lot of unnecessary items, especially if you’ve been at the same location for years. Donate or dispose of furniture, documents, and other disused items before you start packing the moving boxes.
5. Order New Office Equipment
While purging, you may realize you need some new office supplies. Order furniture and equipment in advance, preferably at least 1-3 months ahead of your move. Have these items delivered straight to your new address.
6. Time Your Logistics
When moving your business, try to schedule it for when things are slow. Provide timely notification to neighbors, clients, and employees. Make sure your movers have access to parking, loading docks, freight elevators and anything else to help speed up loading and unloading.
7. Give Employees and Clients a Buffer
Make sure to plan the last few days in your old office space without any major meetings or deadlines. No one wants to be scrambling around trying to meet unrealistic goals while the office equipment is being taken out of the building.
8. Purchase Insurance and Arrange Cleaning
If you don’t have insurance that covers your office move, you’ll want to jump on that. Once everything is packed and taken away, bring in a cleaning crew to bring your old space back to its former glory.
9. Prioritize Logical Moving
Arrange the order in which you move. For example, if you have an IT department, consider moving it first to ensure you are online on opening day.
10. Get Back to Business
Employees may find it hard to get into a work groove again. To combat this, ask your team to come in to the new office after your move. They can unpack their work items and get acclimated to the new location before you start things up again.
Instead of rushing, take your time and plan. This way, your company can make the best of this exciting time. When in need of business relocation services, contact Cheap Movers Minneapolis!