Need to relocate your office? Here’s how to prepare
Image by FABIANNE SIBBIO from Pixabay
Many business owners will have to move their office to a new location at some point – whether because they’re expanding and need more space or to be nearer to customers/suppliers. While this can seem like a daunting task, it doesn’t have to be if you follow these straightforward tips:
1. Hire a professional moving company
When it comes to moving your office, there are a lot of things to consider. You must think about packing up all your equipment and furniture, getting everything safely from point A to point B, and then unloading and setting everything back up again. It can be a lot of work, and things can quickly go wrong if you’re not prepared for it. That’s why many businesses hire Reliant Moving Services to help instead of trying to do everything themselves. Working with a professional mover saves you time and headaches, so you can focus on the more important things – running your business instead of relocating it.
Professional movers know how to pack your belongings securely, so they don’t get damaged in transit. They can handle the logistics of coordinating with other professionals, such as truck drivers and loading dock workers.
2. Coordinate with other professionals
Along with your moving company, there are several other professionals that you’ll need to work with to relocate your office successfully. Depending on the size and scope of your relocation, these may include:
- Electricians – This can also include disconnecting and reconnecting old wiring and creating electrical plans for your new space.
- Plumbers – In addition to hooking up your water supply, a plumber may also be needed if any gas lines are being moved
- IT professionals – If your office relies heavily on computers and other technology, you’ll need to work with an IT professional to create a plan for dealing with any internet outages or lost files during the move.
3. Use specialized packing supplies
When packing up an office for relocation, it’s essential to use the right supplies. Not only will this make the process go more smoothly, but it will also help to protect your belongings. Here are some tips on using specialized packing supplies:
- Use boxes that are specifically designed for shipping or moving. These boxes are made of heavier cardboard and specifically reinforced to handle the stress of being moved around.
- Use packing peanuts, bubble wrap, and other cushioning materials to protect your fragile items. If you’re packing many delicate things, it’s essential to use plenty of cushioning material between them so they don’t get damaged during transport.
- Label everything clearly. Labeling each box with a description of what’s inside can help you sort everything out more easily when it comes time to unpack.
4. Start packing early
Image by Mohammed Salem from Pixabay
Rather than trying to do everything the day before or even on moving day, it’s best to start packing up your office well in advance. This gives you plenty of time to organize your stuff and can help prevent last-minute stressors like scrambling for supplies or realizing that you don’t have enough boxes.
This might mean moving computers, printers, or other equipment essential to running your office smoothly. Moving these items first will ensure that they are set up and running in your new office immediately, without waiting for other things to be unpacked.
5. Set up a moving day plan
You also need to create a moving day plan. This can include tasks like updating your address and contact information with clients, arranging for someone to take over any responsibilities left behind during the move, and letting employees know where they should go on moving day.
Having a moving day plan for the actual move itself is also helpful. This might include assigning tasks or responsibilities to each team member, like packing up certain office areas, loading items into the truck, or organizing supplies once everything is loaded in.
6. Get permission to use the parking lot and elevator
If your office is located in a high-rise building or other space that requires access to an elevator, you’ll need to ensure that you have permission from management beforehand. This is especially important if you are using a moving company, as they will likely need to use the elevators to transport your items up and down between floors.
It’s also essential to ensure you have access to the parking lot on moving day. This will allow you to move items in and out of your office without having to deal with alternate parking or transportation.
When preparing for an office move, it’s important to use the right packing supplies, start early so that you have plenty of time to organize your things, and create a moving day plan to help ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. Whether working with a moving company or doing it alone, these tips can help make the process easier and less stressful.
