Moving an office, whether you’re scaling to a bigger location or moving somewhere closer to your customers, is an exciting time for the business. But it can be just as involved and stressful as a residential move, if not more so. To help minimize company downtime and to allow you to operate a lot more efficiently, here’s how to handle the move to a new office space.
Plan ahead of time
The planning process needs to start as soon as possible. Don’t improvise, start by identifying your moving date, what you need to move, and who will be available. Start delegating tasks now, figuring out who will do what and when. You can start packing smaller objects now, too, so your team isn’t hurriedly packing away pens on the morning of the move.
Find the best professional team to help
The right move brings a lot more than more pairs of hands. They bring equipment such as trolleys and floor protection that can make the process much more efficient. However, don’t just go for any moving company. Ensure that they specialize in commercial and office moving, like Exodus Moving. That way you can ensure they’re aware of your needs and the best ways to address them.
Ensure your employees do their part
Every employee should be responsible for their working space and their own desk. By boxing up and moving their own possessions, even using their own cars to help set themselves up on their first day in the new place, it can reduce how much of the movers’ time and vehicle space you have to use.
Arrange your tech needs in advance
IT is at the heart of most modern businesses, and depending on how your business uses it, you may need to carefully consider your plan for moving it. Hardware, such as computers, keyboards, and the like, is portable enough to carefully pack up, ensuring you have the right materials. For servers, networks, and phone systems, an IT support business may also be necessary. Work with your IT department to learn everything you need to move and plan that in advance, as well. Try to arrange it so that your IT arrives in the new workspace after the rest of the office equipment and furniture, so that you’re not trying to move it all at once.
Prepare for the address change
Begin by updating documents, marketing materials, websites, and online listings with the new address ahead of time. Know who you need to inform, from clients to service providers and vendors, of the change so they expect it.
Stay organized
Start boxing things early, starting with equipment and items that you no longer need. As you pack, use color-coded post-its or stickers to make it easier to quickly identify where boxes need to go and label furniture so that movers can ensure it ends up in the right place, as well. Keep a checklist or spreadsheet that helps you identify the boxes by location and number, as well as unboxed equipment and furniture, so you can rest assured you’re not missing anything
Organize early, keep your needs in mind and moving to a new office space doesn’t need to be as stressful as many business owners find it. Get in touch with a professional team like Exodus Moving today so you can get the best out of your move.