Setting up an office space isn’t cheap. One of the biggest expenses is renting out the space that will become the future home of your business. Thankfully, there are some excellent commercial real estate tips that you can use to get a better deal on that dream office space. Here’s what we’ve compiled for you.
1. Considering sharing office space: if you have your sights set on a massive office space that you really want to rent (but can’t afford the whole rent), here’s what you do:
Make sure that you have enough cash to cover one year of rent. Put out a ‘shared office space available’ ad. Find another business to share your office space with.
Sharing an office space isn’t unheard of, and it’s a great way to get the space you’ve always wanted without paying full price. But, do make sure that you have enough funds to cover one year of rent – just in case you can’t find someone to share your space right away.
2. Look for sublets: in our last post about moving your office, we talked about understanding your lease. Those that didn’t take the time to read through a lease completely may now be subletting office space. Ask your real estate agent if there are any sublet spaces for rent in your area.
3. Downsize: sure, a massive office with ceiling-high windows looks great, but do you really need that much space? A lot of businesses start off with much less space and make it big. Think about how much you really need – maybe that 600 square foot space isn’t so bad after all.
4. Consider outsourcing: maybe you can outsource a job or two. A ton of competent people work from home offices, and that means less space that you’ll have to create. Another idea is to allow some of your employees to work from home on certain days, so that you can share desk or floor space.
5. Look for towns seeking companies: a lot of town and cities want businesses to set up shop. Sometimes, you can get great discounts just for moving to a town or city that needs new business.
6. Don’t overlook odd spaces: okay, so that cheap rental space was once a car wash. Can you make it work? If you can get the space at a really good rate, think about what a great decorator and some paint can do. Many startups (like Apple) were built on much less.
7. Think about part-time space: some companies don’t need to rent out an office space full-time. Is there a company that you can work out a schedule with? Think along the lines of a timeshare here.
Creativity Helps
Some business owners take a designer along to look at office spaces. Why? It takes a lot of imagination to think about a space in creative terms. If you aren’t the imaginative type, that’s okay. Hire someone to look at spaces with you, give an opinion on the space (can it be transformed?), and offer up some helpful design tips. Maybe you can turn a really ugly space into something amazing – and cheap.
While all businesses would love to have an office out of Mad Men, the likelihood of that happening isn’t so huge at the start of a new business. As profits grow, you can weigh the pros and cons of spending more on office space, but you can really turn any small space into a great office space with just a bit of creativity. Keep your eye on the price of a space before negating a space due to the way that it looks. That’s the key to finding an office space on the cheap.
Getting Ready to Move
When you do find the best space for your business, you’ll need some help setting it all up. That’s where Exodus Moving and Storage comes in. We offer full service moving solutions for all of your office moving needs. We also have ample storage space in both Fort Collins and in Denver, so you can store anything that you can’t move. If you need help packing, we can do that too.
As soon as you see the right office space, you’ll know it – it’s kind of like walking into a home that you just know you are going to love! Keep the above tips in mind, and give us a call for a free moving estimates or storage rental space prices.
Moving from a large home to a smaller place takes some skill. But, there are plenty of smaller homes out there that come with lots of coziness, room for everything, and no trace of clutter. How do people that live in small spaces make it work? Here are some of our best tips.
1. Think up! Instead of buying cabinets and bureaus that sit on the floor, buy shelves and tables that can be attached to the wall. You can purchase large or small shelves that can hold a lot of things well above the ground floor, and this will leave plenty of floor space for items that you need to store – without taking up space inside of a room.
2. Don’t bring everything with you. One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they move into a smaller space is that they try and bring everything with them. You can’t fit everything from a large home into a much smaller home, so start decluttering as soon as possible (preferably before you start packing!).
3. Get organized. Making sure everything has its place certainly has its merits. Buy storage containers for everything that needs a place, label jars and boxes, and use shelf space wisely.
4. Select a few appliances. This tip really works when it comes to the kitchen area. If you are moving from a full kitchen to a galley kitchen (for example), you might not be able to take every kitchen appliance with you. Be selective about the appliances you do need and will use, and try to store other items out of the way (you can always dig those things out when you need them at a later time).
5. Hang lots of things. Again, this is a good kitchen tip. Adding a hanging rack to your kitchen means that you can hang utensils, pots, pans, and other items. A knife rack that includes a magnetic strip can hold your knives, so that you aren’t taking up valuable drawer space.
6. Find multi-tasking tools. If you see an item that can double as something else (a bathroom hook that’s also a clothes hanger for wet clothes, for example), buy it. If one tool can turn into two or three tools, that’s a lot of extra space that you’ll soon have!
7. Rent out a storage space. Sometimes, you just can’t fit all of that furniture into a new home. If you don’t want to part with an item or two, consider renting out a storage space where you can keep a few things until you will need them again (or have room for those items once again). We offer storage spaces in both Denver and Fort Collins if you are looking for something close to your new home.
8. Downsize. Is your office desk huge? Get a smaller desk. Do you have night tables that take up too much room in your new bedroom? Buy tables or shelves that attach to the wall. Is your bed too big for your new bedroom? Get a smaller bed. You can sell the old things that you will no longer need, and buy new things that make more sense in a smaller space. Once you get used to the new size, you’ll see that it’s much easier to live in a space that’s not crowded.
9. Color coordinate. This one is more of a design tip, but it’s one that works very well in smaller spaces. Choose a color that you love (like turquoise), and buy small items in that color for every room in your home. For example, you may have a turquoise appliance in yoru kitchen, and a small turquoise pillow on your couch. Color can make a home seem more uniform, and that will make the space seem bigger.
10. Choose the right furniture. Even if you love that oversized sectional, it might not fit your new living room. Find furniture that really fits the shape and size of your new home, and you’ll find a lot more space.
CC Image of Courtesy of Emdot
If you need help moving into your new place, give us a call. We offer a full moving service as a moving company that has been working in the Fort Collins and Denver area for many years. We also have affordable storage spaces in different sizes for all of your needs. Call us for free moving estimates today. And, remember, moving into a smaller home can be really refreshing – you just have to make it all work!
Graduation is approaching quickly. More often than not, graduating from college means getting a permanent job, and probably some roommates – especially if you plan on living in a busy and expensive city. Living with friends can be a lot of fun, but setting some serious ground rules is vital to a long lasting friendship (and rent being paid on time!). Take it from us, a full-service moving company; you’ll want to show each of your roommates the following tips.
1. Make sure that rent is in before the end of the month. Everyone should agree to a specific date each month when rent will be collected. This date should be in advance of the actual due date set forth by your landlord. This way, you won’t be scrambling to gather rent at the last minute.
2. Make a chore chart. Who’s going to take out the garbage, and who’s going to make dinner? Things will be a lot simpler if you create a chore chart that everyone agrees to.
3. Create time rules. Make sure that nobody will be knocking on your house door at midnight, or find some other time that works for everyone. Setting some visitor guidelines is a good idea.
4. Decide how you will split other bills. In addition to rent, there are lots of other bills to think about including electricity, air or heat, grocery bills, and anything else that is part of the overall home expenditure.
5. Don’t eat each other’s food! It can be tempting just to grab your roommate’s yogurts when you’re out of food, but don’t do it! Set up some kind of policy in-home that prevents people from taking food that wasn’t purchased for by that person.
6. Have fun! With work, stress, and other duties, it can be hard to remember to have fun with your friends, but isn’t that the point of living with your friends? Try to remember to spend some time with your buddies, and don’t let work get in the way of having lots of fun.
Making It All Work
Some of the best memories you’ll have will come from your time spent living with friends. The trick is to make sure that all of the rules are laid out and agreed on before you start to live together. This way, there won’t be any disputing a rule that everyone has agreed to, and it will simply make your life a lot easier. The hardest part is, actually, creating rules that everyone does agree to. Once that’s done, the only other thing that you’ll have to do as a group is move into your new home!
When it comes to moving, you have two options. You can hire professional movers or you can move things by getting your friends to help. Really, though, it’s a lot more fun to let movers handle the heavy lifting, so that you and your friends can check out your new town. Plus, hiring movers means not breaking anything and not throwing out your back (two really good reasons to with the professional mover option, right?). It’s also a good idea to think about whether or not you really need to bring all of those extra things with you. If you find that you have a lot of stuff, and no real room, storage space is probably a good option. At Exodus Moving and Storage, we offer storage rental spaces in both Denver and Fort Collins, so you can leave your stuff behind if you don’t need it. The choice is yours, but trying to cram furniture from multiple apartments or dorm rooms into one place can be tricky!
We know that you’re on a budget too, so give us a call today and we’ll set you up with moving estimates. We may even have a tip or two for you too, so give us a call. What are your ideas for living successfully with roommates?
I think that the general consensus is that everybody likes to save money. Money is used to purchase things, and if you spend too much of it on an individual object, then you don’t have enough to go around. However, there is such a thing unfortunately in the moving industry, as well as every other industry for that matter, as too low of a quote. I know, it may seem a little bit hard to grasp, but if someone gives you a quote that is ridiculously low especially for the distance that you will need to be traveling, then it might be a scam and you should take heed of that feeling.
Moving estimates are something that are usually pretty rock-solid because they have to take into account the distance they need to travel, the gaskets going to be used, and the time that is going to be spent by the people who are helping you move. It’s really pretty easy to figure out exactly how much money you are going to be spending to help an individual customer move. However, some fake businesses can be set up and set themselves at ridiculously low prices that would put them in the red simply to get a hold of your stuff. Now, don’t get me wrong. Sales do happen and prices fluctuate. Sometimes you’ll find a really good price for moving that seems to be almost borderline in the red. Businesses can do this to try to generate business and it’s not exactly a rare occurrence. However, if you see something that is blatantly too low for what you think standard price would be for even the fuel to get you to your next home, look elsewhere. They will probably try anything to get your attention but you just need to walk away.
Unfortunately scams are everywhere. There seems to be an innate desire within some people to try to steal as much as they can from other individuals without getting caught. Maybe it’s a thrill issue, or maybe it’s something to do with something that happened in their childhood. I’m not going to get off Freudian on you here, but there is something wrong with the individuals who create these sorts of programs. Sometimes it’s possible to tell if these people are who they say they are when you meet them in person. A simple tech, or a slip of the tongue could give enough away to put you on edge. If you really don’t feel confident that accompanies there to help you, don’t hire them simple as that. It’s much better to be safe than sorry.
If there is one thing I have learned over the years, it’s that people who don’t shop around 10 to get ripped off. Granted, every company wants your business because that’s how they stay afloat, but you as a consumer need to be intelligent about how you decide which company to go with. Let’s take Exodus for example. It’s not likely that you’re going to find many full-service moving companies around in Fort Collins, but it is true that there are a few around the Denver area who could help you.
You would not be an intelligent consumer if you did not look around and find out which one had the best deals and which one had the best reviews. After all, the Internet has given us the ability to discuss our experiences with the world. Anyone who wants to listen, has the ability to read about almost any company. This means that as consumers we have never had more power over which company we choose to take, and anyone who does not exercise that power is seriously limiting themselves. Moving estimates for different areas can fluctuate wildly depending on the difficulty of moving into the home, and the drive there.
There are extenuating circumstances however where you want one company, but they don’t offer the best price. Something you can do about that is go and get the best moving company quote that you can, and then take it to the company that you want and see if they will honor that price as well. Or, if nothing else that they will bring their price closer to what you have in mind. Price matching in the moving company business is not an exact science, but it is something that some companies will do.
So don’t be afraid to ask if you can get your price lowered a little bit if you have an example of it being considerably lower on another company’s website. It’s little things like this that make people a smart consumer. Don’t let yourself be one of the people who gets ripped off, follow along with these very simple steps and don’t be afraid to speak your mind. People respect a person who speaks their mind about whatever they are thinking, so long as it’s not crazy hurtful.
If there’s one thing that you want to compare with other companies, it’s moving estimates. Moving can be one of the most expensive endeavors that you can encounter in your life, especially if this move takes you across the country. It’s highly recommended that instead of going with the first company that you come across, whether that is us or not, that you look around and see what other people have to offer. You can always ask if the company that you desire to have move you can price match with another company has offered. It’s not always going to work, but it’s always worth a shot. Not every moving company is going to have the ability to price match especially if they’re located in different places around the globe. If you need to move let’s say from New York to Los Angeles, it’s going to cost considerably more if you hire a company that’s located in Ohio for example. Not that you would really want to do that, but still.
Getting a free quote is something that you should definitely take into consideration as well. Some people don’t offer their quotes for free and we think this is a severely outdated method. They should not cost you money to figure out if you want to spend money with a certain company. Get our free quote, and then go compare us with other companies that you come across. Not only is this the wise business decision, but it allows you to get a better idea of what your expenditures are going to be. You will always go with the cheaper option, that’s just the way things are. However, before you decide that the cheapest option you’ve been able to find out there is the company you want, to make sure that they offer the services that you want as well.
Services are an extraordinarily important part of moving. If you hire a company who is cheap, but doesn’t offer the services that you’re going to need, than what was the point of the whole endeavor? Instead, do as we discussed above and see if the company that you know has all the services you want will price match what you found. You’ll keep it cheap as well as getting everything that you desired.
A moving company is generally defined as two guys and a truck who move your things to a new home. Now, you may feel like this isn’t the most complex of definitions, but it doesn’t have to be. Two guys who come to your home, help you move your things out, and help you drive them or get them ships to your new place is a great definition. After all, where would we be without it? A lot of people don’t know people who have trucks, which means that if they ever have to move they are up a creek without a paddle.
Moving companies like this one that provide you with 2 guys and a truck are exactly what these types of people need. So you can say that we are necessarily the end all be all of moving, but rather you could say we are a company whose willingness to help you move is of great benefit. And to think all of this is accomplished with two guys and a truck. It’s a rather astounding notion to be honest.
We can’t tell you how many times we’ve been thanked for the amount of help we’ve been in a person’s moving process. Helping them get their belongings into the correct rooms whether they’re heavy or not is only part of the things we do. The driving, the shipping, and anything else that needs to be done as far as moving belongings is concerned gives us a sense of fulfillment that we are unlikely to find anywhere else.
The only other place where we find this type of fulfillment is at your fully furnished home when you thank us for a job well done. So what do you say? Do you believe now that two guys and a truck can be one of the most beneficial things to your moving process? You should, because otherwise this blog has not done its job. If you haven’t hired us however, give us your consideration and you will find out exactly how effective we can be with just this small method.
In continuing with our partner spotlight, the following is from an interview we recently did with Mark Kruse explaining why he recommends Exodus Moving and Storage to all his clients.
What are the top things you look for in a Moving Company?
1) Reliability
2) Insurance- Safety
3) Services Offered- distance/storage
4) References
I usually find that people are worried that their things will be broken during a move. I had a client hire “random other movers” that had offered them a good rate. They told me that in the middle of the move the moving company actually held the clients belongings for ransom on the truck and tried to re-negotiate the contract before unloading. Another client hired a company that only got ¾ of their stuff across country. The client had gotten a cheap bid and taken it, only to find that the most valuable things such as art and antiques were never delivered.
I recommend Exodus because I know them so well. I really trust them and the work they do. They are easy to refer because I get so much positive feedback from my clients who use them which constantly turns out to be a win-win situation for everyone involved.
Why do you & Exodus Moving and Storage complement each other?
I feel that there are two things that set me apart as a realtor: my commitment to education and my extensive network of fantastic business referrals. I am huge into education. I want my clients who have already bought 7 other homes before to turn to me after buying one with my help and say “wow, no one has ever explained this to me so well.” I love informing and empowering people by making them understand the process. I enjoy giving useful neighborhood statistics, outlining the buying/selling process and answering questions anytime and every time. I truly believe there are no stupid questions. In this way people and their experience during the buying/selling is my main focus.
Exodus is also totally committed to people, which is why we work so well together. In my business, personal recommendations mean everything. I get phone calls about Exodus all the time. Joel comes over to provide an estimate and from then on everyone just raves about the entire process. They say things like, “Exodus did everything they said they would and made it all so easy.”
I had a client whose house was expected to sell in May or June during which time we were also expecting for her New Build Home to be completed. Instead, her property sold in April. She was concerned about beginning the move ASAP but continuing to have access to her stuff as she had 2 children under the age of 5. At my suggestion, she called Exodus and they came over to pick up the boxes she needed to store but didn’t want to move yet. They kept it all for her until they moved her into her newly finished home. She was so thankful for the great service, dependability and help that she has already recommended Exodus to a few of her friends.
I feel that the work I do is complimented by the work of Exodus Moving and Storage. Together we represent a full service, comprehensive purchase/sale & relocation experience.
At Exodus, we are proud to say that the feeling is very mutual! For more information about the fantastic work Mark does please visit his website at:
There is a reason we receive glowing recommendations from our customers over and over again. Not only do we care more about the little things during your move but we work harder to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Nobody likes moving. Regardless of the reason for the relocation, it is almost always a stress ridden process. But at Exodus, we take great pride in being the ones you can depend on from start to finish.
Complete Estimates
When we send someone to your home to do an estimate, we send a trained professional. A person with the right amount of experience knows what to look for, the right questions to ask and the kinds of things that should be considered. Every move is different which is why we focus on customized quotes that are comprehensive, personal and surprise free.
Teamwork & Positive Attitude
In the moving industry, it is common for large companies to outsource labor. This can help them to manage costs but can have an extremely negative effect on quality. Because our employees are on staff, we know them well. This creates accountability that is virtually unequalled in other moving and storage companies. They are trained by us and they know how to work together. We operate our business as a family and in turn our employees work together to make your move easier. We support them so that they can support you. And because we provide a happy place to work we find that the positive attitude spreads.
Work Ethic
Our hiring process is rigorous. We consider the background and future goals of every employee we select to represent us. Often, we hire ex-military because of their capacity for hard work. But as a general rule, we maintain extremely high standards when it comes to finding people that share our belief that hard work is a) important and b) should be rewarded. We believe in reciprocity and we employ those who think that any job worth doing should be done right.
The following is an excerpt from one of our latest “How Did We Do” Surveys:
Date of Move: May 23rd, 2011
Moving Crew: Javier, Donny & Richard
Client Name: Debbie
On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate the following?
Estimator 10
Office Staff 10
Overall Cost/Value 10
Moving Crew:
Friendly/Pleasant 10
Work Ethic Efficient 10
Overall Impression 10
Please Write any Comments or Suggestions:
We were very impressed with their attitude, very hardworking and great teamwork…Excellent Company!!!
Would you recommend to others? YES May we use you as a reference? YES
A few days ago, we received a comment card from one of our valued customers. And while this is not unique as we are in a constant state of collecting feedback in order to improve our business overall, we are always interested to see what comes back. Every day, with every customer we strive to do our best. We pay attention to every detail of the planning and execution of their move and we provide safe and secure storage for the extra things they can’t take along.
At Exodus, we are consistently involved in improving our community and in taking care of our employees. These values combined with our unmatched work ethic and core value of integrity make us an industry leader when it comes to Colorado moving and storage and beyond. During this often hectic and somewhat vulnerable time in our clients’ lives, we are passionate about relieving the stress. And because of this commitment, we want to know how they found each part of our service.
Estimator: We send a moving expert to your home or office to do a comprehensive accounting of what, how and where everything needs to be moved. With so much experience in the field and with honesty as our guiding professional policy, we don’t not under quote and we are careful to ask the right questions to make sure that there are no surprises.
Office Staff: Scheduling a move and filling out the corresponding paperwork can be a hassle if you don’t have the right team on your side. At Exodus, our administrative employees are detailed, helpful and proactive.
Overall Cost/Value: The old adage, “You get what you pay for,” is sometimes true. But we don’t believe that is any reason to gouge people. We consistently offer excellent service at fair prices.
Moving Crew: In our customer surveys we inquire about three main areas with reference to our moving crew. We ask if they are friendly/pleasant, about their work ethic/efficiency and for our customers overall impression of the crew itself. We realize that your things, whether in your home or business are valuable to you. For this reason and others we never outsource movers but rather send full-fledged employees to complete your move. We train them to work excellently, to work hard and to show you the kindness and respect that you deserve as one of our customers.
The following is an excerpt from one of our latest “How Did We Do” Surveys:
Date of Move: Mar 22nd 2011
Moving Crew: Javier and Carlos
Client Name: Mrs Spanger
On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate the following?
Estimator 10
Office Staff 10
Overall Cost/Value 10
Moving Crew:
Friendly/Pleasant 10
Work Ethic Efficient 10
Overall Impression 10
Please Write any Comments or Suggestions:
Everyone I dealt with for this move was helpful, responsive and polite. Everything arrived in great shape. Thanks!!
Would you recommend to others? YES May we use you as a reference? YES
After every move Exodus Moving & Storage completes, we will request your input about your moving experience with us. Continuous improvement is the hallmark of our success as a company and we are always anxious to get your feedback on how well we did our moving job.
Competitive and Accurate Estimates
The Cost of relocation is either based on weight or number of men and trucks needed as well as distance traveling. At no charge to you, one of our experienced and courteous Move Coordinators will review their move in great detail and provide you with an accurate move quote. Our Move Coordinator will also confirm requested pick-up and delivery dates.
Call Today
Have more questions about our employee relocation service?
We are happy to help! Please feel free to reach out.
Some of the best memories you’ll have will come from your time spent living with friends. The trick is to make sure that all of the rules are laid out and agreed on before you start to live together. This way, there won’t be any disputing a rule that everyone has agreed to, and it will simply make your life a lot easier. The hardest part is, actually, creating rules that everyone does agree to. Once that’s done, the only other thing that you’ll have to do as a group is move into your new home!
