You’ve made the decision to move your small business. You’ve considered the expense, and for various reasons, it makes good financial sense to relocate.
Still, most people understandably dread moving, and moving a commercial business may be an even bigger hassle. Your goal is to limit downtime and make the move as seamless as possible for customers and employees.
Following the moving tips below from an experienced Kansas City commercial moving company can help you make the transition easier for your small business.
Plan, Plan, Plan
Create a strategic plan in place well in advance of the move. Consider all of the possibilities at least 30 days in advance of the move. What equipment is essential for getting you and staff members back to work? Core equipment such as telephones, computers, and employee desks should be the primary focus; the rest can come later. Your small business can be back in business before the entire office is moved.
What Can the Commercial Moving Company Pack and Move?
Find out what equipment cannot be moved by a commercial moving company. Many business owners fail to think about these “little details.” If you lease a copier, the company you lease it from will have to move it. Most companies that lease equipment do not allow it to be moved by anyone other than their own company.
Have employees pack up personal items such as family photos, coffee mugs, snacks, and other items inside desk drawers and on top shelves or desktops. Make sure all of these items are packed up before the movers come to move furniture, file cabinets, and especially desks.
Will the commercial moving company be packing for you? Keep these often forgot tips in mind: remove food/perishable items from the refrigerator, be sure to empty trash cans, wrap computers and monitors individually for protection, and wrap your other equipment for protection if the moving company does not provide this service.
Donate office supplies or equipment you no longer use/need. Why move PCs, printers, copiers, or furniture that either is inoperable or that you no longer use? Consider donating these items to a registered charity—you may get a tax break!
If you have cubicles and they are moving with you, break them down prior to the move. Check to see whether your mover provides this service, so that you will know if you need to take care of it yourself.
In the process of moving heavy office equipment, computers, desks, and other furnishings, floors, walls, and doors can get damaged. Ask your commercial moving company if it provides protection for flooring and walls, or if you need to protect walls, doors, and floors from dings and nicks yourself.
We’re Moving!
Notify everyone you conduct business with of your move. That includes service providers (electric, water, Internet), vendors (office supplies, equipment, coffee services) and customers. To be on the safe side, notify all your connections at least twice, preferably about 60 days prior to your move so they can get their records changed. If feasible, have an employee contact everyone by phone as a follow up to notification letters sent out or emails. Also inform the post office of your move.
Timing Is Everything
If you are leasing a new office, find out the best times/hours for moving. Many leasing companies require that new tenants move in after business hours, or on weekends. This is particularly true if the building you are moving into contains multiple offices/companies such as executive suites often do. In addition, check with the leasing company regarding what type of insurance protection waivers the movers may need.
Moving your small business can be stressful, however there are many things you can do to make the process easier, and to get your staff back to work without a significant loss in production. Hiring a reputable and trusted commercial moving company is the first step in the right direction.
