Moving, in general, is stressful, but it can be ten times worse when you’re moving an office. That’s because of the time limit. After all, you can’t realistically shut down the whole office for a week to put your plans into motion. You only have a limited window before your relocation starts to eat into your bottom line, so you need to move fast.
Whatever your reasons are to relocate, here are some tips to help you accommodate your move and combat costly downtime.
Plan in Advance
There’s no such thing as being too prepared when it comes to an office relocation. Time gives you a cushion to get through your to-do list without the added pressure of a countdown. You’ll make better decisions regarding your options when you aren’t packing against the clock, and you’ll have time to book the professionals before their schedule fills up.
Here are some of the tasks you’ll want to add to your list:
- Contacting vendors and clients about the upcoming move with the new address
- Communicating with staff and holding regular meetings about expectations
- Assigning tasks to upper management to help carry out your plans
- Figure out your budget
Shop Around
Having an experienced commercial mover on your side will help you prepare for your next move with confidence. The best commercial movers have helped thousands of offices relocate, which means you can trust them to know the ins and outs of this complicated experience.
Take advantage of your time cushion to speak with several commercial moving companies about the costs and logistics of your relocation. Compare rates and services to ensure you’re getting the best team at the best price.
Understand Your Building Policies
Unless you own the property you’re going to be moving to, your new HQ will likely have strict moving policies in place. The same goes for the current building you’ll be leaving. You’ll want to check your lease and get in touch with both buildings’ management teams to find out what their procedure is in advance of the big day.
Knowing these rules will help you and your commercial movers come up with a solid plan. Not only will you leave your building on good terms, but you’ll also avoid starting on the wrong foot with management. Better yet, you’ll save yourself any fines that may result from breaking these rules.
Find Work Alternatives
If you expect your move will take longer than you can afford to close your doors, research ways in which your staff can still work while your main HQ is out of commission. Working from home has never been more popular due to the pandemic, and it’s easy, not to mention cost-effective.
If that’s not possible, there are plenty of shared workspaces available to rent. Your staff may work in a temporary space while you sort out your move without worrying about downtime.
Bottom Line
A commercial move may be daunting at first, but like any big task, it’s easier when you take a step back and break it down into smaller, actionable steps. Give yourself time to go through these chores logically, and you’ll have an organized plan that will minimize downtime and protect your bottom line.
