Easy Office Relocation Guide
Alright, the title of this post might not be fully accurate. An office relocation is rarely easy and even if you follow our tips, you will still probably have some hiccups and unplanned problems to deal with along the way. But we like to look on the bright side and that is what our tips below are themed around, making the most of your move.
To start with, what are you moving? Is it a small office or a big one, or somewhere in between? Unless it is just a few items for a sole trader business, we would always recommend using an office relocation company. They are much more likely to get all your equipment from office ‘a’ to office ‘b’ without breaking or losing anything. And lets face it, who wants to carry desks and cabinets around. The cost of hiring a truck and possible chiropractor appointments will more than likely be almost the same as paying someone else to do it, so outsource the heavy lifting.
When you move, it is also the ideal time to downsize or get rid of anything in your business that is not quite right. You might have been using old computers, have a couple of work out chairs you hope important clients don’t end up sitting at, or a table where the laminate is coming off. Maybe you just have a big chunky desk that seemed like a good idea at the time, but has been too big for your old office, and will be too big for your new one too. Well this is the perfect time to get rid of things you don’t really need or trade up to newer office furniture that might suit your business image more now that you are moving. We are not telling you to get a total office fitout, just replace or leave behind the things you never use or that annoy you at work.
Decluttering is another thing you should be thinking about. Do you need all those old files, coffee table magazines, printers that you are not sure work or not? Everything you move should really be packed in moving boxes to make it as easy and safe as possible for shifting, so if you don’t use it or appreciate it, leave it behind.
The next step is timing. For most businesses the old maxim, ‘time is money’ rings true. You want to get out of our old office as fast as possible and set up well in the new one efficiently. If you can afford to overlap your two leases, then it might be a good idea. One benefit can be making a gradual move and option for you if appropriate. If you have control of two offices for a longer period, you can also get important utilities like internet connections, phone lines, electricity and those types of things in smooth running order before you move in. There’s nothing worse than staff sitting around not being able to send an email after all. You should also take this time to located data and electrical points where you want them, to help keep your office as safe and efficient as you can.
A weekend move will limit the amount of time lost during business hours, but it might be a little harder to find a removalist to help. You also have to think about whether you really want to give up the weekend to spend it moving offices. Maybe it is a fun thing for you and that is fine, but working all weekend moving and being back in the office Monday morning might mean you are tired and less productive anyway.
Usually the best thing to do when the furniture arrives is to get the big pieces in place first. Make sure they are clearly labelled so removalists know which room to put them in. When the big things are in, then you can shuffle around the small items like chairs, pot plants and all your other essentials.
If you do buy new office furniture, your removalist can often pick it up for you so that your existing furniture and new furniture can arrive at the same time perhaps. That will just take a little bit of coordinating, or plan b is to have the office furniture suppliers deliver it for you.
Hopefully if you follow these main tips, your move will work out with less stress and your new office will be more comfortable and productive than ever.