Preparing to move an office or business is no easy feat. It will be a complicated and intense juggling act. Preparation and organization is going to be key if you want the move to be successful. Here are some tips to help get you through this move as smoothly as possible.
Set as schedule and stick to it
Determine your schedule, like when you have to be out of your current location. Depending on how much stuff you have, you’ll probably need a few days to pack and move everything out.
Include your staff and assign tasks
Get your staff included in the move process early. An office move can have a lot of moving parts and tasks can easily be forgotten, it’s just too much for one person to handle. A move committee can help organize and prepare for the move. Have the committee review the tasks and assign roles if needed. They can be in charge of researching and securing movers or coordinating and designing the new office layout.
Have a plan and communicate
Set up a plan that will ensure employees are kept informed of every step in the process and moving plans. Be sure to communicate clearly with any clients and suppliers you may have, keeping them up to date during the move so you can stay open and in business during the transition.
Hire movers
Be sure to do some research and secure knowledgeable and experienced movers. It will be key to moving everything safely and smoothly. Determine budgets and quotes and compare them. Ask movers if they’ve done office moves before as it will help narrow down the choices. It may take awhile to determine which one is the right fit so start contacting movers early on in the process.
Hire packers, if you can
If your budget is flexible, consider hiring professional packers to. This will save you and your staff from having to pack some of the more difficult communal spaces. While the packers take care of everything else, your employees can pack their desks and offices.
Prepare the new space
Determine what the new location needs to ensure that there isn’t a gap in service. Talk to your new landlord as well as your service providers to set up appropriate telephone lines and network infrastructure. Determine and finalize layout as well.
While this is not an exhaustive list, it will give a good start to the moving process.