Office relocations involve many moving parts. Making a schedule for your moving plans can help you stay organized and ensure you don’t forget any important details. A wise strategy is to start planning your office move at least six months to a year before your move.

Six to 12 Months Before Your Relocation

These are likely to be the earliest tasks to take care of and will include the following:

• Choosing an appropriate space to ensure you have enough room and the location is strategic
• Assembling an office design team to help plan space planning
• Checking electricity and cable needs to ensure they meet telecommunication needs – if not, start to plan for a contractor to add necessities
• Determining office equipment and furniture not being moved and start to make arrangements to donate, sell, or recycle these items
• Setting a moving date, or at least an estimate
• Informing employees about the upcoming move
• Establishing a moving budget

Once you have a baseline plan, start to make arrangements for moving day.

Three to Six Months Before Your Move

As soon as reasonably possible, get moving quotes. Even if you don’t have an exact date but a timeframe, speak to movers to get an estimate of costs, so you know what you’re working with. The sooner you book a date with your mover, the better your chances of getting the dates you want at the best prices. Other details to manage include:

• Contacting customers, clients, office suppliers, vendors, and other companies you directly work with to let them know when and where you’ll be moving
• Initiating new services with any new suppliers or vendors
• Bringing IT on board (or contractors to help) to plan technology needs
• Ordering new furniture or equipment

Lastly, keeping transparency with employees during this significant change is vital. You don’t want to isolate them, allow misinformation to spread, or hurt their morale by leaving them in the dark. Instead, give them a heads-up three to six months out so they can prepare too.

One to Three Months Before Moving

Start to develop your moving day schedule and assign tasks to key personnel. Other tasks to take care of are:

• Initiating utilities and other services to close and open accounts on both sides of the move
• Updating social media, website, business cards, etc.
• Speaking to building managers at each location about access and security on moving day
• Announcing relocation plans publicly

This timeframe is a good one to prepare your business for its new location, help with a seamless transition, and distribute vital information relating to your move.

Two Weeks Before the Big Day

Review all plans for the remaining weeks before your office move to ensure you have included everything. Other necessary steps to take include the following:

• Packing any files or equipment not being used daily
• Gathering packing materials
• Labeling all furniture and equipment that you’re moving to the new office
• Asking team members to pack their belongings into boxes with labels

The last two weeks are good to use as a “buffer” in case you accidentally forget something. This way, you can use this time to quickly correct or take care of anything before you vacate your current location.

Professional Movers Help With a Stress-Free Relocation

Every office move is different, but establishing general guidelines can make things easier and ensure you and your team remember all essentials. In addition, working with a professional mover can free up your time and empower you to focus on other important details.

If you’d like a free quote or to obtain information about our other moving services, contact us today!

Moving day is a hectic experience. With all of the hustle and bustle going on, it can be hard to determine how to stay out of your movers’ way so they can focus on their job while still being productive and doing things that will help facilitate your move. So if you’re wondering how to manage moving day, here are things you can do while household movers move your boxes and furniture.

Be Prepared

It can be hard to remember all the pertinent details associated with a household move, but there are a few things you’ll want to complete.

• Have an entire inventory of items ready for moving day.
• Don’t buy anything new after receiving your estimate.
• Complete your packing before the movers arrive.

It’s understandable sometimes things change in the weeks leading up to a move. If anything does, just be sure to let your moving company know. Sometimes they’ll need extra workers or special tools.

Keep Children and Pets Out of the Way

Allowing children or pets to run around the house during a move is dangerous for them and your movers. Plan to make arrangements with a caregiver for your kids and furry friends ahead of time or have a separate room cordoned off for them exclusively so they don’t get underfoot.

Load Items Not Going on the Truck Into Your Vehicle

Pack your special items and essentials kit in your vehicle rather than place them on the moving truck. These items might include:

• Valuables, such as jewelry, cash, etc.
• Necessary paperwork, such as IDs and birth/marriage certificates
• Artwork, precious glassware, or other fragile items
• Small electronics, such as tablets, laptops, and phones
• Prohibited items such as perishables, plants, or flammable items

If you’re unsure whether an article should go on the moving truck or into your vehicle, ask your mover, they’ll be happy to help.

Take Second Look

It’s a good idea to double (or even triple) check to ensure you don’t forget anything. Whether you’re moving from a house or an apartment, there are likely items that may not stand out as things you’ll need to take. Go through each room and check outlets, cabinets, medicine cabinets, shelves, refrigerator, dishwasher, and oven (e.g., pots and pans).

Next, check the basement, attic, deck, shed, or other storage space to ensure you don’t inadvertently leave anything behind. Lastly, close and lock all doors and windows that aren’t in use.

Stay Clear and Remain Available

Let your professional movers do their job by staying clear of their work area. Rely on their expertise to get your belonging packed up and moved. It’s an excellent idea to remain available if the moving crew has questions. Ensure your movers have your cell number and at least one person is on-site for any urgent questions.

Ready to Plan Your Move?

Moving involves many details, many of them last-minute. To alleviate the stress, consider working with a reliable moving company. Then, contact us with questions or for a free quote.

With so much involved when moving from one destination to another, settling in once you get there can take on its own sense of urgency. No doubt you want to make it feel like home as quickly as possible. Yet, there may be one family member that doesn’t share your enthusiasm – your pet.

Pets feel safe in the world you create for them, and when it changes suddenly, stress can set in. But on the other hand, it may take just a few days or months to feel secure in their new surroundings.

Be sure to watch for signs of stress, such as barking or meowing more than usual, hiding, refusing to eat, or relieving themselves on the new floors or carpets, even though you take your dog for a walk or set up litter boxes for the cats.

Even if your pet doesn’t show outward signs of stress, it may still have trouble adjusting to its new environment. To help, here are some tips for acclimating your pet after a household move.

Make Extra Time Just for Your Pet

Spend time in the new home with your pet. Pet and hug them as much as possible and speak softly, introducing them to all the nooks and crannies. Avoid leaving your pet alone in the new space for long periods in the beginning. Too many changes at once can cause pets to slip into depression and even suffer separation anxiety.

Create Spaces for Your Pets

One of the first things to do in the new location is to set up a spot for your pet to feel safe as you unpack and organize your belongings. Place a pet bed or familiar blanket or rug along with their toys here.

In another spot, set up their feeding area. If you have cats, determine where to put the litter box. Find spaces that are similar to where these were in your former home.

Let Pets Wander at Their Own Pace

Let your pets go at their own pace, wandering around the new home and sniffing whatever interests them. Most pets use their sense of smell to survey their surroundings. They also like to leave their scent in places by rubbing against them. 

Cats usually do better in one room at a time before exploring the whole house.

Keep a Consistent Routine

Recreate your regular schedule in the new location, feeding, walking, and playing with your pet as you did in your old home. Consistency can lessen stress and let them adjust to other changes. Keep feeding them the same foods and set up their water dish or fountain in place out of the way.

When it comes down to what your pet wants the most in stressful times like a move — it’s you. So let them curl up on your lap, bring out one of their favorite toys, or run around with them in the backyard.

Lower the Stress of the Moving Experience

You have enough to worry about when moving and then acclimating yourself and your pets to your new home. Contact us to find out how we can help with your move.

Moving your household is a big ordeal. Even with the best organizational practices, making a DIY move can pose some challenges. If you’ve got an upcoming move, you can eliminate the stress and difficulties by hiring a moving company to help out. Here are several benefits you can enjoy by letting a professional mover do the heavy lifting.

1. Save Time

Movers have the equipment and the easy ability to transport all your belongings in one trip— no worries about you making dozens of trips back and forth with your vehicle. A mover can do this for you in no time at all! This gives you more time to focus on other important details such as arranging utilities, finalizing rental agreements or house sales, registering kids for school, or handling job transitions.

2. Enjoy a Stress-Free Move

Professional movers are skilled at what they do – they know all the ins and outs of relocation, whether on the other side of town or across state lines. But, of course, you can manage moving details yourself. Still, aside from making multiple trips, finding people to help, or loading boxes and furniture onto a rental truck, there is packing and unpacking to consider.

Whether you opt for a full-service move to do it all or just to transport your possessions, your mover can do any or all of it efficiently. As a result, you enjoy less stress and have more time to settle into your home more quickly.

3. Avoid Personal Injury

Moving a household involves a high risk of personal injury. Consider the following risks:

• Moving on a day with rainy, icy, or snowy weather
• Needing to carry heavy items up or down stairs at either end of the move
• Experiencing a slip and fall accident (lots of hazards on moving day)
• Improper lifting leads to injury of the back, neck, leg, or arm

Your mover will know exactly how to move your items safely without causing personal injury, ensuring a safer move for all.

4. Potentially Save Money

Many people assume hiring a professional to move their belongings is more expensive. However, you might be surprised to find little difference when you add up other potential costs associated with a DIY move. Consider these expenses that factor into a DIY relocation.

• Taking several PTO days to pack, load, unload, and unpack
• Renting a large truck for one or more days
• Buying or renting moving tools and packing supplies
• Paying for gas
• Any unexpected expenses

When you work with a pro, you’ll have a reasonable estimate of what to expect upfront and can even sign a binding agreement to ensure you’ll pay what you expect. This way, you can plan accordingly.

Plan Your Upcoming Move

Working with a professional mover can cut out the complex parts, work within your budget, and relieve excess stress. As a result, you can relax in your new home. If you’d like a free quote, contact us today.

Being new in town after a residential move can be challenging. Taking a proactive approach when getting to know your new community can help you feel like you belong. Once you’re unpacked and feeling settled at home, there are many things you can do to feel more grounded in your new community. Below are some suggestions.

1. Visit Culture Centers

Some museums can tell you a lot about your new home — its history, the interests of the locals, or both. First, list all the museums in your area, and visit those museums one at a time. Some museums may have lower admission on certain days, so find out what the admission policies are for locals, then make a schedule for visiting each venue in the order you would like.

2. Read Up On the Area’s History

Visit your new local library to find books about the area’s history, or purchase some books to add to your library. Knowing the area’s history gives you insight into the local culture.

While reading about your new community’s history, you may also identify historical places you’d like to visit. This is another good way to find places in your community that will make you pleased to live there.

3. Join Social Clubs

Talking to locals can help you meet people and feel settled. To find out about social clubs in your area, call your local recreation center or look online. Some social clubs are strictly about socializing, while others may center around an activity like reading, writing, or hiking. Find a social club that appeals to you.

4. Explore Restaurants

Make a list of some top or exciting restaurants in the area. Find out which restaurants offer takeout and which are better for visiting in person. Read online reviews. If you live in a big city, some restaurants may be well-known by locals or tourists. Visit the places that are known to be beloved local institutions. If you live in a community where many people are of a specific ethnicity, eat at restaurants where they serve that food.

5. Go for Walks, Explore Your Neighborhood

Get out of the house. Just walking around is an excellent way to explore your neighborhood. Going for walks and exploring your community is a perfect way to meet neighbors, find local businesses you might not otherwise notice, and learn to get around without getting lost.

Go for walks regularly, at least every week. Bring family members to help them acclimate to your new home when you’re exploring.

Moving Is Better When You Hire the Professionals

Spend more time researching your new home and worry less about your relocation. Hire the moving pros that will make your relocation easier. Call today to make an appointment for a free quote.