So business has grown, and now you need to move to another space. It’s an exciting time, and it means your business is on an upswing.
More and more small US businesses are growing, and now yours is one of them. But like any move, it means there’s a lot to do. You want everything to go as smooth as possible so you can get back to work fast.
If you’ve got an office move to plan for, don’t let it stress you out. Here are 10 top tips for a smooth move.
1. Let Your Employees Know ASAP
The first and one of the most important steps when it comes to moving is to let people know. Moving your office isn’t something to surprise your staff with, so tell them as soon as possible.
Like any move, moving your office can bring with it some mental adjustment. When you let them know early, they can start to prepare themselves.
It can also give them more time to make any arrangements: i.e., learn a new route to work.
2. Hire Commercial Movers
Office relocation is like a home move, but with more responsibility. You don’t want to run the risk of damaging company property or losing valuable items.
Instead, hire a commercial moving company who knows what they’re doing. They will make sure everything gets to the new location safe and sound.
They save a lot of worries as well as time and energy!
3. What Needs to Go?
In your time in this office, you and your employees have accumulated a lot of stuff. Lots will be useful, but lots can go.
Make a list of everything you need for the new place. Cull through old files, any that don’t meet the offices’ retention criteria should be eliminated. Reducing clutter has a lot of great benefits and can make us more productive.
4. Take Inventory
When you know what you’re bringing to the new space, it’s important to take stock. Make a list of everything in inventory and make sure to keep it safe.
This will help when you move into the new office location to make sure that everything is accounted for. Also, let each department head know which of their items are there and give them a list too.
5. Update Your Address
You must also update your business address. Make sure the business address is up to date on the company website and marketing materials.
Alert your clients, and vendors before the move so that they are aware of the situation and have your new address and phone numbers available.
6. Plan the Timeline of the Move
It’s one thing to know the move out date of your old office space, but make sure you coordinate with the move-in date. If you leave your old space before you can move into the new one, it could pose a challenge.
Lots of office spaces won’t let you move in during business hours, so you’ll need to plan it for an evening or weekend. Try to schedule the move within these hours, so you aren’t office-less for any amount of time!
7. Make the IT Department a Priority
One of the first things to do when relocating your offices is to move the IT department first. It’s not favoritism; it’s smart thinking.
Get all the IT equipment set up first so you can get back online and have the phones going again. Even if everything else takes a little longer, you won’t be losing business by being off the network.
8. Get a Deep Clean
Like any other move, you want the place to be shiny and new when you arrive. This means giving it a deep clean. Get professionals in to clear the cobwebs and make the place feel fresh.
It might also be a good idea to get the old office space a clean before you leave.
9. Change the Locks
When you get to your new place, change the locks and security codes. Only give your employees access to it and don’t let strangers know.
You don’t know who worked at the last place or if they could come back. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so change the locks for more secure entry.
10. Throw a Party!
The last and and yet a key step for any move: throw an office-warming party! You and your employees have worked hard to get to this new place, and it’s time to celebrate!
Start creating great new memories and reward everyone for their hard work with a great party! It’s sure to be the best way to put everyone in a great mood and love their new office.
These Tips Will Make Your Office Move Easy
An office move is a great new start for your business and can mean great things. These tips will help everything go smoothly so you can get back to work fast.
Moving your offices soon? Check out our corporate moving services to see how we can help.