Whether you’re moving your business around the corner or across the country, relocating your office can feel like an overwhelming, stressful experience.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
While an office move is arguably more challenging than a home move, with careful preparation and the right removalist team, you can plan and execute an office move that goes off without a hitch.
As one of Sydney’s top removalist companies, we know what it takes to schedule an efficient office move that doesn’t disrupt your ability to conduct business. We’ve gathered 6 tips you need to know for an easy office relocation and ensure it is as stress free as possible.
1. Give Yourself Plenty of Planning Time
Moving an office is no small affair and there are plenty of moving parts that need to be addressed. Allowing plenty of time to plan the move is essential. Start planning 3 months in advance for smaller offices and allow 6 – 8 months for medium to large offices.
Take the time to come up with a moving budget for your project…and evaluate carefully. Business owners sometimes try to make the move using employees as movers in an attempt to save money, but such a plan is ill advised. Forcing employees to move furniture not only sends their stress levels into the stratosphere, it can become a liability issue for business owners if employees are injured during the move or if equipment is broken in transit.
2. The Timing of the Actual Move Matters
Depending on your industry and location, the timing of your move can be quite important. If you are in the fashion industry and must spend the summer producing clothing for a fall delivery, you’ll want to avoid scheduling a move during seasons of high production.
Review your calendar and try to schedule your move during your slowest season to minimise the severity of the disruption for your business and customers.
3. Tell Employees Sooner Than Later
As soon as you know the move is happening, inform your employees and keep them updated throughout the process. Doing so will reduce their stress levels and feelings of frustration that can come from being kept out of the loop.
If your business has lots of high-tech, specialised equipment on site, you may want to touch base with your IT team. They may have suggestions on how to safely transport delicate equipment and electronics.
4. Coordination is Your Best Friend
A successful office move means you get your business relocated with the least amount of disruption possible to your suppliers, customers, and employees.
Make suppliers aware of your impending move and give them exact dates and your forwarding address. You’ll want to ensure any deliveries to your business occur well in advance of the move…or well after when you’re up and running and again. There’s not much worse than seeing a delivery truck pull up 48 hours before you’re scheduled to move.
Get business cards and marketing materials ordered with the new address and update your business information in your email templates and on social media.
Touch base with your clientele and keep them updated regarding the move. Include the moving and official reopening dates in an email to customers and on your social media pages. Consider calling high-priority clients to make sure they are aware of the move.
5. Update Business Information
If yours is an incorporated business, you’ll need to notify the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) within 28 days of your move.
And don’t forget to register your new address with the postal service. This is automatically accomplished when you update your information on the Australian Business Register (ABR) site.
6. Hire Professional Packers and Removalists
If your budget allows, hire professional packers to pack up your office. These pros are trained to safely pack your items in a fraction of the time it will take you and your employees to do the same job. This allows your employees to keep working right up until the day of the move, which keeps your business productive.
Similarly, professional removalists are worth every penny…and may end up saving you money in the long run. When you try to move your business on your own, you’ll have to buy all packing materials and rent all moving equipment, accessories, and trucks. And having your employees move heavy equipment is downright dangerous and can put you at risk of lawsuits should someone get injured. Like professional packers, a quality removalist team is highly trained and knows how to move all types of business furniture and equipment in a way that is safe and secure.
And so…
If you are planning an office relocation in the future and are looking for a team who will treat your business with the utmost respect, contact us at Holloway Removals. Our expert team will skillfully plan and execute your business move while minimising downtime. We’ll create a custom quote with everything you need and nothing you don’t.
After all…it’s your move.
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