We’ve all done it before. Maybe you were changing jobs and moving across town, or maybe office shifting and needed to find new office space. No matter the reason, it’s never easy to pack up all of your office supplies, furniture, decorations, and computers and transport them to your new location…especially when your new location has less space than your old one did!
Have a plan
When it comes time to move, you’ll have the best chance of success if you have a plan. Start by figuring out what kind of new space will work best for your company. Do you need more room? A more central location? An office with a view? Once you know what you’re looking for, start hunting! You’ll also want to think about how much time is involved in the move – will we be able to do it quickly, or are there issues that could prolong the process? Once you’ve found a space and planned out timing, it’s time to execute. This is where your moving checklist comes into play! Make sure everything is on hand and accounted for before packing up your old space.
Set a budget
1. Get a quote.
2. Choose the date and time for the move.
3. Set up a moving crew, or rent some help from a moving company (if you’re not hiring movers).
4. Take inventory of what’s in your office and be sure that everything is labeled with its location so it’s easy to find later on if you need anything.
5. Pack up your belongings carefully, using packing supplies like bubble wrap and boxes so that nothing gets damaged during the process of moving it into storage until you find a new home for your business office space or when you start unpacking it in its new home.
declutter your office
No matter where you are, it is important to declutter your office from time to time. This can be done by going through your things and getting rid of anything you no longer need or use. If there are papers that don’t need to be filed, shred them. If there are books that have been read and will not be re-read, donate them. Get into the habit of rotating out old stationary with new stationary supplies so that everything is always fresh!
Find a new office space
Before you start the process of shifting your office, make sure you are aware of your current lease terms and have a plan for how many days you have before the lease expires. Having an exit strategy will help avoid any major penalties for breaking your lease. Next, it’s time to find the perfect new office space that meets all of your needs. There are a few ways you can do this: research online based on company size, industry, etc.; get referrals from friends or colleagues; or contact a real estate agent who specializes in commercial property. In addition, be sure to take into account factors such as location and amenities (e.g., parking spaces). The last step is budgeting and preparing for the move-in date.
Hire a professional mover
The first and most important thing you need to do when you are shifting your office is hire a professional mover. These professionals will know how to organize the move, pack your items correctly and make sure they don’t break. They also know which items should be left behind because they take up too much space or are just not worth the trouble. When you hire a professional mover, it will take all of the stress off of your shoulders because they’ll handle everything for you.
Notify your clients and employees
1. Make sure your employees are aware of the move and ask for their input on how best to do it.
2. Notify your clients in a professional manner, letting them know that you will be changing the location of your office and what the new address will be. 2. Set up an email list or call-in system that allows people to reach you at your new location as well as your old one in case they need something urgently. 3. Keep accurate, detailed records so that everyone knows where everything is during this transition period and can find what they need when they need it most (i.e., client files, financial records, etc).
