3 Essential Moving Tips For Small Businesses
A corporate move can mean days of chaos, confusion, and stress, while productivity grinds to a halt. Or it can be quick, stress free, and painless, and involve a minimum amount of downtime — allowing your staff to get right back to work and your business to get back to turning a profit. It all depends on how you handle a few important decisions leading up to the day of the move. If you're hoping for the calm, quick move with minimal downtime, then take a look at a few tips that will ensure that moving your business is as easy as possible for everyone concerned.
Look For Movers Who Will Give You an Onsite Estimate
A price quote online or over the phone can be helpful, but it really isn't enough. It isn't all about the money, either. An onsite estimate will be more accurate, and it is helpful to know in advance exactly what you're going to be paying. But the real benefit to having the movers come to your business to give you an estimate is that your movers will be completely prepared on the day of the move.
What if takes special equipment to move some of the machines or furniture in your building? What if there are long flights of stairs the movers will have to contend with? What if you have sensitive data that needs to be transported in a more secure fashion? Having the corporate moving service come to your workplace and do an estimate ensures all these questions will be addressed before moving day, and your movers will arrive with all of the supplies and equipment they need to do the job properly. This will prevent delays and confusion.
Good corporate moving companies will insist on an onsite estimate even if you don't; be wary of a company willing to stop at an online or over the phone quote.
Choose Efficient Packing Supplies
If you and your staff are going to be packing up the office yourselves, bypass the cardboard boxes. All of that folding and taping takes time, as does tearing off the tape and breaking down the boxes during the unpacking process. If you want to streamline your move, there are easier ways to do it. Plastic totes with tight lids are a popular choice — they take less time to prepare and close, and when you unpack them, you can just stack them in a storage closet to wait for the next time you need one.
Wheeled carts can also be helpful in speeding up the moving process. You can go from place to place in the office gathering items to fill up the cart, then just wheel it right out to the truck. This can be a great way to clean out the odds and ends in the office kitchen or storage room.
Purge, Purge, Purge
The last time you moved house, did you take everything with you? Probably not — most people consider a move to be a good time to get rid of things that are outdated, worn out, or haven't been used in years. It may seem surprising, but a business can generate just as much junk as a home, and taking it with you will only weigh you down and delay your new start.
You may be able to sell old equipment and furniture through the classifieds or through an online listing, if you plan ahead. But if you haven't gotten rid of it by the time of the move, it's time to just get rid of it. You can donate most office supplies, furniture, and even medical equipment to charity. Some charities will even come pick up the items from your office. You get a tax write-off, and someone in need gets supplies for their business or school. Everyone wins.
Getting an onsite estimate, using efficient packing materials, and getting rid of things you won't need in your new place can help you streamline your move quite a bit. The faster you finish your move, the faster you get back to doing what you're really good at – running your business.
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