An office relocation can be stressful but you can reduce the headaches by planning ahead. Here are eight ways to make business moving easier.
1. Get a Head Start
Whether you have a small, medium-sized, or large business, it’s best to begin packing and organizing as soon as you can. Sometimes, moving an office means moving more items than you’d find in the average home, and packing all of those items will be a time-consuming process.
2. Buy the Right Supplies
An office relocation means moving many types of items, some of them pricey. Professional movers get 44% of their businesses from residential customers and 38% from businesses. So they will be well prepared for your needs when you’re moving offices. You can make sure you save some money by purchasing basic supplies. Make sure you get sturdy cardboard boxes, moving blankets, packing tape, bubble wrap, zip-locked bags, and markers to write on the outside of boxes. When in doubt, buy a little more than you think you’ll need.
3. Donate Unwanted Items
Regardless of the size of your business, moving is a chance to determine which items and pieces of equipment can go and which should be upgraded. Round up out-of-date phones, worn office chairs and desks, printers, computers, and copiers that can be replaced with newer models. Add items that no longer serve a purpose and donate them to worthy charities. This keeps you from wasting time and money on moving things that should stay behind. It may also provide you with a tax deduction if you give items to registered charities.
4. Stay Organized by Labeling
When you start packing it’s crucial to be organized. Label every box as you fill them. This will help you find the necessary items immediately when you’re unpacking at your new office. If you also number boxes and keep a list of items contained in each box, you’ll have a detailed inventory at hand if your moving company loses or damages any items. You may also find it helpful to give a number to individual employee’s desks so that their items stay together.
5. Pack Technology with Care
Don’t risk damaging the computers that keep your business going; replacing electronics is a costly and involved process. Wrap computers and their monitors with weighty moving blankets and tape them up to make sure the blankets will stay in place. And take care to not store them in boxes where they might break. Don’t stack computer components with other items. Also, make sure to backup your data on a removable hard drive or in a secure cloud.
Take special care of computer cables as you prepare for an office relocation. Prevent loss and damage to the cables by removing them from computer components. Place the cables in zip-locked bags, labeling each with the location of the computer they go with.
Finally, review warning labels and directions on all electronic devices, as these may contain crucial guidelines for moving.
6. Secure Office Furniture
Chairs, file cabinets, shelves, and desks are all essential to the smooth functioning of your office. To avoid damage and maximize space on the moving truck, take office chairs apart and cover the pieces with bubble wrap or moving blankets. Take out shelves and place lighter items inside the shelving units to save space. Tape down the drawers on file cabinets so that they stay closed while being transported. Take out any removable parts from desks, and tape down drawers that can’t be removed. Pack glass components separately if possible and don’t stack other items on them.
7. Invest in Insurance
You may do everything right when packing up your office, and still find that items are damaged when you unpack them. Select a professional moving company in Delaware that offers insurance to cover lost or damaged items. Review any warranties on your equipment and furniture since they may cover accidental damage.
8. Consider Your Storage Needs
You may not need all of your items right away. In this case, you may want to consider renting a commercial self-storage unit with enough space for the inventory that won’t be put into service in the near future.
An office relocation is a big undertaking even with the help of experienced professional movers. You can minimize stress by planning ahead, packing and labeling carefully, donating unnecessary items, and investing in insurance. Call our team today for a free consultation.