As exciting as moving can be, it is also pretty stressful. In fact, it’s so stressful that many small businesses have reported putting off a move because they simply don’t want to deal with all the issues that come with relocating until they absolutely have to.
Fortunately, a move doesn’t need to cause a huge headache. With enough lead time and sufficient planning, setting up a new office can be a seamless and anxiety-free experience. Here’s how.
1. Create a Detailed Advance Plan
One thing that makes setting up a new office difficult is keeping track of all the moving parts. This is why it can be helpful to make a detailed plan in advance outlining everything that needs to be taken care of, and creating a checklist you can follow to make sure you’re staying on top of everything as the moving date approaches.
2. Appoint a Moving Team
One practice that many companies find to be helpful when organizing a move is to appoint a team of employees to take responsibility for planning and logistics. A moving team can take the guesswork out of coordination, and ensures that nothing will be forgotten.
They can also help with communications. Communicating with your employees throughout the move is essential if you want the process to go smoothly, which is one of the reasons why moving experts will recommend that your moving team represent as many different parts of your office as possible to ensure your workers feel represented.
3. Buy New Furniture Online
In most cases, moving to a new office means upgrading your office furniture, and whether you’re looking for industrial style office furniture or bespoke modular office workstations, the easiest way to find new office furniture is online.
While businesses have traditionally had to choose between expensive high end contract furniture and self-assembled mass market flat packs, there is a growing middle market of office furniture providers who give you the tailored approach of contract furniture at more affordable prices (you can get an idea of what this looks like by checking out Branch’s NYC showroom online).
4. Opt for Turnkey Services When Possible
Whenever possible, you should try to choose turnkey services when contracting with outside service providers to coordinate different aspects of the move.
This will not only make certain aspects of the move more efficient (professionals are going to be able to set up and install your new commercial office furniture more effectively than your own workforce, after all); it can also help you maintain a high level of customer care and responsiveness throughout the move, because you will have essentially outsourced its most time-consuming aspects.
5. Give Yourself Enough Time to Pack
Some parts of moving will always take longer than you think they will, and for most businesses packing is one of the biggest culprits.
Packing up an office is about more than just putting things in boxes: it’s also a process of evaluating your entire office inventory. Packing can be a great time to finally get rid of the things you no longer need, but for this very reason it’s a good idea to give yourself as much time as possible, and to start packing as early as you can.
If you’ve been dreading your next office move, remember that it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Planning ahead, appointing a moving team, shopping for new furniture online, using turnkey services, and giving yourself enough time to pack will ensure that the move from your current location to your future home is a smooth one.
