Hand truck with boxes
Relocating your office is something that is best done with proper preparation and planning, especially if you are planning to move to a location that is in a different city. When planning an office move, you need to think about number of important factors, such as who will be in charge, what your budget will be, when move, how to pack and so on. Given the complexity and challenges associated with this big task, here are some tips to help you move as seamless as possible.
Thoroughly assess the new location
Before you even begin planning your move, you have to thoroughly assess the value of your new office location. Is it really the right location for your office? For this, you have to think about the location’s access to public transportation lines and links, and whether or not it is easy for your clients and suppliers to visit the new office. You also have to consider the commute of your existing staff – will the new location be too problematic for them, or will it offer them an easy commute? Other factors to consider when choosing your new office location include its proximity to local area amenities, such as shops and restaurants, as well as its access to major roads and airports. You may also want to consider the new location’s access to prospective talented employees in case you want to increase your staff in the future.
Put the right person or team in charge
You have to choose the individual or team who will be directly involved in planning your move from the beginning. When choosing an individual or team, you have to make sure that they are capable of making the right decisions and are experts at multi-tasking. In addition, they have to have the seniority and the proper knowledge about your business, and show great organisation skills as well. Months before your move, you also have to make sure that the rest of your staff is aware of the fact. This will help you avoid problems and delays later on, as your staff can make their own personal preparations for the move as well.
Prepare budget
Of course, any move or relocation entails expense. With this in mind, you have to prepare a budget for relocation from the start, as moving forward without any clear budget plan can mean disaster for your business. When it comes to planning your budget, you have to consider a good number of factors (which translates to expenses), such as fees for estate agents or solicitors, the cost of insurance, fees for planning permission, environmental and fire assessment, and security. Along with this, you have to set aside an additional budget for other costs such as the cost of relocating your IT equipment, the cost of a new office design and furniture, and even the cost of new office stationery, invitations, mail redirection, and website updates. The air conditioning and heating costs of your new location should also be taken into consideration, as well as storage facilities for some items during your transition if required.
Select a good removal firm
If you would like your office relocation to go even more smoothly, then you should choose a removal firm carefully. Most good removal firms today, such as Gloucester-based www.andrews-removals.com, even offer all-around services, such as the packing (and unloading) of all your office equipment and documents as well as storage facilities for other items that require temporary storage. And when choosing a removal firm, make sure they present you with a written contract or agreement which specifies the services they will provide from start to finish.
