Changing your business location? Like most entrepreneurs, you might reckon that commercial moving is extremely taxing. But here's a piece of exciting news—it's not! In fact, the process can be quite smooth, regardless of whether you're moving to the adjacent street or another town a thousand miles away.
The key to hassle-free business relocation lies in your planning. Of course, if you're a first-timer, you might not even know where to start. But we can help.
This guide dives into the five main steps involved in commercial moving. As experts in this field, we'll highlight the most important aspects of the process to enable you to move your enterprise and settle into your new location as soon as possible.
1. Craft a Comprehensive Moving Plan
A detailed moving plan is a boon when you’re relocating your business. Start by taking inventory of all your assets, and determine which ones you'll need in your new location. To ensure you don't leave anything behind, create a checklist with all the must-carry items and pack them before the move.
Your moving plan must also comprise the activities to be done before the trip, who's responsible for each task, and the timeline. This helps to avoid confusion so that everything is completed within your deadline.
For example, if your employees are responsible for packing your office equipment, assign the responsibility to a specific person or team. You'll hold them accountable if it's not done in time.
Setting the Ultimate Moving Budget
Something else you shouldn't miss on your moving plan is a reasonable budget for the entire process. You don't want any surprises involving money when you've already uprooted your business and are on your way to your new location. Before you even decide on a particular figure, factor in these things:
- The standard moving fees in your area
- Do you have moving insurance?
- How far you're moving from your current location
- Additional expenses, such as meals, lodging, damages, and storage
- Your moving date
The elements above will be handy in estimating your business relocation budget. Make all effort to stick to it to prevent things from getting out of hand. For instance, cut back on expenses by requesting local retail stores to give you their old boxes instead of disposing of them. This will reduce the amount you'll spend on packing supplies.
As you create your commercial moving budget, set aside some money to finance your daily business activities after the move. After all, your customers will still need you to serve them. An emergency budget is also essential so you're prepared to handle any curveballs.
2. Hire a Professional Commercial Moving Company
Moving your company alone might seem like an excellent idea because it's cheaper. But the truth is, you could be setting yourself up for failure since you lack the expertise to get the job done. And a single mishap can see you spend way more than anticipated. So, why not get professional movers to streamline the whole relocation process?
Here are more reasons you shouldn't think twice about hiring a reputable commercial moving firm:
- You'll have peace of mind knowing professional movers will take care of everything step in the moving process
- Experienced movers guarantee the safety of your properties to prevent losses
- A moving company saves you time and energy, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business, such as how to ensure it thrives in its new home
- With professional help, you can complete the commercial move within the least time possible
- You can steer clear of injury risks associated with moving heavy office equipment
Without a doubt, working with professional movers is beneficial when relocating your business. But you must find the best ones. Itching to learn how to do that? Ensure they have the following qualities:
Transparent
A great moving company is upfront. They'll give you an accurate estimate without hidden costs to guarantee a seamless business relocation process. Besides, the movers will offer you candid advice regarding everything it'll take to change your company location successfully.
Be sure to go through a moving company's online reviews before hiring them. It's the only way to know the level of transparency to anticipate.
Experienced
As an entrepreneur, your business is your world. And you don't want to leave it in the wrong hands. That's why the movers you hire must boast vast experience to guarantee they can safely and quickly perform all the tasks involved in the commercial move, including packing, moving, unloading, and arranging your belongings.
Licensed and Insured
Being in bed with an unlicensed and uninsured moving company is a no-no. It's a risk you don't want to take. Only hire movers with a permit to operate in your area—they've met the set requirements to serve you, and you can trust them. If insured, they'll reimburse you for damaged or lost items, protecting you against losses.
Affordable
Pocket-friendliness is another box your ideal commercial moving company must check. The fees they charge must be within your budget, lest you’ll experience financial constraints during or after your move. However, don't opt for poor-quality moving services to save money. You might suffer unimaginable losses due to damages and spend more in the long run.
Compile a list of the top-rated professional commercial movers serving your area to find the most affordable ones. Then, contact them for free quotes or visit their websites to know their rates. This should help you figure out your best options as per your budget.
3. Work With Your Employees
Because your employees are your most valuable asset, give them a heads-up when moving your business. You should do this as soon as you make up your mind about the relocation to help them prepare in advance. For instance, those living far from your new headquarters can seek accommodation before moving.
Informing the workers about your plans also makes them feel appreciated, which is an effective motivational strategy.
If your new building has any specific rules, be sure to let your staff know to avoid unnecessary dissents. Remember to give them the address so they can get to work on time to enable you to continue running your business smoothly.
4. Minimize Downtime During Commercial Moving
Given the time-consuming nature of business relocation, reducing downtime is paramount. This lessens the disruption your company will suffer during the move, maintains productivity, and gives you time to handle unexpected situations. Ultimately, you can continue earning revenue during and shortly after the process.
How can you decrease downtime during a commercial move? Follow these tips:
- Start creating your moving plan at least three months before the relocation date
- Divide your move into several parts, i.e., as per your company's departments
- Have a solid backup plan, such as having several professional movers on your list of options
- Instruct a part of your workforce to work from home or another temporary location to ensure your customers aren't neglected
- Relocate your business during the slow season, depending on the field you're in
5. Keep Your Clients in the Know
Your company's success rides on your relationship with your clients. Cement their trust in you by letting them know the important details of your commercial move, such as the relocation date, your new address, and when you'll resume normal business operations. You can do this via platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and your website.
Keeping your clients in the loop guarantees they can find you when they need your products and services, boosting sales.
Capitalize on Our Premium Commercial Moving Services
From planning, packing, loading, and unloading, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the business relocation process. At Cavalier Moving, we're ready to take the stress off your plate by handling the entire commercial move for you.
As the #1 commercial moving company in Richmond, VA, we understand what's on the line and have your best interests at heart. Our experienced team of devoted movers will work around the clock to ensure every aspect of the move is taken care of. With professionalism at the core of our service, rest assured that you'll get your money's worth, regardless of your company's size or where you're relocating.
Ready to start your commercial move? Call us at 804-404-8048 to know more about how we can ensure it's an epic success.