adpapa Editor
10 February 2022
Moving to another house carries enough drama as it is, but when it comes to relocating an office, the ramifications are far greater. On the surface, business relocations may appear to be no more difficult than a typical house move, especially if they are aided by a professional moving company.
However, all workplace relocations are time-sensitive, with every second of downtime costing the business money. Office relocations are especially difficult for companies that do not plan ahead of time.
This article discusses the most typical mistakes made by business owners while transferring their offices, as well as how to avoid them.
1) Failing to properly research the removalist’s reputation
Scammers posing as moving businesses with a flashy website can be found all over the internet. Examining the reviews left by past clients who have utilised their service is the greatest method to avoid being fooled by a shady moving business. If the company has a terrible reputation, it should be avoided at all costs. Take a look at the removalist company’s customer reviews from as many places as possible, such as Google, Facebook, Trustpilot, and Yelp, to mention a few.
Also, keep in mind that it’s very easy for businesses to produce bogus reviews for themselves. If you see a company with a large number of negative reviews that go into great detail about how the removalist company has failed them, as well as an equally large number of positive reviews that simply state that the company is ‘amazing’ or similarly brief sentiments to that effect, you may want to disregard the positive reviews and find another removalist.
2) Relocating your office without the help of a removalist
If you want to save money on logistics, the best method to do so is to have your employees move your firm’s equipment themselves rather than employing a moving company. However, you risk not only ruining your pricey office equipment, but potentially hurting your employees if you do so.
In the end, a DIY relocation may turn out to be significantly more costly than one carried out by a team of experts. For office relocations, many professional furniture movers are happy to provide fixed-price quotations, guaranteeing that you know exactly how much the move will cost.
3) Relocating each and every item
The relocation of your office is an ideal time to get rid of stuff that you won’t be needing in your new location. Use your office relocation to get rid of superfluous clutter, either by selling your old equipment if it still has worth or by taking it to the local tip. The job of relocating will be much faster and easier to if you have less goods to transport.
4) Leaving everything till the last minute
The property owner should have informed you of the date you must vacate your current commercial residence. It’s a good idea to vacate the premises before the new tenants arrive. Moving out early will allow you to prepare for any unexpected dramas that may arise.
5) Conducting your move during bad weather conditions
Some things, such as the weather, are beyond our control. When relocating, you must consider the weather conditions. Even if you have planned to relocate your workplace on a specific date and made the necessary reservations, moving amid inclement weather can cause damage to your belongings. It may be in your best interests to cancel and reschedule if the weather is particularly awful.
6) Failure to ensure your office equipment
When it comes to office relocations, you can’t rule out the possibility of accidental damage or even missing items. As a result, you should be certain that the moving company you hire insure your belongings. Always talk to your removalist about the insurance policies. The majority of legitimate businesses will have insurance. Look for another removalist you can trust if they don’t provide insurance cover.
When researching the company’s insurance policy, find out what kind of insurance coverage they provide. Moving without insurance is simply too risky, especially for office relocations that generally entail the shipment of pricey equipment.
Because removalist contracts often have a lot of fine print, it’s crucial to ask questions about anything you’re not sure about. If you are responsible for the office relocation, you should ensure yourself, your equipment, and any third parties who are assisting you.
7) Not bothering to obtain multiple quotes prior to making a final decision
You should not solely rely on the opinions of others when choosing a moving company. You should enquire about the company’s pricing policy by calling them directly. Once you’ve selected which companies you want to work with, make contact with each one.
However, don’t make the mistake of basing your final decision just on price alone. Find out about their insurance coverage, as stated in step 6. Deciding on a removalist company who charges cheaper rates but who has inadequate insurance coverage, could well prove to be a disastrous decision.
8) Neglecting to update your company‘s information on your website
Always update your details on your website and anywhere else your business is posted, such as Facebook, Google My Business, and so on, when you make the decision to relocate your business to a new address.
9) Packing a single shipment with too many heavy goods
It is essential to have all of your belongings sorted prior to the moving date. However, it is better not to succumb to the temptation of putting heavy objects into boxes because they may slip when being loaded, increasing the risk of damage.
10) If you’re committed to a DIY move, you’ll need to pay for tools as well as the hire truck
If you intend to move by yourself, you will almost certainly need to hire a vehicle from a truck hire company. However, you don’t only need to factor in the expense of the rental vehicle. You will also need to consider the cost of buying or renting other equipment that can help you move faster. Forgetting to get other tools like a moving dolly or a blanket might cause delays, tension, and headaches.
Conclusion
Company relocation necessitates strategic planning, and you must accept that things may not go as planned. Avoiding the blunders identified in this article will save you time, energy, and a great deal of money. Be sure to read this article on how to optimise the layout of your new office space.
About the Author
Patrick Richards is the founder and managing director of Richards Removals & Storage. Provider of removals services to those on the Gold Coast and Tweed Heads.
