Relocating Your Office? Here’s 10 Big Mistakes To Avoid

Moving house is stressful in its own right, but when it comes to an office relocation, the magnitude of the task and its implications become even greater. On the outside, corporate relocations may not seem any more difficult than an ordinary house move, given that they are assisted by the help of professional moving team. However, the reality is that all office relocations are time-sensitive, with every second of downtime costing the company money. Office relocations are particularly problematic for businesses that fail to adequately plan their move.

This article highlights the most common mistakes that business owners make when it comes time to relocating their office, and how best to avoid them.

1) Not investigating the reputation of the moving company

There are different scammers all over the internet masquerading as moving companies with a flashy website. The best way to avoid being duped by a dubious moving company, is to inspect the reviews made by previous customers who have used their service. If the reviews are bad, then the company should be avoided at all costs. Be sure to look at customer reviews of the moving company from as many sources as you can, including Google, Facebook, Trustpilot and Yelp, to name a few.

Also, be mindful of the fact that it’s easy for companies to create fake reviews for themselves. If you see a company that has a large number of scathing reviews that go into great detail about how the removalist company has failed them, along with an equally large number of positive reviews that simply state that the company is ‘amazing’ or similarly brief sentiments to that effect, then be inclined to ignore the positive reviews and seek out a different removalist.

2) Attempting to relocate your office without engaging a removalist

Sometimes you want to reduce logistics expenses, and the best way to achieve this might be have your staff to move your corporate equipment on their own, without hiring a moving company. However, doing this not only risks damaging your expensive office equipment, you also risk injuring your staff members . In the end, a DIY move may prove far more expensive than one performed by a team of professionals. Many moving companies are willing to provide fixed-price quotes for office relocations, ensuring that you know exactly how much the move is set to cost you.

3) Moving every single item

Your company's relocation allows you to get rid of some items you won't be needing in your new location. Use your office move as an opportunity to get rid of unnecessary clutter, either by selling  your old equipment if they still have value, or by taking them to the local tip. Having fewer items to move will result in a faster and easier relocation.

4) Leaving your relocation to the last minute

The property owner would have notified you of the date you are to due to move out of your existing location. It is advisable to move out of the property before the new occupant comes in. Moving out early will give you enough time to plan for any unforeseen dramas that may come up.

5) Moving during bad weather

Some situations remain beyond human control like the weather. You must consider the weather situation when relocating. Even if you have arranged to relocate your office on a specified date and the booking has been made, moving during bad weather can have negative consequences on your items.  If the weather is really bad, it may be in your best interests to cancel and reschedule for a later date.

6) Not having insurance for your office equipment

You cannot rule out accidental damage or even lost belongings, when it comes to office relocations. That is why you should ensure your items are insured through the moving company you are engaging. Always discuss the insurance policies with your removalist. Most reputable companies will have insurance. If they don’t provide insurance, look for another moving company instead.

When learning about the insurance policies of the company, learn about the exact type of insurance coverage that they provide. It’s simply too risk to move without insurance, particularly for office relocations which typically involve the transportation of expensive equipment. Removalist contracts often contain an awful lot of small print, so it’s important to ask questions about anything that you’re unsure about. If you are responsible for your movement, you should have insurance for yourself, your equipment, and any third party that is helping you.

7) Not getting multiple quotes before making a final decision

Before settling on any moving company, you should not just consider reviews made by others. You should call the company directly to find out about their pricing policy as well. Once you’ve decided on which companies you’d like to go with, be sure to contact each of them. Don’t make the mistake of basing your final decision on price alone, however. As indicated in step 6, find out about their insurance policies. A removalist company that offers cheaper rates but which doesn’t have adequate insurance coverage could prove disastrous.

8) Forgetting to update your business details on your website

When changing your address, always be sure to update your details on your website and wherever else your business is listed, such as Facebook, Google My Business and so on.

9) Having too many heavy items in a single box

It is important to have all your items organized before the moving date. But it would be best if you didn't fall into the temptation of packing heavy items into boxes because they may slide while loading, which heightens the risk of damage.

10) Moving alone: don't just pay for the truck; pay for other aiding tools also

If you have plans to move alone, you will likely need to hire a truck from a hiring company. Don't just get the truck; get other equipment that may help you move quickly because ignoring other tools such as moving dolly, moving a blanket may lead to delay, increase stress, and headache.

Conclusion

Company relocation requires strategic planning, and you must understand everything may not go perfectly. However, avoiding the mistakes highlighted in this write-up will save you time, energy, and money.