Relocating an office can be extremely exciting for a company. It comes with a lot of benefits like a larger space for the staff, a more prestigious address, or a better office view. However, it goes without saying that a move can be highly stressful, and even complex when you have staff members to consider (among other things).
To help relieve some of these stresses, try taking on some of the following tips.
Schedule and plan the move well in advance
Make sure the relocating date is marked on the calendar as early as possible. Evaluate what you need to move and what should be thrown away or donated. There are multiple charity workers who accept old office furniture and electronics, so see what’s available in your area. Do this before you move so you’ve not got to take everything to the new location.
You should also factor your employees into your office relocation plans. If left to chance, those who are against moving may influence the rest, leaving you with staff morale issues or possibly even mass resignations to deal with. Have a proper communication plan for them taking into account their ideas suggestions and also needs and concerns. Let them know in advance and see if they can save the moving date and help you out. Or, if you have outside help, get them to work from home on that date to keep work flowing.
Let your existing clients know you are moving
Inform your clients of your relocation plans so they’ll know where to find you. It is also crucial to confirm if the business’s normal operations will be affected and how long they should expect delays due to the movement process. Clients will understand delays if they are aware of the situation in advance.
Inform your vendors and service providers before the movement too, so they can change the shipping and billing address for your orders. This will prevent items getting sent to the old location and will help you to get things more organized.
Hire a professional office mover
Relocating a business is not like moving from a residence. It is complex, and you will need a professional mover to help you with the process. With this, you get the chance to supervise the moving process without having to deal with and manage the stress of an office move, as everything is being taken care of for you. You can even focus on conducting your business as usual, and leave the moving activities entirely to the hired group.
Delegate the work among the workforce
As previously mentioned, the employees should be aware of the schedules regarding the relocation. Delegate tasks to them such as packing up boxes, and get them to take their personal items home. Even if your employees will be working (from home) on the day of the move, delegating certain tasks beforehand will help to reduce the workload and make the relocation much more efficient.
Update your digital address
After updating your clients and vendors about your address, you should update your digital information with Google too. You will also require updating your data on the sites that provide directories with this information. Check the information that is out of date and create accounts on all search engines. You can use Google map maker to edit your location so that it provides an accurate address for searches.
Set a relocation budget
It is essential to create a realistic moving budget to help you set expenditure and avoid overspending. All aspects should be factored into the budget. For example, some of the office furniture and electronics may need to be replaced (perhaps because of the room shape/size), hence you will have to make a budget for new equipment. Funds should also be set aside for office restoration works to ensure you leave the old office just as you found it before the lease.
You may also need to hire professional cleaners to make sure your new office is in order.
Check the right timing
To avoid any disruption, consider relocating at a time where there are no office activities. Avoid peak seasons as it can affect your income and be costly. It is advisable to move on weekends or during the afternoon when the working hours are over to reduce downtime in the office.
Office relocation is neither easy nor fun, but with proper planning and timing, you can manage it smoothly without much pressure and stress – and without having to inconvenience the clients and employees.