For many people, moving can be an exciting experience. The entire process can be a great one, from finding a new home, to decorating it the way you want, and then finally settling in to enjoy it can be wonderful. For many others, it is an extremely stressful time that involves keeping track of everything at every moment, while trying to get the move done quickly and efficiently (and within budget). Only after everything is done can they relax and enjoy their new home.
While moving your office is not quite the same as moving to a new home, there are several elements that are similar, including how people react to it.
If your business is growing and you find that your current location is no longer adequate, then moving to a more convenient, more prestigious, or simply larger location has its benefits. If your office was becoming cramped with new employees and new equipment, you may be looking forward to having more space available to you.
Another possibility is that you need to downsize. There are many reasons for moving into a smaller office; perhaps your current location is becoming too expensive, either due to your changing financial situation, or rising costs. Maybe you have made changes to your operations that resulted in a decrease in the number of employees, and thus no longer need such a large office space.
Whatever the reason for your change of location, moving your office can be a challenge that is both physically and mentally exhausting. You will not only have to deal with the physical aspect of the move itself, but also with the impact that it may have on your business.
Will you be forced to shut down during the move, or do you have a way to continue working? If you do shut down, how much time can you afford to spend on the move?
Even for those who have been through several moves, the entire process can be stressful and difficult. For first time movers, it may very well be overwhelming, given the number of things that could potentially go wrong. It’s for that reason that professional movers are in demand.
It’s not just large businesses that have difficulties during a move. Even small offices tend to be surprised at the amount of stuff they can accumulate over time, such as equipment, furniture, and in some cases, physical copies of all their files. It all adds up to a great deal of physical work.
It’s unlikely that a move will ever be easy, but by keeping certain tips in mind, the process can be made easier. Of all these suggestions, however, the most important is this: have a plan.
This may sound rather obvious, but it is actually a surprisingly common error for business owners to make, and with so many details to keep track of during your move, this can result in chaos. Take the time to create a proper plan, especially if the move itself will impact your ability to conduct regular day-to-day affairs.
Sort Through Your Equipment
Determine what elements of your business are the most crucial, and plan to get them done as quickly as possible so that you can resume operations sooner rather than later. By sorting through everything, you can highlight the items that need to be prioritized.
Dividing everything into three categories: that which you need immediately, that which you can do without briefly, and because you will no doubt have accumulated some junk, that which you no longer need. This is also a good time to evaluate whether your equipment has become obsolete and in need of replacement. It may prove easier to invest in new equipment now, rather than moving items which will be disposed of shortly.
Items that you will likely need right away include phones, computers, and other electronic devices, as these are used daily.
Getting rid of the junk before starting your move will make the entire process smoother and easier.
Box and Label Everything Properly
Everything should be clearly identified and packed correctly. You can then proceed to stage them accordingly, which means that your most vital supplies should all be kept in one place, allowing you quick and easy access, while your other items such as documents should also be readily-identifiable and available as needed.
This is a good time to update your filing system, so that you will start on the right foot in your new location.
Workout Your Office Floor plan
If you know where everything will go in your new offices, it will be much easier to place them there upon arrival than it would be to try to move everything again later. Create a floor plan in advance to give yourself a comfortable and efficient environment.
Evaluate Furniture and Other Equipment
As with your computers and other equipment, now is a good time to evaluate whether it is better to replace your furniture and other equipment, rather than move them. Are your chairs getting old and worn? Is your sofa out of style? Is anything broken? Get rid of it, rather than move it.
Hire a Good Junk Removal Firm
As mentioned above, this is the best time to get rid of all those things that you no longer need. Often, we hang on to things that are not really serving their original purpose anymore. They may be broken, out-of-date, or simply unnecessary in your new location. By getting rid of them before the move, you save yourself the trouble and expense of moving them.
Much of what you may need to dispose of should be handled by a professional junk removal company, not just because these items may be heavy or dangerous to move (and many will be), but because engaging a professional firm will be faster and more efficient than trying to handle it yourself, or delegating it to your employees, who already have a full plate.
Having a professional junk removal firm means that you will not have to deal with the removal of broken or heavy items, junk, debris, or anything else that might turn up unexpectedly.
Whether you need a firm to come in multiple times as part of the moving process, or just once for a large cleanup at the end of the move, hiring the right people to get the job done means that you will be able to focus on the things that matter most. The move itself can be stressful enough without having to deal with all the things that you will not even be keeping.
604-Trash-It will ensure that your junk is taken away quickly and efficiently, while disposing of it in the most eco-friendly manner possible. Don’t hesitate to contact us to take some of the stress out of your next office move.