Top 10 Things To Consider When Moving Office
Its often said that moving home is one of the most stressful things we do in life. Company removal is right up there with moving home. However, just like moving home the stress level can be kept within manageable limits by the application of some forethought.
1. Why are you moving? It may be because you perceive the need for more space for instance. In that case, you should ask yourself whether moving really is necessary. Could you achieve the same result simply by re-organising and rationalising on equipment? Working from home is common nowadays and introducing working from home and hot desking may reduce the strain on your office space.
No doubt youve thought all that through already but its worth mentioning because office removal wont come cheap and obviously you need to make sure every penny of expenditure is pulling its weight. Whatever the reason for moving its important that youve first investigated all the possible alternatives.
2. Planning. Having satisfied yourself that moving office is the right course of action for you at this time, you need to do is some planning. Start early because company removal needs to be planned like a military operation. Youll probably begin by getting in quotes from a number of specialist companies and finding out as much as you can about each of them. Dont forget, especially if you happen to be downsizing, you may have to consider using a storage business as well. Once youve chosen the most suitable contractor for your purpose, and it probably shouldnt simply be the cheapest, you need to organise your end.
3. Move Co-ordinator. Your business mustnt come to a standstill while all this office removal planning is going on so you should appoint one of your staff as move co-ordinator. That way everyone else gets on with the normal business of the office and one person looks after everything to do with the move reporting directly to you. Of course if yours is a one person business itll have to be you, sorry!
4.Stationery. Company removal invariably means an awful lot of stationery, letterheads etc. will need to be replaced. The earlier you start planning your move the more waste you can avoid by running down stocks. Make sure your order for replacements goes to the printers in good time. If possible get the printers to hold delivery until the move happens so all your new stuff is there ready for you at the new premises, not having to be moved from the old.
5. Services removal. All your telephone and internet services will need to be set up in the new office ready for you to walk in and start using on day one. Will you be able to keep your phone numbers? You, or your move co-ordinator, will need to engage a specialist services Removal Company unless of course your main contractor is looking after this aspect of the job.
6. I T. You need to be sure that on the day you start in the new office you and your staff will be able to sit down at your computers and carry on where you left off as if nothing had changed. Make certain youve got the right people looking after that for you. Some office removal specialists may be able to offer IT relocation and installation as part of the service. If this is something you require, make sure you ask the question before contracting the removal company.
7. Electricity Supply. Without your electricity up and running, nothing will be working so dont assume anything. Make sure itll be up and running on the day. If you use gas on the premises for heating etc, the same applies, especially if youre moving in January!
8. Advise Existing Clients/Customers of The Move. Make sure that all existing customers and suppliers know where youre going and when.
9. Signage. Youll need to be certain that all necessary signs are in place at the new premises especially if your business involves people visiting your office. They might give up and go elsewhere if they cant find you!
10. Notification of Change of Address. Remember all the other bodies that need to be told youve moved, such as the Post Office, the Inland Revenue, the VAT Office and the local council. Make a checklist of all the contacts you are legally obliged to update with your new address details, and tick them off when you have received confirmation of the address change.
Several of the items listed will probably lead off to other matters that need to be dealt with when you move office or any kind of business premises. For "office" you might read, "factory", "garage", "shop" or "restaurant." If you think you have a lot to think about moving an office just think what its like moving any of those!
Really whatever the premises the same principles apply. Planning ahead is always the key to success but along with that goes keeping your eye on the ball. Never take it for granted that somethings being covered. Check and keep on checking. Youll be a pain in the neck but itll be worth it in the end!
Author Bio:
Cadogan Tate - is one of Britains leading moving, storage, office relocation and office removal companies. Working with some of the countrys best-known and most demanding businesses and institutions, Cadogan Tate have earned a reputation for delivering efficiently planned and executed relocation projects.
Whether youre moving your head office, a single department or the entire organization, Cadogan Tates staff can manage every element of the process, from pre-move file and IT audits to furniture and IT installations.
Visit www.cadogantate.com for more details.