Whether your business is growing and you need a bigger office, or you’re simply moving to a more suitable location, office relocation can easily become a mess if not done right. Next to all the packing and trying to keep your business in order, it’s easy to overlook some important details – which might cause even more mess later. Plus, every mistake you make would influence not just your employees but your clients as well. All in all, it’s not hard to see why relocating can be a very stressful process. So, to make things a bit easier, here are a few tips for planning your office move.
Start planning well in advance
In order to do this as worry-free as possible, give yourself more than enough time. This means that you should start planning your relocation at least 3-6 months before actually making the transition. During this time, you can decide on what needs to be moved, what kind of layout you’d prefer, how you want to divide your sectors, etc. It would also give your employees enough time to do their own planning in terms of workflow and office space. Moreover, it might not be a bad idea to create a floor plan of your new office space including all the dates and other necessary info – and make it available to all your employees, so that nobody is left in the dark.
Donate items that you no longer need
Use this chance to declutter, and get rid of everything you don’t need. For example, lots of your office equipment can be sold or donated to a local charity; there’s no point in moving anything you don’t plan on using. Of course, throwing things away might be the easiest and fastest way to declutter, but since you have plenty of time, why not give back to your local community in this way. Additionally, if you do have some older computers, laptops, tablets, and similar gadgets, you need to dispose of them safely. First, make sure to completely purge all data, and only then should you either recycle or donate your electronics.
Make a checklist
One of the best ways to ensure that nothing gets forgotten is to make a checklist of everything that needs to be done, bought, packed, updated, etc. Keep it somewhere near, so you can add things as you remember them. For example, you shouldn’t forget to get a working internet connection at your new office location. Finally, if you do happen to forget something, try not to stress about it too much just do one thin make an office move checklist. Deal with any potential problems as they come, one by one, and eventually, you’ll solve them all.
Hire a truck
Since there are probably more than a few items that will need to be moved, it’s safe to say that you will have to look for some ute hire – especially if you’ve decided to move on your own. You can pack and arrange your equipment carefully, so nothing gets damaged in the move, and you can unpack at your own pace. After all, nobody knows your office equipment better than you do. Just make sure to start packing everything a bit early, since many people underestimate the time it takes them to pack and unpack.
Change your digital address
This is one of the things that very often gets forgotten. So, make a note to not just inform your clients and service providers but also change your digital address with Google. Additionally, since Google gets information from a number of different sources, you also need to update your data on other sites that might serve as those sources. Or, you can also use Google Map Maker to edit Google’s maps directly. Furthermore, don’t forget to print new business cards and update your website. In the end, look up your business online and check whether all the contact information you can find is correct.
Pack your computers carefully
No matter how many computers you have, don’t rush when packing them. Start by removing all the cables one by one. Next, put them in separate baggies, and label them so you know which cables match which computer. This is important in order not to lose or damage any cables. Similarly, your monitors should also be packed separately. Just make sure to wrap them in thick bubble wrap or moving blankets. As for the hard drives, you can just “park” them and hope for the best. However, you should still make a backup of all your important data, just in case.
Planning your office relocation in advance is the best way to increase the chances of everything going smoothly. So, make sure to give yourself enough time to not just pack but also unpack. Inform everybody, write down your plan, update it on the go, and your business will be up and running in no time.
