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There are a number of reasons why you might consider moving your business. It could be that your current premises are far too small, and you need somewhere bigger. You might need more opportunities for customer traffic or better growth. Whatever the reasons, in order for it to happen smoothly you need to have a plan. Any kind of relocation can be time-consuming and very disruptive, but when it’s a business that has to be moved, there are more factors to consider. The more effort you put into planning your move, the less disruption for your customers and employees.
Create a Timeline for the Move
The first step to take is to create a detailed time frame. It has to be realistic and cover all the different elements included in the move. For example, when you’ll be packing the various sections of your business, when you intend to alert clients to the move and the final date for everything to be finished. It doesn’t have to be set in stone, but it’s good to have a rough idea of how long things will take and the ultimate goal. Start planning as soon as possible. 4 to 6 months in advance will be more than adequate.
Clear Out Any Unwanted Items
Much like moving to a new house, relocating your business is the perfect opportunity to declutter. It’s surprising how much junk can gather over the years. Printers that are way out of date, office furniture that has become a little wobbly and paperwork that is no longer necessary to store, for example. Why pay movers to move things you really don’t need? Many of the items could be recycled, or why not take advantage of the tax breaks offered when you donate to a registered charity?
Hire a Moving Company
You can, of course, move your business yourself, but why bother when hiring local movers is an affordable option? Make sure you make your booking a couple of months in advance to ensure you get the movers of your choice and there is no delay with the relocation. Call several different companies and ask for a quote. Don’t forget to ask about insurance. If the company you choose will be doing the packing for you, make sure you empty bins and refrigerators and take care of any perishable items.
Change Service Providers
You may need to change some of your service providers, depending on your new location. Check with your current vendors to see whether they service the new area. To ensure there is no gap in service talk to your new landlord and vendors so that they can have things up and running for when you move in.
Communicate Your Plans
It is best to keep your employees fully informed of your relocation plans, so that they can make any necessary changes to their commute. They will also appreciate knowing about the new space they’ll be moving into and how the space will be assigned. Pin your moving schedule on the staff notice board so that everyone can see how it is progressing.
Planning as far as possible in advance will ensure your business relocation goes smoothly. However, there is always the possibility that your plan can go awry. Cover this eventuality by adding some flexibility into your plan and remember to factor in some downtime and how you will cover it. It’s better to be prepared for the worst-case scenario than be left without any income.