Business Relocations
– What You Need to Know
If you’ve got your own business, the first thing to do is get it off the ground. This is never quite as easy as it sounds, and by the time you’ve moved into that first, tiny little office, there’s already been a wealth of work to get there.
At first, you’re probably in charge of every aspect of the company; but when more employees are required, it’s not ideal to be squashed into a tiny space.
It can take years and years for businesses to grow. In fact, it’s not unusual for companies to operate from the same, small office for years until more employees are required. When things start getting too cozy, it’s time for a move.
You don’t have to put commerce on hold if you conduct the office move correctly. Here are a few things worth considering.
Forward-planning
It’s never too soon to start planning for an office move. You will need to take a few things into account before even starting the process of relocating.
First off, make a researched and informed estimation of how much you expect the company to grow. How big does the new office space really need to be? Is the cost of moving attainable? Does the budget allow for it?
Allocate an office manager to make sure the move goes smoothly. Choose someone who is good at organizing people. Research local or interstate moving companies who can help facilitate the move.
It’s very important to keep your staff informed of the progress of the move at all times. Make sure they how the company structure will be affected, reassure them of their job security, and let them know if there will be any costs of the move that will affect their pay or bonuses.
The move
The move can be a complicated progress. There are some great tips from Make It Cheaper regarding a successful office move, but the main thing to keep up is organization.
Since you’re moving, it’s a good idea to tidy up things within the actual office. It’s a good time to get rid of any unused or obsolete files and data. Archive files that are no longer used, use some secure storage and make sure you keep tabs on everything during the move.
It’s also a good idea to take legal advice regarding lease documents; don’t sign anything until you have a full understanding of the terms and your liabilities.
FrugalMama shares some great tips in how to find a low-cost mover without getting scammed.
Updated 11/21/16 to replace a broken link and add a featured image.
