How to Start the Process of Moving Your Business
Making the move to a bigger business space or to move across state lines is a huge step for any business; it means you’re growing and you need more room or a bigger community. But now that you’ve chosen the area and have found a space that fits your needs, are you prepared to make the move?
If you’re not and this is the first time you’re moving business spaces, you’ve come to the right place.
First, if you are going to be moving your business out of town it is especially important to look into the best long distance moving companies . In addition, we’ve got four great tips to make the beginning of the process easier, so read on.
Assess What You Need Upfront
You’ve probably assessed what you need up front in terms of space, internet and media services, and more, but have you thought about everything?
If you’re choosing to move across state lines, to, say, Minnesota, and you’re taking employees with you, have you asked yourself, what are the best places to live in Minnesota? What’s the cost of living? What are the tax rates? How much business insurance do I need?
These are incredibly important questions to ask, and they can make the difference when you actually begin planning the move.
Our advice is simple: make the priorities the priority. Help your employees find housing. Check your internet and phone services. Ask for another inspection to make sure the building is up to code and everything is working. Ask about parking for the movers and employees.
Plan the Move
Once you know what you absolutely need to have already set up in the space and you find a location that fits your needs, plan the move on a spreadsheet that shows a timeline. Depending on the size of your business, the planning stage could take from one month to nearly a year.
The timeline is important because it gives you the time to register your business in the new area, figure out taxes if you’ve moved across state lines, let your employees get settled or hire replacements for employees who aren’t moving with you, and more.
Planning also allows you the time to figure out how the business will be set up, what departments need to go where, and how much server and storage room you have. You’ll also have time to solve current problems you have in your current business space by implementing solutions in your new space.
Coordinate Logistics with Your Team
Medium and large-sized offices and companies, this tip is critical for you: as soon as you get the go-ahead that your new business space is ready for the move, gather your team for moving meetings.
Does this sound like a lot of work? It is, but it serves an important purpose: your team can help you coordinate your logistics, such as helping their department move their own stuff, know when during the scheduled move their office furniture and items will be physically moved to the new space, and the job duties every employee has during the move.
If you plan to have your employees arrive at the new space in shifts, the ones that are already at the new business space will be able to alert you to any issues, such as power and the internet not being turned on and other concerns. They can even coordinate with each other to provide helpful solutions.
Inform Customers Early
The last thing you want when you’re getting ready to move your business, whether it’s across the city or across state lines, is to forget to inform your customers. This is especially true if you have a brick-and-mortar store or a service firm that regularly meets with clients and customers at your current location.
As soon as you have locked down your new location and begin the process to move, inform your clients and customers. The sooner you do it, the better informed your client base will be and can act accordingly. Informing your clients will also ensure that everyone, from your team members to your customers, is aware and ready for a confusing and stressful couple of weeks while you transition to your new business space.
The start of the moving process is often the most stressful because you’re not sure how it’s all going to work. Things can go wrong at any point during a move, but it’s usually at the beginning of the process when it can all fall apart. But if you follow these tips and you’ve done your homework, you’ll have an easier time than most people. Don’t forget to celebrate when you’re all moved in.
