Moving into a new business space is always an exciting moment, especially for young startups. It might be your first office, or your might be growing and looking to expand. Whatever the reason for the move, it can be a fraught experience.
These tips should help you navigate the change.
#1. Decide on a move manager.
Perhaps most importantly of all, put a designated figure in charge of the move. Moving equipment, people, and whole IT networks to a new location is stressful. It’s even more stressful if nobody is quite sure of their responsibilities. So give the move manager a small team but make sure that everybody knows exactly what they’re supposed to be doing, when, and who they answer to.
#2. Delegate desk clearances.
A moving team can’t do everything, though, and nor should they be expected to. So let employees know that it’s their responsibility to clear their desks. This saves a lot of time and effort and makes it less likely that anything will be left behind. It also frees up the moving team to concentrate their efforts on more complex tasks.
#3. Prioritize IT.
This is undoubtedly the most difficult part of the move. Transplanting routers, servers, and backups systems from one place to another is complex and time-consuming. If you don’t have any IT managers specializing in this area, consider bringing in a third-party team. It might be expensive, but hiring IT professionals for the move protects against data loss and makes it easier to get up and running fast.
#4. Test equipment.
A move is an excellent opportunity to throw out equipment that you no longer need or simply doesn’t work. Test devices like printers and scanners. If they don’t work, don’t take them with you. The same applies to any equipment that you no longer use. A new office space is a fresh start. It’s a chance to cut back on unnecessary clutter and make your new premises feel more spacious.
#5. Switch water.
Water deregulation is quite a new development, so many businesses remain trapped on outdated and expensive contracts. That applies to business premises, too. When you move to a new office, you inherit their water supplier and tariff. Many people don’t take any action in this area, but rollover contracts are expensive, especially when you’ve just moved to somewhere new. Use a comparison service like Business Water Quotes to find a cheaper tariff and switch suppliers.
#6. Stick to a budget.
Moving is expensive. Costs including moving services, transport, and technicians all add up, so it’s important to create and stick to a budget. Do your research and establish costs in advance. Don’t always go for the cheapest service on offer, and don’t be afraid to haggle if you find something ideal. In addition, there will be hidden costs that pop up as you move, so set aside part of your budget to deal with these. Most importantly of all, though, deliver the move in the budget so that you can concentrate on growing the business in the future.
