Professional guide to moving a small business

When you decide to relocate your growing business, you might face a lot of chaos, and even loss of productivity. That is why moving a small business can be a challenge. However, everything will be much easier if you are prepared and have the right plan. Not only that you need the proper moving plan, but the professional help of office movers Seattle will also help the relocation process goes smoothly. So, in order to help you organize a successful relocation of your small business, we made a professional guide in which you will find everything you need to know about moving a small business.

Have good reasons for moving a small business

Before you pack your office equipment, it is crucial to know why you want to relocate your business. It is essential that you do not rush the decision to move, since that is a common mistake people make. A new business place is not a guarantee that your business will bloom. So, you need to conduct your due diligence before contacting commercial moving Seattle companies.  You need to know why you want to move your business, and how the move will be beneficial for your company in the future.

Also, there are some other things to consider before moving a small business:

• New markets – maybe you have a new target market that is no longer in the area you have your business.
• Hiring opportunities – Are there enough qualified and educated workforce in your new market?
• Care about your customers –  How will your customers be impacted if you relocate your business?
• Quality of life – Moving a small business may give you a chance for a better quality of life

Find a new location for your business

When you are definitely sure that moving your small business is the right decision for you, it is time to find a new office location. There are a few things you need to think about when choosing a new office space. You have to make sure that the new place can accommodate the needs of your business, customers, and employees. A perfect office place will have enough parking lots in front of it and it will be easily accessible by car and by public transport. As you can see, finding a new space is not the easy as it might seem at first. So, if you have no experience locating new business premises, you can consider consulting Washington movers or hiring a real estate broker to help you find the perfect place.

Set a moving budget

Once you have found the new location for your business, you can now set a moving budget. However, you must make sure the moving cost does not outweigh the benefits. After all, the relocation of your business can be expensive. For instance, in addition to your new monthly payments, you will probably need to hire heavy equipment movers to help you relocate all the desks and other larger pieces of furniture. Also, you might need moving supplies or extra storage space. Thus, it is important to set a moving budget before the relocation.

Inform your employees and assign them jobs

You do not want to surprise your coworkers and employees with the office relocation. Instead, inform them well in advance that you have started looking for a new office location. Letting your employees know about your plans to relocate the business will make them feel appreciated and a part of the process. It will also give them time to plan their own future and see if they want to relocate with you. Also, if you want to keep your loyal employees with you, you should be prepared to offer them some bonus packages and benefits.

Be that as it may, it can be extremely difficult to move a small business without your employees, even if you have the best cross country movers Seattle by your side. Thus, make sure they know you need their corporation and that they are an important part of the business. It will be good for the business if you allow them to express their ideas, opinions, and expectations regarding the relocation. They can provide you with a lot of good ideas regarding organizing and designing your new workplace. Thus, prepare a to-do list and assign jobs to your most dependable employees.

It is time to hire a reputable moving company

Now it is time to consider hiring a moving help. If you have fragile office equipment, electronics, and bulky furniture, you will need a professional moving team to help you relocate everything smoothly and efficiently. Start searching for reputable moving companies Seattle has to offer well in advance. Make sure you obtain a moving estimate for at least three different movers before you choose the one. With the right moving help by your side, you can rest assured that your office equipment will arrive safely and without damage to your new location.

Think about the packing supplies

When organizing a business relocation, you need to think about packing supplies. You need to have the right packing material in order to keep your office equipment safe. When it comes to the packing process there are some supplies that are obligatory and these include:

• bubble wrap
• different size boxes or, even better, shipping crates which will keep your equipment secured and safe
• packing tape and dispensers
• labels
• moving blankets

It is extremely important to pack everything properly. Otherwise, the whole relocation will be much more expensive if you have to replace your valuables. Thus, if you want to do the packing by yourself, make sure you have high-quality packing supplies. However, you can always ask your moving company to proved you with the packing service as well. The professionals will do an impeccable job and you will rest assured knowing that your valuable office equipment is safe.

Take an inventory list

Start the moving process by making an inventory list and see what you want to take with you to your new office space. Go through your belongings and see what needs to be moved to a new location and what you can leave behind. Do you want to take all the office furniture with your or are you planning to get some new pieces of furniture? It is important to decide what items you can leave and replace with new ones. Not only that this is a great opportunity to declutter your office, but also you will get a chance to upgrade and innovate. You now have a chance to replace the old office chairs and furniture. Plus, your employees will probably get a motivation boost with new office furniture.

So, make a list of everything you want to move. With a thorough list of items you will take with you, you can start with organizing a move for your small business. Now, you will know how many packing materials you will need, how large a moving truck to find, and how long the moving itself is going to last.

Consider renting a storage space

If you are planning to downsize your office space, then maybe self storage Seattle has to offer could be a great solution for you. In case you have some pieces of furniture you do not want to move to a new location, but do not want to throw away either, storage space is the right option. You can opt for a portable storage solution, in which case, the movers will come to your space, pack everything you want and store the items instead of you. Once you need your belonging, ask your mover to bring them back or you can set a date when you can go yourself and take what you need. In storage units, your items will be safe and secured and you won’t have to worry about them.

Notify your clients and business partners

When moving a business, you must not forget to notify your clients and business partners. You should put professional signage at your old location, so your client will be informed where to find you after the move. Plus, if you inform your clients well in advance it will be a sign that you are well organized and that you care about them. Remember to order new signage before the move. Also, if your company is using social media, make sure you announce the news on social platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook.

One more thing you must not forget is to update your letterhead, brochures, and business card. Make sure you update your old address with the new one as soon as you arrive. The last thing you want is the outdated address on your business card. Not only could you confuse your clients, but also you could look very unprofessional.

Disadvantages of moving a business that you need to take into consideration

When you need to move your business, there is a chance that you will face a period of trouble. Business relocation can result in a loss of productivity, which can lead to a profit loss. Thus, it would be a good idea if you are informed about the disadvantages of the business relocation. It can help you to prevent some of them and check if you are ready to take the risk. So, some of the disadvantages you may encounter are:

• Losing labor – Relocating your business to a new address may cost you losing employees. Some of your workers may not be able to follow you, and that is the risk you have to take. However, you will gain new employees to your team. They will probably have to go through some training as your old employees did, but soon they will be ready to help you boost productivity.
• Loss of clients – Another disadvantage of moving a small business is the possibility of losing your long-standing clients. Clients are crucial for the business, and interrupting the connection with them can cost you a lot. That’s why it is important to communicate with your loyal customers and inform them well in advance about the move and do everything you can to keep them.
• The business interruption cost – When it comes to relocating a business, almost any type of business will suffer a disruption of productivity. If the business needs to be shut down longer, then it will certainly come to a loss of profit. Also, you can risk losing your regular clients. However, all of this can be avoided if you have a solid moving plan and make sure that your production is not affected.

Now you are ready for a business move

With the right guidance moving a small business can be smooth and effective. All you need is a good moving strategy, a professional moving company by your side, and the support of your employees. We are not saying that moving a business is easy, on the contrary, it is risky and can be very overwhelming. However, with our professional guide, we are sure that you will go through the entire process quickly and without any business losses.

Why Choose Us

History

Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage is locally owned and operated by the same family for four generations, since 1890. We have a well-established reputation for service quality and reliability with a high percentage of repeat household and commercial clients.

Professionalism

We’re a certified ProMover by the American Moving and Storage Association with A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, voted “Best in Western Washington” in 2009 and from 2011 to 2016 by KING5. Our company is fully licensed and insured and member of WMC and AMSA.

Value

Hansen Bros. Moving & Storage provide free, no-obligation in-home estimate and competitive rates, including low minimum rates for shipments moving under 300 miles. We’ve set a refund policy for unused packing materials and three Puget Sound locations to help clients save on travel fee costs.