There are many reasons you might be thinking about relocating your business. Cheaper rent, more foot traffic, downsizing in-house services; the list goes on. No matter why you’re hiring a local mover and packing up, there are always the same steps to take before you make the big move and give your business its new home. To make sure everything goes smoothly on the day, here are five best practices to make the entire process as stress-free as possible.
1. Don’t pay large amounts upfront.
According to ssrelocation.com, legitimate moving companies and relocation planners will take a small deposit to safeguard your booking, often while filling out their online form. Anyone else asking for a large sum of money for relocation services or nationwide mover may well be a scam. Try to find a company with trusted references from someone you know, or with plenty of good reviews online. When it comes to the assets and practicality of your business, you want full peace of mind for any outsourced services. Trusted movers like the ones at Solomon and Sons Relocation will be sure to get your belongings to their new home safely, whether you’re moving a barber chair or a clothing rack.
2. Evaluate buying versus moving.
For some businesses, there is equipment that will need to be taken with them, no matter what. For example, you might need barber chairs for a barbershop, manicure tables for a salon, tattoo beds for tattoo parlors, and so on. Efficient relocation means knowing what absolutely needs to come with you, and what doesn’t. If you can buy furniture new in the place you’re going, that may be the cheaper option when it comes to the final bill. There is often a period of time between the move-out date and the move-in date, so storage facilities might become pricey. Plus, if you’re doing a long-distance move, your barber equipment (or any other belongings you’re moving) may get damaged on the way. If that might be the case, you could be better off buying accessories and equipment in your new location.
3. Delegate to the relevant people.
The entire company benefits from direct communication during a big move, so make sure that everyone knows their tasks in advance. Don’t try to take on too much yourself. just as with any business decision, you need a whole team to make such an important task go smoothly. Make the most of everyone else’s strength. Department heads can organize their departments, HR can make sure that all personnel files are carried over, and so on.
4. Reassess your needs.
Moving to a new location means you can re-evaluate the business infrastructure around you. Have you always found yourself wishing for certain things around the workplace? Do you have a hankering for faster WiFi? Have you wanted to upgrade the desk chairs or furniture style around the office? Perhaps you can find a new location that serves you even better than the current one. Even finding a cheaper location would give you a bigger budget to spend on fittings or technology that can help your business reach new heights. Take time to think about what this new beginning could bring.
5. Leave enough time.
A move of any size can take up to 12 months, and if you have a large business or have a lot of physical assets, it could take even longer than that. Make sure to leave yourself enough time to organize everything in advance and never move in a rush. Rushing brings damages and risks everything that you’ve worked so hard for. Take every step slowly to make sure you do your move within your budget and without risking your business’ previous assets.
With these tips in mind, hopefully, your move will go completely as planned – so long as you plan carefully. Do your research, take your time, and lean on the team around you. A move takes a village, so make one out of your valued employees. With your community at your side, the relocation is sure to go smoothly, wherever in the United States you’re headed!