While changing the location of your office can be an exciting time, chances are you’re probably also feeling at least a little nervous about the whole moving process to come.
From ensuring that all your equipment arrives safely to getting everyone settled into the new office space, there’s a fair bit to think about when it comes to office relocation.
We’ve put together a handy office moving checklist to help your move go as smoothly as possible.
Give yourself plenty of time to plan
One of the most important things you can do when moving office is to give yourself plenty of time to plan and prepare. Trying to organise everything at the last minute is likely to lead to a lot of stress and a less than ideal outcome.
Start by giving yourself at least 3 months to plan the move, 6 months if possible. This will give you plenty of time to figure out all the details and make sure everything goes according to plan.
Pick your move in date
When setting a moving date, be sure to give yourself more time than you think you’ll need when planning a move to a new office space. Four to six months is a great amount of time for larger offices, while smaller offices with fewer staff members should be able to get away with a shorter time frame.
Inform your employees of the move
Letting your employees know about your move with plenty of time to spare is a good way to ensure that everyone is well aware of the moving process and knows what to expect.
Send out an email or memo informing them of the upcoming move, as well as the moving date. If you have any details about the new office space, such as the address or floor plan, be sure to include those as well. You should also let your employees know about any changes to the company’s policies or procedures that might be taking place as a result of the move or new location.
By informing employees well ahead of time, you give them the opportunity to plan and prepare for the move, and to ask any questions they may have.
Create a moving committee
While maybe not relevant for smaller organisations, if you run a larger business, you might like to put together a moving committee. This committee should be comprised of two sections, those handling the organisation of the current office in preparation of the move and one handling the management of the new office location.
The moving committee should be responsible for liaising with removalists and other relevant contractors, and possibly also organising the connection setups at the new office space.
Start decluttering early
Another point on the moving office checklist is decluttering. Moving is a great opportunity to cut down on unnecessary office clutter. This could include shredding papers and documents, getting rid of old furniture and office equipment, and disposing of anything else that you don’t need or use on a regular basis.
Not only will decluttering make the actual move easier, it will also give you a chance to start fresh in your new office. Decluttering can help you work out what furniture you’ll need to buy for the next office space, and what can be discarded.
Try to think about what you’ve used in the past year. Is there anything you’ve put away in a cupboard to use later, that you haven’t actually used? If so, it might be time to get rid of it. Decluttering is a great way to have more space in your new office by getting rid of any old items or office equipment that might be taking up valuable storage space.
Order new furnishings and equipment
Once you’ve figured out what new furnishings and equipment you want for the next office space, begin scheduling your orders. Try to do this well in advance of the move to ensure the pieces arrive on time. You might like to create a detailed floor plan to ensure all the new items and furniture will work together within the space.
Ideally, you’ll want to organise to have the items delivered directly to the new office, this way you won’t need to worry about moving them over from your current office.
By having the measurements of the space, you’ll be able to work out what will fit and what won’t within the new office layout. It’ll also help you get an idea of what to put where in the space.
Book the removalists
Arranging for removalist experts to assist with your office relocation is a great way to cut back on stress. By booking early, you can often secure a date and time that works best for you.
Bayside Removals are office removalists Brisbane. With 50 years of experience in moving services, we understand the importance of clear communication and working to a time frame.
Our team of highly trained and experienced professionals will take care of all the heavy lifting during your office relocation, leaving you free to focus on other important aspects of the move.
Organise new office services
You don’t want your team to show up to the new office location and realise the power hasn’t been switched on! Organise for services such as the electricity, internet, and phone lines to be connected at your new space before the big day.
Figure out what services are available in the new office and make the necessary arrangements to ensure everything is up and running for when you move in.
Cancel or transfer your current services
Don’t forget to stop or relocate the services you have in your current office from your move out day. Doing this will allow for a smooth transition between the spaces and save you from paying for the same service in both old and new office.
You may be able to simply transfer some services from your old space to the new one. Contact your current service providers to find out what options are available to you.
Hire professional cleaners
Another point in the office moving checklist is to make sure you leave the old space clean. A professional cleaner can be a great help when you’re moving offices, saving you from doing the cleaning yourself. They’ll come in and do a thorough clean of your current office, getting it up to scratch for the key handover and saving you time.
Bayside Removals also provides end of lease and office relocation cleaning services to have your old space looking spick and span. Contact us to book in your post-moving clean.
Remove your branding
If you’ll be working in this office right up until the move date, you’ll likely want to make this one of the last tasks. Clear branding can help clients and customers find you easier, as well as promoting your business to those who pass by.
Those that have been thinking about updating their branding might like to use this opportunity to do so. This way you can make a fresh start in a fresh spot.
Your office removalists Brisbane
For office removalists Brisbane, Bayside Removals is your go-to moving company. We provide excellent customer support at competitive prices. Founded in 1972, our team completes both domestic and commercial moving services. While we call ourselves office removalists Brisbane bayside, we’re happy to assist all of Brisbane along with the Australian east coast. Our team strives to ensure your office move is stress-free.
Along with moving, we also offer a range of other services to make your move as smooth as possible, including moving boxes and packing materials, relocation cleaning, and storage solutions.
Fill out our simple contact form to receive a free, no-obligation quote from us. Alternatively, give us a call on (07) 3206 4578 to chat with one of our friendly staff members.