When your business expands, it’s time to think about relocating. Perhaps you’ve outgrown your current office, or you need to hire staff and can no longer base your business at home. Whatever the reason, relocating can be a welcome change and a new era for your enterprise.
Of course, relocating a business of any size requires careful planning. If you want to avoid unnecessary downtime, take a look at these top tips for relocating a small business:
1. Set Up Utilities in Advance
Upon arrival at your new premises, you’ll want to ensure that you’ll have access to light, water, heating, power and, of course, broadband. However, if you are not organized, you might find that essential amenities and appliances are non-functional. To prevent this from happening, be sure to obtain quotes and setup your utilities in advance. Once you know your move-in date, you’ll be able to arrange for new suppliers to get you connected.
2. Use Professional Office Removals
One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to relocate a small business is to work with a professional company that specializes in office removals. You’ll find that firms that specialize in home removals often provide bespoke services for businesses too. With experience, expertise, and equipment, they can streamline the relocation and have your new office setup in no time.
If you do choose to work with a removal firm, be sure to discuss their insurance coverage in advance. Most professional removal companies include insurance as part of their service but, depending on the equipment, furniture, or machinery that’s being moved, you may want to increase the cover.
It may be useful to rent a self-storage facility. Use this to store furniture and files you don’t need immediately. These can then be retrieved once the new office is up and running.
3. Update Vendors and Suppliers
If you’re going to be moving to a new address, don’t forget to let your vendors and suppliers know in advance! Surprisingly, this is something that often gets overlooked during the moving process, only to cause confusion and delays in the weeks following. By informing your vendors and suppliers in writing, however, you can ensure that the services or goods you receive will still be delivered on time.
Similarly, be sure to let your customers or clients know about your relocation. Even if you don’t generally meet with them on a face-to-face basis, keeping your customer base updated is an important aspect of maintaining communication.
4. Revise Documentation and Marketing Materials
Anything that states or contains your business address will need to be updated too, so do this in advance to minimize hassle while the move is underway. You may want to have new business cards printed. Similarly, updating your online citations, website contact information, and social media profiles will ensure that your office relocation doesn’t impact your operations.
Moving to a new location should be an exciting time for any business owner. By planning ahead and accessing the help you need, you can take the stress out of relocating and enjoy the process of relocating your business to its new home.
