A great deal of attention is required for a move of any size. There are schedules to coordinate, checklists to go through, supplies to purchase, and that’s all before the
movers even arrive. Tasks such as this are amplified when moving an office; you can’t just halt all of the business in order for your move to take place. We’ve helped with thousands of commercial moves, so we decided to provide some advice on the best way to move your office and get you back to what you do best quickly.
Designate a Project Manager
You probably already know this from running a business, but it’s essential for any big project to have a project manager. Designating a Project manager keeps miscommunication low and minimizes other issues that arise from having too many hands in one project.
Since moving (probably) isn’t one of your company’s normal functions, assigning an actual company manager or supervisor to this task likely isn’t the greatest decision. Instead, consider making an office administrator, personal assistant or someone else whose primary duties include organization and multitasking to be the project manager. A person in this position is a prime candidate for this task as they are already attuned to where things are within the office and they “live” in the world of organization and coordination.
Hire Professional Movers
When it comes to getting a task completed well, experience often plays a central role. Moving a business or office is no different. Take the time to research professional moving companies in your area and be sure to choose someone who has adequate experience to complete your move in an efficient and timely manner. Contact those companies you’re thinking of hiring and ask about their experience, size of the crew, storage options, additional offered services or whatever other information you feel you need. If you’re having trouble finding a local office mover, Wheaton has a Find An Agent to locate reliable, professional movers in your area.
Design a Floorplan
No need to get overly complex with the floorplan. Ideally, this should be “high-level” enough to give a general layout for your office without having to invest a ton of energy into it. Keep in mind the size and shape of your desks, tables and other furniture when creating a plan. Another thing to keep in mind is the atmosphere you’re trying to create in your new office. Do you want an open floorplan that cultivates open collaboration? Are you looking for your employees to have their own private space that they can customize? Whatever your choice comes down to, make sure your Project Manager has a copy of the floorplan before move day.
Organize and Communicate with Your Team
Don’t forget that communication is key. It’s vital that all of your employees know exactly what their duties are concerning the move, both before and on moving day. Make sure your employees know what to expect from your move. Work days will be briefly interrupted and weekly schedules may have to be amended, but as long as these things are communicated ahead of time, your office move will run smoothly.
It’s also very important to remember to address any and all questions and concerns your staff may have. Moves can be a big undertaking, even for seasoned business professionals. It’s important to keep open lines of communication during a time of transition.
Running a business keeps you busy, so having to also move that business may be an intimidating prospect. Just remember that communication and organization, like with anything else in business, is the key to reducing stress and increasing efficiency. Following these steps will have you moved and back to work in no time.
