One of the most exciting experiences for a company is relocating to a new office space. Relocating is the second most stressful task for small business owners after hiring new staff, according to a survey conducted by E.ON. Most companies choose to stay in cramped office spaces as they think moving will be too much of a hastle.

Don’t delay your move because the task seems daunting and stressful. Follow these 7 tips to ensure that your move goes smoothly and efficiently.

1. Plan in advance

Planning and preparation are essential for commercial relocations. After determining the moving date and the time frame for the relocation process, you can develop a schedule. The relocation process should also be budgeted. The budget will be useful for identifying costs and avoiding uninformed decisions, such as hiring movers etc.

2. Communication with Employees is Essential

One of the most significant tips for office relocation is communicating with your employees. Ensure that your staff is aware of moving schedules and relocation plans.

Changes and procedures at the new business premises should be communicated to them, including:

• Revisions to the new address, phone number, or fax number
• Any new rules
• New location packing arrangements

To ensure that all essential areas are covered you can encourage them to create a moving checklist. You can find our Moving Checklist here. Furthermore employees can feel uneasy about change, so communicate efficiently to boost their understanding of the process and their morale.

3. Select a project manager

To increase chances of success, every office move requires teamwork. The relocation process will also benefit from the appointment of a project manager. Multitasking abilities, exceptional organization skills, effective communication skills, and budget management experience are essential for team leaders. Making the relocation seamless can also be made easier with the right office management tools.

4. Keep your data safe

When you move your files and hardware, you never know what might happen. A damaged server or hard drive could result in the loss of important documents. When moving, you should back up your data and protect it against loss and breaches.

To protect visitor and staff data, you can use a digital visitor management system. Since it is cloud-based, you can move seamlessly with it. The data about who visited your business in the past will not be lost this way, demonstrating your compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

5. Office deep cleaning

Make sure you don’t take items you won’t use when you move. Donate or sell equipment that won’t be needed anymore, shred old files, and dispose of old furniture. Consult with your accountants, donated items can be used as a write-off.

6. Hire a professional moving company

Relocating an office smoothly requires the help of a moving company. A moving company has the expertise, resources, and knowledge to ensure a seamless move. You can count on them to pack and unpack your business items safely. Additionally, they can assist in developing a moving plan that is tailored to your business needs. Ensure that the company is established, insured, and certified.

Bambisana is highly experienced, with over 60 years of industry experience. Working with large companies such as Clientele, they ensure your move is as quick and hassle-free as possible, no matter the size of your business.  They will tailor a solution specific to you and your company, ensuring they meet all your needs.

7. Ensure your address is up-to-date on all platforms

Suppliers and customers need to be notified as to;

– When you are relocating
– Your new company address
– When normal business will resume

Update your-

– Business cards
– Website
– Letterhead
– Social media sites

Furthermore, you should try to get your online listing and address changed with Google approximately a month before you move, this will prevent employee and client confusion.

Moving isn’t quite as stressful as it seems. Follow these office relocation tips to transition smoothly into your new workplace.