Moving from one home to another is stressful enough, but relocating your business is especially complicated. There are dozens of details that require attention and failing to consider just one thing can cost your business productivity or customers.
This brief moving checklist can help ensure you pay attention to the most important aspects of your move, so your business gets relocated as efficiently as possible.
Moving Less Means Moving Faster
If your office machines and furniture is outdated, this move may be the best time to make some changes. You can donate, or sell, the things you don’t want to take with you, which can save you a ton on the cost of moving. The money you spend on replacing those items will be more of an investment in the actual business and will become purchases you would have to make anyway.
Assemble Checklists and Create One Master List
As you notify your employees that the business will be moving to a new location, ask each one to create a checklist on moving their specific workstations. They will know best how to pack things away, what can be discarded, and what tasks need to be completed. Once you gather the lists, you can create a master checklist and distribute it to ensure a more efficient relocation.
Hiring the Movers
There are a few things to consider when hiring a moving company to relocate your business. First, even moving a smaller business will require a great deal of planning, so reserve a moving date appointment with movers in Atlanta well in advance. While one month is sufficient, giving your movers two months’ notice can be better.
Also, remember that the movers aren’t mind readers. Their job will be to move every item you designate. If you tell them to move the refrigerators, for example, and those units aren’t emptied, you’ll likely find a mess in them by the time they arrive at their destination. Empty trash, wrap up breakables, and secure filing cabinets to help your movers make it a more successful relocation.
Don’t Forget to Notify Your Customers
Unless your customers shop strictly online, you’ll want to let them know that the business is relocating. It’s a good idea to post notices, send out emails, and issue text messages about one month in advance to let your customers know about the move.
As the move date gets closer, reissue those text messages to remind your loyal customers that you’ll be in the new location. You may also want to host a re-opening sale in your new location to generate foot traffic.
Move Your Services in Advance
It’s also important to remember you’ll need to have your utilities moved to the new location in time for your new opening. Failure to plan this ahead of time may mean keeping your store closed, due to a lack of electricity, internet, and other services. By communicating with your service providers in advance, you can arrange to have service initiated at your new location, just as you move from the old business location.
Of course, the same practices you would employ in moving your home also apply to your business. This means changing the business address with the post office and vendors, maintaining an inventory of moving boxes, ensuring the items to be moved, and properly preparing furniture for the move. By following your checklist and ensuring every employee does his part, you can ensure the move will be as efficient and speedy as possible.
