Moving office is often a natural step in the growth and evolution of a business and, while it can be a stressful experience, generally works to benefit the company in the long run.
It’s a process of careful planning and organisation, and it’s advisable not to rush into any decisions. To ensure you’re adequately prepared and informed about what an office move is likely to involve, we’ve put together a list of some key considerations. Read on to find out more.
Identify your Target Space
You’ve seen an office you like, great, but does it meet the specific requirements of your company? On the surface it might look like the ideal working environment, but there could be some less obvious limitations that may work to hamper your business operations further down the line.
Size is one of the first factors to consider, will the space be big enough for all your staff? Don’t just account for the staff you currently employ, keep growth in mind and ensure your new office has adequate space should you want to size up in the future. After all, you don’t want to have to move again just to take on some more staff.
Assess Budgets
Moving office can be an expensive process, hiring a removal company can get pricey quickly, especially if your office is large with a lot of staff. Factor this into your budget and allow for any potential delays or damages.
You’ll need to consider the cost of your new office itself. Rent, utilities, and other rates can all differ considerably, so ensure you are properly researching and drawing comparisons. If business growth is the reason for your move, make sure you consider this, you may be able to afford a larger space but confirm it doesn’t eat into your margins too much.
How will it Impact Business?
Some level of disruption to your business is inevitable during the moving process, but through careful planning and communication you can limit the effects to negligible amounts.
If the move can be completed outside of business hours, over the weekend or even during an evening, great. If it’s going to be a larger operation and will take place during the working week, you’ll need to think about how to best conduct your business around this.
Keep your staff updated on the progress of the move. If working from home is necessary, try and give dates for a potential return to the office.
Moving Equipment
If you’re office has a lot of heavy or expensive equipment, you’ll need to consider the best way to move it to your new premises. Check removal company insurance policies incase equipment gets damaged during the move, and ensure your new office has the adequate space and infrastructure to accommodate your equipment.
If you have a lot of unused or otherwise unneeded equipment, consider storing it until the essentials have been moved to your new office. Safestore is a good option for storage and offers a variety of spaces in most major UK cities.
Conclusion
An office move is often the first step in taking your business to the next level. While it can be a daunting prospect, with careful planning you can ensure the process is smooth and hassle-free. Evaluate your target space, draw up budgets, and keep staff informed to streamline the process.
Think carefully about moving equipment and consider storing less essential items to reduce the workload and limit the potential impact on your business.
