Tips on Moving Your Business to a New Location

Think About Profitability

The main reason for a commercial move is typically to increase your company’s profitability in one way or another. So, conduct a thorough financial analysis and think about how your business can benefit from the move in the long run despite the moving costs and disruptions in operations. 

It may be a lower rent, better visibility, growth accommodation, and more opportunities for increasing sales or profitable collaborations, among many other aspects.

Time It Strategically

Good timing is critical—you should plan the move to generate as little loss for your company as possible. Take seasonality into account, and plan the relocation at a time when you tend to have fewer customers.

Moving during the busiest seasons can result in more sales losses, as it lowers productivity and disrupts regular operations. When you already have the most suitable date, book your moving service in advance to ensure the movers will be available on that specific day.

Set a Budget

Choose the New Location Wisely

When selecting the new location for your business, take into consideration all the important factors, such as:

• Available space
• Price
• Accessibility for clients and suppliers
• Convenience for shipping and receiving (if applicable)
• Parking and public transportation nearby
• Surrounding services

Have an Exact Plan

Planning each step carefully can help you identify and prevent potential issues in advance. Decide whether you are the main person who conducts the whole process or designate the right supervisor from your team. 

The person in charge should break down the move into smaller parts and assign responsibilities for particular stages of the process. 

It’s best to prepare a to-do list with deadlines and people assigned to certain tasks. Keep all the information in one place so that everyone involved can easily access it.

• Equipment to Move: If you have special equipment that’s difficult to transport, you will need to hire professional heavy-item movers who will handle it safely and efficiently with their dedicated tools.
• Legal Fees: You may need your lawyer to take care of the paperwork and lease agreements, which will generate the legal fees.
• Preparing the New Space: The new space may need certain modifications, such as renovations or updated data cables, to suit your company’s needs.
• Packing Materials or Services: If you’re packing on your own, you need to buy boxes, padding, and other materials to transport all the items safely. Alternatively, you may order a packing service that includes the materials.
• New Signage: You need to let your customers and business partners know where your new location is, so it may be necessary to buy and mount new signs.
• Distance of the Move: As the price of a moving service may depend on the distance, make sure to check what it will be in your case. Naturally, local moving services will cost you more than long-distance relocations.

Preparing the New Location

Before you transport all your company’s belongings and ask your employees to start working in the new place, the new location must be well-prepared so that they can work comfortably and without unnecessary disruptions.

Plan Your Space

One of the most important aspects to think about when moving your business to a new location is the layout. Plan it strategically to optimize workflow, increase employee’s comfort and productivity, and improve customer experience.

First, consider where to place the most significant departments, equipment, and workstations. Take into account such factors as ventilation, natural lighting, and access to necessary utilities like cables or power outlets. If you have a retail business, remember to maximize product visibility and improve customer flow.

Furthermore, think about possible future growth opportunities and how the space can be expanded or adapted if your business evolves.

Set Up Utilities

Make sure that such essential utilities as electricity, water, gas, HVAC systems, or internet are connected and fully operational by the time your team arrives. 

Schedule necessary installations or transfers with the providers, and visit the new location to verify that everything is in working order before the actual move.

Ensure Security

Prior to moving your business to a new location, you need to be absolutely sure that it is secure for both your belongings and employees. Consider such steps as installing or upgrading alarm systems, surveillance cameras, access control systems, and secure entry points.

Follow the Best Practices

To make the moving process as smooth and unproblematic as possible, follow some of the best practices:

• Start early to maximize the available time.
• Make sure that all the people involved in the move are on-site on time.
• Have a first aid kit at hand.
• Keep all the important contact numbers in one place.
• Have backup plans for any possible delays or issues (such as equipment failures or moving in the rain or storm).
• Designate a person to handle any last-minute customer emergencies or other business matters that may arise during the move.

Coordinate the Move

The person assigned to coordinate the move should be responsible for supervising all the aspects of the process, from contacting the moving company to making sure all the team members know their tasks on that day. The coordinator should have a detailed checklist, contact information for all involved parties, and a clear plan for addressing any possible problems.