The Essential Business Moving Guide to a Seamless Commercial Move
Moving a business is a significant task that requires careful planning, coordination, and an experienced commercial moving company. Typically a commercial move includes moving office furniture, electronics, machinery, inventory, and sometimes specialized items from labs or warehouses. In this business moving guide, we’ll outline key steps to take when planning your business relocation and provide a checklist to print and use to keep everything organized.
What is Commercial Moving?
Commercial moving, or office moving, involves relocating all assets within a business. Unlike residential moves, commercial moving focuses on minimizing disruption to business operations. The move consists in transporting everything from desks and chairs to electronics like photocopiers and servers and warehouse contents like machinery and pallets.
Why Work with a Commercial Moving Company?
An experienced commercial moving company understands the unique demands of moving a business and will prioritize business continuity. Commercial movers provide specialized packing of furniture, files, and artwork, secure equipment handling, and execute precise coordination between the moving company and the company moving their business. Commercial moving expertise is vital to ensure your business assets are transported safely and on time. Partnering with professional movers means they’ll manage the logistics. Hiring a commercial moving company assists you in continuously running your business while you relocate.
Steps to Take When Moving Your Business
1. Plan Your Move Well in Advance
Give yourself plenty of time to plan ahead of a significant move. The timeline should ideally, begin at least three to six months before the move date to allow ample time for logistical planning, budgeting, and organizing.
2. Choose the Right Moving Company
Look for a commercial moving company with a strong track record and experience in business relocations. To do this, we recommend reading reviews, asking friends and colleagues for recommendations. Once you have narrowed down the list, ensure the moving company has the equipment, expertise, and insurance required to handle your unique business needs.
3. Create an Inventory List
Before the move, it is imperative to create an accurate list of all items that need to be packed, disassembled, and moved. The inventory list is extremely important in the moving process. It helps keep you organized, receive an accurate quote, and allows the moving company to plan manpower, materials, and moving tools and equipment accordingly.
4. Assign Someone to Coordinate the Move Details
The Move Coordinator will be the point person for all decisions throughout the entire move. This helps to keep the move on task and keeps things moving forward. Assigning a person from your team to this position is helpful to you and to the moving crews. As is streamlines whom to ask questions and make requests. This person will coordinate between departments and the commercial movers and make everyone accountable for their timelines.
5. Notify Stakeholders
Inform clients, vendors, and any other stakeholders about your move plans. Do this early to keep your business flowing smoothly, and to keep your mail, bills and receivables to continue as normal. Do expect a few hiccups along the way but set up a process to check mailing and receiving addresses over the next month to catch any stragglers.
6. Develop a Floor Plan for the New Location
Planning the layout of your new space can save time and reduce stress on moving days. Share this plan with the commercial movers so they can set up equipment and furniture in the right places.
7. Secure Sensitive Data & Keep Copies
An important step to keep your data safe is to back up important files and store sensitive data securely. Properly prepare servers and other data-storage devices for transport.
8. Label and Pack Wisely
It is recommended to label all boxes by department. This one step will simplify unpacking. Commercial movers often use specialized packing labels to keep everything organized. This includes electronics, files, and sensitive items and helps to make sure delicate items are handled with care and kept safe.
9. Arrange for Unpacking and Setup
Many commercial movers provide unpacking and setup services. Opting for this service can get your business up and running faster, reducing downtime.
Printable Business Moving Guide Checklist for Your Commercial Move
Use this checklist to ensure you’ve covered each essential step for a seamless business relocation.
| Business Moving Guide Steps | Task Description | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Early Planning | Start planning at least 3-6 months before the move. | |
| Research Moving Companies | Find reputable commercial movers with experience in business relocations. | |
| Inventory Assessment | To do this create a comprehensive inventory list, of all items for the move. | |
| Appoint a Move Coordinator | Designate a point person to oversee the move and communicate with the moving company. | |
| Stakeholder Notification | Inform clients, vendors, and partners of your relocation plans. | |
| New Space Layout | Develop a floor plan for the new space to streamline setup. | |
| Data Security | Back up data and secure sensitive information. | |
| Labeling and Packing | Label all boxes by department or area for easy unpacking. | |
| Coordinate Moving Day | Schedule the move day and confirm all details with the moving company. | |
| Post-Move Setup | Arrange for unpacking and setup assistance if needed. |
Why Choose Collegian Movers for Your Business Move?
Collegian Movers provides comprehensive commercial moving services that focus on minimizing downtime. This approach will help to easy the stress of your relocation and keep your business running efficiently. With extensive experience in office relocations, we use specialized packing and coordinated moving techniques to secure your business assets and get you up and running in your new space as quickly as possible. Hire Collegian Movers to get you up and running in no time!
One Last Helpful Commercial Moving Tip
When planning a corporate move, be sure to order a Certificate of Insurance (COI) well in advance. Most office buildings require a COI from the moving company to cover liability for any potential damages that may occur during the move. This document provides proof that your movers are insured and can protect both your business and the building management. Check with the building’s management team to understand their specific COI requirements, as some buildings may have unique coverage stipulations or additional insured parties listed. Having this document ready ahead of time helps avoid last-minute delays on moving day.
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