Only the Office Move & Removals Checklist You Will Ever Need
Office Move & Removals Checklist | Moving office? Yelp! Not to worry. Even though people say that moving is one of the most stressful things you can do, fear not. We’re here to show you that business relocation can be effortless when you know how. Follow our ultimate office move checklist to discover how to move offices successfully without stress, overwhelm or frustration.
Tips For Handling An Office Move Successfully
Moving offices comes with great responsibility. An office move project can easily end in chaos. You’ll soon find that things don’t have a place, office furniture becomes problematic, and small items end up getting lost. How can you make the transition as seamless as possible? The answer is to plan ahead. Planning ahead of your moving date ensures team members know their part in the move, large and small items can be moved without problems and your office space is still a place where each staff member can do their job uninterrupted.
Communication
One of the most important parts of your move is communication. Office managers should ensure all employees have the required communication relating to the move and understand their roles when it comes to packing their items. If you’re nominating a project manager, inform your employees of who this is.
Employees must be given cardboard boxes to pack up their workspaces. Additionally, wooden crates may be required for heavier or higher-value items. This will ensure everything reaches your new location in pristine condition. Remember, each box will need to be marked to help you identify what contents are in each one.
Cut clutter
Moving office locations gives you an opportunity to reorganise, downsize and declutter. If you’ve yet to go fully digital, now may be the perfect time to make the move. All offices have files and folders that are no longer needed and are just sat gathering dust.
Discard any items you don’t need via shredding and transfer any other files to digital cloud storage. Throw away or donate any damaged desks, chairs, kitchen equipment, unwanted stationery and accessories. You can also put items, including documents, into commercial storage.
Make it visual
Ensure your new office location is visually captured on posters everywhere, for both employees and the public. It’s an opportunity to advertise, as well as having the least impact on keeping your business trading without losing customers along the way. Highlight that you’re moving to new premises because you are expanding. You could even use this angle to generate more business. Just make sure you give clear instructions on how to locate your new premises.
Clean!
Cleaning is a fundamental part of moving and usually a required process, as dust and dirt can easily build up under fixtures and fittings. Consider hiring a professional cleaning service that has expert experience in office cleaning. They will eliminate any dust, dirt and grime to ensure your office premises are left looking spotless – an important task if you’re leasing your office.
Ultimate Office Removals Checklist
Not sure what to put on your checklist? Use our free office move checklist to help you get started. A dedicated checklist ensures nothing is missed or left behind. You should include every aspect of your business at each stage of the moving process. With our handy office move checklist, no speck will go unnoticed. Here, we reveal what you should be considering at each stage. Think of this process as you would a house move, and you’ll be able to coordinate an efficient and cost-effective process without interrupting your business.
6 Months Before The Move
Now is the time to think about the logistical side of the process. Here are some questions you should be asking yourself and your management team, alongside some additional office relocation tips.
- Do you have any building maintenance issues that need attention before the move begins?
- Nominate a planning team and assign them each a role to share the load and responsibility.
- Do you have any potentially difficult items to move?
- Do you need to insure any high-value items?
- Is this task too big that you may need to hire external help? If so, start researching companies in your area that can cover your designated moving date.
- Start to declutter and move any items into storage, if required.
- Ensure you have a month-by-month budget for any emergency that may occur, or to use for a celebration at the end of the move!
The Day Of Your Move and After The Move
The big day has arrived. If you’re fully prepared, you don’t need to worry about anything.
- Move bigger, bulkier items first.
- Move smaller items last as these can be transported by employees in their cars or vehicles (if required).
- Start to set up your new office. Once you’ve unloaded and installed fixtures, fittings and furniture, it’s time to start unloading your IT equipment.
- Install all IT equipment, phones, technology and accessories. Ensure these are working correctly before you check phone line connectivity and internet settings.
- Unbox smaller items last.
- Run through your inventory to check that everything has arrived at your new destination.
- Make a list of any missing items – you can try to locate these at your old office.
- Walk around your new office to determine if all items have been set up.
- Check your old office premises for any items you may have missed. If you’re cleaning the office yourself, you’ll need to conduct this after your move.
- If you’ve booked a cleaning company, ensure they have the keys to the property once you’ve moved.
- Visit the premises after cleaning for inspection.
- Return the keys to the owner of your building.
