Small Business Moving Guide

Unlike moving from one home to another, moving offices has a set of different dynamics. It is extremely tedious and office equipment tends to be bulkier than most home items. Even if you run a small business, you cannot underestimate the work it takes to move. You will also have to be very mindful of any specialized equipment you use in your small business and moving might mean uninstalling it and then installing it in your new office. This requires expertise and should be considered when deciding on the moving company to work with.

You also risk losing customers when you move to a new location so you have to plan your move early in advance so that you can notify them in good time.

Here is a complete small-business moving guide.

1.    Inform Your Customers in Good Time

You need to let your customers know that you’re changing locations weeks before the move. Tell them in person and also put signs on your premises as well as online platforms. If they are loyal and appreciate your services or products, they will follow you to the new location. As you inform them, hype up the new location. Let them know it will be bigger and/or better and it will enable you to serve them better.

2.    Update Your Business Online Profiles

Remember to update your business’ new location on your site and dedicate one page to announcing the move. You should also edit the information on Google listing as well as update location on your social media platforms. Update any other information that might change as a result of the move such as phone numbers and email addresses.

3.    Communication Set Up

To avoid disrupting business, you need to ensure that your communication set up in the new premise is in order before you move. Your communications infrastructure including phones, fax and internet should be good and run before you get to your new business location. It is advisable to order the services at least 60 days before the move.

Set up a Google Voice service just in case your new communications set up is not working as it should. Ask your provider to set up call-forwarding as well so that clients who call using the old numbers can still reach you before they get a hang of things.

4.    Move On a Weekend

Some businesses that operate on weekends prefer to move after hours but this is not advisable. The best time to move offices is over the weekend. This helps reduce friction and gives you ample time to unpack and organize. If moving on a weekend will be too disruptive to your business, then opt to move during a holiday.

5.    Don’t Go Cheap

You might want to save money by moving businesses on your own. This might, however, end up being a more expensive venture because you increase the risk of damaging or breaking equipment, and it will also take you much longer to move than it would professionals.

Find a mover at least two months before your moving date and do due diligence by comparing different prices and package deals. Get proof of insurance before contracting your preferred mover. It is also important to know if the movers have prior experience moving a business like yours and if they have professionals who have the expertise in handling specialized equipment from your business.

Before the moving company arrives remember to empty fridges, trash cans, and other items. Most movers will move a fridge with food in it and even trash cans full of trash.

6.    Donate What You No Longer Need

If you have office equipment and supplies that you no longer need such as old phones, printers, copiers and even furniture, now is a good time to donate them. There is no point in paying for items you will not use in your new office.

7.    Mark and Number All Your Boxes

Mark each box on the top and sides so that they be easily spotted during unpacking. Marking the tops only or on one or two sides will make it more difficult to find specific boxes. It also makes it easy for you to lose things while on the move. It also helps if you add a small description of the items contained in the box. Having a numbering system helps you spot any missing or lost boxes thus making it easier for you to claim should anything get damaged or lost.

8.    Computer Cables

Whether your business has one or tens of computers, the best way to move them is by first removing the cables from the computers. The cables should be put in huge zip-locked bags which have a label showing which computer specific cables belong to. Computer cables should always be removed as this minimizes the chance of them getting lost or damaged during the move.

9.    Computer Monitors and Computers

Make sure that your moving company has appropriate packing materials for your computers and computer monitors. They should be bubble wrapped and taped or wrapped using thick moving blankets. They should never be put in boxes and the mover’s tape should not come into direct contact with the computer monitor’s surface. They should also never be stack on top of each other or other items. If possible remove each computer’s hard drive and carry them with you. This is the safest way to protect your data. If you cannot remove the hard drive, back up your data in the cloud through platforms such as iDrive.

If your movers use moving blankets to wrap up computer monitors and computers, make sure the tape is properly used to protect them from slipping off.

Now that you know how to move offices with the help of a professional mover, now let’s look at which moving company is best for the job.

As we have seen, moving offices can be such a stressful affair and it is easy to get overwhelmed. One of the most reliable commercial moving companies is Alpha Moving & Storage. They operate in New Jersey and New York and have a wealth of experience in commercial moving from small business to huge corporates.

They have a team of trained and dependable moving project leaders who have special skills in uninstalling office equipment from your old office and installing it in the new office. They also know how to safely handle various office equipment thus preventing any incidents of damage or loss. Whether you’re relocating to a new office around the block or cross country, Alpha Moving & Storage will put together an organized and complete relocation strategy.

The company uses state of the art moving equipment and technology in all commercial moves. They are licensed in New York and New Jersey with mastery on meeting client needs. For over 20 years, Alpha Moving & Storage has provided many small business commercial and office moving services. They work with the most professional relocation consultants in New York and New Jersey. They know that commercial moving is a specialized area, which demands knowledgeable personnel, advanced technology, and modern equipment. Alpha Moving & Storage is committed to serving your business with the best moving service you could ever ask for.

Some of their services include:

• Move supervision done by a personal project leader from the onset to the end of the moving process.
• Relocation planning.
• Provision of Masonite boards used to protect your floor and carpets.
• Expert packing and unpacking of all your items.
• Expert handling of electronics, specialized machinery, and other office equipment.
• Professional marking and tagging of all items.
• Expert disassembly and installation of cubicles and workstations.
• Licensed dumping of debris, waste and other dirt that might be accumulated in the course of the move.
• Access to clean, latest model trucks equipped with ramps, hydraulic lift mechanism, and multiple doors for easy access.

Ready to Have a Smooth Business Move?

Alpha Moving and Storage has you covered with all the right equipment. Give them a call today to book or small business move!