Moving an entire office building can be a challenging task. Unlike a home, most of the stuff being moved is sensitive both in terms of being able to break easily and in terms of the content of computers, documents, etc. There’s also just a much larger load of items that need to be moved in most situations.
However, it’s often a necessary task. Whether you expand your business or simply find a better lease deal for a new office space somewhere else, you’ll eventually need to go through an office move.
Today, we’re going to go over 9 tips for an office move in Los Angeles to make your experience a far less stressful one.
1. Choose a Moving Service That Specializes in Office Moves
First and foremost, an office move isn’t something you want to do yourself. You likely have lots of breakable equipment that is heavy and difficult to transport with conventional vehicles, lots of furniture, and much more.
It’s also not something that you can request employees to help with. So, it’s likely something you’d have to do entirely on your own if you decided to take the DIY route.
Choosing the right movers will not only save you the hassle but also help prevent property damage, speed up the move, and reduce the number of trips—saving you money on truck rental fees, packing materials, and refueling requirements.”
Overall, hiring a professional moving service in Los Angeles is going to be well-worth the investment, and it’s the optimal way to handle your office move regardless of the size of the office.
2. Get Rid of All Unnecessary Equipment, Furniture, and Documents
You have likely stored things throughout your time operating your office that have never actually been needed. Perhaps they’re outdated receipts and paperwork you no longer need for your records, damaged equipment you swore you were going to fix but didn’t do it for years, or just a bunch of old tech and furniture you’ve already replaced.
Whatever it is, if you don’t need it in your new office, spend some time getting rid of it throughout the month leading up to the move.
This gives you the opportunity to sell anything that you can potentially make money from and offset your moving costs, greatly reduces the amount of stuff that needs to be moved, and ensures that your new office isn’t cluttered the second you move in.
Anything that doesn’t sell, but still isn’t necessary for the business, can be donated, destroyed, or thrown away. Whatever is most appropriate.
3. Clear All Hard Drives You Don’t Intend to Keep
While we’re on the topic of getting rid of things, make sure you fully clear any electronics you might get rid of. It’s likely that you’ve had sensitive information pass through your office building as you’ve operated, and if you don’t clear that information before selling an electronic or throwing it away, someone might come across it and use that information in ways that can harm your business.
4. Keep Your Employees Updated
You’ll likely start preparing for the move long before you actually move. Your employees need to be aware of certain things as you progress.
First and foremost, they should know that a move is coming up. This gives them the opportunity to make decisions that might impact their lives. Especially if you’re moving a fair distance away, and they might not be able to come with you to the new location, or they might need to secure a different method of transportation.
Also, as you progress, you need to update your employees on the progress of the move. Make sure they know if you’re getting rid of certain equipment or if it’s being moved ahead of schedule. Let them know ahead of time if any scheduling changes will be made to accommodate moving efforts, and generally try to ensure that they are in the loop.
Nobody wants to come to work and find the place in chaos unexpectedly.
5. Have a Timeline in Mind
Once you figure out you’re going to be moving your office, create a timeline. When are you going to start downsizing your unneeded assets? What date will the moving company arrive on? When do you want the new office to be functional? Make a comprehensive moving timeline that can keep you on track.
6. Keep Things Organized
You’ll likely keep day-to-day operations going throughout the moving process. At least, until it’s actually time to pack everything up and get to the new location.
Ensuring that you and your employees keep the office organized throughout the process will help with the move and prevent the workplace from getting chaotic leading up to moving day.
7. Secure the Move
Every move is an opportunity for thieves. Whether you’re moving an office or simply getting into a new home. There’s a bit of chaos involved that makes it hard to know if anything goes missing right away, people are coming and going, etc. With an office move, things are even more potentially fruitful for malicious criminals.
Consider hiring a security solution to keep your office and property safe as you move out of one office and into another. Also, ensure that any security systems in place are maintained throughout the move.
8. Create an Inventory List
This is crucial. Before you start packing things up, create an inventory list of every item that is being moved. You can compare this to the items you unpack later, and you’ll immediately know if anything has gone missing.
9. Assign a Coordinator or Take on the Role of Coordinator
Finally, someone has to be in charge of the move. You’re going to have employees packing things up, a lot of high-value items will be moved around, and it can get stressful. It’s easy for something to go wrong.
Either you need to coordinate the effort and ensure everything goes according to plan, or you need to assign someone to take on that role.
Move Your Los Angeles Office with Man with a Truck
Moving your office in Los Angeles doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. By following these 9 tips and planning ahead, you can ensure a smooth and efficient transition to your new location. From hiring the right moving service to staying organized throughout the process, every step you take will help minimize disruptions and keep your business running smoothly.
If you’re looking for a professional moving company, Man with a Truck is ready to handle your office move with care and expertise. We also proudly serve Bellevue, San Diego, and San Francisco. Contact us today and make the move to your new space with confidence!
