Of all the types of businesses, small businesses tend to relocate more than others. Whether it is transitioning to a better building, a better part of town, or something else, every relocation can be challenging for a smaller company. Too much downtime, and you can face significant interruptions in incoming profits and problems with loss of clientele or customers.
Check out five must-know tips for getting your operation from point A to point B with as little interruption as possible.
1. Plan, Plan, and Plan Some More
When it comes to moving your business to a new location as seamlessly as possible, your prior planning can mean everything. You should have detailed plans covering:
- A timeline of how and when everything will take place
- A moving budget with a breakdown of each cost involved
- A detailed writeup of what employees will be responsible for what tasks
- What loose ends must be tied up by the time you get to the new place
- A plan of when and how you will notify customers and clients
2. Find a Moving Company for Help
Sourcing a moving company early is good because you can lock in specific dates on a calendar and know precisely what you will spend. Plus, having professional movers to help means the transition will happen much faster. Speed means less downtime for your small business, which is ideal.
3. Create an Inventory Spreadsheet
Everything in your building should be treated as inventory because every asset is valuable. The more detailed you are about everything within your business that has to be moved, the easier it will be to plan and pack as time goes on. Therefore, the less likely it will be that you run into issues due to forgotten items that have to be handled. Your inventory should include:
- All equipment pieces used in your operation, such as printers, laptops, or machinery
- Furniture, such as shelves, tables, and desks
- Filing cabinets, documents, files, data CDs, etcetera
4. Consider Replacing What Is Logical
Replacing some things during a move can be logical. For one, you won’t have to move what is being replaced; it can be sold or donated. Two, what you are replacing can be up, running, and ready at the new place, so when you get there, at least that much is ready for business. If you have some equipment that can be replaced because it is nearing the end of its life span, it is now an excellent time to do it.
5. Know Your Moving Timeline and How It Will Affect Business
Your moving timeline, hopefully, created early on in the planning phase, is your roadmap for everything during the move. You will need to look at:
- How much of the business can continue to function during the move
- If there will be specific times when no operation will be possible
- How long it will take you to open for business once everything is in place at the new building
- What employees will be at the current location packing vs. who will need to be at the new location
In some cases, if you plan to remain open with as little downtime as possible, a gradual move makes more sense. However, it is common to have to be down or entirely closed for a few days.
Work with a Pro Moving Company for a Seamless Transition
Moving a business will always bring about unique challenges and more stress than a typical residential move. However, when you have a good team of professional movers to help you through, things can be easier to handle. Reach out to get a free quote from professional movers today.