An office move is naturally more costly than a residential move. Therefore, moving with a tight budget can be a struggle for some smaller businesses. However, there are ways you can conserve during the transition. Take a look at a few tips to help you save money during your office move.
1. Choose an off-season moving date.
Certain seasons are most in demand when it comes to moving services. For example, many companies will choose to relocate offices during off-peak business times, such as in the fall or spring. Therefore, if you can schedule your move during a time of year when the moving company gets fewer service requests, you may get a less-expensive rate.
2. Negotiate lease terms.
One fundamental way you can save money during an office move is by what you pay for leasing the new office space. Many commercial leases are negotiable, especially in areas with low demand for office spaces. Legal Zoom offers some excellent tips for negotiating a reasonable price for a commercial lease, such as:
- Evaluating the lease term and offering to pay less in exchange for a longer commitment
- Researching rent costs for comparable properties to use as leverage
- Looking closely at clauses and stipulations to make sure you’re not paying for anything you don’t need
3. Downsize when possible.
Downsizing when you relocate can save you a substantial amount of money, and downsizing may be more doable than expected. For example, many companies now have hybrid workplace models involving remote and in-office workers. If you have several employees who have transitioned to remote or hybrid work, you may not need as much office space or as many cubicles.
4. Minimize what you need to move.
Most moving companies base their cost to move an office largely on how much there is to be moved. Therefore, the more you can eliminate before you relocate, the better off you will be.
You may find many office items amid packing that you don’t necessarily need to take with you, such as:
- Outdated office furniture
- Unused office decor
- Old office supplies
Consider donating the items you no longer need to a local charity, school, or even religious organization that could use the things. In some cases, this may even get you a small tax deduction that can save you money on business taxes. Check with your moving company to see if they have a program for repurposing or disposing of furniture and old equipment.
6. Plan for unexpected costs.
Unexpected costs can and do come up during an office move. If these unexpected events come up, and you do not have room in the budget, this could cost you more money in the long run. For example, if you discover damage to the current office that has to be repaired before you sign off on the old lease, it will be important to have the funds to cover the costs. Otherwise, you may be left dipping into business savings accounts or the next month’s profits to cover the costs.
Work with an Experienced Office Moving Company to Help
Hiring office movers with the experience to help you navigate your relocation can also be a good way to make a move more efficient. Are you anticipating an upcoming relocation for your business? If so, let us help. Reach out for a free quote.