There are various reasons why company owners choose to uproot their businesses and move them elsewhere. It might be a question of space, or safety, or even sales. Whatever the actual reasons might be, the relocation of offices is not a light-hearted decision to make.

Aside from the allocated moving budget, relocation is a stressful event that can cost more than a day’s profit if done wrong. However, professional movers remind others that most business owners still commit the biggest of common moving mistakes at the expense of their companies.

Attempting to DIY the relocation

For some reason, people think that conducting the move themselves can help cut moving costs in half. After all, it seems like a matter of creating a move committee within your ranks and asking for volunteers to help you move. How bad can that be?

Well, you might be surprised how difficult it is to lift a simple office table, or how fragile a computer is, and how difficult it is to pack your copier machine without damaging it. The more time you spend figuring out how to pack your files and equipment, the more the relocation bleeds you of money as your normal operations become impeded by all the preparation and the actual move.

Furthermore, asking amateurs to handle your precious equipment is a recipe for disaster, as they can inadvertently cause irreparable damage while trying to move things.

Packing and moving every single thing in the office–including the junk

Some people have trouble letting go, but it shouldn’t mean you should spend money on packing and moving things you clearly don’t need. Moving offices is a great opportunity to do some spring cleaning and separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak – those items that will only occupy space in your new office location.

Not creating (and adhering to) a move schedule

By not creating a move schedule in the first place, you’re potentially unleashing all kinds of problems, including poor coordination and communication within the organization, the suppliers, and the customers. This all results in costly time delays. Planning ahead is a key step in any successful office move, as it prevents you from moving during peak season or rush hour, and can help make the transition be as smooth as humanly possible.

Company owners should take the responsibility in managing the overall move and delegating some of the more specific tasks, like setting up computer and communications networks, materials management, and communicating with vendors and customers, not to mention the formation of specialized teams.

By avoiding these mistakes, you can save both time and money on your office relocation.

Sources:

The 7 Deadly Mistakes of Office Moving and How to Avoid Them, KingCompaniesUSA.com

10 Biggest Moving Mistakes, BetterHomesandGardens.com