Broken equipment, lost documents, last-minute expenses; if you’ve ever relocated your business before, you know the stress it can cause. Nearly 40% of all moves are done by corporations moving into new commercial spaces.

Before your next office relocation, make sure to review this business moving checklist. Using this checklist can simplify relocating a business.

Avoid stress and get back to work with these tips!

Plan the Move

To effectively plan your office relocation, establish a task force that includes members of different departments. With their help, you can assess your needs and avoid gaps in your plan. Try to start planning about six months before moving day.

During this planning session:

Review the current lease
Delegate tasks and define roles
Create a decommissioning plan
Set a budget
Decide on insurance coverage
Start researching moving companies
Develop a to-do list
Complete inventory

Make sure to announce the move to your employees. The announcement should include the reasons for the move, key dates, the new office, and your moving date. Ask for their feedback and answer questions ahead of time.

Identify Costs

Start identifying potential costs to plan your office moving budget. For example:

Rent
Deposits
Contract break fees
Administrative fees
Security
Commercial moving services
Storage fees
Insurance
Utilities

When setting your estimate, increase it by 35 to 40% to anticipate any emergency or last-minute costs. The average cost of moving for both corporate and residential services costs between $1,150 and $2,500. Giving yourself a cushion can help you avoid potential stress.

Assign Tasks

Use your to-do list to start delegating tasks.

First, appoint an office move manager. They’ll delegate tasks, remain responsible for budgeting and planning, and answer inquiries.

Prepare the logistics of your move, including:

Auditing furniture
Mapping out new office design
Arranging for storage if necessary
Planning new stationery and equipment
Arranging cleaning services
Finalizing paperwork
Making arrangements for IT set-up
Preparing office equipment
Ordering keys/access cards
Backing up data

Make sure to call at least three commercial moving companies for quotes. Don’t choose the cheapest option available. Instead, choose complete commercial moving services to simplify your move.

Start packing about two months before the move, packing any items you don’t need in the next few weeks.

Determine which tasks on your list are a priority. Don’t leave this until the last minute.

Make the Move

Try to move some of your non-essential boxes and pieces of equipment a few weeks before the big moving day. Make sure your employees are packing their own desk items as well.

A week before the move:

Update your address
Review the moving schedule
Consult your IT team

On the day of the move, finish packing and get ready to meet the movers!

Do a final walk-through to avoid forgetting anything.

Use This Business Moving Checklist ASAP

Failing to plan your office relocation ahead of time could leave everyone scrambling to pack at the last minute. Don’t let that happen. Instead, use this business moving checklist to remain organized and efficient.

With these tips, you can simplify relocating a business to minimize stress.

Need to request commercial moving services? We’re here to help.