A business relocation is an exciting time as it typically means your company is expanding and new opportunities are opening up. While you may be anticipating the basic costs of moving your office or warehouse, a commercial relocation can end up being more expensive than you initially expected. However, by carefully planning ahead and assessing the situation, it’s possible to avoid certain costs and even save money during your Portland or Seattle business relocation. The following seven tips will help you plan a transition that’s cost-effective.
1. Sort Through Your Current Inventory
The cost and time it takes to physically move all the furniture, equipment, and other items in your office to another location can add up quickly. You can save money on the cost of movers if you sort through your current inventory and dispose of unneeded items. A business relocation is an excellent time to sort through your assets and cut down on your stock. By donating your unwanted items to charity, you can also get a tax write-off for your business.
2. DIY Packing
DIY packing can save you money on a business relocation. However, keep in mind that while employees can help you pack, the actual moving should be left to the pros. Depending on the size of your business and how much you need to move, you may be able to save enough boxes for packing so you don’t need to purchase them. A few months before your moving date, start saving boxes from deliveries to your office.
3. Move During the Off-Season
Peak moving season is typically during the summer when the weather is dry and warm, and there are more daylight hours. Moving companies may charge lower rates in the off-season. If you can move during the fall, winter, or early spring, you may be able to save money on your business relocation.
4. Negotiate with Service Providers
When you relocate your business, you may be offered discounted service upgrades or better prices from different providers. Take advantage of this opportunity and negotiate with service providers to get the best deal on your utilities, phone, internet, water delivery, cleaning services, and electrical rates. You may have to do a little research to find the lowest prices in your area, but it can save your business money in the long run.
5. Insure Your Valuables
Your business probably has lots of IT equipment, furniture, appliances, and other assets. In addition to actually moving your valuable items, the business relocation process involves disassembly and reassembly of furniture and uninstalling and reinstalling equipment. Replacing your assets can be very expensive, and insuring your valuables will save you money in the event anything gets lost or damaged during the transition.
6. Plan Ahead for Downtime
Many business owners do not anticipate the amount of downtime usually involved with relocating their office. With the time it takes to pack and unpack, distractions during the transition, and the possibility of internet and computer equipment not being promptly set up, you might face unexpected downtime. This downtime can cost your business in lost revenue. Plan ahead to minimize downtime and budget for a day or two in which to complete the transition.
7. Hire Expert Movers
A business relocation is a major project. While you may want to save money by attempting to move everything on your own, asking your staff to do the physical labor is a significant liability. DIY office moves can take much more time than anticipated and can cost you more in the long run due to the risk of damaging items and other hidden costs. Hiring expert commercial movers in Portland or Seattle will streamline the process and help you save money.
All Service Moving is one of the best commercial moving companies in Oregon and Washington. Contact us today to get started with planning your business relocation.