An Expert’s Guide to Making Your Office Move to the City a Success

Last month, we explored the reason behind the trend of American companies packing up their suburban headquarters and relocating to urban centers. General Electric, McDonalds, Kraft Heinz, Boeing…the list goes on and on. Business owners are moving to cities to attract a more diverse, younger, technologically savvy workforce. Because millennials want to enjoy the vibrancy of downtown, big businesses see a far greater response to job ads posted in urban-based corporate headquarters.

And it’s not just big corporations. Many small to medium-sized business are following suit.

The good news is that these corporate moves bring tremendous opportunity to young professionals interested in pursuing careers without settling for a slow-paced, sleepy suburban life.

Office moves open doors, but they can also be incredibly complex, costly and nerve-wracking. Without the right professional support, advance planning and systems in place, an office move can easily become a moving nightmare. The good news is that a moving mishap can be avoided if you take the proper action steps.

Let’s take a look at the challenges of office moving and strategies recommended by professional office movers like All Jersey Moving & Storage to help overcome them.

The Challenges of Office Moving

*Disruptions to business. There’s no avoiding it: business moves can be pricy. Moving to a new office often means an investment in upgraded computer systems or new custom-fitted furniture to improve office functionality. Additionally, preparing for the move can disrupt business as usual for days if not weeks, impacting sales and productivity. But don’t make the mistake of trying to execute a move without a reputable moving company experienced with office moves. Professional office movers have the expertise necessary to minimize disruptions and work efficiently to get your new office in order so that your team can get back to work.

*The Plight of Packing.

Packing up a business involves a lot of hard work and many moving pieces. If a residential move involves hundreds of choices and considerations in the packing department, office moving can involve thousands.  If you are a business owner or office manager in charge of overseeing an upcoming office move, your number one priority is to ensure that it is professionally and efficiently executed in order to minimize disruptions to business. To achieve this goal, it’s important that you start the packing process early on. The sooner you begin packing, the more systematic and organized the process will be. Leaving packing to the last minute or failing to implement a label system can result in packing items in a rush, damaging items or the office itself in the process, or creating a chaotic mess that you’ll have to navigate upon arrival at your new office.

Practical Steps for A Smooth-Sailing Office Move.

*Hiring Professional Office Movers.

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that a residential moving company can execute your office move. Office moving requires that movers have the expertise, experience and specialized equipment necessary to handle your office move seamlessly. The complex logistics involved in managing an efficient, organized office move simply cannot be compared to a straightforward, simple residential move. Most movers only perform office moving on an occasional basis and don’t have all the expensive equipment and experienced manpower that is required.

In order to guarantee a seamless moving experience, seasoned office movers are your only safe bet. Professional office movers have the experience necessary to ensure that your move is executed efficiently and that your furniture, technological equipment and important files arrive unscathed. They also know how to protect your office walls, floors, entryways and stairwells from being damaged in the process.

Get at least three quotations before selecting your preferred mover. Go online to sites like Angie’s List and ask fellow business owners and colleagues for personal recommendations. All Jersey Moving & Storage is proud to have earned a reputation as one of New Jersey’s most reputable office movers. We execute office moves across the Northeastern United States.

*Secure Your Preferred Office Moving Company ASAP!

The most highly recommended office movers are popular for reason. Professional movers with experience relocating businesses like All Jersey Moving & Storage do their best to accommodate your moving dates as well as last minute and weekend moves. However, you have the best chance of moving on your preferred dates with your mover of choice if you schedule your moving dates far in advance. After you do your due diligence and select a moving company, act quickly to ensure they are available to execute your office move on your schedule. Your moving company will help guide you through the process, providing valuable suggestions and strategies to ensure moving day goes smoothly.

*Investing in Packing and Unpacking Services.

Many business owners rank packing and unpacking amongst their least favorite tasks when it comes to office moving. Businesses accumulate a lot of furniture, equipment and other items, and packing them in an organized fashion can be extremely time-consuming. Without a proper labeling and organization system in place, you will find yourself in a chaotic environment when you arrive in your new office space. Equally of concern, inexperienced packers don’t have the equipment or know-how necessary to protect all your belongings, leaving awkwardly shaped furniture systems, delicate technology, important files and heavy equipment at risk of being damaged during the office move.

The easiest way to minimize the stress of office moving is to use a professional moving company for both packing and unpacking. This may sound like an extravagance but can be surprisingly affordable when you consider how much time your team will have to invest in conquering these tasks which takes them away from their work. Professional office movers know how to safely pad, pack and protect office furniture and equipment so they arrive in the same condition they were in when they left your old office. Don’t write off the idea before asking for an estimate. If you do plan on doing your own packing and unpacking, take advantage of All Jersey Moving & Storage’s moving tips.

*Taking Advantage of Containerized Storage Services.

You may have to briefly store expensive equipment or furniture during your move. If you’re downsizing, you may need longer term storage for equipment, furniture or filing systems that don’t fit in your new space. All Jersey Moving & Storage has its own New Jersey-based containerized storage facility, where items are stored in large sealed and secured in sturdy wooden containers so that nothing can be scraped, crushed or dented. When your furniture is placed in containerized storage, it is also carefully blanket wrapped and remains so until it's safely removed from storage.

To provide greater peace of mind, you can purchase full value coverage to properly insure the goods in storage. All Jersey’s containerized storage team monitors all movement into and out of the containerized storage facility, giving tenants confidence that there are no hazardous materials or infested shipments. Unlike self-storage facilities, at the All Jersey Moving & Storage facility in New Jersey, tenants only pay for the amount of space they use. To make storage more cost effective for tenants, All Jersey Moving & Storage doesn’t charge move-in administration fees and maintain stable rental fees so there's no need to worry that your expenses will increase after a few months as they often do in self-storage facilities.

*Selling or Giving Away Unwanted Furniture.

Moving is an opportunity to take stock of your furniture and technological equipment. You may want to give your new office a fresh, modern look by updating your furniture and equipment. If you’re downsizing to a smaller space, getting rid of some items will be a necessity. Whatever the case may be, you need to take action well in advance. If you want to sell the furniture, post the furniture on sites like Craigslist. Selling valuable furniture and technological equipment can help defray the cost of purchasing new items. However, if you don’t want to face pressure to decrease your prices as moving day approaches, be sure to post the items as soon as possible. If you don’t have time to manage the sale of unwanted furniture, consider donating it to a non-profit or charitable organization. Ask your professional office mover for recommendations of companies that will arrange for pick-up at your convenience and be sure to ask about a tax receipt for charitable donations.

*Creating a Positive New Work Environment.

Change can be difficult for employees. Disruptions to work can be frustrating, not to mention the challenge of leaving a familiar work environment. Moves can be especially trying for employees who have to adjust to long commutes or even relocate from the suburbs to the new office in the city. There are several things you can do to help your team transition more smoothly. For employees who have to move to a new home, consider providing a moving stipend to help defray moving costs. Give employees with long commutes a “gas and tolls” stipend.

Of equally importance, get your team excited about their new surroundings and show them your appreciation for their patience and support during the move. Stock the staff kitchen with goodies every Friday. Take them for dinner after work to a great local restaurant or provide a membership for a local gym. The more excited your team is about the move and the more appreciated they feel, the smoother your transition will be.

At All Jersey Moving & Storage, we have decades of experience helping businesses relocate from the city to the suburbs and vice versa. We use top-of-the-line equipment to ensure that your office furniture and valuable equipment are protected from the moment we arrive at your old office until your items are safely unloaded at your destination. If you’re moving to an office in the city, the All Jersey Moving & Storage moving team is familiar with the unique rules and requirements of many high-rise buildings, allowing us to ensure that your move runs smoothly and on schedule.

Some of the services our experienced movers provide include:

*Honest estimates - no-surprises!
*Award-winning service
*Accommodating last-minute moves whenever possible
*Short and long-term storage
*Weekend pick-up and delivery service at no additional charge
*Packing and unpacking

*And more!

All Jersey Moving & Storage has earned a reputation as one of the best office movers and commercial moving service companies in New Jersey. Because we have been office moving small and large local companies for many years, we have the experience and know-how to handle all your moving needs, whether it's a corporate relocation, small business, or a one-room office. Our team is renowned for being thorough from the initial contact until the last piece is unloaded into your new office. To ensure a smooth relocation, our personnel are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and exceeding your expectations.

Contact us today for a free estimate!