7 Reasons You Should Hire An Office Relocation Company

Moving offices often represents an exciting new chapter in the company's evolution. Perhaps you're upgrading your address or moving to more eco-friendly premises. You could also be looking to save costs by downsizing your office as more staff work from home.

Whatever the circumstances, it's critical your move is well-managed. A poorly handled relocation could lead to financial and reputational harm, from unhappy staff to tech disasters. To reduce these risks and deliver a successful outcome, partnering with a professional relocation company is essential.

In this article, we will highlight seven reasons you should hire a professional relocation company to ensure an effortless transition to your new office space. We will also explore how moves go wrong and how to choose the right company for your needs.

Why Do Office Relocations Go Wrong?

Putting together a relocation checklist during your moving process can often run to several pages. This tells you there is plenty that can go wrong when relocating office space.

Damaged equipment, data loss and unplanned expenses are only the tip of the iceberg.

Here are some of the most common reasons relocations go awry:

• IT and equipment issues: When IT and other critical equipment are not properly handled during the move, it can be damaged and result in costly repairs and unbudgeted downtime.   

• Unexpected costs: Unplanned expenses such as new permits, signage, damages, and setup charges can mount quickly, straining your budget.

• Morale and productivity loss: It's common for employees to resist change and feel uncomfortable in a new space, especially if their workstations aren't effectively set up. In this scenario, expect frustrations and lower productivity.

• Security and data breaches: Relocating your IT infrastructure and data to a new location increases the risk of security vulnerabilities and data breaches.

• Business interruption: Moving to a new office location inevitably interrupts normal business operations. Every hour of downtime costs your company money, and a poorly managed move can cost much more than you initially expected.

• Staff injuries: Staff often get injured when moving heavy items. These injuries may fall outside of normal duties and can have serious business consequences, including lawsuits.

7 Reasons You Should Hire An Office Relocation Company

One of the most important considerations when moving office is whether to do it yourself or hire a professional. In most cases, hiring outside experts is a wise move.

Here are seven reasons to engage specialist support.

1. Saves time and money

You need to budget and pay for an office relocation service. However, smart companies view this cost as an investment rather than an expense.

Think of it as buying expertise to save money in the long run.

Moving an office involves the risk of lost or damaged items and delays in getting up and running in the new workspace. However, professional movers streamline the entire process, securely packing, unpacking, and setting up the new space.

The move is planned and managed with minimal disruptions, ensuring your business transitions smoothly, quickly and cost-effectively.

2. Protects assets and minimises risk

Professional moving companies have the skills and equipment to safely pack and transport your office equipment and furniture.

They identify and address potential hazards, such as building access issues, equipment handling and cabling challenges.   

Plus, they are pros at configuring and setting up your office in the new location, further eliminating workplace hazards.

3. Smooth, stress-free experience

The stakes and pressure of relocating a traditional office setup are incredibly high.

Thankfully, partnering with a professional moving firm relieves a load of this strain.

You have assurance that your move is supported by professionals who do the job every day.

Their objective is to plan and execute your relocation with precision, from comprehensive planning to switch-on support in the new venue.

4. Professional advice

Office relocation companies offer invaluable professional advice in several areas:

• Space planning: This includes advice on the spatial efficiency of your new office address. For example, they could help you create open working spaces to improve workflow and team collaboration or configure your floor plan to optimise tight working spaces.

• IT infrastructure guidance: Experts help coordinate the relocation of all your IT infrastructure, ensuring minimal tech downtime.  

• Risk assessment: They provide guidance on potential risks and challenges to avoid costly moving missteps.

• Compliance and regulations: Professional movers advise on relevant regulations and permits to ensure your move is compliant and avoids legal obstacles.

5. Customised moving plans

Movers create a detailed, customised moving plan that covers all bases, including timelines, resources, and responsible personnel.

This plan ensures nothing falls through the cracks, from reminders to book parking space permits to checking WiFi coverage in the new building.

As trusted advisors, Burton & Smith can get involved in planning your relocation even before you sign your new property lease. Our services also extend to assessing your current and future office needs.

Once you commit to relocating, we will start preparing the logistics and timing and develop a comprehensive project management roadmap.

6. Health and Safety

While it may be cheaper to hire a van and have your team assist with moving furniture and equipment, you need to consider the consequences of employee injuries during the process. Besides putting a team member out of action, an injury can lead to costly compensation claims and insurance hassles.

Using a professional office removal concern mitigates these health and safety risks. It also minimises downtime as staff aren't distracted from their core jobs.

7. Insurance and accountability

Reputable companies like Burton & Smith carry insurance that covers all aspects of your relocation and accept responsibility for any mishaps that may occur on the job.

You have peace of mind knowing that your assets are protected in the event of an unforeseen incident or accident.

What To Consider When Choosing A Removal Company

Choose the right office relocation company, and you will enjoy a smooth, stress-free transition. Choose poorly, and you may seriously regret it.

Here are key factors to consider when making your choice:

• Experience: While you may like to support new businesses, entrusting your office move to professionals without an undisputed track record is a gamble. Rather, find operators with proven expertise in your industry who handle moves of a similar size to yours.

• Reputation: Be sure to look beyond the company's PR to assess its reputation. Local enquiries, online reviews (including Google and Trustpilot) and business directories reveal a lot about the company's standing.

• Services offered: It's best to work with a company that offers end-to-end relocation services. This includes a customised relocation plan, furniture disassembling/reassembling and IT infrastructure expertise.

• Accreditation and insurance: Is the company accredited and do they hold adequate insurance to cover accidents? Look for accreditations like the British Association of Removers (BAR) and BS 8522 Quality Assurance.

• Transparent pricing: Professional relocators will give you a detailed, transparent quote. Ask if there are any 'hidden costs' for items like heavy equipment, storage, or additional labour.

• Sustainability practices: As the UK and the world move towards more sustainable business practices, you can find moving companies committed to sustainability. They use recyclable packaging and electric vehicles and have eco-friendly offices.

• Customer support and communication: Choose a company with responsive customer service. Ask if they provide real-time tracking and status updates on moving day. Importantly, is there a dedicated contact person managing your move?

FAQs

What should you expect when using a moving company?

Moving contractor services usually encompass:

• Initial consultation and planning

• Providing packing materials and supplies

• Professional packing and unpacking

• Furniture and tech equipment disassembly and reassembly

• Loading and unloading

• Transportation

• Storage, if needed

What are the benefits of moving offices?

Moving offices can bring several benefits, such as:

• Improved team collaboration

• Greater employee morale in fresh facilities

• The ability to attract better talent

• Space for business growth

• Improved company image

• Optimised costs with more efficient space usage

An office move is an opportunity to update your work environment and align it with future-forward business goals.

Summary and Next Steps

Office relocations can be complex, but the right approach makes all the difference. Hiring a professional office relocation company ensures efficiency, minimised risks, and savings both in your business money and time.

With almost 50 years of experience in commercial moving, Burton & Smith has experienced it all. We bring that wealth of expertise to every job, ensuring you hit the ground running safely in your new location.

For a trusted, secure move with minimum downtime, contact us today for a free, competitive quote.