With more and more businesses making Chicago their home or growing and expanding within the city, office moving is a necessary service. Whether companies move to the Midwest for the economy, the community, or to follow the generational shift here, there are multiple items to consider before, during and after a corporate relocation. Today we’re sharing common mistakes for leaders to avoid when planning an office move within or to Chicago.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing for a Chicago Office Move
A move of any kind is a complex, multi-step process. This is especially true for a medical practice, agency, or business office moving to or within a major metropolitan area like Chicago. To keep our fellow businesses on track, we suggest avoiding these mistakes to keep your relocation running smoothly.
Improper Planning and Lead Time
When a decision is made to move, a comprehensive plan must be made to determine what steps need to be taken, and in what order. Business size affects budgets and timelines, and all of these must be mapped out first. Planning saves time and money, and can even affect employee satisfaction. A corporate relocation doesn’t happen overnight, or even in the space of a month. Give yourself time to prepare.
Failing to Consider Storage Options
The need for storage solutions is one of the factors to include in the planning phase. Whether you need to store items temporarily during packing, while a new site is under construction, or for the long term, there are many ways that storage solutions support office relocations. Setting this up early ensures your organization has access to secure, climate-controlled storage options, and you won’t have to settle for a substandard space. Some moving companies provide these services themselves, or can direct you to a reputable provider.
Handling a Move In-House
It’s understandable that smaller businesses may think it’s worth the cost savings to tackle an office relocation with their own team of employees, but this isn’t necessarily a place to save. Professional movers are experts that use the right equipment for every part of an office breakdown and rebuild – they work safely and efficiently, and according to plan. They can work after hours and weekends to keep disruptions and downtime to a minimum. This ultimately saves time and can be a cost savings, too, as you avoid overtime pay and physical risks to employee health.
Not Thinking About Special Equipment
Today’s businesses and medical practices need modern technology and IT solutions to thrive. Working with commercial movers who have experience moving servers, various computer setups or special equipment (like medical devices) is key to a successful move. When searching for local office movers, it is imperative to consider an inventory of items that may seem familiar to you but would be specialty items to others. This ensures no surprises when the moving window arrives.
Not Including Packing and Unpacking
In the midst of all of the planning, employee communications and timelines, remember to think about how productivity will be affected by packing and unpacking, tearing down and rebuilding. There will naturally be some disruption to routines during your office move, but this can be mitigated by utilizing packing and unpacking services offered by commercial movers. Beyond loading and unloading and transportation, moving specialists efficiently handle this process and work with your teams to make sure everything is correctly placed and rebuilt in the proper new locations.
Hire Chicago’s Preferred Office Moving Specialists
New City Moving knows Chicago well and appreciates our city’s businesses. As a local office mover we’re committed to affordable, well-planned, straightforward relocations. We work hard to keep your relocation on time and within budget. Call us today at 872-314-2148 or schedule your free quote online.