Is it time to move to a new office? According to Clutch, an office relocation has a positive effect on 68% of employees. If your business has been in the same space for a long time, the idea of packing everything up and moving it all to a new place may seem daunting. Luckily, you can make the process much easier with the help of a commercial mover. How do you find the best one for your needs? Here are a few things to look for before you hire a commercial moving company.
1. Service
Before you think about anything else, you need to confirm what kind of service you actually need. Some companies expect you to have everything ready, so they can just do the heavy lifting. If you need more than that, make sure the company you work with offers additional services. These may include packing and unpacking services, inventory management, document destruction, space planning, server relocation, and disposal of unwanted items. The more services a moving company offers, the easier your move will be for you and your employees. Make a list of everything you need from a moving company, and only work with one that offers those services.
2. Experience
While moving things from one place to another may seem simple, it can quickly become a disaster if the moving company doesn’t have a lot of experience. Knowledgeable commercial movers will bring decades of experience to your move. Thinking back to similar projects, they can make the ideal plan for your office. The team will also be able to anticipate problems and work around unexpected issues or delays. To avoid uncertainty mid-move, hire an experienced company.
3. Reliability
Moving an entire office is a huge undertaking, so it’s important to work with a truly reliable commercial mover. The key to a well-executed move is communication. Before hiring a commercial moving company, confirm how you will communicate with them throughout the move. Ideally, they will assign a dedicated move coordinator to work with you before, during, and after the move. If you work with a company that doesn’t provide a single point of contact, you’ll soon find yourself explaining yourself and your situation every time you call.
4. Efficiency
An important quality in any office mover is efficiency. In many cases, moving your office will align with the end of your old office’s lease. You’ll need to move out quickly so the new tenant can move in. You want to make sure that the mover you choose will be able to move your belongings quickly and efficiently. This will avoid any issues with your old landlord and will help to minimize the disruption to your business.
5. Reputation
It’s important to check a mover’s reputation before hiring them. To start, talk to friends and family who may have used the company’s services in the past. You can also look at online reviews. Your friends’ testimonies and any online reviews will confirm the quality of the company’s services. They may also make you aware of services you didn’t know you needed like computer packing and setup. The number of reviews, the overall score, and the details in each review are important, so read and review them carefully.
6. Value
You want to make sure that you are getting a good value when you choose a commercial mover. You should compare prices from several different movers before making a decision. You should also be sure to get everything in writing, including the estimated cost of the move, the services that will be provided, and the terms of payment. A truly good mover will not only give you a quote. First, the company will come to your office for a free on-site survey and consultation. Once they’ve looked at your current workspace, the movers will provide a detailed analysis of the cost.
7. Security
Your office is probably filled with sensitive documents, expensive equipment, and other valuable items. When choosing a commercial mover, it’s important to make sure that they have adequate security measures in place to protect your belongings. This includes having insurance. When evaluating a mover’s security measures, be sure to ask about their insurance policy. Another service that keeps your things safe is document shredding. Ask the company you want to hire if they can provide document shredding bins. This can be a huge relief for you and your employees as you won’t need to make a separate trip to a document shredding service if the moving company can do it for you. You should also ask about the mover’s security procedures and how they plan to keep your possessions safe during packing, moving, and unpacking. Lastly, confirm that all employees have had a proper background check.
8. Training
All commercial movers should be properly trained in how to safely and efficiently move your belongings. This includes training on how to properly pack and load your belongings, as well as how to safely operate moving equipment. A good commercial mover will not only train their staff but yours as well. Ask if they offer pre-move seminars or training materials to make the process smoother. While the bulk of the work will be handled by the moving company, making sure your employees know what to expect will make the move even easier.
9. Equipment
The equipment that a commercial mover has will affect the quality of its service. A mover with the right equipment will be able to move your belongings quickly and efficiently, without damaging them. This includes trucks, trailers, packing materials, tools, and safety equipment. Depending on the scale of your move, you may need just a van. For larger offices, a flatbed trailer may be necessary. There are also things that you’ve probably never heard of such as panel carts, moving pads, dock plates, hoist kits, and keyboard bags. Ideally, the equipment will also be in good condition and have maintenance performed on it on a regular basis to keep it in good working order. The company’s website may have photos of its equipment or a list of what they use for moving.
10. Service Area
Not all moving companies can travel to your new office. If you’re moving from one side of your city to the other, this probably won’t be an issue as most commercial moving companies can usually handle any move within the same county. If you are moving a long distance like to a different state, you will need to choose a mover who has a service area that includes your destination. It may be possible to confirm their service area by looking at their website. If you don’t see it there, contact the commercial mover directly and ask if they can travel from your current office to the new one.
There are so many things to think about when it comes to moving an entire office. Once you’ve thought about the most important qualities you want in a commercial mover, you can begin planning your move with the help of a professional commercial mover. With a new office, you and your employees will feel so much better. Do you still have questions about commercial moving? Olympia Office Movers can answer them! Call today for more information or to get started with our quality office relocation and commercial moving services. We’re here to make your next move a breeze!