Tag: move your office

Avoid Moving Twice with New Furniture

Posted on June 7, 2016 by - Commercial Relocation, Facility Installation, Moving Preparation, Office Furniture

Moving logistics can be a nightmare when trying to coordinate all variables. From the moving company, keeping clients informed of your schedule, interior designs, system installers and everyday vendors, the stress can add up quickly. The Quality Group can help alleviate much of this stress and can help our clients that use this time to update their office furniture as well. Whether it is due to normal wear and tear or the desire to keep the office atmosphere consistent with the new location, businesses can often add another layer of complexity with scheduling when making this decision. What happens if you order and it is scheduled to arrive after you’ve already moved? What happens if it arrives too early? We have some advise on how the Quality Group can help.

Don’t Let New Furniture Result in You Moving Twice

Avoid Moving TwiceYou can avoid moving twice with help from The Quality Group.

A common practice in the business world when relocating is to essentially move twice. You may think this is absurd, but it happens more often than you think. Many companies will move into their new office with their old furniture, then pay someone to come and get the old furniture and then pay someone else to bring in the new furniture. Businesses lose a production day when this procedure is followed, but they often don’t see another option. Companies have to keep old furniture until new furniture arrives and scheduling pick-ups and deliveries for the same time is virtually impossible. You can however, avoid moving your furniture twice with a little help and planning.

Purchase and Ship Your New Furniture Early

To avoid moving twice, purchase your furniture early in the moving process. You can avoid a large amount of stress by researching and purchasing your new office furniture before you start attempting to coordinate companies. Purchasing the large items early will also give you leeway on deciding when and where you want it delivered. Instead of shipping your new furniture to your old location where you don’t have room for it, or having it shipped to your new place weeks after you’ve moved in, you can ship it to your moving company: The Quality Group.

Store Your New Furniture with the Quality GroupAvoid moving twice by shipping your furniture to The Quality Group

Storing your new furniture with The Quality Group can reduce the amount of work you have to do by cutting down coordination requirements and streamlining the time needed to get your new office up to par. When you purchase your furniture from an outside vendor, The Quality Group is able to safely store it until moving day. When you ship the furniture to The Quality Group, you remove the need to find storage elsewhere and you avoid moving twice. The Quality Group receives, inspects, corrects any mistakes, and stores your furniture until you are ready to move into your new office.

Enjoy the New Furniture at the New Office

When your move day comes, The Quality Group brings and installs the furniture to your specifications. With this process you don’t need to worry about having your old furniture in your new office until the new ones arrive. You also don’t have to worry about coordinating multiple companies, into your move. The Quality Group will already know your move schedule and relocate the new furniture into your office at the same time as moving all of your other equipment, thus avoiding operational downtime. The whole process will happen on the same day and you will avoid the double move situation.

Storing new furniture with your moving company can greatly reduce the stress and work that comes with business relocation. Excess company coordination is removed and aesthetics are not sacrificed when everything arrives at the new office at the same time. The Quality Group aims to ease your moving process by helping to manage your furniture substitution by storing your office furniture until the day you move into your new office.

Work with The Quality Group

At The Quality Group, we’re your commercial relocation specialists. Founded in 1987 in New Orleans, LA, The Quality Group serves the Gulf States with comprehensive commercial moving services from move planning to furniture installation. No other company puts in the time or preparation that we do to make your move stress and hassle-free.

What to Look for in a Commercial Mover

Posted on March 8, 2016 by - Commercial Relocation

After making the difficult decision to move your business to a new office, you have to find the best company to help get your there. There are a lot of moving companies out there, and not all offer the same services and provide the same quality of move. When you’re choosing your perfect moving company be sure to consider the following must haves in a moving company.

   Insurance

Finding a moving company that is insured is very important. You’ll want to make sure your moving company insures your equipment for a range of possible risks during transit or while in storage. This protection will give you peace of mind during relocation.

Estimate Cost

Hidden fees and tacked on costs are common occurrences when dealing with some moving companies. Find a company that lists all costs and be sure to inquire if packing, cleaning, and supplies are included in the estimate. Some companies like The Quality Group operate on a not-to-exceed pricing basis and build every step into their move plan when estimating a relocation. This prevents you from incurring unexpected costs and going over your budget.

Employees

The employees at a moving company will be the key to a good or bad move. Hire a moving company that staffs in-house personnel. In-house employees are more invested in their job than subcontracted employees and will take more care of your furniture and equipment when packing and moving it on and off the truck. Hiring a company that invests in their employees will result in a better moving experience for you.

 

Equipment Care

The proper care of your computer equipment, electronic devices, and data wiring structure is essential during a move. These items are often easily broken and damaged due to their make-up. Finding a moving company that has experience moving sensitive equipment is essential, as it requires extra attention. Look for a company with the necessary experience and packaging supplies to safely relocate your equipment. If you have specific instructions for the care of certain equipment, call a moving company like The Quality Group who listens and adheres to special requests.

Service 

If you are looking for a minimal-involvement moving experience then you’ll need to find a moving company that offers a full-service move. The Quality Group offers a start to finish moving experience that includes the planning, managing, and execution of your move so the only thing you have to focus on is your business. Find a company that helps you through every step of the moving process, even the cleanup of your old office.

 

Picking the right relocation company for you and your office doesn’t have to be a hard decision when you know what to look for. One that is worth their salt will help you through every step of the moving process to ensure your move is worry free. Your new office is not far off so consider each must have and choose your perfect moving company.

The Last Day in Your Old Office After Moving

Posted on February 16, 2016 by - Commercial Relocation, Moving Preparation

The movers have come and packed all the office equipment up, moved it to the new location and arranged it all in the new building. All your employees are hard at work in the new place and you are eager to be in the new building hard at work as well. The problem is you still need to finish up a few more things at the old place before you can be officially moved into your new office.

To cut ties with your old office building forever, there are a few requirements you’ll need to complete.

Clean

Clean your office when moving will prevent extra chargesWhether you are renting or selling your old office building, cleaning after you move is a must. This means, vacuuming, wiping down the walls, cleaning the restrooms and fixing any damage. Cleaning up will prevent the landlord from having to charge you to purchase the services after you leave. Or if you own the building, it will prevent the new owners from reducing the buying price due to the condition of the office. You can opt to clean the office yourself or hire a professional cleaning service that will clean for you. With proper planning, The Quality Group can offer this service to you as part of their moving services.

Stop Utilities

Another step to complete before you are officially done with the old office is to stop all utilities flowing to that building. Sometimes this will mean talking to your landlord to make sure you are no longer being billed for the utilities, and other times it means contacting your utility provider and switching it to the new location. In either case, you need to make sure you won’t be paying for utilities you aren’t using.

Turn in Your Key

Turn your key in after you move everything out of your officeAfter you clean everything and make sure you aren’t paying for utilities for the old office, you’ll need to turn in your key. Holding on to the old office key after you move will benefit no one, so when all tasks are complete, turn it over to the landlord or new owners. This will help you avoid further rent charges or allow the new owners to start moving into their new office.

Moving is a big process, but you need to make sure everything is taken care of, and that includes your old office building. Making sure it is ready for the next tenants is important in avoiding further complications. After everything is complete however, you’ll be ready to enjoy your new office worry free.

Your Office Relocation Timeline

Posted on January 26, 2016 by - Commercial Relocation, Moving Preparation

An important step in relocating your office is setting up a timeline for moving. The timeline will give you a rough idea of how long each stage in the office relocation process will take, and will allow you to schedule sufficient time for both the move and your normal business operations. Without a timeline, your company may not have sufficient time to plan for the office relocation process, causing you to make rushed or uninformed decisions.

Below are the main steps of office relocation and the approximate timeframes of how long they should take you:

Finalizing the lease agreement can take around 8 weeksFinding the new office space: This stage of office relocation involves figuring out your office space requirements, finding your tenant rep broker, and viewing potential office spaces. According to the commercial real estate firm Austin Tenant Advisors, this process should take you about 2-6 weeks but can last longer depending on your market. After those steps are finished, negotiating the terms of your lease with your landlord, and finalizing office lease terms should take about 8 weeks.

 

The legal process: The legal process includes clarifying office lease terms with your real estate lawyer, ensuring you understand tenant obligations, liabilities, and that your interests are protected. This step should take about 4-8 weeks.

Plan for 4 to 8 weeks to furnish your officeSpace planning, office design, and build-out: Furnishing your new office to meet all of your requirements, takes a lot of planning. The actual build-out also takes a while. Allow about 4-8 weeks for this step in the process, and adjust for even more time in the case of larger offices.

Office moving stage: This phase is physically moving your office, and it is estimated that this will take 2-12 weeks, depending on everything you have to move, and if any improvements need to be made.

How long your office relocation actually takes depends on your resources, requirements, and individual circumstances. Having an established timeline beforehand helps ensure that the relocation stays on track, and that the process is easier for you.

Should I Hire a Moving Company or Move Myself?

Posted on January 19, 2016 by - Commercial Relocation

In this increasing do-it-yourself world, moving your office someplace new by yourself might seem like the perfect solution. You’ll save money, make sure everything is packed the way you want it to be, and stick to the schedule you’ve planned, right?  Think again.  There are many things that can go wrong during a move and you’re probably not equipped to handle some of those things the way professional movers are.

Hiring a professional moving company can prevent many headaches and strains, not to mention stress.

 

Cost and Time Organization

Professional movers organize your costsMoving by yourself doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll save time or money. It just means the costs will be spread out through different pieces of the process and that you have to schedule everything yourself. You’ll have to keep track of all those different pieces to ensure a smooth move. Scheduling and paying for the daily use of the moving van, moving within a set time frame and paying for the gas to do it, securing the packing supplies on time, paying for the insurance and managing any unexpected surprises can be overwhelming. A moving company will wrap all your costs together with a custom quote and simplify your list of things to worry about with a comprehensive schedule.  

 

Heavy Lifting

Professional movers have know how to pack everything securely Making the decision to move by yourself also means you’re making the decision to pack and load everything up as well.  Getting the right equipment and enough people to help you move can be a hassle in and of itself. Moving all your computer equipment safely and maneuvering all your furniture without damaging your walls can be nearly impossible by yourself. A professional moving company has done this thousands of times though, the experienced movers know exactly how to turn your desk to fit it through doorways, and on the first try too.  All computers will be packed securely as well, so you won’t have to worry about remembering which way the screen should face to avoid breaking it.

 

Security   

Professional movers are prepared for emergencies Do you have a plan in case there is an emergency during your move, for instance are you prepared if you drop your equipment and it breaks or the moving truck breaks down during the move? Things happen on moves that you weren’t planning for and if you don’t know how to handle the problem then your whole schedule might be altered and your business operations stopped. Professional movers however, are insured for your equipment and have extra trucks in case the first one does break down. A moving company takes into account all manner of possible incidents and plans for the worst so you can have peace of mind knowing that your office equipment will arrive in tact and on time.

 

A professional moving company can make your move smooth and seamless and relieve you of a lot of undue stress. When searching for moving companies, consider The Quality Group’s specialized team. As a full-service moving company, they will have you set up and in your new office with no down time at all, plus you won’t have to worry about anything but your business.

How to: Move into Your First Office

Posted on May 18, 2015 by - Moving Preparation

You’ve been running a successful business from home, but you’re starting to outgrow your home office. Whether you’re trying to hire new employees, need more space for operations, or want to bring in bigger clients, a brick and mortar office could be a great next step for your business.

 

FirstOfficeMove-Resarch

Research the Market

Check out the commercial real estate market in your area to get an idea of rent prices and operational costs. Check out offices of different sizes and in different locations to make the smartest investment for your business.

 

Check Your Cash Flow

If your business can’t sustain the operational costs that come with an office, now is not the time to move. Make sure you are bringing in enough revenue to support your office long-term. You can also start saving rent money before you move once you know what rentals in your target area cost.

 

FirstOfficeMove-RightOffice

Find the Right Office

There are plenty of affordable options for a legitimate commercial office. There are stand-alone buildings, office parks and even co-working offices. Research each option to find out which meets your needs and your budget.

 

Moving into your first office can seem chaotic, especially if you don’t know what to expect. Call The Quality Group, and we can talk you through the entire commercial moving process. From planning to setting up your new office, we take care of everything so you can focus on making your business even more successful.

 

For more helpful intel about getting your own office, check out Grasshopper’s blog.

Work with The Quality Group

At The Quality Group, we’re your commercial relocation specialists. Founded in 1987 in New Orleans, LA, The Quality Group serves the Gulf States with comprehensive commercial moving services from move planning to furniture installation. No other company puts in the time or preparation that we do to make your move stress and hassle-free.

 

Commercial Moving Insurance 101

Posted on February 16, 2015 by - Facility Installation, Moving Preparation

Let’s say you talk to a moving company about relocating your office. They give you an estimate. If you ask them if this estimate includes insurance, most companies will say yes. But that shouldn’t be the end of the conversation.

Next, ask your moving company what kind of insurance they offer. This is an important question for a few reasons:

  1. What many moving companies refer to as “insurance” is technically called “valuation”. Valuation is based in transportation law, and is calculated on a per pound basis. This is different than insurance, which replaces the value of damaged goods as calculated by an insurance company.
  2. The most common moving valuation included in your quote guarantees you only $.60 per pound of goods damaged while in the mover’s possession.

If $.60 per pound doesn’t seem like the right valuation of your company’s assets, you need to know more about the insurance your moving company provides. Some questions you can ask your mover include:

  1. Do you offer insurance through an insurance company?
  2. Will I have to pay a deductible to file my claim?
  3. What exactly does your moving insurance cover?

When it comes to moving insurance, you need to know everything you can about the protection of your business’s property.  A moving company’s insurance policy can also tell you a lot about the company itself. If you’re dealing with commercial movers who offer bare minimum coverage, that might say something about the standard of work they hold themselves to. So don’t be afraid to ask questions! You deserve honest answers. And once you have all the facts, you can make an informed decision, knowing it’s the right one.

 

Want to Learn More about Commercial Moving Insurance? Here are some great resources:

Moving insurance vs. movers valuation – It pays to know the difference

The ABC’s of Moving Insurance

Frequently Asked Moving Insurance Questions

 

Work with The Quality Group

At The Quality Group, we’re your commercial relocation specialists. Founded in 1987 in New Orleans, LA, The Quality group serves the gulf states with comprehensive commercial moving services from move planning to furniture installation. No other company puts in the time or preparation that we do to make your move stress and hassle-free.

Move Your Business Out of State Without Going Crazy

Posted on January 26, 2015 by - Uncategorized

Are you planning to move your office to another state? Then you know it’s not easy. Using over 25 years of experience, we’ve put together a guide to moving your office out of state. It can feel chaotic, but these tips can make it easier.

 

Focus on The Big Picture

As the business owner or manager, you are responsible for running your business and making sure service to your customers is uninterrupted. Instead of getting bogged down by little details, keep your eye on the prize. As long as your office move is finished on time, it’s okay if an employee forgot to pack a few office supplies, or if an office chair was damaged in the move. Small details can be handled by your moving company, so you can focus on getting to business in your new office.

 

Anticipate Unexpected Costs

While an experienced moving company can account for almost every factor, you never know what’s going to happen until you actually move. A sudden traffic delay or a flat-tire on a moving truck are small inconveniences in the grand scheme of your commercial move. But they could cause your business to open one day later than expected. This is just one example of unexpected costs that can’t always be prevented with planning. Allot at least 10% more finances for your office move than you think it’s going to cost. So if the unthinkable happens, you’re covered.

 

Expect a Period of Office Transition

This move isn’t just a big deal for you and your business; it affects your employees as well. If you’re moving out of state, your employees will be uprooting their lives to work in your new office. Some staff changes will be necessary, as some employees inevitably will not want to move. Give your new and existing employees time to get used to their new workplace and surroundings. You will likely have more employee requests than usual during this transition. But if you work with your employees and remember that this is a natural phase of commercial moves, your business will get back to normal (or even better!) productivity soon.

 

Feeling overwhelmed by your out-of-state commercial move? The Quality Group can manage your move from planning and packing to installing equipment in your new office.

Work with The Quality Group

At The Quality Group, we’re your commercial relocation specialists. Founded in 1987 in New Orleans, LA, The Quality group serves the gulf states with comprehensive commercial moving services from move planning to furniture installation. No other company puts in the time or preparation that we do to make your move stress and hassle-free.

You’re Ready to Move Your Office. Where Do You Start?

Posted on November 10, 2014 by - Commercial Relocation, Uncategorized

Are you ready to move? Maybe you’re opening a new branch, or you’ve outgrown your office and you’re looking to grow in a bigger space. But moving your office is a huge undertaking. Answer these quick questions to start thinking about your commercial move.

 

What size office do you need?

Do you know the square footage of your current office? If you’re looking for a bigger office, you should know how much space you expect to need in the future before you plan an office move. You also need to create a floor plan that allows space for all of your furniture, office elements and employees.

 

Are you looking to buy or rent?

Buying and renting a commercial space are two completely different processes. If you’re looking to buy, enlist the help of a commercial real estate agent who can help you consider all the important buying factors. If you plan to lease an office space, discuss with management how long of a lease you’re prepared to sign. Decide this before you began to look for a new office.

 

Where do you want to move your office?

Whether you’re moving across the country or across town, location can make all the difference for your business. Do your research and get help from real estate experts to determine the ideal location for your new office. This will narrow down your search and help speed up your business moving process.

 

What is your budget for office space?

Don’t just have an idea of your budget before you move. You need to have a concrete, ironed-out budget set before you begin the commercial moving process. This will also make your search for a new office easier and faster.

 

What is your business moving timeline?

A clear, realistic moving timeline separates a chaotic move from a smooth one. At least six months before your move, you need to start planning. Monthly and weekly deadlines will keep your commercial move on track and keep everyone in your office on the same page. Once you answer these questions, you’re ready to start planning your commercial move! Then you need to answer one more important question: Who are you going to trust move your office? The Quality Group will work with you and help you set up and stick to a moving timeline. We make sure your commercial move runs smoothly and is finished on time.

Work with The Quality Group

At The Quality Group, we’re your commercial relocation specialists. Founded in 1987 in New Orleans, LA, The Quality group serves the gulf states with comprehensive commercial moving services from move planning to furniture installation. No other company puts in the time or preparation that we do to make your move stress and hassle-free.