Author: Joe DiGiovanni

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.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

Relocating Your Business to Louisiana? We can Help

Posted on May 11, 2015 by - Uncategorized

Moving your business out-of-state can get complicated. There’s employee schedules, customer needs and your own move to coordinate. If you’re moving your business to Louisiana, welcome! Here’s some tips to get you through the stress of commercial relocation.

 

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Louisiana offers attractive tax credits for business owners

In an effort to attract successful businesses and the thriving economy they create, Louisiana’s Economic Development department has created opportunities for significant tax savings. These tax credits are available for almost every industry, and can increase your business’s cash flow by reducing its taxable income. Check out what credits your business could be eligible for here.

Watch out for double taxation

When you register your business in a new state, you will have to pay state taxes. If you’re not careful, you will also have to pay state taxes to the state you just move out of. Make sure that your corporation or LLC is correctly registered by looking at your options.

 

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Workers are looking for jobs in Louisiana

If you’re business is moving and looking to hire, Louisiana is a good place to start. Over the past few years, job growth has steadily grown in Louisiana. And according to some, unemployment has also increased because more people are “entering the workforce to look for jobs”.

 

 

If you’re moving your business to Louisiana, look no further than The Quality Group. We work all over the Gulf Coast and we’re familiar with local landscape, transportation routes and traffic. We use our almost 30 years of commercial relocation experience to make sure your move goes smoothly.

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.

 

4 Signs that Now is the Time to Move Your Office

Posted on May 4, 2015 by - Uncategorized

Balancing growth and growing pains can be tricky. You know you need a new office, but a commercial move can be a hassle for both management and employees. Finding the right time to move your office is hard, but these surefire signs can help.

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Is your business growing or downsizing? – Finding an office that meets your needs can also reduce your costs. If you have more employees than your office can fit, a bigger space will increase productivity and profits. If you’re ready to downsize, you could save on property and administration costs in a smaller office.

Would another office in your existing building work for your company? If you can find another space in your current building or secure another floor to expand operations, you can cut down on the cost of moving and the hassle of dealing with a new landlord.

Does your office match your brand image? As your business grows and matures, so does its image. You need an office space that matches where your company’s brand is now, and where you want it to be in the future. A new office that reflects the image of your company, whether modern, forward-thinking, or established, can bring in loyal, life-long customers.

How is employee morale? Employees are the most impacted by your office’s environment. A cramped office or one that make everyday operations harder ruins their moral, slowing production and increasing staff turnover. A new office that better meets your employees’ needs is like a fresh start, and will boost your company’s productivity.

Now is the right time for your commercial move, and The Quality Group is here to make moving a breeze. We consider every angle to get your office moved on time and on budget.

 

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.

The Perks of Working with The Quality Group

Posted on April 27, 2015 by - Commercial Relocation, Facility Installation, Moving Preparation, Office Furniture

Our value-added commercial moving services give you the most bang for your buck and keep you calm and comfortable during your office move.

PROBLEM: I can NOT afford to close up shop for a week to get everything moved.

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Our Solution: We’re happy to move your business at night or on weekends. We can coordinate every facet of your relocation outside of office hours, so you don’t lose any business. Our mission is to complete your commercial move while minimizing your business’ operational downtime. We usually eliminate it altogether, so you can move your office without missing a single phone call or turning away a single customer.

PROBLEM: I have too much/not enough/old/broken office furniture.

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Our Solution: At The Quality Group,our professional movers:

–          Safely dispose of or recycle your old, broken or unwanted furniture

–          Work with brands like Steelcase to bring you high-quality, durable office furniture

–          Provide safe, secure warehouse space for extra furniture you might need later

Just tell us what you want to do with your office furniture, and we will take care of the rest.

PROBLEM: I need to move, but I have no idea where to start.

Our Solution: Call us. Right now. There’s no pressure or obligation. We can just talk. We make moving plans every day, so we can guide you through yours no matter where you are in the process. Whether you’ve just realized you need more space or you’ve got a new office and a move date, we can make sure your move goes smoothly. Don’t let anything stand in the way of growing your business. Give us a call, or give us your contact info and we’ll call you (link to contact page).

 

 

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.

 

10 Tips to Keep Your Commercial Move on Track

Posted on April 20, 2015 by - Moving Preparation

Whether your company is expanding or restructuring, moving your business can be a challenge. Planning, communicating, and working with experienced movers can ensure a smooth transition and successful relocation.

Plan Your Space

Once you choose your new location, begin planning your space. With the help of a space planner or architectural firm, plan your furniture arrangement to optimize your new office for accessibility and productivity.

Establish a Move Budget

Prepare for both expected and unexpected costs during your commercial move. Click here for your budget planning guide.

Ask for a Firm Price

So there won’t be any surprises after the move. “Not-to-Exceed” pricing is a good phrase to look out for.

Put the Right Person in Charge

The ideal candidate? Someone who is very detail- oriented and has a take-charge personality.

Hire a Professional Moving Company

CoordinateWVendors

Make sure to hire a company that specializes in office relocation – call their references and ask about the on-site project team managing your relocation.

Coordinate Vendors

Bring all of your vendors together to identify the time for their part of the move and outline the move schedule.

Label Property for Location

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Removable color-coded labels will help distinguish between departments and speed up both removal and installation.

Coordinate Packing of Personnel Items

State very clearly your expectations for your employees. Do they need to pack their own things, or will the moving company take care of it? Give employees notice of their responsibilities as soon as possible, and read more about how to help your employees through the move here.

Purge before You Pack

Now is the time to reduce the things you’ve accumulated over the years, and with an electronic data plan for scanning and storage, you can communicate well in advance to your staff what is staying and going.

Finalize Your Plan

Schedule a walk-through with your office moving company to finalize details and make sure your staff is ready for the move.

Print this Helpful Guide to Keep Everyone on the Same Page during Your Commercial Move

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.

3 Reasons You Need to Know about Moving Insurance

Posted on April 13, 2015 by - Commercial Relocation

Trusting someone else with your possessions is hard enough. But if your movers have shaky insurance, you could be worrying about more than just your office move. Avoid disputes and damaged items by keeping yourself informed of your mover’s insurance policy.

 

TRUSTiconTrust: You don’t want to spend the move worrying about your office equipment. By asking about your mover’s insurance, you can be sure your property is protected. For instance, did you know that movers are only legally liable for 10% or less of the value of lost or damaged items? If you know the kind of coverage your mover provides, you can pay for 100% liability or insure your possessions with a relocation insurance company. The more you know, the better you’re covered.

 

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Credibility: Established companies that are genuinely interested in providing quality service will offer moving insurance. If your movers don’t, or if they’re shady about the coverage details, call their bluff. Look them up and ask around about them. If they are a credible, legitimate business, chances are you will hear good things about them from friends or colleagues.

 

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Accountability: If your movers aren’t upfront about the insurance they provide, can you really trust them? If they’re not willing to hold themselves accountable for the way they handle your property, what does that tell you? Are they going to be careful with your items? If your movers don’t offer insurance, you might want to find another moving company.

 

The Bottom Line: Ask about your mover’s insurance policy. Ask to see it in writing if you can. Ask about every detail, from what is covered to how long that coverage lasts. You can also check out your moving company’s insurance policy here.

 

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.

 

April Fools! Don’t Fall for These Commercial Moving Scams

Posted on April 6, 2015 by - Moving Preparation

Moving scams can be devastating. You could lose money, belongings and most importantly, business. If you get caught up in a moving scam, you might have to close your office to regroup, losing valuable operational time, and the customers and profits that come along with it. When you’re looking for the right commercial moving company, watch out for these red flags.

The Name Change Trick

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One way that companies get around bad business practices is by changing their name. Look up your moving company here to see how long they’ve been in business and if they have any other names. If they change their name once a year, they’re definitely hiding something, and you don’t want to find out what after you’ve hired them.

“Guaranteed” Quotes

Anyone can “guarantee” the moving estimate they give you. But be on the lookout for “guaranteed” quotes when the commercial movers don’t come to your office. If they give you a site-unseen estimate, it’s not guaranteed, and you could be looking at extra fees. Since movers often charge by weight and distance, don’t trust an estimate without going over the contents of your office with the movers.

Money up Front

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Charging a deposit doesn’t make a moving company suspect. Most office moving company have several different moves going at once, and they need to make sure they’re schedule is air-tight so they can finish each move on time. By paying a deposit, you’re saying that you are serious about your move and that you won’t cancel last-minute. However, if your moving company requests most or full payment in advance, run. That’s exactly what they’ll do as soon as they get your money.

These red flags may seem like common sense, but they can be easily overlooked if you’re not careful. To avoid being scammed during your office move:

–          Never sign a blank contract, and get everything in writing. That includes insurance policies, move contents and pricing estimates. This keeps everyone honest and keeps you from worrying during your office move.

–          Don’t use a broker. Brokers subcontract to other moving companies, so you never know what you’re getting. Find a moving company and work out the details with them directly, to make sure you get a fair price and moving schedule.

 

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 Deserve an Accurate Moving Estimate

Posted on March 23, 2015 by - Commercial Relocation, Moving Preparation, Uncategorized

Seems like a no brainer, right? From moving costs to lost office productivity, commercial moving expenses can add up. Obviously, you want to get an accurate estimate from your commercial moving company. But anyone can say that their estimate is accurate. Listen for these key phrases to be sure that the price you agree to is the price you pay.

“Not-to-exceed pricing”: A not-to-exceed pricing basis accounts for every foreseeable cost associated with your commercial move. Every factor, from heavy traffic to elevator weight capacity, is represented by a certain cost, creating a commercial moving formula that results in an accurate moving quote.

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“Guaranteed timelines”: What’s the best way to avoid additional moving costs? Get the move finished on time. When commercial moves run over deadlines, moving costs go up. And if a delayed move keeps you from opening your office on time, your expenses can add up even more. If your movers can guarantee an on-time move, then you can be sure that your moving estimate is accurate.

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Do surprises happen? Sure. But to get the most exact moving estimate available, make sure you hire a commercial moving company that focuses on not-to-exceed pricing and guaranteed timelines. The more planning a company puts into your move, the less likely you are to run into hidden or unexpected costs.

 

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.

 

 

Your Commercial Moving Questions, Answered

Posted on March 16, 2015 by - Commercial Relocation, Moving Preparation, Uncategorized

A successful commercial move is no easy feat. It takes months of planning and coordination to pull it off without a hitch. And even then, a few inevitable surprises can spring up and threaten the move’s progress. If you don’t know much about planning a commercial move, that’s okay. Let us save you some research time by answering a few commercial moving questions you were probably just about to Google.

Do I Need Commercial Moving Insurance?

The short answer? Yes. If you want to make absolutely sure that the value of your items is protected, or if you’re moving sensitive equipment, insurance is worth the investment. You can get commercial insurance through an independent insurance company, or through your moving company. To find out more about commercial moving insurance coverage and options, take a minute to read this article.

Should I Pack up My Office before the Move

This often depends on which commercial moving company you hire. This is an essential question to ask when you’re requesting quotes and interviewing companies. Most professional moving companies can come and pack your office for you, or they can provide you with packing materials if you’d like to pack up internally.

How Involved in the Move Will I Have to Be?

This is up to you. Some moving companies like you to oversee the move, in case the movers have any questions. Some will let you ride with the movers so you can feel confident that the move is going smoothly. With The Quality Group, a move manager that is completely dedicated to your move will be on site throughout the entire move to make sure everything goes according to plan. This move manager will meet with you several times before the move so he or she knows exactly what goes where, how and when.

 

At The Quality Group, we’re here to answer all of your commercial moving questions. Because our goal isn’t just to get you moved in quickly and efficiently – it’s also to keep you informed and comfortable throughout the moving process.

 

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.