Author: Joe DiGiovanni

What to Do at Your Old Building after Your Commercial Move

Posted on March 9, 2015 by - Facility Installation, Office Furniture

Once you move to your new office, what do you do with the old one? It’s easy to forget about the office you’re leaving. These tips will keep you from leaving loose ends behind after your office move.

 

  1. Recycle Your Old Furniture

Instead of throwing away your old furniture or leaving it in the office for someone else to deal with, why not recycle it? Recycling your old furniture is good for the environment and your public image. Find tips on recycling your furniture here.

 

  1. Store Furniture You Don’t have Room For

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Just because you’re not using all of your furniture in your new office doesn’t mean you won’t want it later. Don’t let the chaos of moving convince you to throw out furniture that you don’t have a place for yet. Commercial moving companies like The Quality Group can pack up and store your office furniture for you until your need it.

 

  1. Make Sure Suppliers Know Your New Address

Nothing’s worse than having packages and supplies show up at your old office. Not only is it inconvenient, but depending on how far away you moved it could be disastrous. Talk with your vendors about your new office to streamline business operations after your office move.

 

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Ideally, you want to leave your old office in the same condition in which you found it. Don’t leave trash and furniture for the property owner to dispose of. Don’t have packages and supplies delivered to the new building tenants when they should be delivered to your new office. With a little planning and initiative, you can enjoy your new office without worrying about your old one.

 

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.

Weekend Office Move Pros and Cons

Posted on March 3, 2015 by - Commercial Relocation, Facility Installation

Is a weekend office move right for your company? Most commercial moving companies offer weekend or after-hours moving services. This might seem like the answer if you’re having trouble finding the time to move your business. But while weekend moves are the solution for some, they can also cause problems for others. Make sure you’re fully informed before you take on a weekend office move.

 

Pros of a Weekend Office Move:

 

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–          No Downtime

During an office relocation, you risk losing business while you’re closed for the move. When you move your office on a weekend or after-hours, you don’t have to worry. Your customers can still reach you, your orders can go out on time, and your business can keep functioning normally despite the move.

–          Less Traffic

Whether you’re moving across town or two states over, at some point you’re going to run into traffic. Avoiding peak travel times (like weekday mornings, lunchtime, and evenings) can significantly speed up your commercial move.

 

–          Smooth Office Transition

An after-hours move could help both you and your employees. Instead of the chaos of moving offices affecting your staff during working hours, they can walk out of the old office one night and into the new office the next morning, ready to get to work.

 

Cons of a Weekend Office Move:

 

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–          Could Interrupt Your Weekend

As the person at your company who’s responsible for the move, you help coordinate the movers and get the employees prepared. On moving day, some companies want you to be present during the relocation. This could interrupt an otherwise relaxing weekend.

–          Not Everyone Works on Weekends

When you work outside of normal business hours, you have to consider that not everyone does. Property managers, building owners and other vendors may need advanced notice to keep your commercial move running smoothly.

–          Possible Cost Increase

Some office moving companies charge a premium rate for weekend moves. Because these moves tend to be more effective for businesses, moving companies may charge more for after-hours services. Before you decide on a weekend office move, make sure you ask your moving company if this will affect your estimate.

A weekend office move can be tricky, unless you hire a moving company that specializes in after-hours relocations. The right commercial movers can plan ahead and account for unexpected bumps in the road. If seamless business hours and uninterrupted customer service are your priority, a weekend office move with experienced movers can make that happen.

 

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.

How Far Will Your Moving Company Go?

Posted on February 23, 2015 by - Commercial Relocation, Facility Installation

Different moving companies can offer vastly different levels of service. And when you’re moving your office, you can’t afford anything but the best move management, to get you in your new office quickly and efficiently. How can you tell if you’re hiring a few guys with a truck or a company that specializes in complete office move management? Ask them if they provide the following services:

 

PlanningBefore the Move: Planning

Does your moving company just show up on moving day, or do they help you plan your move? You deserve a commercial moving company that will:

–          Work with you to plan your moving timeline

–          Coordinate with your employees on packing and storage

–          Provide packing materials when needed

 

CommunicationDuring the Move: Communication

A comprehensive moving company will keep you in the loop throughout the commercial moving process. After you work with the movers to set a timeline, your moving company should keep you up to date as your move progresses. The right moving company will conduct your move with efficiency, professionalism and accountability.

 

supportAfter the Move: Support

Your commercial relocation isn’t finished when the boxes are moved. Your moving company should not only unpack your items into your new space, but should also hook up all your electronics, helping you get your new office up and running. And if something is broken or damaged in the move, a good moving company won’t just disappear. They will be there to make it right and make sure your commercial move is a great experience.

 

At The Quality Group, we pride ourselves on helping you before, during and after your office move. We work to take the stress and hassle of moving off your shoulders. We keep your move easy on you, so you can focus on keeping your customers happy.

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.

Efficiency per Hour: The Most Important Office Moving Rate

Posted on February 9, 2015 by - Commercial Relocation, Moving Preparation

When you’re choosing a facility relocation company, it’s easy to collect a few quotes and go with the cheapest option. I mean, how different can moving companies really be, right?

The answer: Very different. Any company can quote a good moving rate, but not all of them provide the same service. And since you don’t always know what you’re getting, you won’t find out that your move wasn’t managed well until it’s too late.

When you’re looking for commercial moving companies for bids, keep the most important moving rate in your mind. Not daily rate or cost per mile, but efficiency per hour. Not “How fast can they get it done,” but “How well can they get it done?” An efficient moving company won’t rush and risk damaging your office’s property. An efficient moving company won’t quote you a cheap moving rate and then show up late.

A truly efficient commercial moving company will plan and execute your move so well, you won’t even have to worry about it. Your office move will be finished on time, with your new office completely ready for business.

 

When you interview commercial moving companies, keep in mind:

– You get what you pay for: If a company offers a cheap office moving rate, they’re probably cutting costs somewhere. Do you want to find out where in the middle of your move?

– Your experience matters: When you’re just starting the moving process and looking for quotes, it’s easy to make a quick choice and forget about it. But by the time your office move is happening, you may be overwhelmed, tried or frustrated. Which moving company would you rather have then?

 

At The Quality Group, we’ve always based our moving rates on efficiency. We don’t cut corners, and we pride ourselves on handling all of the moving details so you don’t have to.

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.

Make Your Own Office Moving Budget Planner

Posted on February 2, 2015 by - Commercial Relocation, Moving Preparation

The key to a stress-free, successful office move? Planning. By setting a moving budget, you can control how much you spend, instead of helplessly watching the costs add up. Budgeting for your office move will save you money and headaches, both now and later. Follow this guide to start planning your office moving budget.

 

1. Consider Potential Costs When mapping out your budget, there are a lot of factors to consider. Your business is unique and so are your budget concerns, but you can use this list to account for many common moving costs. Make sure your moving budget covers:

  • Office Rent
  • Building Insurance
  • Office Moving Company Fees
  • Storage
  • Security Deposit
  • Legal Fees
  • Repairs to existing office
  • Office Design  and Build out
  • IT infrastructure and Business Phone Systems
  • New Office Furniture
  • Updated Marketing Material and Stationery

 

2. Plan for Everything An office move is a fluid process. When you’re dealing with people, facilities and transportation, anything can happen. Planning for every scenario, like lost office supplies or a moving truck delay, will help you stick to your commercial moving budget.

 

3. Add an Emergency Cushion Even with the best laid plans, you can’t possibly predict everything. But you can prepare for it. Build a comfortable cushion into your moving budget to account for unexpected costs. If there’s an emergency and you have to open your office a few days later than expected, your company will be covered and you can breathe easier knowing that you’re not busting your moving 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.

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.

7 Ways to Protect Equipment During Your Office Move

Posted on January 19, 2015 by - Commercial Relocation, Moving Preparation

  1. Protect Device Screens

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Use blankets, sheets and shrink wrap to keep the screens of computers and other equipment from cracking or chipping during your commercial move.

  1. Organize all Cords and Cables

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Either pack accessories like cables and chargers with each piece of equipment, or label them and pack them all together. Have a consistent system so each system is moved complete with its accessories.

  1. Pack Extra Furniture Feet and Felt Pads

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These often-overlooked supplies can easily fall off during furniture transport, but are important to protecting the floor of your office and allowing easier furniture movement. Have some felt pads to spare when office chairs or reception couches inevitably lose theirs.

  1. Get Custom Packing Materials for Tech Equipment

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When you move sensitive equipment, you don’t want it to rattle or move in any way that could damage its internal components. Many moving companies or manufacturers can help you find customized packing boxes or customized foam padding to keep your fragile equipment secure.

  1. Label Equipment to Reduce Handling Time

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The less your equipment moves, the less vulnerable it is to damage. If you label boxes and packed equipment by where it needs to go in your new office, your movers can pack it accordingly. That way, they don’t have to move boxes to look for others, or move boxes multiple times to different rooms.

  1. Don’t Forget About Door, Floors and Carpets

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Don’t overlook the doors, floors and carpets of both your old and new offices. Protect them from damage by wrapping doors laying temporary flooring (like tarp or cardboard) over floors and carpets.

  1. Insure Your Equipment and Furniture

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You have two choices to insure your office furniture and equipment.

a. You can insure each item through an insurance company

b. You can hire a professional moving company that will insure all of your office equipment

Look into your insurance options before you hire an office moving company to make sure your items are protected.

 

When you call The Quality Group, we can discuss these and other moving options with you. Work with us, and you won’t have to worry about protecting your equipment. With more than 25 years of experience and comprehensive insurance, you can trust us to get your equipment to your new office safe and sound.

 

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.

I Don’t Have Time to Move my Office: 5 Moving Excuses You Need to Let Go of in 2015

Posted on January 12, 2015 by - Commercial Relocation, Uncategorized

We’ve all done it. We know we need to do something about our cramped workspace, but we put it off. With more pressing business at hand, it’s easy to push off your commercial move until next quarter. Make 2015 the year you shed these excuses and move your business forward.

“I Don’t Have Time to Move My Business”

There’s never going to be a good time to move your business. Commercial moves take planning, hard work and time. You have to make time, for the betterment of your business. Why not make that time now?

“We’re Too Busy Right Now”

Being too busy is a good problem to have. But new business may mean new employees or new branches, which makes your office move all the more necessary. Think about it this way: When business is winding down, would you rather be planning a commercial move, or focusing on generating new customers?

“I Can’t Afford to Close up Shop”

The thought of suspending business or being temporarily unavailable to your customers may be stopping you from moving your office. Did you know that you can move your business on nights or weekends? Commercial moving companies like The Quality Group can move you outside of office hours, with no operational downtime.

“It’s Just Not in the Budget”

Imagine where you would be if your business had more room for clients and employees. Or if you moved to a location where you could be closer to your customers. If an office move would make your business more successful, isn’t it worth the moving costs?

“I Don’t Know Where to Start”

Starting is the hardest part. Once you make the decision to move your office in 2015, give us a call. We can help you plan your move from the very beginning, and we’ll work with you to coordinate your commercial move so everything runs smoothly.

So now you have no excuses. Make 2015 the year you make your business more successful and more profitable.

 

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.