Category: Moving Preparation

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.

 

 

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.

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.