Tag: office moving tips

Storage Units for Moving Offices

Posted on December 20, 2016 by - Commercial Relocation, Moving Preparation

Storage Units, storage units for commercial moving

When getting ready to move your business to a new location, it’s important to research storage units to find one that works best for your company, how to pack effectively, and what items should be insured.

Storage Units and You: Finding the Best Options for Moving Your Business

There different types of storage units, Storage Units for Moving OfficesStorage Units:

Deciding what type of storage unit is best for your move comes down to what type of items you’ll be storing. Consider the pros and cons of indoor versus outdoor storage units:

If you will be storing valuable items, personal possessions, furniture, or anything that you’d like to have maximum protection for, an indoor storage unit will be your best option. This type of unit is perfect for protecting your items from water damage, rust, and light. Finding storage units for moving offices is not like renting out a storage unit as an individual. Approaching it that way will cost far too much money.

Keep in mind that temperature control does not mean humidity controlled. If you will be storing artwork, antiques, or other collectibles, it’s best to consider special humidity-protected storage options for those items. Most moving and storage companies partner with third-party vendors, who can ensure your items, especially collectibles, are stored in a proper environment. Discuss your options with the moving company and be aware of any special requests or accommodations that need to be made.

If you need to store vehicles, heavy equipment, machinery, or other bulky items, an outdoor storage unit will do the job. Generally, this is the less expensive option and is better suited for larger items that do not require an indoor setting or temperature-controlled protection. If affordability is your primary concern, an outdoor storage unit may be the right option for you.

Packing Effectively:

To eliminate unwanted moisture that could lead to mold while in outside storage, wipe down the inside of machines that hold water with baking soda. Also, avoid using cardboard boxes for long-term storage unless it is inside a temperature-controlled unit. Cardboard is susceptible to humidity and could also attract unwanted pests to your belongings. Generally, the best storage containers are plastic boxes or totes with tightly secured lids.

When storing items in a unit for long-term storage, will you need to have access to any of those items while they are in storage? If you think you will need to retrieve items from the storage unit, store those items last or consider self-storage.

Moving heavy and cumbersome appliances will sometimes require third-party assistance from experts. It is important to hire a professional to remove any appliances that require disconnecting hoses and sealing gas valves to prevent leaking. For example, refrigerators and dishwashers require emptying water and drain lines and can cause damage to floors during the removal process if not done properly.

As a general rule of thumb, the less you have to pack, the less stress you are likely to endure. Because costs are based on the amount of equipment you have, the best time to organize and decide what items to keep and what items are no longer needed is before the moving truck pulls up.

Get insurance for your moveGetting Insurance:

When considering what items to insure in your storage units, consider the most valuable and irreplaceable items. Any valuables that will be transported or stored for long periods of time stand the possibility of damage and/or devalue. Because there are generally many levels of protection to choose from, it’s best to research all of your options and pick the insurance plan that works for your business. Try to pick an insurance plan that will provide reimbursement if your items are damaged in transportation or storage.

Before the big move, do your research on insuring your equipment, determine the type of storage unit you’ll need, and use these tips to pack effectively so your move will go smoothly and efficiently.

Work With The Quality Group

The Quality Group is your commercial relocation specialists. That’s why we know so much about storage units for moving offices. We were founded in 1987 in New Orleans, but The Quality Group now serves the Gulf States with comprehensive business moving services from move planning to furniture installation. 

4 Organizing Tips to Easy Office Relocation

Posted on June 14, 2016 by - Moving Preparation

Preparing for an office move can be stressful for the whole office. It is disruptive of the work flow and nerve-racking to all employees involved. Successful organization before your move however, can lead to a seamless and easy office relocation and as well as stress-free unpacking.

Have an Easy Office Relocation with these 4 Organizing Tips

1. Label EverythingLabel personal items for an easy office relocation.

While your moving company will move all of the big equipment and furniture, ensuring correct installation and relocation of these items, you and your employees will need to take care of the small and personal items. Labeling your small and personal items will ensure your equipment is relocated correctly and lead to a smoother move as well as an effortless unpacking process. Labeled files will end up in the correct filing cabinet while kitchen supplies will make it into the kitchen area instead of the lobby.

Use color coded labels for even more organization.

 

2. Use ChecklistsChecklists help you ensure all aspects of moving are covered.

When getting ready for the move, use checklists to ensure that every aspect of packing is covered and all items are organized before the movers arrive. Your list might include checking in with every employee and confirming they are prepared for the move or completing a walk through of the communal areas to verify that all is packed. You could also have a general inventory list to confirm that everything is accounted for in each area of the office.

 

3. Delegate TasksPut one person in charge of a specific task to ensure things get done.

Who packed the kitchen supplies? Where are the communal office supplies? To avoid these questions, delegate communal space packing to certain employees to guarantee all communal packing is complete before the big move. Delegating tasks will also ensure that nothing is left behind. Putting one person in charge of a specific area will provide your employees with a sense of responsibility and give you a point person to talk to if an area is left unpacked.

 

4. Assign New OfficesFor an easy office relocation, assign new offices before you get there.

Before the move, give your employees their new office numbers or cubical locations. Provide them with a layout of the new office space so they can familiarize themselves with the arrangement. Have them label their personal office boxes with their new office numbers or names. This can help prevent an office scramble after the move.

At Quality Group, we can help you plan your layout and optimize it for workflow efficiency and assist you in office assignments. Having a third party assign offices can lead to fewer arguments between employees fighting for the “best” office space.

Moving an office is stressful enough, but taking a little time before the relocation to organize yourself and your employees can lead to a harmonious and easy office relocation. Use these tips to ensure that packing and unpacking your office 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.

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.

Tips for Your Onsite Office Relocation

Posted on October 27, 2015 by - Commercial Relocation, Moving Preparation

 

Office buildingA new building in your office complex just opened up, and it’s going to be your offices’ new home base. You’re excited about this new venture for your business, and mostly because it’s not a far move. You’re moving right around the corner. You don’t even need a car to go from your old location to your new location.

You might think you can plan the week of for this move because it is short and quick. But, the risks are great when you decide to wait until the last minute. We want to make sure you know that it’s not as quick and easy as you think. So, to save you from stress and any problems, we’re going to give you some tips.

First things first. As soon as your company is officially moving to the new location, begin planning your move logistics. The biggest mistake you can make is to leave planning your move to the last minute. Just because your office building is next door does not mean that it takes less planning. You’re still going to have to move all of the stuff that occupies your current office, into your new one. And although you’re not going far, it still has to be moved.

You might want to have your employees just move their own stuff because of how close your new office is. You may even think that commercial moving companies don’t do moves like this because it won’t require a truck. Well, you may want to re-think that decision. Commercial moving companies, like The Quality Group, will move your business no matter how close you are to your previous location.

Office space with IT equipmentWe suggest a commercial relocation company for many reasons. One, so that you’re not stressed out planning the move yourself, and two, so that none of your equipment gets lost or broken in the process of the move. Believe us, it’s worth the time and effort spent researching for a quality commercial moving company so that you don’t incur any unexpected business costs, or stress.

With a professional relocation company, you can ensure that your important files, IT equipment and furniture will be handled with care and securely packed so that nothing gets damaged. You may just be going around the corner, but that still leaves time for accidents to happen. The risk is too high so we do not recommend doing the move yourself.

As a commercial relocation company, office relocations are our specialty. We have office moves down to a science. We do them quickly, safely and securely so that your company loses no operational down time. If you have your employees carry their stuff around the corner, it’ll take a lot longer than you think.

So do your research on commercial relocation companies, and plan ahead for your onsite office move. You’ll be glad you did.

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.

 

Three Common Mistakes Made During a Commercial Move

Posted on October 6, 2015 by - Commercial Relocation, Moving Preparation

You may not think there are things that you can do wrong when it comes to an office move, but believe us, there are. And, these mistakes could cost your business time, money and lots of headaches. We don’t want you to get caught up and fall into the trap of these mistakes, so we’ve put together a few common mistakes that you should be aware of before your office decides to relocate.

 

conferenceroom

  1. Not choosing professional commercial relocation specialists for the move. Your goal is to move from one location to another. You don’t think it would be a big deal to have each employee move their designated station over to the new office. Well, let’s think about it. If you have all of your employees move their computer monitors, laptops, printers, scanners and all other expensive IT equipment you run the risk of these items being damaged. Your employees could leave them in their hot cars, not wrap them properly and have the items break or even lose some of the materials needed to make the equipment function properly. By hiring a professional commercial moving company, you can ensure that all of your precious business materials will be properly packaged, properly stowed and carefully transported to your new location. If your employees damage the equipment, you lose that employee’s work time, and you have to eat the cost to replace or fix the damaged item. It’s worth the time, research and money to find a professional commercial moving company that will carefully move all of your businesses materials. Don’t make this mistake and risk losing or damaging your businesses important equipment. It’s not worth the headaches, or money wasted, we promise.

 

  1. Not enough time to plan your commercial move. To properly execute your move, a lot of time, effort and planning is needed to make sure everything runs smoothly. Don’t procrastinate. As soon as you know that your business is moving, begin taking the steps needed to plan each part of the moving process. When your business is left with little time to plan the move, it’s difficult to get everything seamlessly transitioned. What if there’s a hiccup and you don’t have enough time to properly mend the situation? Bottom line; plan ahead so that you can move your business with as little stress as possible.

3. Not realizing how much is involved in the commercial relocation process. The previous mistake and this mistake go hand in hand. You may think there’s not a lot of stuff to do before the move, but you need to think again. A lot more goes into it then you think. You have to get a new location, pick the best time to move, choose a moving company, contact your business’ vendors and your clients to let them know you’re moving, coordinate employees, order new furniture, purge the clutter in your old office, plan out your new office space, and more. There are so many details involved in this process that they’re easy to overlook. Don’t get caught up in the big picture so much that you forget about all you have to do to achieve the end goal of a successful move.

officespaceSo, if you’re planning a commercial move, begin thinking about the little things you need to do in order to make your office move as successful as possible. Remember, it’s better to be over prepared instead of under prepared.

 

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

PlanYourSpace

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.