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If you’re planning to move your business, you have to mentally prepare yourself for the cost and hassle.

You can start ensuring the feasibility of this relocation by sitting down and discussing with everyone in the company your moving timeline.

Keep in mind that the key to a successful move is to start as early as possible.

If you have a small office, you’ll be needing a minimum of three months to prepare. On the other hand, for medium to large office, you’ll need a minimum of six to eight months.

An office move can be time-consuming and even expensive.

Once you’ve ascertained your moving schedule,  follow the steps below to help you make your office relocation go as smoothly as possible.

Step 1 – Plan it out.

To avoid any mistakes that could turn into expenses, make sure that you have a plan for all the things to do.

This should include tasks to do in advance and an unpacking plan to ensure you can get back to business as quickly as possible after the move.

• Determine your budget.

Setting a specific budget for your move will help you cut down unnecessary costs.

Before you even pack or hire removalists, it’s important that you already know your budget. And once this project begins, make sure to stick to your budget.

• Check in advance.

Be sure that phones and Internet connections are working and that you have the necessary permits and signs for your new office space.

These things are often overlooked in the haste to pack and move.

• Talk with your team.

Appoint someone from each department to organise the move in their particular area.

This can be a supervisor or manager who will ensure that each employee takes responsibility for packing their workspace.

It’s also a good idea to get the viewpoints of your team to achieve agreement especially if some employees are not too excited about the change.

• Assign tasks to your team.

Let your moving team create a list of tasks that they need to complete and make sure they have deadlines to meet.

Ask each department manager about the things they’ll need such as telephone line installers or specialty service providers.

• Send notices.

Everybody you do business with, both clients and suppliers, should know that you’re moving to a new place.

You can assign one person, such as your secretary, to oversee this and send them a notice.

Notify your customers and clients about when you’re moving, where you’re moving to, how your business will run during the move and when you should be back to full operations.

Step 2 – Hire a removal company.

Seasoned removalists can help you save time and money and ensure that you have a seamless move.

Make sure you have proof of insurance and fixed-price quotes from several companies as well to get the best deal.

Once you’ve selected your moving partner, arrange everything at least one or two months in advance so that your team and their firm can prepare well for the office relocation.

Undoubtedly, you have various pieces of expensive equipment that will be moved.

Make sure you find a moving company that is reliable, has the capabilities to move your office and gives quality service at the right cost.

Step 3 – Start packing.

Set regular meetings with your staff and ensure that they all know what to do.

It’s important that during the packing process, everyone is on the same page so that on the day of the move, nothing will be left behind.

It is also important to remember that with no proper communication, an office move can be stressful for everyone involved.

When packing, keep in mind the following:

• Properly mark all boxes.

Mark every side of the boxes with the staff member’s name and room at delivery (if known) so boxes can be placed in the correct areas and easily identified for unpacking.

If you have a lot of boxes, arrange a numbering system to avoid misplacing things.

Also, add a brief description of what’s inside the box to make it easier for each department to claim them.

• Donate office equipment or items you won’t be needing for your new office.

An office move is a great opportunity to upgrade your old copiers, computers, and other office supplies that you no longer need.

Instead of paying for moving items that you don’t need, you can donate them to any charitable institution.

The solution for a cost-effective and prompt move is to plan in advance.

This is the best way to make sure that your new office will function smoothly even if there may be setbacks along the way.

Image Credits: Transport Executive

AUTHOR BIO

John Pfeiffer has been the proud owner of Ashtons Removals for over 40 years. His attention to detail, a product of his accountancy background, and his emphasis on training and empowering his team members, has ensured the vast number of Gold Coast families who have been moved by Ashtons Removals, have had their furniture and effects moved undamaged and with minimum fuss.

Working in a small office does not necessarily mean sacrificing comfort and functionality.

There are storage solutions and ways to make small spaces look and feel just as cozy, convenient, and spacious.

Choosing a smart design and following some simple rules is the key to transform your small office space into a functional, practical, and beautiful space.

Below are Creative Office Design Ideas to Consider;

1. Choose office furniture and arrange them wisely

When dealing with tight spaces, every inch matters.

Be careful in choosing and arranging the essential office furniture. It is crucial for it to be functional and comfortable. Most importantly, it should not consume too much space.

If you cannot find the right size in a reputable furniture shop, have it custom made.

2. Use vertical spaces

Think vertically if you are choosing cabinets and storage units. If necessary, choose one that can reach the ceiling.

Aside from helping you keep the office organized and tidy, these storage units will help keep the space clear since they can accommodate more documents and materials than the usual office storage solutions.

This office design tip will also create the illusion of a larger space.

3. Go paperless

You do not have to keep all your files and documents in paper form.

Today, you can securely keep them in the cloud. Cloud storage will also allow ease of accessibility.

By minimizing the amount of paper files, you will surely get more spaces for other office supplies and essentials or keep your office looking bigger and clear.

4. Get rid of cables

Whenever possible, you must choose wireless solutions.

This way, your office will look tidier, bigger, and more organized. Cables often create a cramped feeling, most especially when they are all running loose across your office.

If a wireless solution is not possible, organize those cables.

You can use a rain gutter as a cable manager. And don’t forget to label both ends of all the cables with cable tags.

Proper labeling will prevent you from wondering if you are unplugging the right cable, and getting stuck under your desk.

5. Use mirrors

The effect that mirrors can make is surprising. Mirrors make the room appear bigger since it reflects light.

Furthermore, they tend to be extremely decorative. Be sure, however, to choose the right size mirror and position it in the right location.

6. Be minimalist with decor

Make your office as inviting as possible. However, if you have a small office space, you must go easy on decorations so as not to make the room feel cramped and smaller than it is.

You just have to keep some decorative items to liven up the limited space.

7. Declutter

Clutter is considered the absolute death of small offices. Therefore, remove everything that you do not need.

Organize all office materials in the right place.

Keeping all the clutter at bay will make the office look organized, engaging, and more spacious.

8. Use bright paint colors

One of the most effective and easiest ways to create the illusion of bigger space is to paint the small office in a bright color like beige, white, yellow or light green.

Aside from making space appear larger, most people consider bright hues as positive, motivating and energizing.

9. Don’t skimp on the lighting

Good lighting is crucial. A change in lighting can significantly shift the appearance of a small office space.

Use general lighting to enhance the place; bright lights for tasks requiring it; and quiet back-lighting on the monitors to prevent eyestrain.

When dealing with spaces with little to no natural light, lighting is vitally important. Refrain from using floor lamps because they take up too much space.

10. Organize office supplies based on frequency of use

When organizing and storing office supplies, determine how often you use them instead of where you use them.

If you are using a stapler puller daily, make sure to place it on your desk. But for a scanner that you use three to four times a year, consider placing it on top or inside the cabinet.

Items that you do not use frequently must have no space on your space- constrained desk.

Final word

Introducing elements of bright colors, proper lighting for work, and getting rid of clutter will go a long way towards achieving a functional and enjoyable office even if you are tight on space.

Do not let your cramped office get you down. Follow these great tips to make the most out of the limited space.

Author BIO

Post by Lisa Jackson is the General Manager of The Box Self Storage Services LLC. She has been with the company since arriving in Dubai for the past four years, and with over 12 years’ experience in the self storage industry, has been an integral asset to the growth of The Box as well as the UAE self storage industry in general.