Whether you’re going through a growth phase, seeking more affordable rent, or pursuing a fresh market, sometimes it’s just the right time to pack up and move your business to a new address. Moving is always a stressful endeavour that requires a lot of hard work, and moving your business is no exception. There’s so much to consider, from staff and equipment to customers and paperwork, that it’s essential to have a business moving checklist to make it easier.
Just like there’s a lot to organise and remember when moving house, moving your business to a new location requires extensive planning and preparation. On top of the process of shifting your equipment and furniture, there are stakeholders, agencies and government departments to inform too.
Whether you’re moving your business to another state or downsizing to a shared co-working space, Ready Movers can take the stress out of your shift and make it an easier process. Here’s our guide to what to include on your business moving checklist before, during and after your business relocation.
What to Do Before Relocating Your Business?
Find a new business location
You’ll need a new space to do business from, and thoroughly analysing your new location will help you make sure it meets your company’s needs. Factors to consider include access to resources, your staff’s current and future needs, any local government regulations (especially when moving to a new state), and all your network infrastructure and furniture needs. Confirm what day you’ll have keys and access to the new location, and make sure you organise internet and electricity service providers in advance.
Notify your landlord and staff
Let your landlord and your team know of your intention to vacate the current business premises and, if necessary, appoint team members according to their strengths to take on particular roles during the move.
Put together a plan and budget
Develop a detailed relocation plan that includes timelines and responsibilities, as well as a budget that includes moving costs, renovation expenses, and any potential downtime.
Check legal and regulatory requirements
Make sure you look into the zoning laws and permits for your new location and ensure that your business meets all legal standards in that area.
Managing the Office Relocation During the Move
The bigger your team, the better planned your business relocation needs to be. But it doesn’t have to be a stressful experience for you and your team. You just need the right tips and techniques for managing your office relocation during your move. Here are some to add to your business moving checklist:
Communicate with your employees
Communicating with your workers before, during and after the move is so essential to the success of your project. Provide them with clear instructions and expectations and keep them in the loop about the itinerary and the rules of your new place.
Back up your data
Save extra copies of your files and folders just in case anything happens to them during the move.
Oversee the process
Make sure everything is handled carefully and efficiently. Also, ensure each box is labelled to prevent it from being lost or misplaced. Alternatively, appoint a project manager with strong organisational and multi-tasking abilities to handle the task.
Deep clean your old office
When your existing workspace is empty, it’s an excellent opportunity to carry out a deep clean and remove any rubbish and unnecessary items you still have lying around. Discard, sell or store anything you won’t need at your new location.
Hire a professional moving company
Hiring professional removalists is essential for a streamlined, efficient, drama-free move. Removalists have the knowledge, experience and equipment to identify your moving requirements, help you draft a solid moving plan and assist you with packing and unpacking.
Setting Up Your Business after Relocating
Your work isn’t over once you’ve shifted your office to a new location. There’s still so much to consider, including finding business in your new area. Here are some tips for setting up your business in your new location and settling in:
Unpack and restock
Unpack your office furniture and other essentials and arrange your office space in your preferred way, including furniture and tech equipment.
Update your address
To report your changes, contact the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and the Australian Business Register (ABR) within 28 days. Also, update your details with your bank and other financial institutions.
Communicate with your customers
Make sure all your listings on social media, Google Maps, and other online locations confirm your new address. Send a notice to customers, suppliers, and partners informing them of the change of address.
Hold an employee orientation
Conduct an orientation for your employees to ensure they are familiar with the new location, including any updated safety protocol or emergency exit points.
The Extra Challenges of Moving Your Business Interstate
Moving a business is challenging at the best of times. Here are some of the particular difficulties involved with a shift into another state or territory:
Staffing
If you want to keep working with your existing employees, you’ll need to address their relocation. This might involve offering relocation packages. Alternatively, you may face the prospect of hiring new employees in your new state.
Compliance with regulations
Different states can have different workplace laws, restrictions and other business requirements.
Your budget
Moving is an expensive endeavour, and moving interstate requires a bigger budget than a local relocation.
Logistics
You’ll have to consider the practical aspects of moving potentially large loads and fragile equipment across great distances.
Adjusting to a new environment
You’ll have to balance continuing to operate your business with getting used to a new climate, way of life, and other potentially unfamiliar aspects of life in a different state.
Time management
Interstate moves take longer than local ones, making effective time management an even more pressing concern.
Make Your Office Move Stress-Free With Ready Movers
Whether you’re relocating to a different level in the building, across the street, or interstate, the Ready Movers team does office relocations more smoothly and efficiently than anyone else.
Our commercial office and business removalists assist with moves of any size and can work according to your schedule. We can offer after-hours and weekend moves, professionally trained staff, high-quality materials and moving crates to protect your valuable office assets.
Our flexible packing and moving services can shift your workplace or a small part of it, and we also supply all the packing materials. Whether you require only packing, need only help with unpacking, or need help with all of it plus materials, we can tailor our service to meet your needs. We handle all your fragile items with care, avoiding double-handling to reduce the risk of damage. If you need storage services when downsizing your office space, we can help with that, too.
To start your business relocation on the right foot, contact the Ready Movers team for a free moving quote.
