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7 Common Mistakes Businesses Make When Relocating Their Business

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Moving your business can be a great opportunity. Companies can thrive when they expand, access new community resources, or gain a better tax situation when they cross from one city or county into another.

But moving your business can also involve a lot of legwork as you find the right situation for the right price. These are a few common mistakes that companies make as they plan to relocate their business.

1.    Not checking all costs in new location

Sure, you know what the rent will be in your new location. Is snow removal included? What about utilities? What are the rules around parking? Are there restrictions on what appliances you can have on-site?

One place where businesses can struggle is failing to plan ahead for the detail costs of a new location. If you are offered great rent in a new location, but you will need to pay out of pocket for many things that are currently part of your rent, that might not be such an advantageous move.

2.    Not considering commuting and parking changes

When moving to a new location, companies need to consider if there will be changes to who can commute to work and how accessible their business is. For many companies, getting better parking options often equates to moving out of urban centers, which may mean giving up commuting options. Losing out on commuters can severely limit the worker pool, especially for companies that hire many entry-level workers.

Make sure you know how these items will affect your business so that you can plan before you’re in the middle of the move.

3.    Not calculating moving cost

Businesses forget the actual cost of physically moving their items from one location to another. When you move apartments or even houses, you can often pay your friends with cases of beer and pizza to move your boxes. A business move needs to happen much more fluidly and better protection for expensive equipment. Professional movers experienced with business moves are your best bet for a smooth experience.

It is also important to note that not all movers can move all specialized items. When you call professional movers for a quote, make sure to list anything out of the ordinary that you need to have moved. If they can’t move it themselves, they may be able to recommend who can.

4.    Not communicating to staff and customers

Long before your actual move, you need a plan to alert staff and customers to the upcoming changes. Customers need to be aware, so they know where to continue to go for your services, and staff needs to understand both so that they know where to report to work and can correctly advise customers.

Figure out how you will communicate through your various networks. Emails, social media blasts, signs at the physical location, and more. Should your most important clients get a personalized phone call? In many situations, yes.

5.    Not insuring your valuables

Especially if you’re DIYing your move, your items must be insured. If a piece of the personal property falls and gets damaged, you may be frustrated and need to save up for a replacement. If a piece of business equipment gets damaged, your company could potentially be shut down until it’s replaced. Having insurance for your property items can help to avoid disaster.

6.    Not planning enough time for your move

Moving takes time, and assuming that you can pack up after business closes on Friday and be ready to go first thing on Monday isn’t always going to work out. Planning to have employees box up personal possessions and carefully labeling new office spaces for easy sorting can definitely help. Still, if you wait until the last minute, you’re going to be scrambling through a disaster.

7.    Not reading reviews for moving companies

There are many moving companies out there, and unfortunately, they are not all equal. Just because a company gives you a great price doesn’t mean that you can trust them with your stuff. Look for reviews on websites like Yelp and check out the company’s reputation with the Better Business Bureau. Ask the company for local customers you can contact, prioritizing business customers.

Moving can be a big hassle, but it can also be an important opportunity for your business. A new location can revitalize a struggling business, and an expansion can help a business grow into even more of a community presence. However, like everything else that happens in business, companies need to take a measured approach. Make a plan and follow it through so that details don’t get missed.

HubSpot