9 Questions to Ask Before Planning an Office Relocation

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So, you’re considering an office relocation. Uprooting your entire office is a big commitment, and there are some critical factors to take into account before you decide. 

1. What will the cost of the move be?

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Like any choice you make concerning your business, budgeting should come near the top of your priority list. How much will it cost to move your entire office to a new location?  Some office relocation costs might include relocation packages for any employees you’re bringing with you, a deposit on a new office lease, and purchasing or transporting any office equipment.

If you have any company vehicles, you’ll also have to consider the cost of fleet relocation from auto transporters like these that specialize in expedited shipping. If you’ve had an excellent fiscal year and a move is in the budget, seize the opportunity to break into a new market. If you’re operating more frugally, consider waiting. 

2. How long will the relocation process take?

Before you decide to relocate your business, you’ll want to know how long the whole process will take. For example, will your staff be back up and running in a couple of days or a couple of weeks? Downtime can be a killer on the bottom line, and you want to maintain your company’s precision and reputation during the move.

You’ll also want to know how long it will take for your services, such as internet and phone, to reactivate at the new office. Time is money in any business, so the potential for wasted time during a relocation might make you think twice.

3. Will the office space expand alongside our company?

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Before you decide to occupy new office space, look at how much your business has grown. If the company has downsized, you probably don’t need as much office space as you once did.

However, if the business is growing due to increased profit and sales, signing a lease on a larger office space is the way to go. Don’t be afraid to leave yourself a little room to grow. Relocating is an investment, so you don’t want to choose an office you’ll outpace in a couple of months or years. 

4. Are our employees willing to relocate to the new location?

Before you sign a lease on office space, ask yourself if your employees are all willing to relocate. For cross-town moves, this might be a slice of cake, but you might have to part ways with employees if you’ve got a faraway relocation in mind. 

If you’ve got a mix of move-willingness, then you’ll need to talk it over with your employees and your supervisors for the best solution. You want happy and engaged employees who are on board with the new move. Understanding your employees’ thoughts and feelings upfront will help you with that. 

5. Will the move disrupt any services in our business?

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When thinking of relocating your office, you’ll need to determine how the move will disrupt services. For example, if you hire a company to handle your phone and internet needs, it is essential to know that those services can move with minimal downtime. 

If you go ahead with your relocation, you should notify any relevant institutions of your new address well in advance. That way, you can stay ahead of any service interruptions and get your customers back in touch more quickly. 

6. Will all the equipment need to be moved as well?

For businesses with various equipment and technology, it’s essential to know what can move and what’s more cost-effective to repurchase. In addition, anything incredibly fragile or difficult to move should be appropriately packaged and insured to prevent losses.

These include items like computers, servers, furniture, etc. Additionally, make sure to take all the necessary cables, adapters, and other equipment needed in the new office. The best approach is to create an itemized list of everything that needs to be moved, followed by any repurchases. 

7. Does the new location support our company culture?

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You’ll need to figure out if there is a culture fit between your business and the new site. If you feel like this might be an issue, take some time with your employees to discuss their thoughts on the matter. Pay special attention to any deal-breakers or things employees mention that boost their productivity. Miserable employees and a weak client base won’t do your margins any favors, so choose your new location carefully. 

After all, you don’t want to jeopardize your business culture just to save money on office space. You must walk the tightrope between office expenses and necessary amenities. If that isn’t in the cards right now, consider postponing any relocation efforts. 

8. Will we need to be in a temporary workspace?

Before deciding whether or not you should sign a new lease, you’ll want to figure out if you will need a temporary workspace for when things are being unpacked and set up. A temporary workspace could be a good solution if your employees are struggling with the transition or if you need to hit the ground running in your new area. 

If you decide on a temporary workspace, you’ll need to note any costs down in your relocation budget. You’ll also need to ensure that you make this decision early on in the process to make the necessary arrangements with your employees and your building manager. 

9. What are our goals for relocation?

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When considering a massive undertaking like office relocation, it can be easy to get caught up in the minute details and lose sight of the bigger picture. You should never relocate an office if you don’t have a specific goal in mind for that relocation.  For example, some business owners may want better conditions for their work environment.

They may feel that they need to purchase or lease more office space because employees are overcrowded. Other entrepreneurs may not have a problem with their current office space but want to troubleshoot other factors, like costs or the location of the new building. Your reasons will vary by company. Make sure that you are clear on why you need to move to make the best decision for yourself and your employees. 

Wrap Up

Office relocations can be stressful and daunting, but they don’t have to be. With some careful planning and a clear goal in mind, you can break into a new market and give your business room to grow.