Why Getting a Removalist Is Wiser than a DIY Office Transfer
Relocating to a new office is a major project that requires budget, time, coordination and most of all planning.
If you’re designated to oversee and lead the transfer, the pressure can be high because your company is relying on you to make the transition as smooth as possible.
You’ll be working on a timeline that involves packing, moving, transporting and installing materials, furniture, equipment and computer systems; cleaning the old and new office; dealing with the old and new landlord; and informing clients and business contacts about the move. All these things are happening while you ensure that day-to-day business operations go on without disruption.
Because office relocation is a huge task, your organisation may be currently considering hiring a removalist. Since this will be an added expense, the company management may be studying other options, such as just hiring a private van or truck and organising employees to help with the work.
Problems with Organising a Corporate ‘Self-Move’
What are the common issues in a do-it-yourself office transfer?
· Damage due to moving
In a self-move, employers are expected to remind staff about putting their personal safety first and educate them about how to use packing supplies and moving tools and how to lift heavy objects. But this information may not be enough, and inexperienced self-movers may not be able to avoid damage like scratching or denting office equipment.
This often happens when navigating along doorways and stairwells and when there are too few or too many hands handling the large and heavy objects.
Getting the help of an office removals team can eliminate these risks.
· Improper packing
You can unpack and set up your new office faster if your packing is done properly.
The ideal scenario is to make employees responsible only for packing the stuff in their individual work stations. When it comes to packing larger equipment and furniture, however, it will be better to hire office relocation experts.
Doing so will ensure that you get the right type, size and amount of boxes, tape and other packing paraphernalia. When you choose to work with Office Removals Sydney, you’ll free yourself from buying the packing materials and doing the packing itself. Not only that, we’ll also pack them thoroughly so that your items survive the road trip and stay intact when they reach the destination. This will save you time, effort and resources.
· Insufficient Space of Hired Vehicle
The problem with hiring a small van or truck for a DIY transfer is that it can carry only limited cargo. This can cause you to make several trips to and from your old office. Doing so might incur additional costs besides delaying your setting up at the new office.
Office Removals Sydney will help you move efficiently by ensuring that the moving vehicle—plus the accompanying manpower—will match the amount of cargo to be hauled.
· Absence of insurance
Professional packers and movers usually have insurance coverage for your equipment, furniture and technical systems to be hauled and transported to your new office. Remember to ask for a contract policy.
If the removalist can’t provide insurance, you must contact your company’s insurance provider and discuss moving insurance.
Tips for Working with a Removalist
Ask about terms and conditions. This included possible extra costs if, for example, the move takes longer than you expected.
Make sure you know whether the removalist will charge you a flat rate for the entire move or if you’ll be charged hourly. Get all the terms and conditions in writing before the move, and confirm them when the movers arrive.
Consider taking out a transit insurance to ensure coverage of your office possessions in case they’re damaged or lost in transit.
Make an inventory of all the stuff you have to take with you to your new office location, and take photos of what you pack, especially expensive ones.
It may also help to take pictures of appliances before and after you disassembled their parts so it will be easier to figure out how to put them back together.
Pack early. After meeting with your removalist and deciding on the moving date, you should mark the date when packing should start.If you’re able to schedule the moving date months ahead of the actual transfer, your organisation will have enough time to de-clutter. Tell personnel to classify items in three categories: to keep, to dispose and to donate. This process can help your company reduce the number of things to pack and transfer.
Moreover, this will give you an idea about items or appliances that need to be upgraded, if necessary.
Label boxes properly. Unpacking will be faster and easier if you arrange your stuff in boxes according to where these items will be located in your future office.
Inform your removalist early about any risks or potential problems they might have to work through regarding the move, including road access, hauling and delivery time restrictions, and use of the stairs, elevator and parking space.
Check out your new office a day before your transfer date. This will help you determine what you need to bring and if there’s anything else that your new space requires.
This will also give you time to familiarise yourself with the stores, banks and other facilities near your new location that will be helpful to you and your business. You may also have to know how far your new office is from basic services such as hospitals or clinics, the police station or fire department.
When you choose to relocate with Office Removals Sydney, you can be assured of sound advice about planning your move, whether it’s just within a building or across the city.
Check out our office relocation checklist to get you started with planning your transfer. Get in touch with us now so that we can help you ride through the process of moving your office with ease and confidence.