Moving tips
Tips for a Smooth, Successful, and Stress-Free Commercial Move
By TLC Moving & Storage · Published 13 October 2021
Residential moves are stressful, and commercial moves have their unique difficulties. Knowing where to start and how you can reduce your workload will make the transition smoother for you, your staff and your customers.
Why a commercial move needs its own plan
There’s a lot to consider and organize when you’re moving your business. It can be a stressful situation; there are many moving parts, a lot of details to figure out while also being mindful of the way your move will impact your staff, distributors, or customers and clients.
Regardless of the reason for the move, there are ways to make the transition smooth and easy. Knowing where to start and how you can reduce your workload will make it easier for yourself and everyone else involved.
Plan your business move around these five steps:
Don’t leave it to the last minute
Take inventory
Come up with an organizational system
Spread the word
Hire a local, professional moving company
What a commercial move involves
A commercial move involves more than packing up an office. It starts with a thorough inventory, including physical files you might digitize, then a labelling system tracked on a spreadsheet or map, notice to vendors, utilities, suppliers, staffing services, customers and employees, and a check of your contracts so the move doesn’t conflict with your agreements.
Don’t leave it to the last minute
It can be very easy to underestimate the time it’ll take you to execute your move. When you’re planning for your commercial move, designate a certain length of time for each task you need to check off your to-do list – and then add extra time to that.
Simply packing an entire commercial property will take significantly more time than you’ll initially estimate, especially if this is your first time. Waiting until the last minute is a recipe for stress and disaster.
Take inventory
The best way to determine what you’ll need to prepare for your move and how long the move will take is to take a thorough inventory. This should be one of the first steps of your commercial move, and it’ll also allow you to downsize, declutter, and clean as you go.
Go through any physical files you have; can you get rid of them or digitize them to make more space? What can you sell, donate, or get rid of that you no longer need?
Come up with an organizational system
To stay on track with your moving schedule and stay organized, it’s a good idea to have a solid system in place for your commercial move. Become best friends with a label maker or consider labelling items by colour or number and tracking your labelling system with a spreadsheet or map.
This will eliminate any confusion about where things go, and it’ll ensure everything ends up right where it’s supposed to be – making unpacking significantly faster and more efficient.
Spread the word
When you’re caught up in the stress of your move, you may forget a significant detail; notifying people about your commercial move. You should inform vendors, utilities, suppliers, applicable staffing services, customers, employees and any other essential stakeholder about your move as soon as possible. It also doesn’t hurt to tell everyone twice or three times to remind those who may forget or in case the message is missed.
Also, be sure to double-check any contracts you may have to ensure that your move doesn’t cause any conflicts with your agreements.
Hire a Local, Professional Moving Company
The time, physical labour, and stress involved in executing a commercial move alone aren’t worth it. Bringing in professional commercial movers will make the move more efficient, and allow you to focus on what’s most important: your business.
Questions about moving with TLC
How early should I start planning a commercial move?
It can be very easy to underestimate the time it’ll take you to execute your move. When you’re planning for your commercial move, designate a certain length of time for each task you need to check off your to-do list – and then add extra time to that.
What should I do first on a commercial move?
The best way to determine what you’ll need to prepare for your move and how long the move will take is to take a thorough inventory. This should be one of the first steps of your commercial move, and it’ll also allow you to downsize, declutter, and clean as you go.
Who should I tell about my business move?
When you’re caught up in the stress of your move, you may forget a significant detail; notifying people about your commercial move. You should inform vendors, utilities, suppliers, applicable staffing services, customers, employees and any other essential stakeholder about your move as soon as possible.
Free estimate
Get your free estimate
Tell us about your move and we will come back with a free, obligation-free estimate. You can also call (613) 830-7402.