Moving Business Premises Without Closing for the Day: Is It Possible?
Relocating a business can present a very different challenge to moving home. Furniture, equipment, stock, files and day-to-day operations all need to be considered, but perhaps the biggest concern for many businesses is downtime.
If closing your business for several days simply isn’t an option, can you move premises while continuing to operate?
In many cases, the answer is yes. With good planning and a flexible commercial removals company, a business relocation can be organised to keep disruption to a minimum.
Plan Your Business Move as Early as Possible
The earlier you start planning a commercial move, the easier it is to identify potential problems before moving day.
Consider what needs to be moved, what needs to remain operational until the last possible moment and which items can be transferred to the new premises in advance.
For larger businesses, it may be helpful to divide equipment, furniture and other contents into different stages rather than attempting to move everything at once.
Speaking to your commercial removals company early also gives them an opportunity to understand your priorities and plan the move around your normal operating hours.
Consider an Evening or Overnight Removal
One way of reducing disruption is to arrange the move outside your usual business hours.
Depending on your requirements and the availability of your removals company, an evening or overnight business move could allow much of the relocation to take place after your staff and customers have left for the day.
This can be particularly useful for offices and other businesses where desks, furniture and equipment need to be ready for employees when they arrive at the new premises.
At Mooveit Removals, we understand that commercial moves sometimes need to happen outside conventional working hours, which is why we can discuss flexible arrangements to suit the individual requirements of your business.
Could You Move Over a Weekend?
For businesses operating Monday to Friday, a weekend office removal can be another practical option.
Furniture and equipment can potentially be moved after the business closes on Friday, giving you the weekend to complete the relocation and prepare the new premises before reopening.
Every move is different, so it’s important to discuss your timescale and requirements in advance. Larger commercial relocations may require considerably more planning than a smaller office move.
Consider a Phased Business Relocation
You don’t necessarily need to move your entire business in one go.
A phased commercial relocation can involve transferring non-essential furniture, stock and equipment first while keeping the most important parts of your operation running at the existing premises.
Once the new location is ready, essential equipment and remaining contents can then be transferred during a shorter final move.
This approach can be particularly useful for businesses that need to remain accessible to customers throughout the relocation.
Decide What Actually Needs to Move
A business relocation is also an excellent opportunity to review furniture, equipment and stored items that may have accumulated over the years.
Do you really need to move every old filing cabinet, unused desk or item that has been sitting in storage?
Reducing the amount that needs to be transported can make the move more straightforward and help prevent your new premises immediately becoming cluttered with items you no longer use.
Make an Inventory of Office Furniture and Equipment
Creating an inventory can be extremely useful when planning office removals.
List desks, chairs, filing cabinets, shelving, office equipment and any larger or more unusual items that need transporting.
It’s also important to tell your removal company about access at both premises. Stairs, lifts, loading areas, restricted parking and narrow entrances can all affect how the move needs to be organised.
Providing this information in advance allows the removals team to arrive properly prepared.
Think About Computers and IT Equipment
Computers, servers, telephone systems and other technology are often among the most important parts of a modern business relocation.
You may need to coordinate your removals team with your IT provider or internal IT department so equipment can be disconnected, transported and reconnected in the correct order.
Where possible, make sure important business information is properly backed up before the move.
You should also arrange broadband, telephone services and other essential utilities at the new premises well in advance. There’s little benefit in successfully moving your desks and computers if your team arrives to find the internet isn’t ready.
Tell Your Staff About the Moving Plan
Good communication can make a considerable difference.
Make sure employees know when the move is taking place, what they’re responsible for packing and where they need to report once the relocation is complete.
Clearly labelling boxes, furniture and equipment by department or room can also make setting up the new premises considerably easier.
Commercial Removals in Doncaster
At Mooveit Removals, we provide professional commercial removals in Doncaster and throughout the UK, helping businesses relocate with as little disruption as possible.
From smaller office removals through to larger business relocations, our experienced removals team can work with you to plan an efficient move around the requirements of your company.
Where required, we can discuss evening, overnight and weekend removals, helping you find a practical way to relocate without unnecessarily interrupting your normal business operations.
If you’re planning a business move in Doncaster or relocating to another part of the UK, contact Mooveit Removals on 01302 891295 for a free, no-obligation quotation.
