The easiest part about commercial moving for businesses is actually doing the move.

What happens before a commercial moving service shows up to load and transport the company’s property is the part that can be the most challenging.

With this in mind, these are some recommendations from commercial movers on how any business owner can prepare their company for an easier relocation by preparing for a trouble-free move.

1. Start Planning Early Enough

Relocating a business is much more challenging than residential moving, so it is important to start the process at least 6 months in advance.

Begin by searching for a commercial moving service as soon as relocation plans are finalized, develop an inventory list of items, and then get a few moving estimates.

Confirm lease ending dates and announce the plan to all employees once the new location is selected, then start the preparations.

Three months prior to the planned relocation date, a moving company should be contracted and a moving date confirmed.

2. Create A Commercial Moving Team and Timeline

At the three-month mark, choose a few employees to act as a team to prepare for moving day and organize the whole process.

First and foremost, this team should be tasked with developing a commercial moving timeline to help everyone stay on track in their preparations and understand all that must be accomplished and by what dates.

Start gathering packing supplies and making them available so the packing can begin.

3. Create A Layout Plan for the New Space

Using a floor plan of the new building, someone should create and label a layout of the new space to make loading easier for the commercial movers and reduce any confusion.

Use this layout to determine the location of all equipment and property to confirm that it fits, making a plan for any downsizing that may be necessary if going into a smaller space.

If new furnishings or equipment are needed, purchase them now and arrange delivery to the new facility at a specified date.

4. Handle Business and Building Changes

A few months prior to a commercial move, start notifying customers and vendors of the upcoming relocation and scheduling the change of address with the postal service and utilities.

Make a plan for collecting keys and passes for the old building and distributing new ones for a smooth turnover.

5. Develop An IT Disconnect and Setup Plan

While other planning and preparation is going on, commercial movers stress the importance of having the IT team develop a disconnect plan at the old facility and a setup plan at the new one.

IT is the most critical need for most businesses, so it will typically be the last department packed and the first one set up.

Internet and electrical service should be scheduled and confirmed in advance of moving day to facilitate the process.

6. Enlist The Assistance of the Employees

A few weeks before moving day, enlist the other employees to start packing everything, starting with the least used items and their own offices.

The goal should be for everything to be packed by the time the moving service arrives to start loading their trucks.

Develop a system for labeling boxes and ensure that employees use it to make box placement and unpacking easier.

7. Create A Moving Day Plan With Commercial Movers

Sometime before moving day, the organizational team should meet with their commercial mover to confirm what has been done and what must be completed to orchestrate a stress-free event.

Create a plan with the moving service to facilitate communication and expectations once they show up and then finalize any last-minute decisions.

With a good moving day plan, chaos can be minimized.