27 Jun 2013
The key to a successful business relocation is detailed planning. A careful move management strategy needs to be implemented to ensure the successful relocation of your organisation. Bishop's Move have undertaken thousands of office moves over it's 155 years in the removals industry, and do not under-estimate their complexity.
For this reason, we have put together this essential guide to business relocation to help give Facility Managers a better understanding of the business relocation process.
Selecting your business relocation company
Obviously as Facility Manager of your company you will be wanting value for money, but most importantly you want the best company for the job. A "tender" process can help show the removals companies of calibre but to discover which companies to approach in the first place can be much harder. The British Association of Removers (BAR) is the trade association in the UK for removals companies, and they have a separate organisation of over 40 removal companies that provide business relocations - the Commercial Moving Group (BAR CMG). All CMG members are BS8522 accredited.
The BAR also have useful information on how to write a tender and how to prepare for your business relocation on their website.
Professional Consultation & Planning
Your chosen removals company should send a move management team to your offices to meet with key members of your staff and discuss every aspect of the business relocation. No detail should be overlooked - no matter the size of your organisation. Access routes and room layouts will need to be discussed, at both the old and new location, so that everybody involved knows exactly what will happen and when and who is doing it. This the best way to ensure a smooth
business relocation.
Implementation
On the move days, you should expect an experienced supervisor to oversee the entire operation, from start to finish. By using a BAR CMG relocation company, you will ensure that your organisation benefits from professionally trained packers. Registered tradesman may also be required to dis-assemble and re-assemble office furniture. Plus the expert services of an ICT support team will be required to keep your network and communications running at all times.
For hospital or specialised relocations it is quite normal for the move to occur at night to reduce the impact on the day-to-day running of the business. However, this can cost more.
Storage
Secure storage may be required at certain points of your business relocation. Make sure that your chosen removals company has the capacity and security for the items that you are storing, especially if you are archiving data.
Specialist Services
If heavy machinery is being moved or valuable antiques then specialist services will be brought in to move them safely. This may mean the hire of specialist lifting equipment or the manufacture of bespoke crates.
Insurance
No business relocation should be undertaken without insurance to cover for any unexpected incidents.
Aftercare
The business relocation is not over on arrival at your new offices. A good removals company will unpack and set your office up so that it is functioning immediately according to pre-agreed plans. Unwanted furniture can be environmentally disposed of through your removals company as well as other waste management services.
Business relocation companies of stature should be able to offer Facility Managers the following professional services:
As business relocation vary greatly in size and complexity, feel free to call Bishop's Move to discuss your organisation's own relocation requirements.
