Posts Tagged ‘Planning an Office Move’

Office Moving | Do’s and Don’ts of Office Relocation | Part 4

February 25th, 2010

Office Move Planners

The Office Move Itself

Previously in this Office Moving series you learned about the 9 most common Office Move mistakes, addressed the question of whether you are properly prepared to pull off a successful office move and learned how to complete early preparations for an office move.

Now we will address the office move itself with this detailed checklist of tasks you will need to accomplish or delegate. By now you should have selected your Office Moving Company who will be your partner in this step of the process. If you have any questions whatsoever, don’t hesitate to contact your move coordinator for assistance. They’ve been through this process thousands of times and can be a huge help by saving you time, money and worry. Most importantly, starred * tasks on this list can be scheduled directly with your move coordinator.

Don’t move office items you won’t need

• Throw away junk and archive old files*

• Warehouse un-needed equipment and files*

Communicate your moving plans to the following:

• Memos to employees

• Letter to customers

• Letter to bank and accountant

• Letter to insurance agent

• Letters to vendors and suppliers

Prepare for packing your offices

• Determine amount of Kwik-Paks required and deliver – these are faster, easier and more economical to pack and unpack than boxes*

• Determine (if needed) amount of corrugated boxes required and deliver for remaining items*

• Determine packing materials required and deliver for use to cushion items*

• Order and distribute labels and markers. Diggins & ROSE supplies color-coded commercial packing labels with every move so that boxes are easily distributed to the correct area of your new offices*

• Provide clear instructions for packing. Your mover can help you with this*

• Determine whether you would like your mover or your employees to pack filing cabinets, supply cabinets, personal items, etc*

• Determine whether you would like your mover or your employees to will pack common areas (reception, pantry, library, etc.)*

• Make arrangements to have live plants moved. Moving Companies are not able to transport live plants.

• Make arrangements to move framed pictures and any special artwork. Your mover’s in-house crating department can handle this detail*

• Determine whether you would like your mover or your IT Tech to perform all disconnections & reconnections of your computer systems*

Move management prep

• Take complete inventory*

• Document network log-ins, access, print spooling, etc.

• Perform complete backup of network

• Perform complete backup of telephone system

• Document telephone extension, pooling groups, etc.

• Select department coordinators

• Create packing/labeling guidelines*

• Arrange to have PCs packed/moved*

• Determinate who will work on move weekend

• Arrange for packing/moving of copiers*

• Arrange for disassembly/reassembly of modular furniture*

• Arrange to pack/move networking equipment and servers*

• Arrange to prep/move telephone system

• Arrange for elevator access (both sites)

• Schedule parking and unloading at new site

• Obtain any special moving/parking permits

• Determine building restrictions for move hours

• Arrange for protection of floors, walls and elevators*

Clean up/demo old site

• Remove old cabling?

• Arrange for special trash pickup*

• Perform final cleaning*

Update legal agreements:

• Service agreements

• Business Licenses

• Insurance

• Sales & Use certificates

• Equipment leases

• Mandatory HR postings

• Certificate of Insurance*

This is part 4 of a 4-part blog series addressing office moving issues and providing you with the tools and information you need for a flawless office move. Also see:

Part 1: Do’s and Don’ts of Office Relocation: Most Common Office Moving Mistakes,

Part 2: Do’s and Don’ts of Office Relocation: Can you accomplish a successful office move?

Part 3: Do’s and Don’ts of Office Relocation: Office Move Planning Checklist.

Or email diggins & ROSE Moving Systems now for the complete series “Do’s and Don’ts of Office Relocation.

If you are planning an office move in the next 12 months, contact diggins & ROSE immediately for a free consultation and quote. Remember, the earlier you start your planning, the better your chances for a successful, stress-free office moving experience.

Office Move Checklist

November 10th, 2009

Planning an office move can seem like a daunting task for most. For most it is their first time to plan a move and their job is dependent upon their performance. Therefore planning and execution is at a premium. In this blog I will try to highlight people to notify, things to arrange, what to prepare for and your responsibilities.

NOTIFY
I recommend that 90 days prior to moving that you create custom moving announcements for distribution to clients, employees and vendors. The announcement should contain the new address and move date, and should be sent with all company email, invoices, sales material and vendor payments. Check with current and future landlord to confirm moving dates. Make sure you secure exclusive use of elevators needed. Obtain copies of moving policies and certificate of insurance requirements. Notify all customers and suppliers in writing two weeks prior to moving, including the post office using the standard post office form.

ARRANGE
You will need to make changes to all preprinted documents that have your current address including letterhead, envelopes, invoices, statements and business cards. I suggest that you begin this process about two months in advance. Contact companies that service office equipment like copy machines, computer systems, phones, coffee and vending machines. Typically companies have service or maintenance agreements for these items and you will need to arrange disconnect, transportation and reconnect at your new office. Subscriptions to newspapers, magazines, trade journals and other publications need to be transferred to your new address. Review inventory and all orders in process to ensure correct routing.

PREPARE
It is recommended that you create a move transition team and establish regular team meetings. The team should represent at least one person from each major department including and IT. Create floor plans of all departments and private offices at destination. Assign each destination room a temporary moving number and instruct staff to tag all items moving to the related room. At destination hang a sheet of paper with the corresponding signage indicating to the movers which room to place the furniture. Hang furniture layout guides next to room number signage at destination indicating placement of furniture, electrical and data outlets. Computer networks need to be taken down and set up at destination, including new cable installation, testing, design and maintenance.

RESPOSIBILITIES
As your company move coordinator it will be your responsibility to make sure each employee has a move packet. The packet should include labels, move instructions, pc bags, monitor covers, parking assignments, keys or electronic access badges and seating layout of new office. Often coordinators will also supply information about the new office location including restaurants, parks and commuting suggestions. During the move you will need to plan to have a company representative at both origin and destination. It is helpful to have on coordinator in charge of the entire move. This expedites the communication process and makes the move easier for everyone. Moving day you will be responsible for packing desk of absent employees.

Kevin Crofoot
KCS Office Moving
www.kcsofficemoving.com