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The 6 Most Overlooked Parts of an Office Move
What makes a successful office move? At the most basic level, getting all of your equipment, furniture, business assets and workstations from one place to another could be considered a success. But what most businesses look for in an office moving plan is more than just a geographical transfer. They’re looking to minimize money and resources spent on the move itself, and minimize downtime by making sure employees can get up and running on Day 1 in the new space. The following elements, which are often overlooked, can make the difference between a good and a great office move.
1. Office space planning
Space planning looks at density, movement and workflow, and views elements like furniture as ways to create a healthy environment that fits your budget and your office moving plan. It can include:
- Assessing current and proposed environments
- Analyzing departmental alignment and workflow
- Validating floor plans and conducting occupancy audits
- Developing space and occupancy plans
- Establishing furniture goals and objectives
Technology can play a powerful role in office space planning. AutoCAD design software and virtual 3D imaging can provide invaluable insight into potential furniture layouts and finishes.
2. Furniture planning and design
Employers are aware more is involved in office space planning than simply counting heads and buying a desk and chair for everyone. But they are often unsure where to start. Furniture planning and design can include steps like:
- Taking inventory of current furniture
- Analyzing needs and establishing goals
- Test fitting and scenario planning
- Conducting budget analysis
- Creating a liquidation plan for existing or surplus furniture
3. Obtaining furniture
When it comes to furnishing a commercial office, the question always stands; do I buy new or use what I have? New office furniture from premium brands offers many benefits, but there also are affordable options that won’t compromise on quality. Going with a brand that revolves around value oriented furniture is one way to help stay within budget while also refinishing your office. Going in and replanning your space is another way to update the look and feel of the office. Even incorporating a few new pieces can help to update the space without breaking the bank.
4. Relocating technology
In the case of technology, which can include everything from workstation equipment to highly sophisticated data centers, careful documentation, precision care of components during transition, and precise reassembly will be essential to the success of your office moving plan. Success will be defined by minimal to no downtime for employees.
5. Dealing with vacated space
Unfortunately, you can’t simply leave the old space behind after an office move, check your lease for details. A surprising number of steps remain at the very tail end of office space planning, only a few of which include:
- Property, furniture and equipment inventory
- Disposing of confidential information
- Furniture liquidation
- Equipment valuation, recycling and compliance reporting
- Space cleaning, repairs and painting
6. Don’t be afraid to ask for help
There’s no shame in not knowing where to start. Most organizations can’t tackle all of these elements all by themselves. And cobbling together various providers who can help seems almost as daunting. Find a single-source partner, planner or consultant who can handle all of these elements for you, as you need them.
Contact us anytime. We’d love to talk about your upcoming office move or ongoing space management needs.