Moving Office checklist

Finding new office space that fulfils all your needs is no easy feat; it’s a time consuming, difficult and often stressful job. But it doesn’t need to be, so we’ve put together this helpful checklist to help you through the entire process with helpful pointers every step of the way.

Office Space

In this day and age, there’s so many more choices available for companies. Do you opt for the traditional office space on a fixed term lease, or do you choose serviced office space where everything is taken care of for you, or do you rent coworking space on a monthly rolling contract? Once you’ve decided on that - what facilities does the office space offer? Are there power sockets, a kitchen, drinking water, toilets, showers, gym, air con, heating? It may seem obvious but these are all things to consider whether they are a necessity for your business or not, as they could end up costing you more money down the line should your needs change.

Location

Whether your business is moving to a new location due to growth or if you’re a start-up trying to find your first office space, location is key. It’s important to consider the surrounding area when making a decision. Ask yourself these questions. What amenities’ are there locally? Are there good transport links? Is it secure? Will it affect your corporate insurance? Is there ample parking for employees and visitors? Location says a lot about a business and you can get the best of both worlds with a serviced office – prime location with everything already provided and maintained.

Lease Contracts

Possibly one of the most important documents your business will sign is your office lease. What you should try to avoid is signing a very long lease that could lock you into a certain rate for 5 years – that could still stand if your business goes into administration! The office and the lease needs to give you flexibility and room to expand as your business grows, so finding out whether you are on a fixed term contract is imperative. Small businesses or start-ups might benefit more from coworking spaces which offer more flexibility and are usually available on short term or monthly rolling contracts.

Removals

Moving is a stressful job, so once you’ve found the office of your dreams, it’s just a matter of getting everything packed up and into to the new premises. Doing it all yourself can save money, but you need to consider the savings you can potentially make in terms of working hours wasted, and worst case scenario, equipment that gets lost or broken. Alternatively, there are a larger number of dedicated removals firms that can make things easier for you. They may be the more expensive option but they provide a professional service that takes the stress out of moving, and are sure to price the job competitively to get your business.

Settling in

Once the move is complete, remember to notify clients and suppliers with your new office details. This can include addresses on invoices, printing new business cards or letterheads, and anything digital. Remember your website, social media pages, and online directories and be sure to update your listing on Google Business so that your new address shows up in search results.

Put all the above into practice and you can sail through the process of moving office!