Moving a Business Is Easy With This Resource Guide
Moving a business is a major undertaking, any way you slice it, so it’s imperative to start out with a detailed plan for the entire process. Not only will this help minimize disruption to your workflow, but it will also reduce stress for you and your employees.
Whether you’re moving from a home office to a storefront, renting a bigger space, or relocating to a new state, you’ll need to start making preparations as early as possible. Thinking about the most efficient way to carry out the physical move is crucial; would it be best to stagger the process and move a little at a time, or will that only create more of a burden for you? How can you make the move easier for your customers?
Start making to-do lists and gathering resources, including info for a moving company. You can tackle several tasks at once with Moving Estimates, which provides price quotes from moving
companies in your area, as well as truck rental information. Here are some tips to help you get started with moving a business as efficiently as possible:
Protect your business by incorporating
Taking the right precautions can help you avoid major headaches down the road. When moving a business to a different state, it’s important to get familiar with the legalities that apply to entrepreneurs in that area. The right structure can offer protection for your assets as well as tax benefits, but every state has its own rules when it comes to business structures. Read up on the steps for forming an open corporation, which would allow you to issue stock in order to attract investors. This is a great way to grow your business after the move, and you can utilize a formation service to incorporate rather than hire the services of a costly attorney.
Create a timeline for the move
Once you’ve taken some steps to protect yourself and your company, you’ll be free to start planning the logistics. Creating a timeline will allow you to break down the tasks involved in moving a business, so you have everything laid out in front of you. Organizing in this way will also help you figure out how to involve your customers and clients in the move, prepare inventory, and set up services that are time-sensitive, such as turning on utilities at your new business location.
Assuming you’ve already found the perfect new space, you can break down your moving tasks like this:
- Budget
- Communication
- Inventory
- Logistics
Figure out the costs
When budgeting for a move of any size, it’s crucial not to underestimate your spending. Work up costs for things like deposits, security, storage fees, insurance, and utilities; obtain quotes from services such as moving and cleaning companies. Don’t forget to include costs associated with ordering new signage and branding materials.
Make communication a priority
Communication is key when you’re moving a business, especially if you want to keep the process rolling smoothly. Notify property managers/landlords, customers, suppliers, post office, utility services, investors, and any other relevant parties of the move dates, including the date that your business will be fully operational again if you plan to have downtime. Involve your employees in the details of the move and assign tasks as you see fit so that everyone is on the same page. Make any necessary changes to your business website and social media pages.