Starting a new business or relocating your existing one can bring fresh opportunities and plenty of new challenges. But with a bit of planning and foresight, your business relocation can be a positive experience. As well as easing your company’s transition to a new location and ensuring as little disruption as possible for your employees and customers, a business relocation also allows you to reimagine your company’s working practices and find ways to streamline your operations.
Here are five tips to keep in mind when you’re planning your business relocation:
What are your obligations for building maintenance in the new location?
It’s important to know what kind of obligations your business will have in the new location. If you are leasing a building, you may need to take on the responsibility of maintenance and upkeep. You may also want to ask whether there are rules in place that limit what signage you can put up on the premises or if there are restrictions on when you can use certain rooms. It’s wise to go over these responsibilities before committing to a lease agreement.
Is your new location easily accessible?
Before you move, think about how your new location will affect your business. Is it easy for customers to visit? Can employees commute without too much trouble? A good location should be easily accessible and have room for expansion (if you need to grow), so check these things before signing the lease.
Do you need to make alterations before moving in?
Whether you own the building where your company operates or are moving into a new space, it’s vital to consider how you will fit in your company. You may need to make alterations before moving in, such as installing phone lines or broadband connection points and ensuring that there is enough space for all of your employees.
If your new building is quite different from the one you’ve been operating in, will you need to make structural alterations before moving in? This might include changes such as new windows and doors or custom steel roofing to less expensive cosmetic alterations like repainting. Ensuring that these alterations are completed before the move-in date will help reduce the disruption to your employees and customers.
Are your employees able to work easier from a new location?
If you’re relocating your business to a new location, it’s essential to consider how the move will affect your employees. The move may require them to travel more or spend more time away from home. It could also mean changes to their daily commute, which can be stressful and cause problems with childcare arrangements.
This is why you need to gauge how happy your employees are with the move and if it will affect their work performance. If they are unhappy about the relocation, then there are steps that you can put in place to help them adjust, like providing a more flexible work schedule, implementing shorter commutes, or even letting them telecommute if possible. These steps will ensure that your employees don’t become disengaged and unproductive after the relocation.
How much will it cost?
Before you can even start to plan for your company’s relocation, you need to get a handle on how much it will cost. This includes the cost of moving inventory, hiring temporary staff, and finding new premises in the new location. It’s essential to start thinking about these costs before you move to factor them into your business plan and budget.
