When you contact an office moving company, you want assurance that everything goes smoothly. Here are 5 ways to hire the right company to manage your moving operation.

1. Don’t Pay Too Much Money to an Office Moving Company

Get an estimate from a moving company before you choose the service. An office relocation is a major project that requires you to pay close attention to the amount of money you’re spending. Try not to pay movers a large sum of money in advance.

This limits the control you have over your office items. Reputable moving experts recommend customers to pay upon delivery.

2. Ask the Company for References

A respectable moving company should be willing to give you references upon your request. Get a list of customers from your area that recently performed an office move. Contact these customers to get information about their moving experiences.

By getting references, it is easier for you to learn about recent moves, and finding out if the company has managed a similar moving process like yours. Getting references is a beneficial way to help you find a reputable company.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Does the company specialize in an office move? Ask the company about the type of moving services they perform for customers.

Make sure you ask the company various questions about the moving process. The more information you have, the more confident you will feel selecting the right company that fits your needs. The most important question to find out is if the company is licensed or insured.

This helps you to weed out a reputable company from a scam service. You don’t have to worry about an untrustworthy company tricking you with moving costs or mishandling your office supplies.

4. Research the Company

For your office move, you want assurance that your office supplies will be transported safely to your new location. That is why you must conduct thorough research about a moving company.

Always ask around for information about a well-established company that provides excellent services. You can also use the Internet to check reviews about quality moving companies. The company you hire should have a professional background in moving all types of office supplies for customers.

5. How Will the Company Manage the Process?

Will the company set up your electronic office supplies after the move? A good company should inform you about the entire office moving process. This gives you the confidence that they will carefully transport your supplies with minimal issues.

Find the Best Office Moving Solutions

You deserve a quality move without the stress and hassles. Regardless of the size of your move, choose an office moving company you trust.

To get a quote for an office move, contact our site for more details.

The post 5 Tips for Choosing the Best Office Moving Company first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

Rules of Liquidation

A business can only liquidate items that the business owns outright. This could change based on specific written permission but typically you cannot liquidate items purchased on credit if there is an outstanding balance. Please be aware that if you do liquidate items purchased where there is an outstanding balance this could be considered an act of fraud. It’s important to also set fair prices when liquidating goods is part of an exit strategy. Even if you own the good outright, other creditors expect payment. It can be considered fraud if you are putting your personal interests ahead of business creditors.

Third-Party Liquidation Services

There are also third-party liquidators you can use as another way to liquidate goods and business assets. Third-party liquidators offer a variety of options, including store returns, bankruptcy liquidations and excess inventory. One thing to note is that third-party liquidators typically offer a significantly lower than wholesale or market value. There is still value in using them because they can make the process efficient while also creating room in your for the goods the business can sell.

Hold Liquidation Sale

When going out of business, holding a liquidation sale can be a good strategy. However, do not do this unless you are truly going out of business. It is unethical to hold a liquidation sale otherwise and in most states there that are strict liquidation sale regulations. Check with your state attorney general to understand what laws exist in your state.

Contact Us 

For a quick and professional move that prioritizes your needs, contact Washington Express Movers. We’re Washington DC’s top choice when it comes to commercial moving. We’ll pack your items, move them and even unpack them to save you the hassle. After all, we want to make your move as easy as possible.

The post How to Liquidate Your Office Items first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

Furniture First

All of your supplies, papers and electronics need to have somewhere to go. It will be easiest to place your furniture where you think you want it before you begin unpacking on it. Make a room plan and draw it out if need be. If needed, inquire with your office movers about furniture rearranging assistance post move.

Account For Your Belongings

Before you start unpacking, make sure all your furniture and boxes arrived. Labeling your items/boxes properly should ensure they land in the correct office. Take inventory of your office materials and ensure no items are missing.

Essentials First

There are some things that just can’t wait. All of those things sound be taken care of first. Some suggestions for those items are as follows:

1. Computer
2. Phone
3. Notepad or paper
4. Pens/Pencils
5. Printers/Fax/Copiers
6. Files or packets for upcoming meetings

Make sure the computer and phone are working properly as soon as possible to avoid more complications down the line. There may be other supplies you have to have in your office in order to function, so be sure to add those to the list. Some items may sound important but aren’t vital to running your business for a day or two.

A Little at a Time

While you don’t want to be unpacking for months, you don’t have to do it all in a day. Setting a goal like that adds extra strain that will make the move more stressful. Instead, try to pace yourself. Get anything you need for the day done, and anything extra you feel you have the time for. Give yourself a week or at least a couple of days to get everything put away and organized how you want it.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Placements aren’t set in stone. You can move things around later if it isn’t working out where you originally put it. Getting flustered while unpacking about the final location of your belongings will end up causing the process to take longer. Get things approximately where you want them, and you can revisit later if anything isn’t quite where you want it.

Contact Us

Contact Washington Express Movers for a free estimate on your next office move! We aim to make your move as efficient and easy as possible and remain available to our customers for any post-move needs!

The post Tips For Unpacking Your Office first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

Update Directories

Make sure you don’t forget to update any online or offline directories and listings. You don’t want to leave your customers confused. This could include your Google listing, Yelp and other online profiles, social media channels, industry-specific directories, and of course your website.

Reprint Marketing Materials

Be sure to update any flyers, business cards and newsletters. We recommend printing all of your most important material ahead of time so you have updated marketing materials as soon as you get into your new space.

Be Utility Ready

Make sure you schedule a time to shut down your current utilities and begin your new utilities in the new office. Give your utility company and internet provider at least 1-2 weeks’ notice to ensure that your office is up and running in the event of a storm or malfunction.

Make Your Floorplan

Design your floorplan and assign offices prior to moving in. This will cause significantly less stress than making those decisions on move day. Hold a meeting with management to agree upon the best layout for each department.

Order Any Essentials Ahead of Time

Make sure keys, parking passes, appliances and new furniture are ordered and scheduled to be delivered ahead of time. If furniture needs to be rearranged, speak with your moving company about any post-move services. At Washington Express Movers we’re happy to assist you from start to finish, and even after!

Contact us

Contact us today to receive a free estimate for your commercial move. We make sure to provide a comprehensive plan that makes sense for your specific company’s needs, and aim to make your move as cost-effective and hassle-free as possible.

The post The Most Forgotten Office Moving Tasks first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

In a crowded sea of options, you might feel overwhelmed. Where to even begin?

The first step is to choose the right company for the job. You want a company that is trustworthy, reliable, and efficient. You want the experience to flow as smoothly as possible.

Do your research first. Make sure your mover can fit together these essential pieces of the puzzle:

Before the Move

Your mover should take the time to discuss the intricacies of the process with you. Each office move is unique, and your mover should fully address your unique needs as an organization. At Washington Express Movers, our move coordinators are friendly, courteous, and thorough, and will take the time to discuss any of your questions or concerns. We will draft a written proposal for you which fully describes each aspect of your office move, and a plan for how we propose to execute the required work. This draft is subject to your approval.

This part of the process is especially crucial for specialty office moves; your input is critical in shaping the plan. We understand that. There might be something unique that a mover needs to address—they might need to come onsite before moving day to premove certain items to an off-site location or assist in premove training with your employees .

What about the money? You don’t want any ugly surprises after the job is done. Make sure to select an office mover who won’t spring hidden charges on you at the end. You have a budget. Your mover should offer a clear pricing structure; they should also give you a full breakdown of the proposed costs for your job. Washington Express Movers will provide you with a detailed cost estimate, and will always address any questions beforehand.

During the Move

Your move needs to proceed like a well-oiled machine, fully coordinated and operating smoothly. We offer onsite supervision services to make sure all of the “moving pieces” are in place.

Your movers should also be trained in the science of maneuvering large items in small places. Nobody wants their office facility to be damaged, on entry or exit. Our movers are trained in techniques to minimize damage to your facility.

Do you have pieces that need to be specifically installed in your new office? Your mover should not just drop things off and leave them at your new location; look for a mover who offers furniture installation services so everything will be ready to go.

After the Move

Your office may contain bulky pieces of furniture which you’ve decided to get rid of, and your mover should be able to help. Washington Express Movers offers furniture decommissioning services. We will also assist you in donating surplus furniture.

Contact Us

Make your commercial move a pleasant experience. Contact Washington Express Movers and enjoy a hassle-free, organized moving experience. Select us for your office move, and you’ll know right away that you’ve made the best choice.

The post Select the Best Office Mover with these Tips first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

HIDDEN CHARGES

A common complaint from consumers are hidden charges that are tacked on after the move is completed based on “change orders”. While the final cost may vary slightly from the original estimate due to additional items or special circumstances that make the move challenging, your final bill should not break your budget. To help avoid this, make sure the mover is perfectly aware of everything that has to be moved and allocate some cushion within your budget for any surprises. The final cost should stay within 10% of the bid unless there are significant change to the scope of work. Changes that you have agreed to during the move.

LABOR & HOURLY SURCHARGES

Most moving companies like to charge additional fees for moves that are completed outside normal business hours. This can cause concern for some as most building owners limit access during the work day. At Washington Express Movers we understand these concerns and do not charge over time for moves that take place after hours. Compared to the standard 4-6 hour minimum, we offer a 2-hour minimum so you only pay for what you need.

INEXPERIENCED MOVERS

An often-unknown fact to consumers is that many moving companies use outsourced, temporary laborers to keep up with high demand. While these companies may provide a large team of movers, it’s likely that they have been temporarily contracted and can be inexperienced to handle corporate moves. Our Washington Express moving team specializes in office relocation so we can ensure all our clients standards are maintained throughout the process and know exactly how to handle office moves.

NON-WORKING SUPERVISORS

Another common practice by commercial movers is to add non-working supervisors to your move. You will often find you are paying higher hourly rates for supervisors who do not assist in any of the actual moving. All managers or supervisors from the moving company should be hands on during your move.

CONTACT US

Experience the difference with Washington Express Movers. If you’re ready for a dedicated team of experts to handle your corporate moving needs, then contact us today.

The post Common Pitfalls when choosing an Office Mover first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

Start out with an excited and positive introduction that explains why your company is moving and how it will benefit your team in the long run. Address all changes with optimism, but be honest about what is happening. If you are downsizing, it’s important to say so.

Next, lay out the plan! You should include:

• A general timeline with all milestone dates in bold or highlight,
• A targeted moving date,
• A list of responsibilities for your staff, and
• A meeting date to answer any and all questions your employees may have.

Your employees will appreciate having a letter that covers all the basic questions, as well as having a meeting scheduled for them to get answers on any other questions they have have.

Be sure to make this an official letter and make everything as specific as possible! It can be stressful to deal with gossip and employee fear, so be transparent during this time.

If you are looking for assistance during your office move, be sure to call the professionals at Washington Express Movers! We would be happy to do the heavy lifting for you and your team as you embark on this exciting new adventure.

The post Sending an Internal Office Relocation Letter first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

Hidden Costs

While this new office space looks totally perfect except for that one little thing, be careful. Some people choose to purchase a building that isn’t in great condition for a low price with the intention of fixing the place up. This may make sense financially, as you can spread out the renovations as you need. However, it’s important to note that updates can get a little overwhelming and expensive. Any obvious repair work is going to be noticeable upon walking in: the roof, the paint, the floor quality, etc. However, beware of what you cannot see. How is the electrical system holding up? How old are the pipes? Is the place up to code? Pay close attention to building codes and zoning restrictions. You could end up paying quite a bit of money to fix up a place that, in the end, may not be worth it. If you really fall in love with a place, consider hiring an engineer or contractor to make sure everything you want to do with the place is possible.

The Butterfly Effect

This new building looks like a great option for your office, but it’s about 30 minutes from your current location. Yikes! If you need to move far away from where you are right now, it’s important to consider the repercussions. Can your key employees come with? If not, are you willing to take the time to find replacements? Can business take that much of a hit? If not, you should probably wait out the search just a bit longer. Consider rearranging your current office structure if need be. If you absolutely must move to this new place, that’s fine—just be ready to plan for employee relocation and recruitment costs. Also, your employees will likely have some fear and stress rise up during this process. Be ready to address this with them, as for some, it will likely mean that they will look for employment elsewhere.

Adjusting Business Plans

If you are still finalizing your business plan, then it may not be time to purchase a new office space. Making an office move is expensive, and it can eat up a lot of time. If you will need to sell your business or break your lease for whatever reason, the resulting fees could be detrimental. What are your plans for your business in the next few years? Do you want to help your employees with training, purchase better technology, or invest in a new marketing program? If you need your new office to meet your goals, then you should absolutely move. If not, it may be time to consider putting those funds elsewhere.

Timeline Goals

If you are for sure going to move, then make sure to give your employees as much of a head’s up as you can! Some might have increased commute times while others will have to consider moving altogether if they want to stay at your business. We highly recommend offering time-off allowances for employees to find housing and relocate, if that is part of their plan. Also, try your best to make any moves after your busy time of year. Otherwise, you will find it much harder to meet your deadlines. With that said, if you can sacrifice just a few hours of productivity, then you can hire office movers to handle the lifting for you. That means minimal downtime!

Contact Washington Express Movers

If you are looking for a team to handle your office moving project, it’s time to call Washington Express Movers. We proudly serve the Washington, D.C. metro area. Our project managers work closely with you to develop the best strategy for your move. That means that you can decide when you move with confidence—the date, the time, the place, you name it. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to learn more! We look forward to helping your office pick up and set up a permanent residence someplace else. Encourage your company; feel stronger with Washington Express Movers.

The post Beware Before You Move! first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

You are in a Poor Location Right Now

Perhaps you opened your office in the most affordable spot as you were getting started—but now you’re having a hard time attracting the talent you need to thrive. Maybe your customer base is having a challenging time finding you. Whatever the reason may be, your location is not ideal. If you know that your business can do well somewhere else, then it’s time to consider a business move!

You are Losing Business

If your current location is losing clients and other business, it’s time to go! While your one-office rental room in a communal space may have worked well for the first three months, now you and your crew are running out of space to meet with clients. Just as a non-profit located in the ritziest location will probably receive some criticism, your company may receive similar eyebrow raises if you are not located somewhere that reflects your brand.

Your Facilities are Old

When your facilities are old, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they aren’t working properly, but pay attention. If your facilities are not reliable, then this can be annoying at best and dangerous at worst. Make sure your business’ building is up to code, and if there is any violation, fix the problem—or move someplace else that is safer to employees and visitors.

The Market has Changed

Nothing lasts forever! Perhaps you started your business in a new neighborhood, and now, time has made that investment worth much more than what you initially paid. Feel free to sell and turn a profit in order to expand your business even more! Other companies may have started their business in one place, yet increasing rent prices have made it financially irresponsible to renew the lease. Even if you want to stay, make sure to do what is best for your business, and consider moving somewhere the rent is more affordable.

Your Employees are Unhappy

It’s essential to keep your employees happy. You want to retain knowledgeable workers and encourage them to grow in their skills and their productivity. However, the bottom line is simple: If they are unhappy about their work environment, then something needs to change. Maybe it’s time for your employees to actually have some desk space instead of sharing all the desks. Perhaps they are tired of paying for parking. Whatever the reason, consider a move to improve your employees’ moods and attitudes.

Your Contract Means You Can’t Remodel

While a bunch of changes can usually improve a space and make it work better for your needs, some contracts don’t allow this. If your business really demands a larger kitchen, or perhaps an additional office space for a new employee, yet your landlord will not allow a remodel, it is time to take a look at new business locations.

You Don’t Fit

When we say you don’t fit, that doesn’t mean that there are too many of you—it could be that there are too few of you. If your office space doesn’t work, it’s time to move on. Overcrowded offices can hurt productivity levels, and too much empty space can cause just as many issues. This is especially the case if you have had to downsize and lower your number of employees. The empty space can damage morale. Consider moving somewhere you will have just enough room for growth, but not so much room that the place feels empty.

Your Infrastructure is Changing

If you are adding a new department to your company, that is going to demand a little more than just basic shuffling. Depending on the new team, you may need new equipment, a new floor plan, or even a whole new building. Opening a new location might mean moving staff, furniture, or equipment across the city.

Office Movers You Can Trust!

At Washington Express Movers, we want you to know that your move is going to be fully taken care of. We look forward to working with you and your team to set you up for success. Whether you are moving just down the block or to the other side of D.C., we have you covered. Reach out to us today to get started!

The post Top Reasons for an Office Move first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

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