Once you know it’s time to move from one location to another, how do you get started? How can you be sure that you are making the change that is best for your business? If you take the time to thoroughly consider your plan of action, we think you’ll find that moving is easier than you believe. There are four main steps you can take to ensure that your move goes smoothly.

1. Take time to research your options and choose the best one for your business needs.
2. Make a thorough list of needs that must be met.
3. Set your budget.
4. Study all of your options.

Take Time to Research

If you try to make a decision last minute on where to move, you’ll put your whole business under a lot of unnecessary pressure. Do all that you can to avoid this, as this could disrupt your daily workflow. Instead, decide ahead of time when you will need to move. As soon as you know that change is on the horizon, start looking around. Take a close look at all potential options, and make sure to carefully consider the pros and cons of all choices. Research has shown us that we are more likely to regret a decision that was made hastily over one that was made with only a few options. Take your time, do your research, and make an informed decision.

Decide What Needs Should Be Met

Make a list of things your new location needs to have. If you aren’t sure what to put on this list, there are a few ways to get ideas.

Interview your employees

Meet with your team in small groups or even one-on-one to get their feedback. Ask about the current work conditions to find out what they like and what they would change. How would a new office space meet these issues? While your employees will have some great ideas for the new location, don’t forget to take note of what they love about the current office. You don’t want to accidentally take that away from them! These interviews can also tell you what current commute times look like, how they feel about building security and additional access, proximity to public transit, parking, and other amenities. However, keep in mind that there will likely be some losses, too. It’s common to lose employees when making a big location change.

Check your observations

Your employees have habits that they may not be aware of, but you can make a note of them if you pay attention. For example, how do they use the common areas? Do those with offices leave the doors open, or do they close them? Do people leave the office for snacks and coffee? Where do they eat? The point of this exercise is to find space for improvement. Do not judge your employees; simply make notes for your future office space.

Determine your objectives

What’s the goal in this move? How will moving help your business? For those of you with commercial businesses that are about to grow, a new location might be just what you need. For those who are looking to improve communication within, you may need to focus more on the office layout than the overall size. Feel free to have brainstorming sessions with your employees and get their input. Write down what really matters!

Once you have all of these written down, narrow down the factors that really matter to you and your company. While it’s unlikely to get everything you’re setting out to find, having this rough guideline will help you choose the best fit for your business.

Choose a Budget

Now that you know what you want in your new office, it’s time to pick a budget. However, make sure it’s reasonable. Your budget needs to cover size, location, utilities, and whatever else your business needs to handle. With that in mind, take a closer look at your resources. Will you be able to afford new furnishings? What about a remodel? Does artwork matter to you and your business? Whatever it is that you need to succeed, a budget is number one. Make sure to set some money aside for unexpected repair work.

Check Your Options

Once you have chosen your criteria and your budget, you can start defining more exact requests. Consider the following:

• Overall size requirements to fit employees
• Desired layout for optimum productivity
• Workstations for all employees
• Potential for renovations if needed
• Locations within budget
• Fitting with the brand
• Available meeting space, including floors and meeting rooms
• Private office availability
• Location and parking capabilities

This checklist should tell you what matters most when moving to a new commercial property and be your guide on your way to success.

While hunting for a new commercial property can be exciting, it’s important not to get tied up in the bells and whistles of a new space. Set the criteria, make sure this space meets your requirements, and only consider it if it makes sense.

Washington Express Movers

Once you have the perfect spot and have signed the paperwork, give our team a call! We know exactly how to care for your office moving needs, including furniture and artwork transportation. We would be happy to assign a project manager to your move to make sure all your needs are met. Proudly serving the Washington, D.C. metro area, our crew is ready to help your commercial move go as smoothly as possible! Reach out to our team today to get started.

The post Get Your Office Move Right with These Steps first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

What type of corporate insurance policies do you have?

Getting information about a moving company’s insurance is a standard request. You should know that the company has workers’ compensation insurance to protect you against claims of injury by their employees. The company’s corporate insurance should also protect you against property damage during the move. We have damage coverage and addition insurance to protect your business. Contact us today to get a Certificate of Insurance.

How will you minimize disruption to our company?

Commercial moves need to have a plan before anything is packed and taken off premises. Benjamin Franklin said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” This action plan should give you information about the cost of the move, how long it will take and what type of equipment and manpower are committed to your project.

At WEX, you can request services without a lot of lead time. We’re a local company that will get the job done quickly and efficiently. We combine the resources of a logistics company with the speed and convenience of a courier service.

Who will be handling my commercial move?

Ideally, for a local move, the same crew should be the ones who handle the job from start to finish. You should ask about the experience of the crew and whether they are full-time, fully-trained staff who can protect your property. Our staff is trained to prevent damage to your property and injuries to themselves. This keeps your staff from being injured from lifting or straining to move large items.

Do you have local references?

Ask the mover company to provide the names of at least two businesses for whom they’ve completed a move in the last few months. This helps you weed out commercial movers who simply advertise as such, but generally only handle household moves. We have more than 35 years of experience and are happy to provide you with information from our satisfied customers. Check our our testimonial page for customer feedback.

What types of materials can your moving company handle?

It’s important to get information about how your IT and AV equipment will be managed during the move. If you have sensitive documents, you want to ensure that the security of that information is protected. Get information about how each aspect of the move is handled.

When you call Washington Express Movers, you will find experienced, high-quality, professional commercial movers who specialize in small to mid-sized corporate moves, both internal and external.  We are local and readily available at a much lower hourly cost than large scale office movers. Get a free quote today.

The post How to Pick the Right Mover for Your Office Move first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

Researching the Options

When it comes to finding the perfect team to transport your items, we get it – not all companies were created equal. During this stage of planning for your event, you’ll be able to compare prices and services offered to make the best choice. Most companies will drop off items at a loading dock and be on their way, but not us. We ensure that the packing, loading, unloading, and setup are all complete before we call it a job-well-done.

Logistics Consultant

Maybe you don’t know exactly how you will get everything from point A to point B, but that’s where we come in. We always have someone on site to oversee the moving process and ensure everything is exactly where you need it to be. This logistics consultant can help keep the moving process running smoothly and prevent you from having to worry about the details. This means you can focus on the the trade show and not on the little things.

Make Sure Everyone is on the Same Page

Hiring a freight shipping company is probably going to be your best bet for getting things transported quickly and efficiently, so make sure that this company understands your expectations and goals. For example, a company that has experience with trade show freight shipping is going to be a better option than one without. Ask a representative about what services they provide, as well as the expected level of customer support. Before making your final decision, find out how long the company has been in business, read the reviews, and request a price quote so you know what to expect.

Drayage

When you register for your show, the event’s sponsor will likely let you know everything you need to keep in mind before the event begins. This should include any instructions for when you can move and set up your exhibit, as well as any forms they may need to be filled out before setup begins. The drayage contractor will let the shipping company drivers know where to go, where to set up your display and unload any crates, and when to pick up exhibit crates. This drayage contractor will be in touch with the freight delivery team you choose. This is essential to proper communication and timely setup!

After the Show

Typically, the drayage contractor will be in contact with your shipping company to tell them when the proper time is to pick up your crates and other items. To ensure that everything goes where it should, we recommend that you label your crates, boxes, and skids. If there are any items left behind, they are “forced,” or sent to the event contractor’s warehouse for storage. If this should happen to you, call the event planners and arrange for the item to either be picked up or sent back to you. We recommend keeping a camera on-hand so you can document any damage that might come to your belongings as they are transported from the trade show space to the loading dock.

If something should be damaged during the loading process, it is crucial that you file a claim with the drayage contractor before you leave. Afterward, ask for the contractor’s phone number, address, and shipping procedures to follow-up later on, if need be.

Contact Washington Express Movers

We know how important each and every tradeshow is to you and your business, which is why we pay the utmost attention to detail. When it comes to logistics and professionalism, we know that no team can parallel the experts at Washington Express Movers. Contact us today for a price quote or to learn more about our services. We can handle everything for you, from packing your items to unloading them at the destination. Call now!

The post How to Manage Exhibit Shipping first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

Get Creative

Most of moving is not about brute strength. While we highly recommend that you leave the heavy items to us to move, we know you probably will want to move a few things on your own ahead of time. No problem! However, keep in mind what the challenges may be. Will the refrigerator fit through the door frame as it is? Will the couch cushions need to be removed ahead of time? Keeping a list of these things can make our job faster, and it can help you decide what is best left to the professionals versus what you can confidently handle. If you have any doubt in your mind about what you can safely lift, do not risk it. You could hurt yourself or damage the item beyond repair. That’s a huge waste of time, money, or both.

Take Off Attached Parts

Most office printers, scanners, and other large items come with attachable parts that can be removed. For example, your desks might have drawers that are removable. If this is the case, empty the drawers and remove them from the desk before you begin moving. For any item that you can’t remove the drawers, tape them shut to avoid them opening and closing during the move. You’ll also want to remove any protruding handles, chair legs, and knobs that might get in the way during your move. Just keep them in a safe place and thoroughly label them so you know where they belong! This will make your appliance lighter, and you won’t be as concerned with bumping those extra edges and damaging your equipment during the move.

Use Proper Protection

We will handle most of this for you, but you will know what to look for. Always use pads, blankets, or bubble wrap to firmly secure your larger items and furniture. However, make sure all items are firmly secured so nothing slips as you move. Even if you are being overly cautious, inexperienced furniture movers may feel less coordinated than usual. Trying to catch your balance while moving down the stairs might mean a damaged wall and a dented desk. By creating a barrier between these items, the damage will be minimized. Of course, trusting a professional team of movers might be the ideal way to go!

Pushing Instead of Pulling

Pushing tends to be much easier on your body than pulling, so do not be fearful of pushing heavy furniture as far as you can before you need to lift it. Pulling can add strain on your back that you do not need! However, if you are worried about the state of the hardwood floor or rug you need to push this item across, lay down some cardboard or an old sheet under the furniture, then push. This can prevent any scratches and will minimize the friction below, making it easier to push.

The safest way to move heavy items, such as desks, commercial printers, and more, is with specialized tools. While your business may not have these items, our team at Washington Express Movers does.

• Lifting Straps: These work a lot like a pulley system. Our team can use these moving and lifting straps to effectively leverage our strength.

• Furniture Dolly: This is just the upright tool with two wheels we use to stack heavy boxes. This is one of the most efficient and practical ways to move large and awkwardly shaped items.

• Stair Rollers: Moving things up and down the stairs can be one of the scariest parts of transporting items. That’s why stair rollers are there to easily roll the items down the steps. However, these should only be used with more than one person and when the item can be safely guided.

Call Washington Express Movers

When it comes to a finding an experienced and professional commercial moving service for your Washington, DC business, it’s time to call us. Our team of professionals knows exactly how to handle your moving needs and can do so with care and attention to detail. To learn more about our services or schedule a moving date with us, contact us today! We look forward to working with you and safely transporting everything you need.

The post Safely Moving Your Large Items first appeared on Washington Express Movers.