Relocating a small business office isn’t as logistically complicated as relocating a large business office, but that doesn’t mean it’s light work. Relocation is a lot to contend with, and there are many factors to consider before you start taping the boxes closed. In an ideal scenario, you won’t be relocating again any time soon. You want to be sure you’ve found the perfect environment that your small business can continue to flourish in, and you want your transition to run smoothly.
- Consider How You’ve Changed
You’re relocating because your current space no longer suits your needs. Either your location has become less practical, or you’ve opted not to renew your lease. Before you move, make sure you understand why that’s become the case. There are few things worse than moving into a new space only to discover that it’s no more accommodating than your previous location. Make a list of all the reasons why your current space isn’t an effective choice, and use that as your guide for selecting your new location.
- An Office Doesn’t Have to be an Office
Office space can be expensive, and some offices are rigid in their floorplans. If you want ultimate customization, you don’t necessarily have to work in a traditional office. When you’re browsing Gumtree for what will soon be the new home of your business, judge each space for what it is. You may find that you’d rather work in an old storage facility, and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s all about how you maximize that space.
- Don’t Pay to Haul Junk
Think of all the things you’ve been meaning to replace for a while, but just haven’t found the time to get rid of. Don’t bring those things with you to your new space. There’s no sense in paying movers to bring the things that you don’t want. You can donate old office equipment to startups that don’t have much, and they’ll be glad to take it off your hands. Spend the money you would have spent hauling the things you don’t need on newer replacements for your future location.
- Think About Employee Convenience
You might not want to move too far from your current location without talking things over with your employees. Some of them may rely on carpooling or public transportation to get to work, and moving too far away from the route can create a commuting nightmare for them. Good talent is very hard to find, it would be a shame to lose your top performers simply because you’ve moved too far away. Make sure you’re not alienating those you count on the most.
5. Make Sure Your Space Will Grow With You
Think about where you see your business in the next five to ten years. You may be small now, but if you’re seeing significant success, you might not be small in the future. Five year and ten year leases are very common when it comes to office space. Don’t settle on something just because it fits your budget – wisely select something that you’ll be able to fully utilize for the whole duration of the lease. It may be more expensive, but you can always try to negotiate the lease. Breaking a lease is expensive, so when you sign on the dotted line, you want to know that you’ll be able to carry that lease all the way to the finish line.
When it comes to relocate your small business, it’s better to take as much time as you need to make sure you’ll be satisfied with all of your decisions. Being hasty in your decision making can have long term repercussions that will inhibit your ability to succeed. It’s okay to move slowly – you’ll appreciate your careful decision making when all is said and done.
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