Moving your business is not simple. Many issues need to be considered before you break out the moving trolleys.

By Henry Brown

Practically every business will need to relocate at some point. Some start off at home and move into an office later on to expand. Some companies expand from a small office unit to a larger office building. In some cases, you might want to set up shop in a different area to attract more customers. You might even want to downsize.

Relocating, of course, takes preparation. The difference in the size of your location might affect how many people you have. You’ll also need to quickly get everything set up again to conduct business. Here’s some practical advice for those who are planning on relocating their business.

Make sure you get the right place

Choosing where you’re going to operate your business from can be a big investment. It can also determine how successful your business is. Don’t commit to a building or unit until you’re sure it’s the right place.

You’ll want to ensure that the location is right for your business. Retail stores won’t do so well out in the middle of nowhere. Busy city areas are much more practical. Mechanics will want to be on busy roads to make it easy for broken-down cars to reach them.

Those working in sectors such as manufacturing or logistics will want large, industrial buildings. These are generally much bigger and more suited to storage of stock and heavy equipment. Before you lease or buy any building, you should have it assessed for any potential maintenance costs. Also, be sure to shop around and make sure you get a fair market price.

Set up your equipment

When you relocate your business, you might also need to transfer a lot of equipment over. Those who need a lot of tools to get their job done might have to get some reliable transportation. If you now work from home but want to relocate to an office, you’ll need to think about what equipment you need.

If you need to move a lot of equipment over, you might want to find a container rental. You can fit a huge amount of furniture, computers, and other equipment in a container. It’s also easy and efficient to transfer from one location to another.

When setting up a lot of new equipment, you might want to consider equipment leasing or financing. But buying equipment outright can be deducted from your yearly tax bill, so it’s never a bad investment.

Consider your staffing situation

When you move to a new location, the way you staff your business might change. If you’re expanding, you might need to hire new people. The hiring process can take a lot of effort, so you may want to seek the help from recruitment services.

Sometimes you relocate to downsize. In these situations, you’ll need to consider who to let go from your business. Also, consider that when you move, some of your previous employees might have a harder time commuting. Talk to your staff and see how the move affects them.

Hiring and firing aren’t the only options. Many businesses outsource some jobs. You can often save time and money by getting certain tasks done externally.

____

Henry Brown is an online marketing executive. When he isn’t talking shop he’s roaming the streets of London, uncovering the extra-ordinary in the ordinary.