Have you heard the term relocation project management? Or an office relocation project plan? These terms describe the key to making an office move go off without a hitch.

As you prepare to move your office to another location, you may want to look into the various relocation project managers available to you. Read on to see why you need to hire a relocation manager.

Why Should You Hire a Relocation Manager?

Making an office move can be very time consuming and can feel like a second job if you try to handle it yourself.

Let’s look at what an office relocation manager can do for you to let you keep on doing your day job.

1. Less Disruption to Your Business

You and your employees can focus on your jobs while the relocation project manager organizes your office move.

The project manager will schedule the relocation or purchase of furniture and office equipment, and schedule the necessary vendors.

They will coordinate all aspects of the move and keep it on budget.

2. Great Return on Investment

Relocation managers have experience in handling all aspects of an office move. They will have a plan, a schedule, and deadlines and will stick to a budget.

There’s no risk of missing something that you may not have thought of because they are professionals and know how to execute a move.

You’ll save time and money by hiring a relocation manager.

3. Collaboration at Every Level

What kind of insurance do you need? Do you need any permits for the move? What kind of documentation should vendors be able to produce?

A project manager will make sure the proper documentation and necessary insurance are acquired to protect from lawsuits or accidents or poor workmanship.

4. Have Experience in Maximizing Space

A cluttered work environment obstructs productivity. Relocation project managers will create the ultimate floor plan and office layout maximizing your workspace.

A flexible design is often employed to accommodate for future company growth. Unnecessary equipment and furniture are identified and often sold or recycled possibly enabling you to receive a tax break.

5. Will Oversee All of the Details

A relocation manager will oversee the design, negotiate the contracts and pricing, and manage the construction phase of the project.

Another part of the role of the relocation manager is to inventory all furniture and equipment. They will coordinate all things IT.

They will prepare and schedule the actual move, oversee the packing and setting up the new office and schedule utilities for moving day.

Make Your Office Move a Piece of Cake

Now you’ve seen what a relocation manager can do for you, you’ll want to look into using one for your office move. Don’t forget to bookmark our site to easily access all of our great resources for your next move

The post Why Your Office Move Needs a Project Relocation Manager first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

There’s only one problem: your new location isn’t ready for you.

In this post, we’ll look at some helpful tips on storing furniture and supplies during an office move. These include tips on finding alternative storage locations as well as how to make the move easier on the rest of your team.

Consult Your Mover

If your facilities team does not have enough space for your items, inquire with your mover about storage options for your furniture until it’s ready for the new space. At Washington Express Movers we can even arrange pick-up and delivery of your items.

Streamline Your Inventory

Why worry about storage when you can eliminate excess supplies? An office move represents a perfect opportunity to remove outdated furniture or stuff that no longer works. Talk to your project manager about how you can donate or dispose of your unwanted items.

Get Creative

If you’re still waiting on your new location to become available, explore the office for unused storage space you can use for smaller items. For example, a seldom-used conference room may have empty cabinets that can hold supplies. The break room may be a good temporary home for a stack of crates. It’s not ideal but thinking outside the box is sometimes necessary when up against an office move.

If you end up utilizing new parts of the office for storage, make sure to communicate with your team when doing so. You don’t want to surprise anyone by moving supplies or using their personal space without approval.

Hire the Professionals

Investing in professional storage can reduce your stress and give you peace of mind. Stacking things up high on shelves and having cluttered walkways in your office can lead to accidents. Prevent injury to yourself and your employees by storing your items at a warehouse managed by professionals.

Contact Us

Temporary storage can be a pain to manage, but with a little creativity and collaboration, your team can make it work.

Looking for more great solutions for your upcoming office move? Contact us. We’ll make sure your process is hassle and stress-free.

The post Tips for Temporary Office Storage 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.

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.

The following are four reasons why you should hire a moving company to do your packing for you:

It will take you longer than a professional

It can take a few weeks for you to pack the office on your own. During that time, your office will be in disarray and it will be difficult to work. A professional can do the job in a fraction of the time. Your office will be accessible until a day or two before you’re ready to move.

Packing is not an efficient way for you to spend your time

Packing an entire office is exhausting. It is not the most productive way for you to spend your time. Hiring someone to do it for you will allow you and your employees to focus on work, while the professionals prepare you for your move.

A professional knows how to do it properly

There is an art to packing. If it isn’t done correctly, you can misplace or damage your belongings. A professional packer will take stock of the contents of your office, and will determine the best method of preparing the various categories of items for the move. They will label, mark and protect everything so that it will be in the same condition as when it left your original place of work, and it will be easy to find.

It doesn’t cost as much as you think

It costs money to hire a packer, but it also costs money to do it yourself. If you do it on your own, you will lose a lot of work hours, spend more on packing supplies, and are more likely to break or misplace your belongings. By the time you add up the cost of doing it on your own, you may not end up saving much money.

Although you could do your own packing, hiring a professional will make your entire move more manageable. Washington Express Movers has an experienced staff that has been assisting businesses with their move for years. Feel free to contact us for more information and learn about our packing services.

The post Why You Should Hire Professional Packers first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

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.

Read more in the latest ABC NEWS article.

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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.