Moving office? Seven tips you need to consider

An office move can be one of the biggest decisions your organization will make.

With people and workplaces being the two greatest investments, attracting the best people in the current culture means rethinking their working environment. Furthermore, taking current staff’s considerations into account when planning an office move are essential to the project’s success.

We’ve complied a checklist to ensure that your office move is successful.

1. Appoint a project manager

The first part of this process is to engage with the key stakeholders and decision makers from IT, HR, Finance and Marketing and nominate a project manager. The person appointed will be the point of contact and responsible for cascading information to the rest of the organization regarding the relocation. This person must have good communication skills, have respect, authority and ideally some previous experience with budgeting and office fit out.

2. Pick a location

It’s important that the choice of location is the right one – not just for your business but also for your employees. Do you have a connection, network or see potential for growth in the location? These are important questions and HR issues to consider when thinking about your new location.

You’ll also need to consider how far it is for your staff to commute, and accessibility for clients to visit. Discuss options with your chosen property agent to ensure your new office is suitably located and accessible.

3. Forecast a budget

An office move is one of the biggest investments an organization can make. From rent to legal fees, insurance, furniture and additional security, everything comes at a cost. Ensure you have devised a plan that includes all costs; both expected and unexpected. Here’s how you can get the most out of your office relocation budget.

4. Information technology

What is your IT strategy and how can it be implemented in the new workplace? Where are you storing your data and at what cost? An IT and data audit should be carried out to identify what data you currently store, how you store it and the procedures around it. This could help when it comes to cost-saving.

Another IT consideration is hot-desking — it can save office space, but do you have the technology equipment to support it. Wi-Fi, cloud storage, and digital scanning services can all help to improve your IT efficiencies. This is also a great time to review how you manage your information and how it can be made more efficient in the new workplace.

5. Engage with staff

Your organization’s biggest asset is its employees, so it is vital keep them up to date on your relocation plans. You also have a legal requirement to inform them of any changes, making the necessary office relocation announcement. Your selected relocations company should offer, recommend and implement a staff communications program as a part of the relocations package.

As well as communicating to staff, it’s important to seek input on the new office design and carefully considered their wants and comments of their workplace and implement a plan to reflect this.

6. Furniture

When selecting new furniture, take the condition of your current pieces of furniture into account — has a piece lasted well due to quality, or through a lack of usage because it’s so uncomfortable? Care in selecting the best furniture is important, not least because it’s expensive. Take some images of your planned color-scheme with you to decide if a type of furniture will suit your new office.

Make sensible choices but have some fun too. Other aspects we advise that you consider include warranties, rental, cable management and flexibility of furniture products.

7. Environmental and sustainability considerations

Sustainability issues are now a large and intricate part of any office move process. If sustainability is close to your organization’s core values, then it’s important to consider your requirements throughout your office move process.

Beginning with the building selection process should also be considered as a part of the fit out and move process.

A model sustainable office should be sensitive to its environmental impact. This includes energy and water consumption, equipment quality and long-term energy efficiencies. Additionally, it also includes building materials, waste management and furniture quality standards.

As well as being responsible about the effect you have on the environment, the advantages to a sustainable office include increased productivity, reduced energy costs and a more efficient workplace.