Office
Movers, Inc. specializes in moving commercial establishments throughout
the Mid-Atlantic and US: specifically the Washington D.C. - Baltimore,
Maryland Corridor, Virginia, Northern Virginia, and the Delaware Valley region.
Each job poses its own unique challenges, but there is one basic
requirement that
all successful moves have in common-careful pre-move planning.
While we don't think that even following
these points to the letter will make moving one of those things you'd
want to do once a year, it will help you save time, money and frustration.
Information on areas related
directly to the move:
Price is, of course, one of the determining
factors in choosing a moving company. But before you make a
hasty decision you should evaluate the moving companies according
to the points below. Look beyond the written proposal.
Is the firm considered reliable? Check on the reputation
and background of each bidder. Former customers and suppliers
are good sources.
Will some of the work be subcontracted? If so, to whom?
Why?
Are all the bidders accustomed to handling moves similar
in size and type to yours?
Do the proposals show exactly what is covered?
Which firm has the most comprehensive insurance coverage?
Is there an extra charge?
Will the moving company commit to a firm
- fixed fee?
After choosing a mover, sign the contract
as soon as possible. A reliable moving firm can assist you in
the planning stage of your relocation.
Restrictions of access? Are
there any times during the day, or any days during the week
that moving is not allowed? Check your old building as well
as your new building on that score.
Elevators and loading areas available
at the time your mover will need them? Again, the building
you are in now is just as important as the one you are moving
into.
Airtight commitments from the
contractor who is preparing your new space that everything
will be completed 24 hours before you are scheduled to move
in? (This will allow you to check the premises and avoid
delay or cancellation charges.)
Instructions on whom to contact in case of an
emergency? Or
how to contact the fire department, the security, and elevator
maintenance companies.
Whatever date you have in mind,
be sure that you have talked it over with:
The contractors: the painters,
paperhangers, carpet layers, plumbers, etc. Unless the building
management handles all of this, moving day has to coordinate
with the completion of your new offices.
The telephone company. To keep
your business running continuously, your communications
system has to be installed, at least partially, before your
furniture and computers arrive.
The design firm. They should
prepare complete furniture layouts, including location of
files. (if you don't have a designer, prepare this placing
yourself.)
A competent moving firm with
years of commercial moving experience, such as Office Movers,
Inc., can be of assistance in helping you determine the
most efficient use of space in your new office.
Systems furniture installers.
Office Installers, Inc.
our sister company is a subsidiary specializing in the de-installation
and reinstallation of modular furniture systems. This activity
must be closely coordinated with the move.
Your employees can make the move a
pleasant experience, or they can make it a nightmare for you, for
your customers and the moving firm. Generally speaking, employees
who have been informed of the relocation well in advance will
cooperate fully.
The information that is crucial for each
person is: Date of move. Exact address and telephone number,
including highway intersections and public transportation
availabilities. Parking facilities (where, how expensive). Lunch
and dinner facilities nearby.
If you are moving to a new building just
for your firm, include a map of the building showing locations of
copy center, mail rooms, lunch rooms, supply areas, etc.
In order to make the move smoother, assign one person
from each department to coordinate preparations for moving
of that particular section. Assign a person to handle the
distribution of keys or security cards to authorized personnel.
Water, gas and electricity,
unless they are covered under your lease. Be sure to tell them
the date on which you want the service switched. Janitorial
and trash removal services. The alarm or security systems companies.
If it is handled by the building management you don't have to
worry about it, but if your business is contracting with a security
systems company now and expects to use them in the new location
they should be notified early enough to check out the new premises.
The fire department, if this is not handled by the building
management.
Notify:
Computer and other equipment companies.
Many electronic components
need to be serviced by the vendor's representatives before being
moved. Machines usually included in that category are:
PCs, Monitors and
Servers
Printers
Copiers
Fax machines
Mailing Machines
Lab Equipment
However, you may have other
machinery and equipment that requires servicing for a move.
You can either ask the vendor representative or your mover whether
servicing is needed. A competent mover should be able to tell
you whether it was necessary the last time they moved a machine
like yours. Office Movers, Inc. has a Tech Services Division
to assist you with preparing your computer equipment for the
move.
Let them know about your move
about 1 week prior to the actual move.
The circulation departments
of the papers and magazines to which you subscribe. (Allow 4-6 weeks
if possible.)
Suppliers:
Allow about two weeks for the
information to go through channels to the mail room. If you
have suppliers who ship to you on a regular basis, you could
be held responsible for re-consignment charges unless you have
given ample notice of your change of address.
Your
customers:
They deserve a
good-looking, well-thought-out notification so that
they know when you are moving, where you are moving and how
you can be contacted in the future.
Remember
your stationery:
Ideally, all your business forms, from
letterheads to statements,
should be reprinted to reflect the new address and phone number
(check the numbers very carefully in proofing the copy). However,
if you have a large stock, an overprint of the new information
may be possible. Allow ample time for either. Our affiliated
company, Kane Printing
Services, can help you.
Office
Movers, Inc. specializes in moving commercial establishments throughout
the Mid-Atlantic and US: specifically the Washington D.C. - Baltimore,
Maryland Corridor, Virginia, Northern Virginia, and the Delaware Valley region.
Each job poses its own unique challenges, but there is one basic
requirement that
all successful moves have in common-careful pre-move planning. 
