Common workplace relocation pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
Organizations move for many reasons. Some need more space, others need less because of the pandemic. Or maybe you need more community or collaboration space, or your organization simply needs to move for strategic reasons. Whatever the reason for the move, there are some considerations that teams inadvertently overlook when moving a space. If these are overlooked, an organization can waste budget on amending or delaying project schedules.
If someone has never relocated a business before, it can be very overwhelming. You need to know exactly what to expect and when to avoid big surprises. From reselling and reconfiguring furniture to setting up building tech, the OI team encountered almost every type of move. With hundreds of relocation projects on our resume, we’ve compiled a few areas that organizations often overlook when preparing for a big move.
supply chain management
Before choosing a moving date, the team should understand where the supplies are coming from and how long it will take to get there. Setting the right expectations is essential. If you have anything to ship internationally, you’ll need to adjust your budget to include customs duties and schedules to account for potential delivery delays.
Internal and external project management
Organizations often assign a project manager in-house to fully execute a relocation project. Ideally, this is only really effective if the person has previously carried out a workplace relocation. Tasks such as identifying what is present and what is missing can be overwhelming for those managing normal day-to-day operations. The most successful movers proactively find external and internal project managers to work with to create a seamless move plan. Leaving it to one or two of hers in-house with no experience can lead to burnout and even resentment.
Comprehensive budget
All budget items should be considered when preparing to move. Organizations can face some major budget problems if teams miss out on key factors such as inflation and cleaning costs. These budget concerns often tempt leadership to compromise in areas they don’t like air purification, outdoor spaces, and amenities. You can cut corners in your selection.
space flexibility
Organizations rarely overlook design elements in new spaces, but they don’t consider every possible way to make the workplace more flexible. You have the option to change the space as your employees’ needs change. More flexible architecture, such as movable partitions and temporary walls, help transform spaces. Beyond aesthetics, strategic furniture selection is a major asset when developing a relocation plan, and can also provide many uses for spaces such as nesting tables and chairs.
If you put together all the considerations for a workplace relocation, it could be exhaustive. So when I offer these common pitfalls, I see them all the time. If you are planning a move, feel free to contact our team for more information on the following services.
- Bid process management
- Vendor selection and qualification
- Employee move and pack
- Prepare/purge program
- Site move adjustment
- Post-move installation
- Preparation and cleaning of empty space
- Audit of vendor invoices
For more specific relocation management questions, please schedule a showroom tour in person or contact our team.
