5 Common Office Moving Mistakes to Avoid in Oklahoma

Moving your office can feel like a hard task, especially if you’ve never done it before. As a professional in the moving industry, we understand that an office move involves more than just packing boxes. Whether you’re moving your business across Oklahoma City, Tulsa, or somewhere in between, making the right decisions can save you time, stress, and money. As someone who’s helped countless businesses relocate, we are here to guide you through the process by highlighting the 5 common office moving mistakes to avoid in Oklahoma. These tips will ensure your office move goes smoothly, no matter the size of your company.

 

1. Not Planning Enough in Advance

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make when moving their office is not planning ahead. Office moves are complex and require a lot of time and effort to get right. Planning ahead can make all the difference between a smooth transition and chaos.

Why Planning Ahead is Important:

When you wait too long to plan your move, you’re likely to feel rushed and stressed. You may miss important details, such as coordinating with utilities, setting up new office furniture, or ensuring your team is ready for the move. If you’re in Oklahoma, keep in mind that moving during busy months (like the summer or the end of the year) could result in limited availability from moving companies and vendors.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Start planning at least 6-8 weeks in advance. Begin by setting a move date and creating a timeline.
  
  
• Create a checklist: List everything that needs to be done before, during, and after the move. Include tasks like notifying employees, informing clients, changing your business address, and booking movers.
• Book your moving company early: If you’re hiring professional movers in Oklahoma, securing their services early on ensures that you don’t have to scramble for available dates.

2. Overloading Your Moving Budget

Another common mistake that office owners make is not setting a realistic moving budget. A move may seem like a simple task, but when you factor in the cost of movers, packing materials, new furniture, and potential downtime, the total expenses can quickly add up.

Why Budgeting Matters:

Without a proper budget, you may find yourself spending more than expected. Moving companies in Oklahoma charge different rates depending on distance, the amount of stuff you need to move, and the size of your office. If you don’t plan for these costs, it could delay your move or cause stress during the process.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Get multiple quotes: Contact various moving companies in your area. Make sure you understand the costs involved, including packing services, transportation, and any additional charges for heavy or delicate items.
• Factor in hidden costs: Think about the costs of things like setting up IT infrastructure in your new office, buying new furniture, or paying employees for their time during the move.
• Leave room for unexpected expenses: Set aside a contingency fund in your budget to cover any surprises during the move, like repairs, last-minute hiring, or additional supplies.

3. Neglecting Employee Involvement

An office move is a big deal for everyone in your company, so neglecting employee involvement is a mistake that many business owners make. Your employees are the backbone of your operation, and their input can help ensure a smooth transition.

Why Employee Involvement is Crucial:

When employees feel like they’re part of the moving process, they’re more likely to be engaged, motivated, and prepared for the changes ahead. Plus, they might have valuable ideas about office layout, organization, and what items are essential for a smooth setup.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Communicate early and often: Keep your employees informed from the very beginning. Let them know when the move will take place, how it will affect their daily tasks, and what they need to do to help.
• Get feedback on the new office layout: Ask employees for input on where they’d like to be located in the new space. Does the layout support collaboration or focus work better? Their suggestions can be invaluable.
• Designate moving day roles: If your office is large, assign specific tasks to employees to help with the move. For example, one team might handle packing up computers, while another is responsible for office supplies.

4. Not Taking Care of Technology and IT Systems

Moving office equipment is one thing, but moving technology and IT systems is an entirely different challenge. If you don’t properly plan for how to handle your office tech—like computers, printers, servers, and phones—you could face serious disruptions that hurt your business.

Why Tech Considerations Matter:

In today’s business world, technology is the backbone of your operations. If your employees can’t access their workstations, email, or internet right after the move, your business could experience downtime, leading to frustration and lost productivity.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Hire a professional IT technician: If you have a complicated tech setup, it’s a good idea to hire an expert to disconnect, pack, and reconnect your systems. Many moving companies in Oklahoma also offer IT services or can recommend trusted technicians.
• Back up data: Before moving anything, make sure all critical business data is safely backed up to prevent data loss.
• Label and organize cables: Label all cables and connections clearly to make setup easier when you reach the new office.
• Test everything before moving: Make sure all technology is working properly before it’s packed up. This includes phones, computers, printers, and networking equipment.

5. Forgetting About New Office Logistics and Setup

Finally, many business owners focus so much on the move itself that they forget about the logistics and setup of the new office. This oversight can lead to inefficiencies, confusion, and unnecessary stress once the move is complete.

Why New Office Setup is Key:

Your new office should be set up to help your team thrive. If the furniture is in the wrong places or the flow of the office doesn’t make sense, it could affect productivity and employee morale. Moreover, not having all the necessary supplies and equipment in place on Day 1 can delay your work.

How to Avoid This Mistake:

• Visit your new office in advance: If possible, visit your new location before moving day. This will allow you to map out where furniture and equipment should go, as well as check if any repairs or updates need to be made.
• Plan for your office layout: Think about the flow of your office space. Where will people sit? Is there enough room for collaboration or meetings? A well-thought-out office layout is essential for smooth operations.
• Set up utilities ahead of time: Ensure that all necessary utilities—such as electricity, water, and internet—are ready to go before the move. There’s nothing worse than moving into a new office only to realize you can’t access the internet for days.

Office moving in Oklahoma doesn’t have to be a stressful ordeal if you plan carefully and avoid common mistakes. By planning ahead, setting a realistic budget, involving your employees, taking proper care of technology and IT systems, and paying attention to the new office setup, you can ensure a smooth and efficient transition.

If you need help with your move, feel free to contact our movers in Oklahoma, City. We’re here to make the process as smooth and easy as possible. Call us now at (405) 252-1155 for a free moving quote! Happy moving!