Trusted Local News

Moving Your Business? 7 Mistakes to Avoid During an Office Relocation

  • News from our partners

Relocating a business in the U.S. can be exciting — a fresh workspace, better tech infrastructure, or a location that makes sense for your team and clients. But let’s be real: moving offices can get messy fast. If things go wrong, it can lead to major disruptions, lost productivity, damaged equipment, and a busted budget.

Whether you’re a small business moving across town or a large company coordinating a multi-floor relocation, avoiding these seven common mistakes can save time, money, and stress.

This guide covers the biggest missteps businesses make during a move — plus bonus insights on marketing for moving companies and PPC strategies that attract more commercial clients.

1. Failing to Plan Early Enough

One of the top (and costliest) mistakes? Waiting too long to start planning.

Relocation involves more than just packing up boxes. You need time to:

  • Secure a new lease and work with property managers
  • Notify vendors, clients, and employees
  • Plan the office layout and furniture setup
  • Hire a qualified commercial moving company
  • Relocate and test IT systems

Timelines to consider:

  • Small businesses: Start planning 3–4 months in advance
  • Mid-to-large businesses: Allow at least 6–12 months

Pro tip for movers: Emphasize this planning timeline in your content marketing, emails, and Google Ads. It positions your company as organized and experienced — two traits business clients value highly.

2. Choosing the Wrong Moving Company

Not all movers are equipped for commercial jobs. Hiring a company without business relocation experience is risky.

Look for movers that offer:

  • Experience with office and IT equipment
  • Full insurance coverage
  • After-hours/weekend move options
  • Project management and move coordination

Always: Check reviews, ask for references, and get a detailed quote. Low-cost options may cost more in damages and downtime.

Marketing tip for movers: Use case studies, certifications, and testimonials to build trust. Highlight commercial relocation experience front and center on your site and ads.

3. Underestimating IT and Telecom Complexities

Your IT infrastructure is the backbone of your business. If this isn’t moved and reconnected properly, you could be offline for days.

Common issues include:

  • Late internet installation
  • No data backup
  • Improper server transport
  • Incomplete testing before reopening

Your IT relocation plan should cover:

  • Internet and phone setup
  • Server and cable protection
  • Backup and recovery steps
  • IT vendor coordination

Assign a dedicated IT lead to manage and test everything before reopening.

4. Not Communicating Effectively with Staff

A move affects your entire team — not just management. Poor communication leads to confusion, pushback, and missed tasks.

Start communicating early and share:

  • Moving timeline
  • Departmental roles and tasks
  • Desk assignments and layout
  • Packing expectations
  • Day-one details for the new office

Set up an internal FAQ or designate a “move champion” in each department.

Bonus for movers: Offer downloadable staff move checklists or guides to your clients. It positions your company as a strategic partner, not just a mover.

5. Forgetting to Update Business Details Everywhere

You’d be surprised how easy it is to forget this — until packages go to the wrong address or clients show up at the old location.

Places to update your business address:

  • Google Business Profile
  • Website contact pages
  • Email footers and signatures
  • Accounting/invoicing tools
  • Shipping and logistics platforms
  • Social media bios
  • Online business directories (Yelp, BBB, etc.)

Use a master checklist and delegate updates to one point person. It also helps maintain local SEO rankings.

6. Ignoring Permits, Compliance, and Access

This is especially critical in major U.S. cities or shared office buildings.

Common oversights:

  • Not getting parking or loading zone permits
  • Missing elevator or loading dock access restrictions
  • Moving outside building-approved hours
  • Overlooking OSHA or safety requirements

Coordinate with:

  • Your current and new building managers
  • Local city government (for permits)
  • Your internal safety or operations team

Failure to comply can result in fines, delays, or safety issues — all bad for business continuity.

7. Overspending Without Tracking

Office moves get expensive, fast. Without real-time cost tracking, it’s easy to blow your budget.

Costs businesses underestimate:

  • Furniture fit-out or renovations
  • Special handling or off-hour moving fees
  • Storage unit rentals
  • Lost productivity or downtime

Create a detailed budget that includes:

  • Moving services
  • IT relocation
  • Storage, cleaning, and setup
  • Lease/legal fees
  • Office branding updates (signage, stationery, web listings)

Use a shared spreadsheet or project tool like Trello or Asana and build in a 10–15% buffer for the unexpected.

PPC management for moving companies: Run ads with keywords like “flat-rate office movers” or “no hidden cost commercial relocations.” That messaging resonates with budget-conscious decision-makers.

Final Thoughts: Move Smart, Move Smooth

Relocating your office is a big undertaking — but it doesn’t have to be chaotic.

Avoid these seven mistakes:

  1. Starting too late
  2. Hiring the wrong mover
  3. Skimping on IT planning
  4. Leaving staff in the dark
  5. Forgetting address updates
  6. Overlooking compliance
  7. Failing to track spending

If you're planning an office move, start now. Assign a move team, map out your timeline, and partner with experienced commercial movers.

If you're in the moving industry, remember this: Businesses don’t just want trucks. They want confidence. Build trust through helpful content, show off your experience, and run PPC campaigns that solve real problems — not just rank in searches.

author

Chris Bates

MORE NEWS STORIES


STEWARTVILLE

JERSEY SHORE WEEKEND

LATEST NEWS

Events

May

S M T W T F S
27 28 29 30 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31

To Submit an Event Sign in first

Today's Events

No calendar events have been scheduled for today.