When you contact an office moving company, you want assurance that everything goes smoothly. Here are 5 ways to hire the right company to manage your moving operation.

1. Don’t Pay Too Much Money to an Office Moving Company

Get an estimate from a moving company before you choose the service. An office relocation is a major project that requires you to pay close attention to the amount of money you’re spending. Try not to pay movers a large sum of money in advance.

This limits the control you have over your office items. Reputable moving experts recommend customers to pay upon delivery.

2. Ask the Company for References

A respectable moving company should be willing to give you references upon your request. Get a list of customers from your area that recently performed an office move. Contact these customers to get information about their moving experiences.

By getting references, it is easier for you to learn about recent moves, and finding out if the company has managed a similar moving process like yours. Getting references is a beneficial way to help you find a reputable company.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Does the company specialize in an office move? Ask the company about the type of moving services they perform for customers.

Make sure you ask the company various questions about the moving process. The more information you have, the more confident you will feel selecting the right company that fits your needs. The most important question to find out is if the company is licensed or insured.

This helps you to weed out a reputable company from a scam service. You don’t have to worry about an untrustworthy company tricking you with moving costs or mishandling your office supplies.

4. Research the Company

For your office move, you want assurance that your office supplies will be transported safely to your new location. That is why you must conduct thorough research about a moving company.

Always ask around for information about a well-established company that provides excellent services. You can also use the Internet to check reviews about quality moving companies. The company you hire should have a professional background in moving all types of office supplies for customers.

5. How Will the Company Manage the Process?

Will the company set up your electronic office supplies after the move? A good company should inform you about the entire office moving process. This gives you the confidence that they will carefully transport your supplies with minimal issues.

Find the Best Office Moving Solutions

You deserve a quality move without the stress and hassles. Regardless of the size of your move, choose an office moving company you trust.

To get a quote for an office move, contact our site for more details.

The post 5 Tips for Choosing the Best Office Moving Company first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

Rules of Liquidation

A business can only liquidate items that the business owns outright. This could change based on specific written permission but typically you cannot liquidate items purchased on credit if there is an outstanding balance. Please be aware that if you do liquidate items purchased where there is an outstanding balance this could be considered an act of fraud. It’s important to also set fair prices when liquidating goods is part of an exit strategy. Even if you own the good outright, other creditors expect payment. It can be considered fraud if you are putting your personal interests ahead of business creditors.

Third-Party Liquidation Services

There are also third-party liquidators you can use as another way to liquidate goods and business assets. Third-party liquidators offer a variety of options, including store returns, bankruptcy liquidations and excess inventory. One thing to note is that third-party liquidators typically offer a significantly lower than wholesale or market value. There is still value in using them because they can make the process efficient while also creating room in your for the goods the business can sell.

Hold Liquidation Sale

When going out of business, holding a liquidation sale can be a good strategy. However, do not do this unless you are truly going out of business. It is unethical to hold a liquidation sale otherwise and in most states there that are strict liquidation sale regulations. Check with your state attorney general to understand what laws exist in your state.

Contact Us 

For a quick and professional move that prioritizes your needs, contact Washington Express Movers. We’re Washington DC’s top choice when it comes to commercial moving. We’ll pack your items, move them and even unpack them to save you the hassle. After all, we want to make your move as easy as possible.

The post How to Liquidate Your Office Items first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

There’s only one problem: your new location isn’t ready for you.

In this post, we’ll look at some helpful tips on storing furniture and supplies during an office move. These include tips on finding alternative storage locations as well as how to make the move easier on the rest of your team.

Consult Your Mover

If your facilities team does not have enough space for your items, inquire with your mover about storage options for your furniture until it’s ready for the new space. At Washington Express Movers we can even arrange pick-up and delivery of your items.

Streamline Your Inventory

Why worry about storage when you can eliminate excess supplies? An office move represents a perfect opportunity to remove outdated furniture or stuff that no longer works. Talk to your project manager about how you can donate or dispose of your unwanted items.

Get Creative

If you’re still waiting on your new location to become available, explore the office for unused storage space you can use for smaller items. For example, a seldom-used conference room may have empty cabinets that can hold supplies. The break room may be a good temporary home for a stack of crates. It’s not ideal but thinking outside the box is sometimes necessary when up against an office move.

If you end up utilizing new parts of the office for storage, make sure to communicate with your team when doing so. You don’t want to surprise anyone by moving supplies or using their personal space without approval.

Hire the Professionals

Investing in professional storage can reduce your stress and give you peace of mind. Stacking things up high on shelves and having cluttered walkways in your office can lead to accidents. Prevent injury to yourself and your employees by storing your items at a warehouse managed by professionals.

Contact Us

Temporary storage can be a pain to manage, but with a little creativity and collaboration, your team can make it work.

Looking for more great solutions for your upcoming office move? Contact us. We’ll make sure your process is hassle and stress-free.

The post Tips for Temporary Office Storage first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

Furniture First

All of your supplies, papers and electronics need to have somewhere to go. It will be easiest to place your furniture where you think you want it before you begin unpacking on it. Make a room plan and draw it out if need be. If needed, inquire with your office movers about furniture rearranging assistance post move.

Account For Your Belongings

Before you start unpacking, make sure all your furniture and boxes arrived. Labeling your items/boxes properly should ensure they land in the correct office. Take inventory of your office materials and ensure no items are missing.

Essentials First

There are some things that just can’t wait. All of those things sound be taken care of first. Some suggestions for those items are as follows:

1. Computer
2. Phone
3. Notepad or paper
4. Pens/Pencils
5. Printers/Fax/Copiers
6. Files or packets for upcoming meetings

Make sure the computer and phone are working properly as soon as possible to avoid more complications down the line. There may be other supplies you have to have in your office in order to function, so be sure to add those to the list. Some items may sound important but aren’t vital to running your business for a day or two.

A Little at a Time

While you don’t want to be unpacking for months, you don’t have to do it all in a day. Setting a goal like that adds extra strain that will make the move more stressful. Instead, try to pace yourself. Get anything you need for the day done, and anything extra you feel you have the time for. Give yourself a week or at least a couple of days to get everything put away and organized how you want it.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Placements aren’t set in stone. You can move things around later if it isn’t working out where you originally put it. Getting flustered while unpacking about the final location of your belongings will end up causing the process to take longer. Get things approximately where you want them, and you can revisit later if anything isn’t quite where you want it.

Contact Us

Contact Washington Express Movers for a free estimate on your next office move! We aim to make your move as efficient and easy as possible and remain available to our customers for any post-move needs!

The post Tips For Unpacking Your Office first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

Update Directories

Make sure you don’t forget to update any online or offline directories and listings. You don’t want to leave your customers confused. This could include your Google listing, Yelp and other online profiles, social media channels, industry-specific directories, and of course your website.

Reprint Marketing Materials

Be sure to update any flyers, business cards and newsletters. We recommend printing all of your most important material ahead of time so you have updated marketing materials as soon as you get into your new space.

Be Utility Ready

Make sure you schedule a time to shut down your current utilities and begin your new utilities in the new office. Give your utility company and internet provider at least 1-2 weeks’ notice to ensure that your office is up and running in the event of a storm or malfunction.

Make Your Floorplan

Design your floorplan and assign offices prior to moving in. This will cause significantly less stress than making those decisions on move day. Hold a meeting with management to agree upon the best layout for each department.

Order Any Essentials Ahead of Time

Make sure keys, parking passes, appliances and new furniture are ordered and scheduled to be delivered ahead of time. If furniture needs to be rearranged, speak with your moving company about any post-move services. At Washington Express Movers we’re happy to assist you from start to finish, and even after!

Contact us

Contact us today to receive a free estimate for your commercial move. We make sure to provide a comprehensive plan that makes sense for your specific company’s needs, and aim to make your move as cost-effective and hassle-free as possible.

The post The Most Forgotten Office Moving Tasks first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

In a crowded sea of options, you might feel overwhelmed. Where to even begin?

The first step is to choose the right company for the job. You want a company that is trustworthy, reliable, and efficient. You want the experience to flow as smoothly as possible.

Do your research first. Make sure your mover can fit together these essential pieces of the puzzle:

Before the Move

Your mover should take the time to discuss the intricacies of the process with you. Each office move is unique, and your mover should fully address your unique needs as an organization. At Washington Express Movers, our move coordinators are friendly, courteous, and thorough, and will take the time to discuss any of your questions or concerns. We will draft a written proposal for you which fully describes each aspect of your office move, and a plan for how we propose to execute the required work. This draft is subject to your approval.

This part of the process is especially crucial for specialty office moves; your input is critical in shaping the plan. We understand that. There might be something unique that a mover needs to address—they might need to come onsite before moving day to premove certain items to an off-site location or assist in premove training with your employees .

What about the money? You don’t want any ugly surprises after the job is done. Make sure to select an office mover who won’t spring hidden charges on you at the end. You have a budget. Your mover should offer a clear pricing structure; they should also give you a full breakdown of the proposed costs for your job. Washington Express Movers will provide you with a detailed cost estimate, and will always address any questions beforehand.

During the Move

Your move needs to proceed like a well-oiled machine, fully coordinated and operating smoothly. We offer onsite supervision services to make sure all of the “moving pieces” are in place.

Your movers should also be trained in the science of maneuvering large items in small places. Nobody wants their office facility to be damaged, on entry or exit. Our movers are trained in techniques to minimize damage to your facility.

Do you have pieces that need to be specifically installed in your new office? Your mover should not just drop things off and leave them at your new location; look for a mover who offers furniture installation services so everything will be ready to go.

After the Move

Your office may contain bulky pieces of furniture which you’ve decided to get rid of, and your mover should be able to help. Washington Express Movers offers furniture decommissioning services. We will also assist you in donating surplus furniture.

Contact Us

Make your commercial move a pleasant experience. Contact Washington Express Movers and enjoy a hassle-free, organized moving experience. Select us for your office move, and you’ll know right away that you’ve made the best choice.

The post Select the Best Office Mover with these Tips first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

The following are four reasons why you should hire a moving company to do your packing for you:

It will take you longer than a professional

It can take a few weeks for you to pack the office on your own. During that time, your office will be in disarray and it will be difficult to work. A professional can do the job in a fraction of the time. Your office will be accessible until a day or two before you’re ready to move.

Packing is not an efficient way for you to spend your time

Packing an entire office is exhausting. It is not the most productive way for you to spend your time. Hiring someone to do it for you will allow you and your employees to focus on work, while the professionals prepare you for your move.

A professional knows how to do it properly

There is an art to packing. If it isn’t done correctly, you can misplace or damage your belongings. A professional packer will take stock of the contents of your office, and will determine the best method of preparing the various categories of items for the move. They will label, mark and protect everything so that it will be in the same condition as when it left your original place of work, and it will be easy to find.

It doesn’t cost as much as you think

It costs money to hire a packer, but it also costs money to do it yourself. If you do it on your own, you will lose a lot of work hours, spend more on packing supplies, and are more likely to break or misplace your belongings. By the time you add up the cost of doing it on your own, you may not end up saving much money.

Although you could do your own packing, hiring a professional will make your entire move more manageable. Washington Express Movers has an experienced staff that has been assisting businesses with their move for years. Feel free to contact us for more information and learn about our packing services.

The post Why You Should Hire Professional Packers first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

Donate Unwanted Books

Before you pack up unnecessary material, go through your book shelf and donate the books that haven’t been touched in years. Donate to the local library, used book store or nearest Goodwill.

Gather Packing Supplies

Make sure to use a packing crate or solid box that can hold the weight of your books. If using a cardboard box, you will need packing tape to seal the top and bottom and add extra support for your contents. You’ll also need bubble wrap or packing paper and stiff cardboard separators for high value or fragile items.

Packing Hardcover Books

Pack hardcover editions by placing them in the box standing upright with the spine against the box’s side, just like how you would place them on a bookshelf. For books that are of moderate value, wrap them individually using packing paper. For high value or fragile items, you’ll also want to put cardboard in between each book to prevent any movement and use bubble wrap or extra packing paper to line the box.

 Packing Paperbacks

Paperback books can be stacked flat or packed spine first with the paper edges facing up. This will prevent the book pages to bend. If extra room is left in the box, use wadded up paper to fill the remaining space so the books don’t shift during the move.

Storing Your Books

If your book collection will be going to storage for a long period of time, make sure the storage facility is climate controlled as you’ll want your books to stay dry and cool. If there are any high value books in your collection, you may want to consider using acid free paper when packing instead of regular packing paper. Acid-free paper won’t deteriorate or turn yellow over time.

The post Move Your Book Collection Without Damage first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

Once you know it’s time to move from one location to another, how do you get started? How can you be sure that you are making the change that is best for your business? If you take the time to thoroughly consider your plan of action, we think you’ll find that moving is easier than you believe. There are four main steps you can take to ensure that your move goes smoothly.

1. Take time to research your options and choose the best one for your business needs.
2. Make a thorough list of needs that must be met.
3. Set your budget.
4. Study all of your options.

Take Time to Research

If you try to make a decision last minute on where to move, you’ll put your whole business under a lot of unnecessary pressure. Do all that you can to avoid this, as this could disrupt your daily workflow. Instead, decide ahead of time when you will need to move. As soon as you know that change is on the horizon, start looking around. Take a close look at all potential options, and make sure to carefully consider the pros and cons of all choices. Research has shown us that we are more likely to regret a decision that was made hastily over one that was made with only a few options. Take your time, do your research, and make an informed decision.

Decide What Needs Should Be Met

Make a list of things your new location needs to have. If you aren’t sure what to put on this list, there are a few ways to get ideas.

Interview your employees

Meet with your team in small groups or even one-on-one to get their feedback. Ask about the current work conditions to find out what they like and what they would change. How would a new office space meet these issues? While your employees will have some great ideas for the new location, don’t forget to take note of what they love about the current office. You don’t want to accidentally take that away from them! These interviews can also tell you what current commute times look like, how they feel about building security and additional access, proximity to public transit, parking, and other amenities. However, keep in mind that there will likely be some losses, too. It’s common to lose employees when making a big location change.

Check your observations

Your employees have habits that they may not be aware of, but you can make a note of them if you pay attention. For example, how do they use the common areas? Do those with offices leave the doors open, or do they close them? Do people leave the office for snacks and coffee? Where do they eat? The point of this exercise is to find space for improvement. Do not judge your employees; simply make notes for your future office space.

Determine your objectives

What’s the goal in this move? How will moving help your business? For those of you with commercial businesses that are about to grow, a new location might be just what you need. For those who are looking to improve communication within, you may need to focus more on the office layout than the overall size. Feel free to have brainstorming sessions with your employees and get their input. Write down what really matters!

Once you have all of these written down, narrow down the factors that really matter to you and your company. While it’s unlikely to get everything you’re setting out to find, having this rough guideline will help you choose the best fit for your business.

Choose a Budget

Now that you know what you want in your new office, it’s time to pick a budget. However, make sure it’s reasonable. Your budget needs to cover size, location, utilities, and whatever else your business needs to handle. With that in mind, take a closer look at your resources. Will you be able to afford new furnishings? What about a remodel? Does artwork matter to you and your business? Whatever it is that you need to succeed, a budget is number one. Make sure to set some money aside for unexpected repair work.

Check Your Options

Once you have chosen your criteria and your budget, you can start defining more exact requests. Consider the following:

• Overall size requirements to fit employees
• Desired layout for optimum productivity
• Workstations for all employees
• Potential for renovations if needed
• Locations within budget
• Fitting with the brand
• Available meeting space, including floors and meeting rooms
• Private office availability
• Location and parking capabilities

This checklist should tell you what matters most when moving to a new commercial property and be your guide on your way to success.

While hunting for a new commercial property can be exciting, it’s important not to get tied up in the bells and whistles of a new space. Set the criteria, make sure this space meets your requirements, and only consider it if it makes sense.

Washington Express Movers

Once you have the perfect spot and have signed the paperwork, give our team a call! We know exactly how to care for your office moving needs, including furniture and artwork transportation. We would be happy to assign a project manager to your move to make sure all your needs are met. Proudly serving the Washington, D.C. metro area, our crew is ready to help your commercial move go as smoothly as possible! Reach out to our team today to get started.

The post Get Your Office Move Right with These Steps first appeared on Washington Express Movers.

Read more in the latest ABC NEWS article.

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