As you prepare for your office relocation, your “to do” list will include key aspects such as scheduling and logistics, risk management, communications, employee re-deployment, and so on. However, there’s another priority that shouldn’t overlooked or pushed to the side -- because it’s vitally important: conducting a comprehensive furniture needs assessment.
To help you head in the right direction, and ensure that your office relocation experience isn’t sidetracked by furniture-related issues, here are key 5 questions to ask:
1. What is the design plan for our new location?
The simplest and best place to start is by identifying what kind of furniture – as well as how much furniture – you’ll need in your new location to support your employees and maximize space utilization.
2. Have we analyzed our inventory for suitability?
Once you know what furniture you need, you should analyze your current inventory to see what you have on-hand vs. what you need to procure. Or, if you’re moving into a smaller space or implementing a layout that requires less furniture (i.e. an open/collaborative space), you may find that you have surplus furniture.
3. What are our procurement options if we need furniture?
If after the above-noted analysis you need to add furniture, work with your office relocation partner to explore your procurement options. Obviously you can purchase new furniture, but you may also be able to purchase used furniture as instead to reduce your investment.
Regardless of the option you choose, keep in mind that ordering office furniture is something that needs to happen well in advance of moving day. Again, your office relocation partner will assist here, including (if necessary) receiving shipment from third party furniture dealers, and securely storing/warehousing your furniture until moving day.
4. What are our decommission options if we have surplus furniture?
There’s a good chance that you’ll identify items of furniture that shouldn’t be part of the office relocation – either because they don’t fit your new layout, or because you don’t want to spend money refurbishing/fixing them. You have a few decommission options here. You may be able to sell your used furniture. Or, if that’s not feasible or practical, you may be able to donate them to a local charity. If all else fails, you can recycle them (typically only the wood and metal can be recycled, and the rest has to be disposed of per your local municipal or county rules). Your office relocation partner will help with this process, and ensure that you don’t waste time or money.
5. Do we have a full-service office relocation partner?
Throughout the above, we’ve referred to different professional services that you can expect from your office relocation partner – such as storing/warehousing furniture pre or post-move, helping you source new/used furniture, helping you decommission surplus furniture, and so on.
However, it’s critical to keep in mind that not all office relocation companies have the in-house capacity and expertise to provide these services. In fact, most of them don’t. And some of them that claim to offer these services actually outsource it to a third party, yet claim it as their own (this is called “white labelling”).
The Precision Advantage
At Precision, we’re proudly offer ALL of the professional services required for a successful and streamlined office relocation – including helping you conduct a comprehensive furniture needs assessment. To learn more, contact us today and schedule your free consultation. Our proven experience is your clear advantage!
For more help when it comes to your office relocation, get the ultimate checklist for moving your office by downloading our FREE eBook:
