Tackling Office Relocation in Chicago, IL

officemoving1

Commercial moving is always tedious, especially if you have a large office.  Office Relocation in Chicago, IL is more of an easier moving process when hiring the Professionals Moving Specialists. There are a number of people to account for and even more equipment and furniture.  To make you Chicago office moves easier, see our moving tips below.

Planning Always Works

For something as large scale as an office move, planning is one of the most important things to do.  Depending on the size of your office, give yourself five yourself three to eight months to prepare.  Remember that it’s never too early to start preparing and the more ready you are, the easier the move will be.

Firstly, make sure everyone in your office knows that they will be moving.  You don’t want moving day to come only to find out an entire department had not been informed.  Then get the floor plans for the new office.  You will want everything ready there before you move in.  Plot out where the desks and cubicles will go.  Is there going to be a copier room or a file and storage room?  Also remember to have the interior decorators in early.  You don’t want the carpenters still putting in carpet when you move in.

Chicagocommercial

Time To Tell The World

There is always someone you will need to tell.  It depends on what type of business you run, but some important people include vendors and contractors.  Your lawyers and clients should most definitely be notified as well.  On your stationary, all addresses on business cards and letterheads will have to be changed.  The move should also be announced on your website if you have one and altered on any advertisements you have out.  Make sure everyone knows the date of the move as well.  You don’t want anyone going to the new offices before they’re finished or going to the old offices after you’ve moved out.

Time To Re-Evaluate the Tech

Moving gives you an excuse to upgrade like you’ve been meaning to for the past year.  With technology moving so fast nowadays, machines that are 5 years old are actually 10 years out-of-date.  Here is a perfect excuse to throw out the bulky models for some sleeker, newer versions.  If you keep your current computers and machines, make sure they will all be carefully packed for transport.  You don’t want anything damaged.

For your new offices, call ahead to get phone lines and internet installed.  That way any potential problems will be resolved by the time you move in.  With everything ready, you’ll be up and running in no time.

office

Time To Organize

Organization is one of the most important elements if you want a smooth move.  With so much stuff, it is really easy to misplace boxes and lose files.  Your workers will pack their own things.  Make sure they properly label all their boxes so nothing gets sent to the wrong place.  Then write up a master list of everything that is packed.  It’s a simple way to keep track of the large amount of items about to be relocated.

Hire Professional Movers

Great movers can make all the difference.  If you are moving your business within Chicago, The Professionals Moving Specialists is the moving company to call.  Our team is fast, efficient, and extremely courteous.  We pride ourselves in our customer service.  We will help you pack and unpack your equipment and machines.  We will also help you take apart and rebuild furniture and cubicle dividers.  The Professionals Moving Specialists are an all-inclusive service that aims to please.  Our goal is to help you move so that your business will have as little downtime as possible.

Not Everything Goes According To Plan

And that is okay.  You may have plan the move to the smallest of details, but there will always be surprises.  If something unexpected happens, don’t panic.  It is only a small bump.  The rest of the move has already been planned out.  Remember to be flexible and have some leeway.  Being able to adapt will make moving a lot more stress-free.

How To Avoid Moving Scams

stopmovingscam

Scams are everywhere.  Internet scams, phone scams, bank scams, get rich quick scams, etc.  With today’s technology, it is getting harder and harder to tell what situation is a scam and what isn’t.  This goes for moving as well.

Nowadays, everything is searched for online.  Because of this impersonal form of communication, it gets harder and harder to tell if the business is as real and upfront as it claims to be.  Here are a number of waysand tips How To Avoid Moving Scams in Chicago, IL

Inspections

After giving you a quote online or on the phone, a real, licensed business will always have an in home consultation.  Why?  Because you can say you have a certain amount of stuff, but it translates differently once it’s all packed.  Experts are able to see this and calculate accordingly.  They may ask questions about your furniture and what may need to be disassembled and reassembled.  The estimate they end up giving you will be as close as possible to what they charge you.

Scam movers, on the other hand, will not give an in-home consultation.  Instead, they will quote a price over the phone or online and low-ball it.  Though everyone loves to save money, you would do well to be a bit cynical.  If it’s too good to be true, it almost always is.

Payments

Legitimate moving companies will ask for payment after the move.  That way, you are safe in your knowledge that nothing is broken or lost.  And if something is, the moving company has insurance and paperwork for you to fill out.

On the other hand, rogue movers will do one of two things.  They will demand payment upfront.  Once you hand over the money, they no longer have to worry about treating your belongings well.  If anything breaks, you can’t take it out of the money you paid them or withhold paying.  Or they will give you an incredibly low estimate and raise it substantially once your belongings are on the truck.  They will force you pay the amount as they hold you items hostage.

Paperwork

As a legitimate business, there will always be paperwork to fill out.  There are federal regulations when it comes to moving and all the rules have to be abided by.  You should always be given a “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet if you are moving out of state.  For instate, there are various insurance forms and contracts.

If you mover has little to no paperwork for you to go through, they are doing it wrong.

Location

Movers usually have a place where their offices are located.  After all, the trucks have to gather somewhere and most companies offer storage services and packing supplies as well.  There is usually an address on the website you can go to.

If there is no address, we weary that the movers are not legitimately licensed.  If there is, you might want to visit.  The state of the office can tell you a lot.  Or maybe the office doesn’t even exist and the address is a local lake!

Company Name

What else is there to look for?  The company name of course.  When your call is answered, the first thing out after “hello” should be the company’s name.  If it’s not and something generic like “moving company” is used instead, there is a high chance that the business is not legal.  Also, look at the trucks.  Legitimate moving companies all have their company name and logo on the side of the truck.  It is an indication that it is family owned and part of a fleet of trucks meant specifically for moving.

The Professionals Moving Specialists

Now that you know all the signs of an illegal moving company, See Chicago Moving Company!  The Professionals Moving Specialist is based in Chicago, IL .  Our moving Company is a legitimate business, properly licensed, bonded, and insured.  If you have any questions or worries about moving, call us and ask!  Our aim is to provide the best service for you during the stressful time of your move.

Moving Green in Chicago

gogreen

You’re in Chicago and you’re moving, but relocation is no excuse to forget about the environment.  With our new found awareness of the world’s condition, why not implement some eco-friendly moving techniques and do your part to save the Earth? Moving Green in Chicago does not have to be a hard or costly one.

Greenbox

At The Professionals Moving Specialists, we have the Greenbox moving Containers to help you be more environmentally friendly.  Rather than using cardboard boxes, you can rent plastic containers from us to pack your stuff in.  This is both less expensive and more convenient.  Rather than wasting money buying boxes, tape, and packing paper, you just need plastic basins and maybe some bubble wrap. These containers are returned to us after you’ve unpacked.  That way, you don’t have to be bothered the clutter of unfolded cardboard boxes waiting to be thrown out or recycled.  If you do use cardboard boxes, though, always remember to recycle.

Throw It Out

Something you can do to help before you even start packing is to get rid of things you won’t need.  Bringing along items you will eventually throw out anyway is a waste of space and a waste of gas.  So go through everything you own first.  Recycle and donate what you can and throw away the rest.  You’ll be surprised at how much clutter you have lying around.

Wrap It Up

Bubble wrap and wrapping paper aren’t the only things you can use when covering your fragile items.  Reuse old newspapers.  You can also use old towels and bed sheets you were going to throw away.  It’ll give a layer of softness to cushion your plates and vases and while it’s heavier than bubble wrap, there are rarely stories of marine animals chocking on newspapers.

Clean Green

The cleaning products you use can make a difference as well.  Environmentally friendly soaps and sprays can be found almost anywhere.  Go to your local Target or Wal-Mart to pick up some before you start your moving out cleaning.  Not only is it better for the environment, but the lack of chemicals is beneficial for you as well.

Movers

Go the extra mile and check to see if your movers are going green as well.  Some own bio-diesel trucks and use moving pads made out of recycled materials.  Like The Professionals Moving Specialists, a lot of movers offer the option of renting packing crates.  Check out all of your options before choosing so you can be as environmentally friendly as possible.