Small Businesses Move Forward: from the Basement to a Building

The First Step

Many small enterprises start in the garage or basement of their homes before moving into bigger offices. While moving into a new home seems stressful enough, moving your business’ headquarters can prove to be more grueling. Besides, the move can disrupt operations and lead to loss of clients.

With this in mind, entrepreneurs must make the necessary preparations to avoid relocation problems. Start-ups must inform their customers about the move in advance.  If you are in the virtual industry, people must know the change of business addresses which means a sign of progress. Inform all your clients and suppliers and keep them engaged in this process. Update the complete contact details on your business website and create an announcement about the scheduled move. If necessary, change relevant social media accounts and email addresses.

Install new communications systems early. Do not take for granted the same level and quality of services will be available in the new business location. See to it the local communications provider can accommodate your requirements before signing the lease contract. Ideally, enterprises with 20 or more employees must consider hiring a professional services company to take care of telecommunications concerns.

Reasons for Moving

The principal reason for moving from the basement to a better structure includes growth or expansion. External factors also determine the requirements of any business. More consumers patronize your merchandise or service making it imperative to transfer to a bigger area. Clients will not like an overcrowded office or dislike meetings in restaurants or coffee shops. Prove to clients they are dealing with a corporate entity and not a ragtag team of contractors. You need a conventional office space and not the home office type of enterprise.

You need to get out of the house if the enterprise becomes too much like a household setting. Kids who run around and shout or dogs that bark will only ruin your operations and productivity. The business must not affect your family and vice versa which shows the need to establish boundaries between a home and an enterprise.

You must hire more employees to ensure efficient workflow and service for customers. Maintaining a brick and mortar setup in the basement will definitely not suffice so shift to a customary business setting.

A formal office setup and office space creates the appropriate company culture as well as strengthens your brand. Adequate room for operations projects your image as a business capable of meeting customers’ requirements. Besides, a formal structure or organization creates efficient procedures, systems, and workflow. You will find it hard to achieve this goal in an informal and loose business setting.

With that in mind it is time to look into moving your company. Depending on the area in which you live there are many professional movers that can assist in the move. For example if you are in the San Antonio area, you can look up San Antonio moving companies on the internet. You may want to schedule your relocation during the weekend, holidays, or off-peak days to prevent disruption of operations. Otherwise, relocating on weekdays can prove disastrous to the company.

Other Essential Concerns in Moving

Secure liability insurance as protection against possible lawsuits. Legal issues arise in the course of running a business. Smart entrepreneurs, regardless of the size of their organization, will benefit from an insurance policy as protection against liabilities. A business plan helps the owner or manager think ahead and helps prevent costly errors that typically happen when you least expect them.

Take into account administrative as well as legal concerns right from the start and before you even contemplate on moving from the home to an office. Document all transactions properly. Otherwise, failure to keep files can lead to more serious problems along the way. You should realize the advantage of paying a lawyer for legal advice early on rather than spend a fortune once you are involved in litigation.

If you decide to move out from your house to a building make sure that all things have been put in place before making the final decision.