If you are planning a move, you may have considered shipping your goods. This can seem like a daunting process. But with the right partners, it can be quite straightforward. Here are some pointers on choosing the right shipping company for your relocation needs.
What Are the Challenges Associated with Business Removals?
There are several challenges that businesses can face in moving from their old space to a new location. These include the following:
Costly removals
For businesses, moving to a new location can be quite costly. The cost of relocation can add up due to hidden charges or secondary expenses. It would then be beneficial for a company to do their due diligence in estimating the total fees of the move to set a realistic budget.
Downtime in operations
Relocating to a new headquarters can entail a downtime in business operations. Business relocations are not just about transporting the company’s goods or equipment and dropping them off in the new location. It also involves unpacking and setting up equipment in the new space. This could cause delays or a pause in business operations. To help reduce downtimes, a business can opt to relocate over the weekend or at night time.
Poor research and planning
Inadequate planning can lead to a disastrous business relocation. An organisation would have to stay on top of its research and planning to ensure a smooth move. Otherwise, it can affect schedules and cause delays in the process. Consequently, this might hamper business operations and how a business provides services to its customers.
How to Choose the Right Removals Company for Your Business
As a business owner looking to move offices, your number one priority is finding the right company that can guarantee a smooth relocation. Here’s how you can choose the right removalists.
1. Compare quotes from different shipping companies
Comparing quotes from shipping companies will enable you to make more informed decisions on which removalist you should choose. Obtain a breakdown of all the costs involved to know what you will be dealing with. Put the different quotes side by side to make it easier to compare the estimated fees. Once you have gotten a good look at the various quotes, determine which company best matches your approximated budget.
Additionally, ensure that the companies you are scoping are transparent with their prices. Ask about potential hidden charges, such as extra fees for relocations happening during peak seasons, insurance costs and more.
2. Look up customer reviews and testimonials
Customer reviews are often a great way to check the credibility of a shipping company. They can tell you a lot about what you should expect from that company, whether they are providing stellar services or if there are any issues that you should know about.
To check for customer feedback, visit the company’s website and social media pages. Look at the general public consensus and whether there are more positive reviews than negative ones. Check out customers’ reasons or the context behind each rating. All these can help you decide on which shipping company to hire.
3. Check out if they offer project management services
A shipping company with reliable project management services can save you plenty of time and effort. At every stage of the relocation, they can assist you and handle all the steps needed to ensure an efficient move.
An advantage of partnering with a company that offers bespoke management services is that you’ll get a well-thought-out relocation strategy according to your needs and requirements. This helps you stay within your budget and deadlines as well as minimise the risk of downtime in business operations.
Often involved in project management are space planning and monitoring. The former ensures that your inventory can fit or be stored properly in your new location. Meanwhile, monitoring lets you track each stage in the relocation process and determine potential obstacles in your way.
4. Identify the full list of services needed for your relocation
To help you in choosing the right shipping company, an essential question to ask is: which services do you require for your move? Aside from the transport of your goods or equipment, what other services can help you have a much smoother time relocating to your new space? Will you need someone to compile your inventories? Are you looking for a removalist that can safely handle and transport IT equipment?
Other services to consider are the following:
Packing and unpacking
For those with big offices or warehouses, in particular, packing and unpacking services save a huge chunk of time. Business removal experts can also safely handle special equipment or fragile goods and pack and unpack them with care.
Installation of goods
With installation services, a removal company takes charge of efficiently storing your goods in your warehouse. The installation of goods should be done with precision to minimise errors or risks of delays and business downtime.
Storage solutions
There are specific cases where you may need to keep your equipment in a storage facility. Changes in plans and other unexpected events may cause you to temporarily invest in warehousing solutions. In cases like these, opt for storage facilities with 24/7 monitoring to keep your goods or equipment secure.
Furniture services
Some removalists also offer furniture services, such as the provision of new or refurbished furniture, assembly or de-assembly and furniture installation.
Recycling and disposal
If your business has any items or equipment you would like to dispose of, look for a shipping company with disposal or recycling services.
5. Determine whether they’re available on your moving date
If you already have your list of potential shipping companies to partner with or you have narrowed your list down to one or two companies, the next step is to check their availability. If possible, book as early as you can to secure your moving date with the right shipping company.
Make your business relocation smooth and hassle-free. At KT ALB Transport, we offer a range of services to help you achieve a successful relocation. Whether you’re looking for transport, warehousing, project management, disposal, storage or furniture services, our complete end-to-end solutions can be tailored to meet your business needs and requirements.
Contact us and get a free quote today.