There comes a time for every business owner when they are faced with the decision to move office. Executing an office move requires a great deal of organisation and it is essential to get it right since the smallest of mistakes can have a negative impact on a company’s bottom line.

It is always best to enlist a professional removals company to help organise the logistics and practicalities of a move. This not only mitigates risk but also takes the stress out of the whole moving process. Planning early is key as John Watson, Managing Director of UK Services for Cambridge removals company, Abels, advises: “Research and contact three moving companies that are at least accredited and approved by the British Association of Movers. Visit their premises unannounced as this will give you a feeling as to how they will manage your move. Tatty trucks and warehouse will often transpire to tatty work practices.”

When done in the right way, an office move can bring great rewards for many businesses. Here are four signs that 2017 is the right time to move office. 

Cramped Conditions

If the office space you currently have is cramped and you find yourself scrambling to try and accommodate the latest recruit, then it is time to start looking for a larger working environment. If you are about to embark on a period of expansion, it is essential to factor this in to your moving plans and ensure that there will be the right amount of workstations and storage to accommodate new staff in the future.

Brand Image

You only get one chance to create a good first impression so it is important to check if your current offices accurately reflect the brand that you want to portray. If you are working in a cramped space it is highly likely the office will be messy since it is difficult to find a home for everything.  This can portray a sense of disorganisation to clients visiting your premises and quickly erode trust in your brand.  Likewise, an outdated or run down office could put prospective clients off doing business with you. Moving to modern and fresh offices or a simple makeover of your current office space could be the answer. 

Decreased Productivity

If your workforce is not able to achieve their full potential due to the limitations of their surroundings, then this could be holding back your business.  Improving the infrastructure of your office should be a number one priority. A brand new office could solve these problems, resulting in a happier and much more productive team. Calculating the return on investment of a business move in this instance is a no-brainer.

Poor Location

Having your premises located miles outside of the city may be a good short term solution for when you are starting out to keep costs down. However, as you grow it could be detrimental to your business needs.  If you feel as though you are a world away from your clients or suppliers, then it may be time to think about moving.