Do you need to relocate or reorganize your business but are unsure whether you should hire a commercial mover or a move consultant? This can be a daunting decision, but it doesn’t have to be. We’re here to give you an overview of the differences between the two.
Organizing and Planning
Firstly, commercial movers don’t typically organize and plan the move for you; their job is to physically move your items from one location to another. This is often the simple, straightforward solution when you don’t want to take the time to plan and organize a move yourself. However, it can be very costly if you don’t have a plan in place because the mover spends more time on the move than necessary. The lack of organization and efficiency can negatively impact the budget for your move.
A move consultant, on the other hand, provides a more comprehensive set of services. This includes planning and organizing the move as well as assisting with the logistics of the move, which can include everything from ensuring what you have will fit into each room, writing and requesting a very defined proposal for a moving company, to planning and managing the packing and unpacking of your common area items. The benefit of hiring a move consultant is that they are able to customize the move to your specific needs, make certain the move is organized and efficient, minimize downtime, and assist in keeping the budget in check.
Managing the Move
Secondly, movers don’t manage the moving process. That’s left up to you. Things like where boxes or equipment are to be moved will often fall on the shoulders of your employees. This can end in chaos with multiple hands in the “move pot,” which will ultimately drive up costs. Ultimately leading to confusion and decreased productivity on the move itself as well as after the move for your employees. The movers’ job is to move items from point A to point B, but what happens when the location of where the item goes is not clear?
Move consultants work with you to clearly define and plan where specific items will be placed, whether it’s in storage, an office, or a warehouse. They also work with movers and provide the necessary guidance to them while you and your staff are able to do their work. A move consultant also allows employees to just show up at the new space, unpack, and get to work without ever having to deal with the hassle of the move. Consultants provide oversight of the entire process and are on-site for all moving activities, and they take care of the tasks that are often neglected while your team maintains productivity throughout the process.
Time and Costs
Lastly, when working solely with a commercial mover, the time and costs of moving can stack up. The cost differs from company to company, and the time you spend looking for a mover can be better spent conducting your daily tasks rather than trying to figure out which commercial movers you should talk to and receive bids from. Focus on what you do best and on the activities that make your business profitable. Since the costs differ for each company, it can be a hassle to compare company to company. Plus, a move consultant has relationships with many commercial movers and can find the best option for you and your specific move.
Move consultants take the time to find quality movers and to negotiate contracts. Our consultants have insight on commercial movers as they work with them every day. We know where time can be cut and the normal estimated time that activities should take. Consultants write the request for proposal (RFP) specifically for your move to ensure you get accurate numbers from the movers and all aspects are addressed. Our project staff will write the moving contract directly to your company and then oversee the process until you are moved in and completely out of your old space.
Conclusion
When deciding between a commercial mover versus a move consultant, it’s important to consider your needs and budget. If you’re looking for a simple solution and don’t have a lot of time to plan, a business mover may be the right choice for you. Know that a move consultant can only provide the plan, write the mover RFP, and guide you to a successful move. However, if you’d like a more customized, thorough approach that takes into account every step of a move, then a move consultant can provide full services where they are there every step of the way.
Corporate Move Consulting Inc. is the premier move consultant that offers services tailored to businesses that are experiencing transitions, activations, restacks, and moves. Find out more about our services by giving us a call 713-864-2890 to discuss your specific needs.
