Moving Offices? The 5 Most Important Steps to Saving Money, Stress & Hassle.

Sept. 23, 2010 - PRLog -- Let’s face facts – a business relocation and fit out can be a frightening, overwhelming prospect, especially if you're managing the project without any expert help. This may very well be your first and only opportunity to plan and direct a successful office move.

And you're still expected to carry out your regular `day job’ at the same time! This puts a HUGE amount of stress on you which could be devastating. At worst, it could even jeopardize your company’s financial future.

For the inexperienced relocation manager here are the FIVE most important steps to take to help you sleep better at night enabling you to get on with what you do best - making profits for your own business:
   
      ♦ COMMISSION A VALIDATION/EXISTING CONDITION REPORT
      ♦ ENSURE YOUR OFFICE FIT-OUT SPECIFICATION IS `WATERTIGHT'
      ♦ ENGAGE A SPECIALIST OFFICE FIT-OUT CONTRACTOR
      ♦ ONCE YOU'VE AGREED A PRICE - DON'T CHANGE ANYTHING!
      ♦ MANAGE THE ON-SITE INSTALLATION ON A DAILY BASIS

Now that you are aware of just a few of the many pitfalls which could `trip-up' the unwary put in charge of managing an office relocation or fit out, how can you avoid them, or at least minimize their impact on your office move? This is not easy if you are new at the game.

Simply knowing what lies ahead is a big help, but this won’t solve the problems for you. Your biggest problem is time. There is never enough of it. And, remember, you'll still have your regular `day job' to perform. How do your peers get this done?

A good relocation/fit out manager will start phoning contractors & suppliers early on in the move process to ascertain rough budget numbers for all the goods and services required. This provides some information that is useful but the process is time-consuming. Plus, how do you determine all the products and services you will need if you have little or no experience at this? Any omission will be costly, if not deadly, to your business's well being.

For example, starting & finishing on time sounds easy enough, but how do you know when you are early or late? How can you avoid a late start or schedule compression when you don’t know the lead times required by each supplier?

Speaking of suppliers, how can you determine who the best suppliers are? How do you make the right supplier selections for your move? How do you go about locating good potential suppliers? Is there a way to compare suppliers and their offerings other than by comparing price alone? How can you learn this while you are doing it? You don’t have the time to become an expert. You barely have enough time to keep up with your regular job.

The short answer is of course – you MUST seek professional, expert help!

It's just not worth risking blowing the budget or employing `cowboys' trying to go it alone. For a friendly, helpful chat about how to avoid the many pitfalls call your nearest commercial relocation, procurement & project management specialist NOW - the earlier the better!

With clients including many `blue chip' organisations such as BT, esure, Heineken, Marks & Spencer & Schal - as well as a host of lesser known names one such specialist - with more than 35 years experience in the industry - Whitehead Francis Associates offer a friendly, guiding hand to help you find the best solutions to your problems. Call them FREE on 0800 458 6578 or email info@whiteheadfrancis.co.uk. Their motto:

                                          NO FUSS, JUST PEACE OF MIND

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Specialist consultants helping savvy clients to save precious time, money, stress & heartache for all aspects of business relocation, office fit out or office refurbishment. Clients enjoy complete freedom to get on with what they do best — making profits for their own business!