Office Relocation Checklist

There are many reasons why offices or a company may relocate. Whether you are, expanding and growing, trying to reduce costs, or have a lease that is expiring, you’re going to want to make sure that you’re approaching your relocation in the right way. It is important that you put together a good strategy when putting together your office relocation checklist.  There are many things that you will want to consider when selecting your new office. Here is a checklist for your office relocation.

 

Location Is Everything

 

Map view of office relocation
Mapping out your office relocation

 

Three of the main things that you should consider are demographic, consumer base, and resources. This may be the biggest point of emphasis on your office relation checklist.

 

Demographic

Whether you are downsizing or expanding you may have to make some new hires. Choosing a location where there is a significant talent pool for your industry is very important. Hiring is one of the most difficult things for a company. Having a variety of options will help with this relocation process a lot.

Consumer base

Depending on your industry and the customers you serve, more likely than not you’re going to want to choose a location where you can easily serve your consumer base. This is where you’re going to have to get to know and understand your consumer identity. When this is understood you can identify a location that has a large enough market size for your business.

Selecting a location with the right economic status is extremely important. It’s important to be sure that the community in the market you choose can afford your product or services.

 

Resources

As a business owner, you know the resources that your business needs to operate day-to-day. Selecting a location where you will easily have access to those resources is vitally important. Not only is the access to these resources important but the convenience and price have to be factored into play as well.

 

Office Size

Image of office size for relocation

Identifying the goal of your office relocation beforehand will help you when choosing your office sizes. It may be clear to say that if you are expanding you will be looking for a larger office, if you are downsizing you will be looking for a smaller office. Consider the growth stage that you are in and be sure to plan around that growth. The last thing you would want to do is have to plan another relocation because you miss judged your future company size.

 

 

 

 

The numbers

A calculator with a pen and financial statement

What it all comes down to, it’s all about the numbers. You’re going to want to find an office location where the rent or lease fits your finances. In some situations, it may be smarter to own than to rent. Taking a good look at your business and deciding what path is good for your company will help you in the long run. This extremely important to your checklist, the last thing you want to do is have an office relocation hurt your business.

Dumpster Rental

You don’t truly know how much you have in your possession until you have to clear your home out. Dumpster rentals are perfect for helping get rid of unwanted goods when you are planning to move out of a home, have a large construction project, or junk removal in general. Here are some details about dumpster rentals if you’re looking to rent one for your next move or project.

Cost of Rental

The cost of a rental dumpster is determined by size and the final weight of the dumpster when the service provider comes to pick it up. Your provider will typically offer a quote that is based on delivery, disposal, location and size of the bin. Typically, there is a set price for each cubic yard of the dumpster. Remember to keep your junk within the bin and don’t go over the top of the bin to avoid extra charges

What to Put in the Dumpster

Most junk can be placed into the dumpster  such as construction waste,  yard waste, household junk clean outs, furniture, most appliances, demolition debris, and much more. It would be best to consult with your provider for a proper list of things that you cannot throw into the bin. Typically those things include, but are not limited to; hazardous materials such as automotive products, paint, chemicals, used tires, batteries, CFL light bulbs, fuels, used oils, lawn and garden products, fertilizers, pesticides, Asbestos, medical waste, and hazardous liquids and cleaners. Additionally, Items such as Freon appliances (refrigerators, air conditioners, etc.) and CRT TV’s are a no go.

If you anticipate there to be lots of junk during your next move, remember to rent a dumpster or find a service provider that may be able to assist in renting the dumpster and doing the physical removal of the debris. Full transparency and insight into your project will help your movers plan accordingly and ensure your expectations are met. Feel free to reach out to our team of professionals as our services can manage the gamut of junk removal needs.. Contact Olympia for a free quote today!

Feng Shui

Feng Shui, in a very literal sense, means “wind-water”. The idea behind it is to balance buildings, objects, and space in an environment to achieve harmony and balance. Natural elements often play a crucial role in balancing out all of these elements, hence why this practice is called feng shui. While it is impossible to compile even a fraction of the practice in this article, with different regions of China practicing differently from one another, and feng shui changing from year to year, there are some core foundations and ideas that can be outlined. Here are some core ideas.

The Four Concepts of Feng Shui

Each of these concepts can be an article of its own, with how in-depth and complex each concept can be. But generally speaking, the four concepts are the five elements (fire, water, earth, wood, and metal), the Bagua areas (energy map of your space), color, and a “command location”. The Bagua would tell us what element each part of your space needs, while the color will help supplement the space

5 Elements

The five elements of feng shui are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Utilizing them properly in your space stimulates energy and promotes wellbeing. Each element has its own properties for specific effects.

  • Wood: Wood promotes health, vitality, and growth. It is often expressed with green and brown. Decorations like lush plants, green cushions, botanical imagery, etc will promote it.
  • Fire: Fire promotes creativity, love, and passion. It is often expressed with different shades of red and yellow.
  • Earth: Earth is the element of nourishment, protection, stability, and support. It is often expressed with beige and other sandy colors
  • Metal: Metal is the element of structure and discipline, efficiency, and productivity. It is often expressed in white and grey.
  • Water: Water is the element of harmony, flow, and renewal. It is often expressed with blue and black.

Bagua Area

Bagua is an energy map of your space. It divides your space into eight areas, defined by the compass direction of your front door. Each of these eight areas corresponds to one of the five elements, which needs to be supplemented in its corresponding area for good feng shui energy. This whole process is a bit complicated and can change depending on who you ask and where you are, so finding an expert in your area will be optimal.

Color

Different colors carry different energy qualities. According to feng shui, it corresponds to the energy of the five elements. This is one of the easiest ways to bring some elements into your home without buying any major decor or making any major changes.

Command Location

The command location is essentially the best place you can be in a room to get the most optimal energy flow. Thus, major furniture pieces like a desk, couch, and bed can be placed with feng shui in mind. The process of deciding where these pieces should be is complicated, but a general rule of thumb is to ensure that you can see the door from where you’re sitting, standing, or lying down.

The next time you move with Olympia, make sure you let your team know if you have anything you want in any particular place. Our team of professionals will be sure to accommodate to the best of their abilities. Contact Olympia for a free quote today!

For Sale by Owner

Selling your home can seem like a complicated and overwhelming task. The standard, most well-known process would include leveraging a local real estate agent while you sit back and see the offers roll in. And the extent of your involvement, apart from ensuring the house is staged and set to show properly, would be to accept or decline offers. And the costs? A hefty percentage of the selling amount.

In this day and age, especially given the market conditions and the level of demand, you may feel underwhelmed at the amount you pay your agent for the amount of work that’s put in. Meaning in a hot neighborhood, the agent may just have to set the price, show a house for a weekend, and boom! You have an offer with tens of thousands in commission headed to the agent. Is there a way to avoid this hefty commission rate?

For sale by owner is an option to consider, but there are factors that need to be accounted for when making this decision. FSBO (For sale by owner) is an effective way to save some of that money while still being able to market and advertise to a similar size audience. In the past, it used to be that the seller had limited access to the marketing vehicles agents did. The seller did not have the network or system access that a typical agent did. However, in this day and age all that has changed, and if you’re willing to spend some money (but still fractional compared to an agent’s commission).

These type of sellers now have access to website such as Zillow, Forsalebyowner.com and FSBO.com just to name a few. There is also the possibility to get it listed on MLS for a flat fee and of course if you’re attune to website creation and development, create your own listing page. These digital activities, combined with the analog activities of yore such as word of mouth and distributing self-made brochures, could garner that audience you need to find that buyer.

Keep in mind though, researching the market and following the correct legal process to properly sell your home are a requirement to ensure that you for sale by owner listing closing holds up to your legal and personal expectations. From a market standpoint, make sure pull your comparables to understand what has sold in your area that is most like your house and use that as a bellwether to price appropriately. If you have limited insight into the condition of key elements of your house (roof age, basement moisture, radon, etc..) that impact pricing, then it may be wise to pay for a professional inspection so you have a complete view of issues that may impact the price of your house.

As far as the rules go for selling, make sure you engage a real estate lawyer and seek the professional advice to help guide you through the necessary documentation for a FSBO listing.

According to the National Association of Realtors, in 2020 approximately 7% of homes were for sale by owner. While clearly not a large portion of home sales are FSBO, it is a significant enough number that had made its way as a mainstream option.

And remember, selling your home is just half the battle! Once you have identified the buyer and signed your papers, there’s still the actual process of moving. As we always recommend, research your moving company and ensure they have the reviews and experience to provide a move that meets and exceeds your expectations.

Moving Costs

One of the most stressful times in your life is moving. Not only does the act of moving require significant preparation, but it’s usually the little things that keep you up at night, and most notably the associated costs which can escalate the anxiety. Let’s take a high-level look at the moving costs that can be expected before, during and after your move.

Travel and time to find a place

This can be defined as a passive moving cost. While there may not be an explicit bill for your time, like most people you need to take time and energy to locate your next home, whether its an apartment in the city or a house in the suburbs. As the adage goes, time is money, and this is no different. Especially with the current housing and rental market, you may be spending more time than anticipated or traveling further than you thought. This is a hidden moving cost to consider.

Realtor fees

Depending on the location and type of home you move into, you may require the assistance of a realtor. Your agreement with your realtor may or may not require you to pay a fee. If you are buying a home,

chances are the seller will take this cost on, however if moving into an apartment in a desirable area, you may need to fork over some cash as a realtor fee. This is a moving cost that could be significant.

Closing costs

For those purchasing a home, this is a moving cost that can be somewhat disheartening. From lawyers fees, to homestead to the realtor’s cut, these bills add up and could be a significant hit to your bank account. This is usually an unavoidable part of your moving costs that cannot be overlooked as a part of your budget.

Packing supplies costs

You’re almost there! You found your next home, all the papers are signed, and now comes the hard part, the physical packing of items. Sometimes you can underestimate how much stuff you really have and how much of it you want to transport. From closets, to under beds, to that junk drawer, you will most likely need packing supplies, and it is not cheap! If you’re lucky, you can stumble upon free supplies (usually boxes) from members of a local Facebook group. And that’s half the battle! Keep in mind, you may need tape or some sort of void fill or protective wrapping to ensure your items stay secure during transport. Maybe you want to hire your movers to provide full-service packing as well? While expensive, it’s a tremendous way to optimize your move and limit your stress.

Cleaning Costs

This is another sneaky cost that you may not consider when calculating your moving costs. Whether it’s hiring a professional cleaner, or spending your time scrubbing, sweeping, wiping, and more, this is a cost to consider as a part of your move.

Daycare/pet care (if required)

Some people like to focus completely on their move. Whether you have a pet running around or younger children that can potentially interfere with your packing plan, these are in part moving costs to consider. If you have a short window of time to pack, and require the most efficient and distraction free situation, this may be an additional moving cost to consider.

Rental truck/Movers

You’re there! It’s move day and your boxes and furniture are ready to go to your new home. How will you do it? Most people don’t have access to a vehicle that can haul everything at once. This is an integral part of your moving costs, and usually the biggest one to note. Make sure you do your research and identify the mover with the best reviews and the expertise to provide you a worry-free service. Keep in mind, cheapest is not always best, and those cheapo movers could cause additional moving costs due to inexperience, inefficiency, or carelessness. If you’re moving yourself, time and gas are considerations as well.

Storage(if required) Can all your stuff fit in your new home? Are you in between homes for a little bit? Storage is something to consider as a part of your moving costs in the case that you will need to utilize some extra space.

Things to consider when renting a home or an apartment

Renting a home, buying a home, finding an apartment and similar real estate activities go hand in hand with moving. As the experts in moving, Olympia Moving & Storage is here to help. As we near the end of 2021, we have experienced an unprecedented moving year from labor shortages to material shortages to a historic spike in moving demand. We offer some advice on whether you’re renting a home or trying to find an apartment.

2021 will forever be known as a seller’s market. Data across the country showed houses sold for prices way above asking with numerous bidders, and contingencies being waved left and right. Anecdotally, we heard a lot of sellers taking advantage of being able to sell high, gaining an influx of cash, however with no place to go. This result is renting a home or finding an apartment to rent. It’s a hot topic still to date, because as this seller’s market continues to drive prices higher, finding an apartment or renting a home becomes pricier. We see our customers and buyers across the country not able to find their next permanent residence in a timely fashion. The only solution becomes opting for a “temporary home.”

These solutions may be renting a home in your desired town, playing the waiting game for a forever home that is affordable to pop up. The other option is finding an apartment either in your same town/city of choice or looking at surrounding areas that keeps you close to your ideal location. Keep in mind, whether deciding to rent a home or find an apartment, the responsibilities may vary. With a home and depending on the state, the renter may be responsible for the care and maintenance of the home, including lawn mowing, snow shoveling and similar weather-related activities. An apartment may be a lower maintenance option; however you sacrifice the privacy you would have with a home rental. Since this is not a topic to take lightly, we suggest researching additional advice about the pros and cons of renting and buying.

In both cases, there is the argument to make that if you can be patient and wait out the market, you would benefit from the additional cash gained from the sale and you find the home of your dreams. Patience is the determining factor here, so make sure you set your own expectations to deal with an extended timeline. And with this extended timeline, understanding the lease and the termination clauses will play a big part in the whole process. There are a large number of factors that will affect your decision so make sure to do your research. There are government and private move websites that will tediously identify all the things to consider. Moving is one of the most complex and stressful things to go through in life, so make sure you’re prepared and do your homework.

Also keep in mind, when renting a home or trying to find an apartment, you’ll still have to move all your belongings. Whether you keep it in storage with a trusted provider or find storage on the temporary property, you most likely will need help. With 30 years of expertise, and the ability to move anything to anywhere, Olympia can provide the guidance and help to get your move completed effectively and efficiently.

How much do movers cost?

Depending on how specific you want to be, this may be a tough question to answer. From a simplistic perspective, you could say a complete moving service cost on average anywhere between $100-$400 per hour/per mover. That also depends on your location, how accessible your home is, the size of your home and how much stuff you have. The quote could vary greatly depending on how all these factors pan out. Let’s look at the key factors when trying to figure out this deceptively simple question of how much do movers cost.

When are you moving?

Depending on the time of the year, the cost of your move may vary greatly. As you can imagine, during the summer and dates around the 1st of the month see higher rates as a simple effect of supply and demand. In the summer, demand rises tremendously, and prices are adjusted based on how much capacity your moving company of choice has available.

Where are you moving from?

This parameter has two parts to it. Firstly, depending on if you are in the city or in the suburbs, access to your home may be vastly different. A house in the suburbs with an accessible driveway would not pose any concern. However, if you are in the city and require permits to block off the street, or need access to an elevator or receiving area, that is a different issue and may incur additional costs.

The second part of this question depends on the mover you chose. Most likely, the moving company you hire will charge travel time, so the further you live from the movers’ base of operations, the more additional costs you may see.

What are you moving?

This will make up the majority cost of your move. Depending on the size of your home, this will dictate the number of men needed and the amount of time required to remove all of your items. There are things that will naturally increase the amount of time, such as disassembly of furniture or emptying out your drawers. The movers will need to do this to make the furniture manageable to maneuver through hallways and down steps. If you are focused on being cost-effective when it comes to your move, you can do a bunch of this disassembly and decluttering prior to your move day to ensure your movers can operate as quickly as possible.

Additional items to evaluate

Often times leading up to the move day, life gets extremely hectic and some things gets missed. Keep in mind, your mover is prepared for this, and can offer both full-service packing options, as well as additional supplies if needed. If you happen to underestimate your need for either time or materials, your moving company will happily offer these items at an additional cost.  

The other important additional service to consider is valuation and liability. Most states have a default liability insurance requiring your moving company to carry. Keep in mind however that this is usually a very basic insurance, and if you have a claim on a sentimental or expensive item, the claim payout may seem inequitable. If this is a concern for you, reach out to your moving company and explore their valuation options, however an additional cost to think through as well.

 

One thing to note that is usually free, an estimate. As Olympia Moving & Storage consistently urges, perform your due diligence on the moving company you choose. Make sure they have the customer reviews, the accreditation, the experience and the expertise to make your move-day as stress free as possible.

Usps Mail Forwarding

The little things: Did you remember to forward USPS mail?

The complexities of moving are often hidden. The overarching notion of moving your stuff from point A to point B seem relatively simple. However, as you zoom in and pick apart the requirements and things needed to make your move successful: before, after and during, the term overwhelming comes to mind.

Most likely before your move comes the detail with housing. Buying or renting? Well, make sure the logistics line up for when you want to move. And once you land on that info, then there’s the moving preparation. Decluttering, sifting through all your items, packing all your items, will it all fit? Do I need any other furniture?

During the move, the complexity rears its ugly head in the form of aligning all schedules and the frantic pace throughout the actual move day.

And now after, once you get through the move comes the settling in and set up, which could take months. And while all this was going on, did you remember the little things, for example that you may need to forward USPS mail?

Luckily for you, you can depend on Olympia Moving & Storage to help you through every step of the process, providing tools to make things like needing to forward USPS mail an afterthought. As a moving company with 30 years of experience, we can assist with your relocation providing you access to the latest technology all in one place. Our moving resource center can help you navigate through your move, no matter what stage you are in, providing timely tools, tips and resources at your fingertips.  In addition to the USPS Mail forward capabilities, we can help you research and transfer utilities, provide insight into your new neighborhood services and send out moving announcements to your friends and family.

As we always suggest, do you research first for moving companies. The reviews, the experience and find yourself a partner and not just a one and one service provider. Your USPS mail will thank you!

Reach out to us today at 800 222 4744 or here for a free quote today.

The Importance Furniture Padding For Moving

Movers’ blankets are a hot topic as of late, given the increased scrutiny on cleanliness of pretty much everything we touch, we here at Olympia Movers wanted to provide some additional information on how we protect your belongings throughout your move. As experts within the moving industry, although the overall idea of moving belongings from point A to point B may seem straight forward, the complexities and hallmarks of a truly great moving service differ from company to company.

The details matter, and critical to a successful move start from the way we treat our clients and their belongings.  Our primary focus is on the client experience and ensuring all your items are treated like our own and protected as such, no matter a local move or a long-distance move.

When we first arrive at your house, we will ensure that there is proper floor covering where required. Once we tour your house to understand the scope, we go to work! Critical to the move is the ability to pack and stack your furniture in our trucks as efficiently as possible. We will work room to room, padding and protecting all the items that are required.

The moving blankets are a key tool in our arsenal. This blanket is no ordinary quilt. This is a thick, heavy-duty blanket that is a blend of polyester mesh and cotton. You may see these called furniture moving pads, moving pads, furniture pads or other iterations. These movers’ blankets keep your items protected from dirt, dust and shifting when stacked and packed tightly in our moving trucks. It’s often the little spaces and crevices that wreak the most havoc while in transit, causing potential shifting. These blankets are critical to help fill those tiny spaces and keep your belongings secure, taking up this little space. The thick and heavy material provides protection and keeps items static throughout the move. It goes without saying, we carry only the highest quality movers’ blankets

No matter the type of items you require moving, Olympia Moving & Storage has all the materials required to keep your items and your home protected from any damage. Apart from the materials we use as part of our service, we offer supplies for sale as well here. Included as a part of our moving service, we do provide the blankets and furniture padding needed in transit from your original location to your new destination.

Keep in mind, no matter the size of your move, furniture padding, or movers’ blankets are an integral component of your move. Some of the other moving companies may charge you per pad, and if you rent a truck there is most likely an additional cost if you require blankets. However you decide to handle your next move, whether on your own or through your favorite moving company(wink wink), make sure you do your research and prepare for the big day.

Why rent a truck for moving?

A simple question however, extremely loaded at the same time. The easy answer would be that you are looking to save money and control your own destiny. The complexities are layered, although it appears to be a straightforward decision. The multiple items to consider when renting a truck include:

  • The size of truck
  • How long the move will take you?
  • How comfortable are you driving a large vehicle around (possibly with through narrow streets)?
  • How does insurance play a factor?
  • Will you have enough room?
  • How to pack to avoid damage?
  • Do you have help moving?
  • Do you need parking or elevator permits?

And what about the cost? Does the rental company charge by mile or what happens if you’re just moving one way? Look out for those extra fees, and don’t forget the gas! Those massive rental trucks have voluminous gas tanks and are not shy about guzzling down.

We get it, sometimes it just makes more financial sense to rent a truck, relying just on yourself. But think of the timing, if you’re moving during peak months or heaven forbid on the first of a month (yikes, September!)  near or in the city, you are going to encounter a significant headache which may not be worth it. Balancing all these factors is overwhelming in it of itself, now throw in family and work obligations, and boy oh boy, have you got a big nut to crack. So, the question becomes, is it worth it?

What is worth it? Would it be worth it to work with an expert in the industry, replete with awards, 95% satisfaction rate on the last 10k moves, and hundreds upon hundreds of reviews praising the personnel and the overall experience?

Consider going with a moving service that you trust, with the experience and customer reviews to provide you the comfort knowing this will not be a nightmare scenario. When making your final decision, look at the big picture and see if renting a truck is the most effective use of time, money, and overall impact to your mental health.

There is a common cliche that moving yourself is one of the most difficult and aggravating things you can do. When you are weighing your options, and apart from all the costs incurred from both sides, make sure you factor in that most intangible and very hard to measure cost – aggravation and frustration. And what cost will that have on top of all the truck rental associated fees? When you weigh those factors against the ease and professionalism that comes with hiring a seasoned and expert moving company, you will find that sometimes the juice is worth the squeeze. That way, instead of managing through layers and layers of complexity during the move itself (and don’t forget the packing!), reach out to a moving company that can handle your move, providing a dedicated representative to walk you through the move from start to finish. Sounds like you should reach out to Olympia Moving & Storage for a free estimate. You stressless move starts with us.