Tips to Help Your Client Relocate Their Business

Are you a commercial real estate broker? We’re willing to bet you’ve run into a tricky situation once or twice when it comes to relocating one of your clients’ business’. Why? Well, relocating a business is more challenging than one would think. There are several different moving parts to consider to make sure your clients’ business relocation goes as swiftly and effectively as possible. The best corporate relocation companies will understand how important the client/broker relationship is. That’s where we come in.

We’ve been in the industry of helping relocate businesses for over twenty-five years, and our team here at Relocation Strategies wants to make sure that everyone’s move is a smooth one. Here are a few invaluable tips our relocation project managers recommend the most so you can help your client get settled in their new office space quickly and easily.

Set a Realistic Budget

While this may be a self-explanatory step, it’s critical to mention. All the best corporate relocation companies will tell you that helping your clients set a budget for their relocation project is instrumental towards its success. In addition, in most cases, the amount your client can afford is probably the most important piece in narrowing down their property options.

Regardless of whether they’re looking to rent or buy, it’s important to emphasize to them that they’ll need to reserve a significant portion of their budget to cover extra costs besides the base rent or building purchase price. Extra costs can add up!

Here are just a few things your client will need to plan for:

Lease incidentals (utilities, insurance, maintenance)
Renovations
Moving costs

Research, Research, Research

Your budget will play a big hand in the location options you’ll survey. As you and your client weigh different properties, make sure to consider the following as well:

Account accessibility for clients and suppliers
Parking and public transit
Convenience for shipping and receiving
Nearby services
Zoning issues
Extra space to grow

Be sure to encourage your client to speak with their staff before selecting a spot. Overlooking staff needs is a common mistake we see several business owners make when they’re relocating a business. Make sure to seek employees’ input on locations, amenities, and more.

Create a Detailed Timeline

The best corporate relocation companies can all agree on one thing: thorough planning makes or breaks a business relocation. Our advice? Advise your client to work directly with their team members to draw up a timeline. Make sure the client includes time for renovation work, setting up phones and internet, purchasing new furniture and equipment, hiring and working with an interior designer, moving assets, creating marketing signage, updating all of their letterheads and business cards, and more.

Remind Them to Give Themselves Extra Time

Any all the best corporate relocation companies will agree that transitions of all kinds – from relocating a business to starting one – are not inherently quick processes. Remind your client to be patient, as things often take longer than expected. More often than not, businesses underestimate production downtime during the move, and renovations commonly cost even more than initially budgeted for.

Communication is King

When you don’t have the help of a relocation project manager, things can fall through the cracks—especially when it’s a process as complicated and long-winded as relocating a business. Not only is communicating with your client throughout this lengthy process a must, but it’s critical for them to constantly communicate with their employees, staff, and customers as well.

The Takeaway

As you’ve probably gathered by now, relocating a business is not a walk in the park. Being a commercial real estate broker is a tough job as it is, but adding a big company move on top of your plate is a big leap. If you’re looking for a professional to give you a hand, look no further than our team here at Relocation Strategies. We’ve handled moves big and small, from large corporate businesses to research and technical laboratories. Our relocation project managers are experts in developing and strategizing every move down to the last detail. Not only that, but we offer an array of different services that will surely benefit your clients the next time they look into relocating their businesses.

Eager to get the ball rolling? Request a consultation here and one of our team members will reach out to you shortly.