Moving House With a Home Business: What Should You Plan For?

Moving house is a big enough job on its own, but when your home is also your workplace, there’s another layer to consider. Whether you run an online shop from the spare room, work freelance from a home office or keep business stock at home, moving means making sure your work can move with you too.

With a little forward planning, you can make the process much smoother and minimise disruption to your business. From organising stock and equipment to deciding what needs to be accessible on moving day, here’s what to think about when moving house with a home business.

Make a plan for your business before moving day

Before you start packing, take some time to think about everything your business relies on at home. It can be easy to focus on your furniture and personal belongings and forget about the items you use for work every day.

Make a list of your business essentials, including:

• Computers, monitors and other technology

• Business documents and paperwork

• Stock and products

• Packaging materials

• Printers and office equipment

• Tools or specialist equipment

• Desks, shelving and storage units

• Important files and records

Once you know exactly what needs to be moved, you can work out what needs extra protection, what you’ll need access to during the move and what can be packed away in advance.

Decide what you need to keep working

If your business needs to continue while you’re moving, think about which items you’ll need to have available.

For example, if you work from a laptop, you may be able to pack most of your office away while keeping your laptop, charger and a few essentials to hand. If you run an online shop, you may need access to stock, packaging and your printer until shortly before moving day.

It can be helpful to create a separate box or bag of business essentials that you keep with you rather than loading onto the removal van. Label it clearly so you know exactly where it is when you arrive.

Protect business equipment and technology

Business equipment can be expensive and, in some cases, difficult to replace quickly. Take extra care when preparing computers, monitors, printers and other technology for the move.

Where possible, back up important files before moving and make sure cables are organised and labelled. Keep smaller accessories together rather than packing them separately, and use suitable protective materials for screens and other fragile equipment.

If you have specialist equipment that is particularly large, heavy or delicate, let your removal company know in advance. This gives the team a chance to consider the best way to handle it.

Take extra care with business stock

If you keep stock at home, moving can be a good opportunity to take stock of what you actually have. Before packing, check your inventory and group similar items together.

You may want to separate:

• Stock that is ready to sell

• Items awaiting orders

• Packaging and shipping supplies

• Returns

• Seasonal or less frequently used stock

Use strong, appropriately sized boxes and avoid making them too heavy. Clear labels can also make a big difference when you’re unpacking, particularly if you need to find something quickly after moving.

If you have a large amount of stock, furniture or equipment, speak to your removal company beforehand so they have a clear idea of what needs to be moved.

Think about important documents and data

Business paperwork, contracts, financial records and other important documents should be treated differently from everyday belongings.

Keep anything particularly sensitive or difficult to replace somewhere secure and make sure digital files are backed up before the move. If you have paperwork that you need immediate access to, keep it separately so it doesn’t disappear into a box marked ‘office’.

It’s also worth thinking about how your business information will be transported and stored while you’re getting settled into your new home.

Plan your new home office or workspace

If you’re moving to a different-sized property, your existing workspace may not fit the new layout.

Before moving day, measure the space you’re planning to use and consider where your desk, shelves, stock and equipment will go. This can help you decide what needs to be dismantled and makes it easier to explain where larger items should go when you arrive.

If you have a dedicated home office, you may also want to think about how you’ll keep business equipment separate from everyday household items.

A little planning here can save you from moving everything into the house, only to realise your desk won’t fit where you expected it to.

Consider storage for business belongings

Sometimes, your new home simply isn’t ready to accommodate everything straight away. Perhaps you’re decorating your new office, waiting for furniture to arrive or downsizing your workspace.

In these situations, storage can give you some breathing room. Business stock, furniture, equipment and seasonal items can be kept safely out of the way while you get organised.

If you’re considering storage, think about which items you may need regular access to and pack your belongings accordingly.

Tell your removal company what you’re moving

Your removal team needs to know what they’ll be handling, particularly if your home business involves unusually heavy, bulky or fragile equipment.

When arranging your move, let your removal company know about anything that may require additional planning. This could include large quantities of stock, specialist equipment, heavy shelving or a large home office setup.

The more your removal team knows beforehand, the easier it is to plan the move around your belongings and the access available at both properties.

Give yourself time to get back to business

It’s tempting to think about moving day as the finish line, but if you work from home, there’s still plenty to do once you arrive.

Rather than trying to unpack your entire house at once, prioritise the things you need to get your business up and running. Set up your internet connection, workspace and essential equipment first, then work through the rest at your own pace.

If possible, give yourself a little breathing room around moving day. Having an extra day or two to get organised can make it much easier to settle into your new home without feeling like you need to be back at your desk immediately.

Make your home business move a little easier

Moving your home and your business at the same time might sound daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. The key is knowing what you need to move, what needs protecting and what you’ll need access to once you arrive.

By planning your stock, equipment and workspace in advance, you can make moving day much more straightforward and get back to doing what you do best.

If you’re moving home and need a helping hand with the heavy lifting, Saint Removals can help make the process easier from start to finish.

Get in touch today to start planning your move.