Many companies are finding it necessary to relocate to smaller quarters, or find a cheaper place to operate from. The downturn of the global economy is making it quite hard for many smaller businesses to survive, and being able to move to a smaller and less expensive building might just mean the difference between being able to remain in business and closing their doors for good.

Just moving into a cheaper place is not enough to keep a business afloat. If the relocation itself breaks the bank so to speak, then there was no point in attempting the move in the first place. It is vital to businesses in this situation to look at all of the options, costs, and downtime involved before picking out a company or method to use for the move. Thankfully, there are some decently cheap alternatives to the traditional, costly methods. You might even find yourself able to to choose from a selection of moving companies within the budget as well.

There are three main moving methods; professionals, truck rentals, and portable storage. Each method comes with its own benefits and drawbacks depending on the various factors of the move. Generally speaking, professional movers will always cost more money. They may or may not take longer to get your things back to you, but they do handle most of the move. For a small business, this can mean a large, up front cost, but less downtime for packing, loading, and moving in general. Keep in mind, when you are choosing the right method for your company, you need to figure in the cost of downtime as well as the cost of the method itself. While professionals will be the most expensive method in most cases, there are some instances where it becomes quite worth it.

Portable storage crates can be helpful if storage is needed between move out day and move in day. In most cases, this is not a method that would benefit most businesses. The cost for this method falls between that of a professional and a do it yourself truck rental. The lower cost exists due to the fact that while you may not be responsible for the driving, you will be responsible for the loading, unloading, packing, and unpacking of all of your things. The biggest drawback of this method for a business of any sort is the fact that there is no control over when the crate will be moved. In some cases, it might sit there for quite a while, which means unnecessary downtime for your company.

Truck rentals are generally the cheapest method to use. Truck rentals for moving are prevalent in our daily lives, and just like a private individual, your company can procure one to use for a move. Obtaining a rental is usually quite simple and can take only minutes. Most companies even offer the ability to rent one of these trucks online. There are many different sizes, packages, and companies to choose from, so it is best to do your research before reserving one. Make sure that you take the cost of fuel and time to pack, load, and unload into account when you are looking at the cost effectiveness of this method.

In order to drive the price of your relocation even lower with a truck rental, there are a few things that should be thought of or completed before you start.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Reusing boxes can save you more than you might think. Consider that purchasing boxes can cost you a dollar or more per box. Depending on your business, it may take a couple hundred boxes to fully pack. If you reuse boxes, you can end up saving hundreds of dollars.
• Have your employees pack and work at the same time. Most of your people should be able to pack things that are not used often while the business is still open. This makes your downtime even shorter, and it allows you to prepare for the move well in advance.
• Use what you have. Many of your employees probably have experience in areas you may not know. Perhaps one of them used to drive large trucks. This experience would be perfect for your move as they will be able to comfortably drive the truck rental.
• Keep them working. Don't just send your employees home. In most cases, you can keep your downtime to only a couple of days and be back up and totally unpacked at your new place if you pay your employees to come in and participate. In most cases, your employees will greatly appreciate it as well.