There are so many things that can go wrong with an office move, or at least cause the moving project manager a lot of extra time, added stress, and extra work.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce the negative effects of an impending office move and increase your chances of it going smoothly. Early planning is one of them: the earlier you start, the more time you have to be thorough, and the more thorough you are, the better organized your move will be.

Another key element of your office relocation is the quality and caliber of the moving company you choose. Your skill, knowledge, experience, and professionalism (or the lack of any of them) can often make the difference between a successful move and one that turns out to be a nightmare.

If you are looking to hire office moves in the near future, these tips can help you choose the best company for your needs:

One: don’t be too swayed by the price.

Your budget is important, to be sure, but in some cases the cheapest engine is not necessarily the best. A low-budget company that is four hours late and breaks three pieces of furniture won’t do you any favors, and the $ 200 you saved by hiring them will start to look like a silly change the moment cheap rates start to get you in trouble. .

Two: Ask for references.

This is where social media can really come in handy. Post a question to your friends and colleagues asking them to suggest companies to avoid or companies to check out. If you are already considering a particular moving company, ask if anyone else has used it.

Three: Ask the office movers lots of questions.

Before signing on the dotted line, ask questions about the company’s licenses, insurance, years of experience, how they hire crew members, how they develop quotes, how they solve problems, etc. The answers, or the lack of them, will help you get a better idea of ​​the overall quality of the company you are considering.

Four: online research.

Once you’ve narrowed down your list, go online and check out the companies’ reviews on Google or Yelp, their position in the Better Business Bureau, etc. You can also ask the mover for a list of references or see if they have a list of their past clients on their website. Call the office managers of some of those companies and see if they are willing to share their experiences with you.

Five: Ask the management of both your current building and the building you are moving into for suggestions.

In many cases, the property management company has “seen it all” over the years – tenants who have had successful moves and tenants who have had bad moves. They may have some surprising ideas about who to call for a quote and who to avoid. At the very least, the property manager can at least tell you which moving company names they see most often.