Office Moving Tips and Tasks to Ensure Efficiency

It has been said that moving a household is one of life’s most stressful events. Moving an office can be even more complicated. It requires a seamless transition so that the success of your business isn’t disrupted. Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. appreciates the magnitude and uniqueness of this type of relocation. There’s a lot to do for an office move; the earlier you start planning, the greater the chance you have of achieving the smooth move your company expects. We compiled a short list of preliminary tasks to assist you. A more detailed checklistis also available on our website.

  1. Form a relocation team of employees. A project leader should be identified to spearhead the move. The project leader may distribute tasks so there is a point person(s) for each area of the move such as technology, vendors, employee communication, etc. Schedule regular meetings with this team of liaisons to review project status.
  2. Create a budget. Define a budget in advance and have funds available for unexpected costs that may arise. In addition to standard expenses such as labor, will you need to purchase any special permits or documentation?
  3. Identify a schedule. Start reviewing your options 9+ months prior to your lease expiration. If you are renting company space, will your move date coincide with the lease end date? If you wish to leave the space earlier, discuss your options with the landlord. Consider a buffer for packing and moving office furniture and equipment so as not to extend the lease. The most popular time to move is in the summer, which also makes it the most expensive. Additionally, although it may be necessary to move after normal business hours or over a weekend, this may incur extra fees.
  4. Consider current processes and deadlines. How will you align these processes during the relocation? For example, how will you arrange deliveries? How will active projects be handled? In an effort to avoid any delays because documentation and/or equipment is inaccessible during the move, plan a short break period and communicate this to all staff and clients.
  5. Hire a professional moving company. Working with the right office moving professionals is an important must-do for any company thinking of office relocation. A professional moving company will guide you through the process, save you money in the long run, and ensure you don’t make any critical mistakes during your move. Obtain several estimates to evaluate cost and action plan. Check the movers’ licensing, reputation, working history, and read reviews. Personal recommendations are the best means of finding the right moving company. Some of the most trusted feedback can be obtained from the property manager or real estate agent that may be assisting your business relocation.

Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. offers top-quality office relocation services to our clients in the Boston area and beyond. Big Foot Moving & Storage offers the commitment and expertise to complete any size office move smoothly. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with planning your company’s relocation, give us a call at 781-488-3090 to get a free business moving quote.

12 Ways To Find A Mover You Can Trust

It is widely recognized that some Internet Websites attract consumers off of the World Wide Web and then take advantage of them. According to moving and relocation industry professionals there are 12 sure fire ways a consumer or business can determine if they will be satisfied with the company they select to handle their move to a new home or office. Here are the 12 ways you can spot a qualified mover that you can trust:

  1. Avoid booking your move with a internet based moving broker, most of whom hand your move over to a different company, a company you have not checked and done research on. Make sure that the company you book your move with will be the same company who performs your actual physical move.
  2. You should be able to meet or talk to the owner. If you can talk to the owner of the business, even if only by phone, you will be able to develop a feeling of confidence that he is experienced and capable enough to assure a professional move.
  3. It is a good idea to get a recommendation. A satisfied customer is the best sales pitch for a mover. Remember, even a mover with a big franchised name is still a local business who is only as good as his local reputation.
  4. If you are moving within a state, make sure the mover you are considering is licensed by that state’s Department of Transportation, Public Utilities Commission, or Bureau of Consumer Affairs. A call to your local state association can help determine if a mover is licensed.  In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, local moving companies are regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications & Energy (Transportation Division).  The MDTE website is http://www.mass.gov/dte/transportation/transportation.htm.  If you are moving to a different state, check to make sure the mover is licensed by the Federal Department of Transportation, located at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/factsfigs/moving.htm. Don’t take the company’s word for it, call the regulatory agency or state association and check for yourself.
  5. Check with the Better Business Bureau regarding constant numerous complaints at http://www.bosbbb.org. Note that a responsible mover may have a few complaints lodged against them — the more moves they handle the more likely it is that they will have at least a few complaints — but their record with the Better Business Bureau should show that they have a satisfactory rating and that they respond to and resolve complaints.
  6. Ask your potential mover if they carry Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If you have doubts ask to see “proof of insurance” in the form of an “Insurance Certificate” issued by their insurance carrier. Remember; without Workers Compensation Insurance you will be potentially liable for anyone hurt on your premises. Workers’ Compensation Insurance adds to the cost of doing business but it protects you if someone is injured during your move. Be suspicious of the very low bidder for they may be cutting costs by cheating on essential Workers’ Compensation Insurance protection.
  7. Make sure the mover’s place of business actually exists. Beware of companies who provide no business address on their Website, business documents, or a company that is hesitant to provide you with their physical business address. It is important that you know where to track the company down if you have a problem.
  8. Don’t listen to sales people who tell stories. A high-quality firm with a good reputation doesn’t need to knock the competition, or criticize other firms to make themselves look better.
  9. It’s a good idea to get a recommendation. A satisfied customer is the best sales pitch.
  10. Ask if the company is a member of the state moving and storage association in the state in which they are based. Ask if they are a member of the American Moving & Storage Association, located at http://www.promover.org. A reputable company should be a member of one or the other.
  11. If you are moving to a different state, read the federally mandated publication, “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move”, at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/factsfigs/rights.htm.
  12. If you are moving to a different state, insist that you receive the following federally mandated documents from your mover. If the mover is hesitant to provide you with any of these items you should reconsider using that company (note that many state agencies also mandate documents of this type):
    • An “Order for Service” signed by your mover. The Order for service protects you by spelling out the agreement between you and your mover regarding the dates the shipment will be loaded and delivered, the estimated cost, and (if you are moving to a different state) the fact that the mover can only collect 110% of the estimate at the time of delivery.
    • A written estimate itemizing the entire component charges that makes up the estimate for your moving cost. Prior to the move date, insist on an in-home visual inspection of the goods you are moving. Accurate estimates can seldom be provided over the telephone. Never believe that a phone estimate given by a mover, will be the actual cost of your move.
    • A “Table of Measurements” (also known as a “Cube Sheet”) listing all of the items that you will be moving (pieces of furniture, number of boxes, etc.). The mover creates the Table of Measurements in order to calculate the size and weight of your move.

Retaining the services of a high quality, licensed mover requires a little work on the part of the consumer, but the reward is great; a high quality move with minimal stress. We urge you to spend a little extra time to assure that you locate one of the many quality minded licensed moving & storage professionals operating in our industry.

What Order Should I Pack My Office In?

One of the difficulties of packing an office, whether it is your home workstation or an entire business, is that you likely need to keep working throughout at least some portion of the process. Try these tips from Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. for packing your office while maintaining productivity.

Remove Decorative Components

Decorative items such as paintings, posters, or small statues may be taken down and packed first. While these items make the office a pleasant place to work, they play no role in actual functionality.

Organizing the Files

In most modern offices, the contents of the filing cabinets exist primarily for record keeping, as opposed to day-to-day productivity. Gather filing boxes and transfer the contents of the cabinets to these boxes. Make sure to clearly label what cabinets the files have come from and what files are inside the box to make the unpacking process easier.

Boxing up Books

Books fall into a similar category as files. While they may sometimes be used for reference, your office likely doesn’t turn to them every day. Pack books early into small boxes to keep the weight limited. Bookshelves can be taken apart and packed at the same time as books.

Packing Your Desk Contents

Your desk and chair will likely be some of the last things to get packed, but the contents of your desk can largely be stored away in the middle of the packing process. Leave yourself with just the essentials – a few pens, a stapler, and a notepad – and pack or donate the rest. Most of your work is likely done on a computer anyway. Generic Ambien 10 mg online http://www.wolfesimonmedicalassociates.com/ambien/

Moving Computers and Other Technology

Other than your desk and chair, your computer, the office printer, and your phone are likely to be the last things you pack up before a move. The first thing to do before packing up your computer is to back up all data. After that, technology should be carefully packed, ideally in its original boxes with appropriate padding and protection.

Desks and Chairs

Finally, your desk and chair should be packed. Be careful of desk components such as a glass top layer that may need extra protection during the packing process. Responsible movers like the professionals at Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. will use furniture pads to cushion desk pieces during the move to prevent damage.

Office Moving Tips and Tasks to Ensure Efficiency

It has been said that moving a household is one of life’s most stressful events. Moving an office can be even more complicated. It requires a seamless transition so that the success of your business isn’t disrupted. Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. appreciates the magnitude and uniqueness of this type of relocation. There’s a lot to do for an office move; the earlier you start planning, the greater the chance you have of achieving the smooth move your company expects. We compiled a short list of preliminary tasks to assist you. A more detailed checklist is also available on our website.

  1. Form a relocation team of employees. A project leader should be identified to spearhead the move. The project leader may distribute tasks so there is a point person(s) for each area of the move such as technology, vendors, employee communication, etc. Schedule regular meetings with this team of liaisons to review project status.
  2. Create a budget. Define a budget in advance and have funds available for unexpected costs that may arise. In addition to standard expenses such as labor, will you need to purchase any special permits or documentation?
  3. Identify a schedule. Start reviewing your options 9+ months prior to your lease expiration. If you are renting company space, will your move date coincide with the lease end date? If you wish to leave the space earlier, discuss your options with the landlord. Consider a buffer for packing and moving office furniture and equipment so as not to extend the lease. The most popular time to move is in the summer, which also makes it the most expensive. Additionally, although it may be necessary to move after normal business hours or over a weekend, this may incur extra fees.
  4. Consider current processes and deadlines. How will you align these processes during the relocation? For example, how will you arrange deliveries? How will active projects be handled? In an effort to avoid any delays because documentation and/or equipment is inaccessible during the move, plan a short break period and communicate this to all staff and clients.
  5. Hire a professional moving company. Working with the right office moving professionals is an important must-do for any company thinking of office relocation. A professional moving company will guide you through the process, save you money in the long run, and ensure you don’t make any critical mistakes during your move. Obtain several estimates to evaluate cost and action plan. Check the movers’ licensing, reputation, working history, and read reviews. Personal recommendations are the best means of finding the right moving company. Some of the most trusted feedback can be obtained from the property manager or real estate agent that may be assisting your business relocation.

Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. offers top-quality office relocation services to our clients in the Boston area and beyond. Big Foot Moving & Storage offers the commitment and expertise to complete any size office move smoothly. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with planning your company’s relocation, give us a call at 781-488-3090 to get a free business moving quote.

Big Foot Moves Toys…THOUSANDS of toys with Toys for Joys

Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. is excited to continue our support of Toys for Joys, Inc. We are providing collection boxes, transportation, and storage services for the thousands of new toys that will be distributed to children this holiday season. Toys for Joys does an incredible job bringing feelings of family, hope, and love by providing new toys to children who have very little. A toy, a simple gift, can bring a smile to a child and make the holidays enjoyable.

The Toys4Joys Gift Gala will be held at The Revere Hotel’s-Space57 on Friday, December 8, 2017. To find out more about this premier Boston gift drive, visit the Toys for Joys event registration page.

For additional info on Toys for Joys and sponsorship opportunities, please email Dr. James Rifino, Founder & President.

Pie in the Sky 2017

Community Servings is a free, home‐delivery meals program for the acutely ill, their families and their caregivers throughout Massachusetts who are battling 35 types of illnesses including HIV/ AIDS, Cancer, Lupus, Diabetes and MS. Since 1989, Community Servings’ founding goals are to help clients maintain their health and dignity, provide nutritionally and culturally appropriate meals, preserve the integrity of their family… and send the message that someone cares.

Each pie we sell provides one week of healthy meals to a person in need.

This is my eigth year participating in this fundraiser as part of the Pie It Forward team. Thanks to many of you, I was one of the top 5 sellers last year.

Please consider purchasing a Thanksgiving pie ($30) in support of Community Servings. You can visit my personal donation page for more information and to place an order.

You can also download more information about Pie In The Sky. You can also download information about Community Servings here.

Sincerely,

Mike Bavuso

Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. Earns Esteemed 2015 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. has earned the service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of service provided to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2015. Since 2009, this is Big Foot’s 7th consecutive year of winning the award.

Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. is a full service moving and storage company based in metro Boston, providing local and long distance services for residential, commercial, and government customers. President & CEO, Mike Bavuso, expressed his gratitude for this award, “We aim to provide exceptional customer service so it has been an honor to be recognized since 2009 with the Angie’s List Super Service Award because it is based on true feedback from the consumer. We understand the stress involved in moving and we do our best to build relationships with our clients”.

“Only about 5 percent of the moving and storage companies in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have performed so consistently well enough to earn our Super Service Award,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “It’s a really high standard.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2015 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade; the company must be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

About Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc.

Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. is a full service moving and storage company based in metro Boston, providing local and long distance services for residential, commercial, and government customers. Since its inception in 2001, Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. has garnered many awards for exceptional service including American Moving & Storage Association’s Enterprise Award for Independent Movers 2014, Angie’s List Super Service Award 2009 through 2015, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award 2009, and Arlington Chamber of Commerce People’s Choice Award 2010. The company maintains an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau with tremendous feedback from its customers. Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. is fully licensed and insured as well as a GSA Contract Holder (# GS-33F-035AA) for Schedule 48. In addition to local and long distance moving, Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. offers packing and unpacking services, short and long term storage, box pick-up and delivery, employee relocations, move management, antique receivership, and kitchen cabinet distribution. For more information, please call 781-488-3090 or visit http://bigfootmoving.wpenginepowered.com.

Pie In The Sky 2015!

Community Servings is a free, home‐delivery meals program for the acutely ill, their families and their caregivers throughout Massachusetts who are battling 35 types of illnesses including HIV/ AIDS, Cancer, Lupus, Diabetes and MS. Since 1989, Community Servings’ founding goals are to help clients maintain their health and dignity, provide nutritionally and culturally appropriate meals, preserve the integrity of their family… and send the message that someone cares.

Each pie we sell provides one week of healthy meals to a person in need.

This is my seventh year participating in this fundraiser as part of the Pie It Forward team — the number 1 pie selling team in 2011, 2012 and 2013. In 2014, my team sold 1501 pies! Thanks to many of you, I was one of the top 5 sellers last year.

Please consider purchasing a Thanksgiving pie ($28) in support of Community Servings. You can visit my personal donation page for more information and to place an order.

Click here to download more information about Pie In The Sky.

Sincerely,

Mike Bavuso

Big Foot Moving Assists the Government with transporting excess furniture to federal Job Corps Centers

Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. loaded (7) 53’ tractor trailers worth of dorm furniture from the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI and delivered it all flawlessly to the Westover Job Corps Center in Chicopee, MA last week. The transfer process, organized by the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO) and the Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk-Newport Detachment, started September 21, 2015 and was complete by October 8, 2015. The “old gym” at Westover Job Corps Center received 74 wood desks with carrel and office chair, 50 rolling chairs, 320 Captain’s beds with under storage drawers, and 150 nightstands, with a combined value of $87,600. Additional Job Corps Centers across New England and the Mid-Atlantic are scheduled to be receiving more excess furniture by Big Foot by years end. The Job Corps program provides career technical training and education programs for young people who are at least age 16 that qualify as low income. Students reside in dormitory facilities.

 

Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. Earns Esteemed 2014 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service.

Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. has earned the service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of service provided to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2014. Since 2009, this is Big Foot’s 6th consecutive year of winning the award.

Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. is a full service moving and storage company based in metro Boston, providing local and long distance services for residential, commercial, and government customers. President & CEO, Mike Bavuso, expressed his gratitude for this award, “We aim to provide exceptional customer service so it has been an honor to be recognized since 2009 with the Angie’s List Super Service Award because it is based on true feedback from the consumer. We understand the stress involved in moving and we do our best to build relationships with our clients”.

“Only about 5 percent of the moving and storage companies in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have performed so consistently well enough to earn our Super Service Award,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “It’s a really high standard.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2014 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade; the company must be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

About Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc.

Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. is a full service moving and storage company based in metro Boston, providing local and long distance services for residential, commercial, and government customers. Since its inception in 2001, Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. has garnered many awards for exceptional service including American Moving & Storage Association’s Enterprise Award for Small Movers 2014, Angie’s List Super Service Award 2009 through 2014, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award 2009, and Arlington Chamber of Commerce People’s Choice Award 2010. The company maintains an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau with tremendous feedback from its customers. Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. is fully licensed and insured as well as a GSA Contract Holder (# GS-33F-035AA) for Schedule 48. In addition to local and long distance moving, Big Foot Moving & Storage, Inc. offers packing and unpacking services, short and long term storage, box pick-up and delivery, employee relocations, move management, antique receivership, and kitchen cabinet distribution. For more information, please call 781-488-3090 or visit www.bigfootmoving.com