Relocating a business is a challenge, as it requires careful planning and execution. From verifying license and insurance coverage to considering operational experience, several factors are to be kept in mind while choosing a moving firm.
Key Takeaways
- Check for general and special services and if they align with your requirements.
- A company must possess the necessary license while handling a commercial relocation.
- Ensure the pricing is fair and transparent to avoid surprise fees in the bill.
- Get estimates from multiple companies before finalizing one.
Moving is not just logistics. This involves lowering downtime, along with protecting company assets. Being a reputed business hub, commercial moving is common in Florida. Well, challenges like high-rise buildings, hurricane preparation, and strict rules make relocation concerning for businesses.
This article points out the key considerations behind selecting a commercial moving firm.
What Should I Check for in a Commercial Moving Company?
Here are the major aspects that you need to keep in mind while hiring a moving service for your office relocation.
Credentials and Legitimacy
When you are planning a relocation in Florida, you need to check the credentials of the moving company. The key aspects include:
USDOT Number: This refers to a unique identifier that is offered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for moving companies in Florida. This is required for every interstate move. Check their website or ask them for the USDOT number:
IM Registration: The IM Registration is a state-level requirement, and is especially applicable to intrastate moves. For instance, if you are moving from Fort Lauderdale to Tampa, the company must possess IM Registration. You can verify it through the FDACS (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services) “Check-A-Mover” tool.
Physical Presence: If you find that your chosen commercial business moving firm just has a P.O. Box and not any physical presence, it can be a scam. Choose the one with a brick-and-mortar office.
Insurance and Valuable Protection
You need to check insurance coverage. The key aspects are:
Coverage Type
Full value coverage refers to repairing, replacing, and offering cash settlement for damaged or lost items. Contrarily, released value protection is a coverage type where a limited compensation is paid by the moving firm, 60 cents per pound per article. Ask what insurance coverage the company offers before you hire.
Proof of Insurance
In Florida, most of the high-rise buildings will not allow any moving company without a specific Certificate of Insurance (COI). Request the company for it before signing. Here are the aspects that you need to check.
General Liability: There must be a minimum coverage of around $1,000,000. However, Class-A office buildings in Miami or Orlando now require $2,000,000 to $5,000,000 in Umbrella/General Liability. Check with the building management and tally the number with the commercial mover.
Workers’ Compensation: The movers must include workers’ compensation in case of an injury to one of their employees during the move. If the company does not cover this aspect, the liability of compensation might fall on the office that is moving.*
Cargo Insurance: If you have to move high-end office equipment, the standard ‘60 cents per pound’ is not sufficient. Try to obtain the full value protection in this case.
*Note: This does not include Liability Negligence, that is, injury caused to a mover due to hidden hazards within the office premises.
Specialized Services
The one thing that makes a residential moving firm different from a commercial office moving firm is that the latter offers some specialized services. The company you choose must be capable of technology-specific handling. Ask them whether they are experts in IT disconnection or reconnection.
When an office is relocating, numerous pieces of furniture and equipment are moved from one place to another. This makes specific packing requirements and tools like anti-static packing, rack disassembly tool, etc. Get clarity on the offered packing materials and storage solutions before you finalize a commercial mover.
Transparent Pricing and Quotes
Price is a non-negotiable factor when it comes to choosing a moving company. The key considerations to keep in mind are:
Evaluating Multiple Estimates: Before you hire a commercial business moving company, evaluate at least three estimates. Remember, the estimates must be in written format.
In-person Survey: Often, companies offer quotes over the phone without viewing your inventory. This is a scam because there is a high chance that the price might increase afterwards. Ask for an in-person survey before they offer a written quote.
Hidden Fees: Commercial moving companies often possess some hidden charges. For example, they might charge extra for long carriers, stairs, or elevators. Be clear about everything before you sign a contract.
Local Florida Expertise
Florida has a hot and humid summer and cold winters. This climatic condition creates obstacles for the relocation services. Hence, it’s better to choose a Florida-based company. Ask them whether they offer:
- Climate-controlled storage solutions.
- Moves delayed by a hurricane or tropical storm
- Protection against high UV exposure of sensitive equipment
- Protection against saltwater corrosion (especially if you’re moving toward/across the coast)
A key benefit of choosing a local firm is that they are familiar with the logistical ground. Like, they possess an adequate knowledge of city-specific permits, downtown traffic, and loading dock restrictions. This contributes to moving your office equipment from one location to another safely, conveniently, and on time.
Reputation and Reviews
Hiring a reputable commercial office moving company is important when you decide to move your business. Check customer reviews on Google, Yelp, or the Better Business Bureau to understand how reliable a firm is. This makes your decision-making easier.
You can also refer to any colleague or any known person who is engaged in office relocation presently. Ask which moving company was involved in the relocation.
Planning to Move Your Office?
Choose a renowned commercial moving company in Florida. Verify the services they offer. Interact with them to get a quote. Ensure a smooth relocation.
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