9 Questions You Should Ask Office Removalist Companies Before Booking

Moving an entire office is no small feat. To ensure your company’s relocation goes smoothly and efficiently when that growth spurt or lease ends, the office removalists in Melbourne you select plays a critical role.

The office removalists you entrust to transport your vital business property, technology, files, fragile valuables and other items should prove experienced, reliable and equipped to handle the job fully. Don’t just book the first removalist company that shows up in search results without digging deeper. Asking key qualifying questions upfront helps you secure the ideal help for your upcoming office move.

What Questions Should You Ask Office Removalists?

When reaching out to solicit bids or quotes from prospective office removalists, inquiry about the following to determine which provider best fits your needs:

Are you experienced handling office relocations?

Ask specifically about their experience moving offices – not just general furniture and residential moves. Expert office removalists have different processes and specialised skills in safely packing electronics, servers, cubicle systems, multiple large workstations, industry-specific equipment and volumes of sensitive files/records. Also ask about specific types of office moves they have extensive experience with such as multi-floor offices, industrial warehouses, hospitals, legal practices etc. if applicable.

What is your track record on safety?

Any items damaged or mishandled during an office move slows down operations – sometimes critically in cases of lost data or broken specialised machines. An office removalist in Melbourne that details solid processes, protocols and requirements for safe handling of items likely has a proven internal safety record. Also ask if they thoroughly background check and drug test employees and what employee training certifications they require.

What packing supplies and moving equipment is utilised?

Savvy office removalists invest in premium packing materials including durable boxes, custom crates, thick padding/wrap and specialised containers to securely transport electronics, servers, copiers and fragile/heavy specialty items. Also inquire about their fleet of moving vehicles – are box trucks climate controlled and do they have lift gates? Obtain a full list of their equipment to ensure it aligns with items needing safely relocated.

Do you offer insurance options?

Even responsible office removalists in Melbourne conducting moves fully “by the book” can’t prevent every possible mishap. Ask what forms of value protection or transit insurance options the removalist provides should any possessions become damaged or lost. Also confirm how they handle insurance claims if issues arise. You shouldn’t assume your office or business insurance policies provide coverage.

Can I see sample previous moving plans?

The more strategic the plan going into an office relocation from mapping out timetables, pack/label systems, equipment needs etc., the more systematic the physical move execution becomes. Ask to view templates or samples of move plans/timelines from previous similar office moves to understand how detailed they plan. A skilled office removalist tracks every phase on paper before crews arrive on moving day.

Can any moving services be customised?

While office removalists in Melbourne typically handle the heavy lifting involved with packing and transporting office possessions, additional services needed may include:argspecialty crating for large tech hardware, uninstalling/reinstalling systems, removing debris, providing temporary storage, resetting large workstations or cubicles and assisting with unpacking on move-in day if client hands are limited. Clarify what add-ons they provide.

What are your costs and payment terms?

Obviously for most, price plays a factor when selecting from removalists bidding for your business move contract. Be wary of costs that come in drastically lower than other estimates which signal potential understaffing or cut corners. Also understand what impacts final costs such as add-on services required, projected man hours, volume/trips needed to relocate you fully etc. before signing agreements. Don’t get stuck with major hidden fees!

What is your process for protecting confidential records and sensitive data during a move?

For companies like law firms, financial services organizations, and healthcare providers that handle volumes of private records, keeping confidential documents secure should be a major concern. Inquire specifically what processes, equipment, staff training, and accountability measures a potential removalist has in place to safeguard sensitive paper documents and data storage devices in transit. Having assurances around maintaining confidentiality matters.

Can you provide client references we can contact?

Rather than just taking sales pitches and promotional materials at face value, ask removalists bidding for your contract to provide firsthand references. Speaking directly with 3-5 recent past office clients gives helpful insights on gauging quality of service. Inquire specifically about their attentiveness to detail, timeliness, staff professionalism, property safety records, and overall value delivered based on cost during office moves.

The Bottom Line

Your office environs houses the tangible elements allowing your company to operate daily. Trusting removal to the right office removalists in Melbourne secures your empire while relocating. Ask probing questions upfront to determine which office removalist service makes moving your mountain of furnishings, files and facilities most turnkey. Quality moving partners help open your next chapter seamlessly so you re-enter doors without missing a beat!