Telltale Signs It’s Time To Move Offices

Moving your office is a huge undertaking. Just like moving house can be incredibly stressful, moving your business to a new location has its fair share of challenges. Thankfully, moving offices is not something you’ll have to deal with too often.

According to a survey of 170 executives, 48.4% reported that they had only moved once in the past decade. And just 4.3% reported more than 4 moves in the same time period.

The biggest concern when moving offices will naturally be the impact on staff and productivity. Keeping disruption to a minimum is vital. But while the initial distraction might cause productivity to plummet, the novelty of a new office space can help your workers to bounce back quickly.

In the same survey, 52.2% of the respondents reported that loss of productivity was the biggest consequence of the move. But 45.3% of respondents said that they experienced a boost in morale as a result of their move. We recently wrote about the impact of an office move on workers if you'd like to learn more.

Outgrowing your office space is something that might not be immediately obvious. With this in mind, we decided to share this article outlining some telltale signs that it’s time to look for new business premises. Let us know in the comments on social media if you have any ideas to add to the list!

It’s getting cramped

If your staff are regularly fighting over meeting rooms, or if your new hires are sharing desk space with their colleagues, it might be a sign that you’ve outgrown your office. Everyone needs to have the space to create their best work. When your office is cramped, it doesn’t project the best look.

It might not be your employees that are fighting for space. If you have large equipment in your premises (here’s looking at you, manufacturing companies) then you might find that any business expansion leaves you feeling like a sardine. When this happens, it’s time to start looking for a bigger space so your business can flourish.

Problems with staff

Office politics can be magnified when your office is overcrowded. There comes a point when you have to weigh the benefits of moving over the costs of staying put. Your employees might be suffering from low morale and their output could suffer as a result.

There’s also the risk that workplace illnesses could spread more easily if too many people are crammed into a workplace. Resources like bathrooms, break rooms and kitchens can be overstretched if you expand your workforce without expanding your facilities.

Your location doesn’t suit

The London landscape is always changing. It’s common for similar businesses to clump together in the same location. If you’re not in the same place as similar businesses, you might feel like you’re missing out. Your location can easily become a part of your brand, and your business could suffer if your location doesn't project the image you want.

20 years ago, no one was looking for office space in Shoreditch, but it’s now one of the hottest postcodes in London for creative businesses. Moving to a more accessible location could also help you to widen your search when it comes to new hires.

Outdated design

There’s only so much you can do with an outdated office space. All of the decorative plants in the world can’t distract from a tired and dingy office. Modern office spaces prioritise things like natural light and fresh air, so it can be tempting to upgrade just to make the most of these simple perks.

Moving to a new office can help to boost productivity and encourage employee retention. According to a survey of 1000 UK office workers, 48% said that their work environment had a huge impact on whether or not they would stay with the same employer.

If you find yourself feeling a little twinge of embarrassment when you invite clients to your office, this can be a huge motivation to get moving. And new hires are far more likely to be drawn to a modern work environment.

Closing thoughts

While it’s true that your company might suffer a short term dip in productivity, the benefits of moving offices far outweigh the costs. The first step to a successful office move is to work with reputable London office movers to help you manage your move with ease. Get in touch today to get your quote!