Business costs can drive up beyond belief during times of upheaval. Often, it can be hard to settle down in a new area without spending half of the yearly budget in one go, and there’s no guarantee you’re going to make that kind of money back in the foreseeable future. Of course, you’ve planned and budgeted ahead to try and retain as much of your profits as possible, but the proof will only be in the amount of new custom you gain.
So, maybe you’re moving from a home business into a real office block, or maybe you’re taking your startup from an out of town area into a downtown business district. Either way, you’re needing to move on a budget! And here’s a couple of tips you might be able to put to use to keep the costs of your expansion down.
Move with Your Own Vehicle
Your own vehicle is going to be the cheapest option for moving office, seeing as you’ll only need to pay for the fuel, and not have to cover upfront fees or the distance and mileage costs of a rental company. If you’re moving from a small building or room in your house, you’re not going to have too much to move anyway! And you’ll be able to afford plenty of packaging materials as well, so there’s no worry over security either.
There’s no point forking out for a removal company when you can make a trip or two of your own for a lower price. You might even find a used Mercedes sprinter a good investment here; it can act as a company vehicle in the future, for ferrying or delivering anything to do with your business.
Focus on the Atmosphere
The atmosphere of your new office needs to be a comfortable one, and it’s the one thing you need to spend on, whilst you’ve got the budget to do so. It needs to be a place where you can breathe properly, with plenty of light and windows that can open. It needs to be a place with enough space to cram 10 or more people all at once, along with all of the equipment necessary to run a functioning office! And most of all, it needs to be a place that promotes a friendly attitude, and is personable by nature.
So get the windows cleaned, and unstuck, if they’re sealed closed. Change the curtains or blinds, and put up ones that allow plenty of sunlight in. Spend some money on the insulation as well, to make sure it’s never too hot or too cold to work. Paint the walls a new color! All together, this will only cost $500 at most, and when you’ve got a workable space, it’s a lot easier to budget for computers, chairs, desks etc.
Setting up an office on quite a low budget, because this is your first big move as a company, doesn’t have to be as hard as it seems. Just know your priorities!
