Moving home, moving office

[sam_leader]

.... is hard!

This month I've gone from being in denial the fact we're moving (from Sydney to northern NSW) to feeling a vague sense of panic at the amount there is to do, and finally the last week has been a frenzy of activity.

I've found work people really understanding when I explain that I'll be offline for a week or so while I make the move. As I've stated a million times before, it's all about establishing expectations. I'd so rather be honest than keep them in the dark and leave them wondering "Why hasn't Sam responded to my call/email?"

The first thing I did on finding out we'd secured the home is to install a new phone line and Internet connection. I'm using a local business for the latter. It's a bit pricier, but if I have any dramas logging in I get to chat with the guy down the road, rather than get stuck on hold for an hour to talk to someone in a different timezone.

I'm forever moaning about call centres, so thought I'd better support this local guy. Because if you're not part of the solution, right?

By the time you read this I'll be on the road, with a one year old, for twelve hours, working hard to stop the tears. Hers and mine, obviously.

So spare me a thought, won't you?

[Devan]

Best of luck Sam!

We moved house AND office at the same time earlier this year (New house, plus relocated our office from the city to said house), and it was definitely one of the biggest challenges we faced.

As long as you have planned for all the little details, such as internet, phone, new contact numbers, web site, letterheads, business cards etc. then you should be fine.

Cheers,
Devan

[phoneplans.com.au]

Good luck with the move Sam. There are times when a 5 minute car ride around the corner can be a nightmare with a screaming child....I hope your 12 hours is not one of those times!

Your post reminded me of something that's not directly relevant to your situation, but may help other business owners who are moving office. If a business is moving out of their local phone exchange the common wisdom is that they are required to get new phone numbers. If the old number is important (as it invariably is) then it is set up on a redirection. Sometimes for a short period and sometimes indefinitely which can be costly at about $25 per month plus calls. What most business owners don't realise is that some networks can relocate your phone number across phone exchange boundaries. It is dependent on them having their own equipment at your new phone exchange and your old and new locations being not too far apart - usually within the same metro area i.e within the suburbs of a capital city.

The providers with their own networks like Primus and Optus who I have seen do this, may have a requirement for a minimum number of lines and some other limitations. But I think it's an option that many businesses don't know about and could save time, hassle and expense in many cases.

LJ

[@HeatherSmithAU]

Baby photos are lovely!

[MissieK]

All the best with the move. We moved house last year & I ended up being offline for 2 months!!! I hope your move goes smoother than ours

Melissa

[kathiemt]

I'm envious Sam. I have a real hankering to shift further out from the city and move to a quieter place with more space, i.e. 1/2 an acre would be really nice.

I expect if/when we do this I might experience similar feelings and my utmost anxiety will be about getting reconnected asap - for me 24 hours will be far too long :-)

[BlackMax]

Sam, I've only just moved around the corner from you!

As you know, we moved house and office a few months ago and luckily had only 2-3 days offline. Communication to customers and work partners is the key. If they expect not to be able to contact you it's usually not a problem.

Best of luck on your move.

[JohBD]

Sam good luck with the move.

I move with an 18-month-old a few days before Christmas last year and it's definitely not as easy as when it's just the two of you!

Now with another baby due in late January I'll be moving out of my office so he/she has a room. We originally thought we'd convert our garage into an office/play room but with only eight weeks to go until the baby arrives I don't think that's happening. I might be at the dining table for a while!

Enjoy the change in pace in northern NSW. One of the reasons I love living on the Central Coast (only just outside Sydney) if the relaxed lifestyle, especially weekends when we can head off to the beach in five minutes, but sit in traffic for an hour to get there!

[The Office Witch]

Again, it is all about organising ahead!

Every time I move, I make sure that get the phone line, electricity, gas, etc. connected a couple of days before the actually moving day.

Sure, it cost me extra with overlapping payment, pay here and pay there but at least when I arrive to the new place everything is in working order.

[kathiemt]

Originally Posted by The Office Witch

Again, it is all about organising ahead!

Every time I move, I make sure that get the phone line, electricity, gas, etc. connected a couple of days before the actually moving day.

Sure, it cost me extra with overlapping payment, pay here and pay there but at least when I arrive to the new place everything is in working order.

Wise move. After 14 years in our home we're thinking of shifting further out where it's quieter and more peaceful. And yes, having online connectivity will be one of the first things on my agenda. I couldn't bear not being online for more than 24 hours.