Moving your Bronx office: how to expand your business the right way
Expanding your business sometimes comes naturally. However, sometimes moving your Bronx office to a larger space and orienting towards other markets and services is the only way to save it from failing. If your business has grown to a point where the only logical step is to expand it, then you will have an easier time than when expansion is the only way to save it. Still, whatever your situation is, organizing the whole moving process will be equally as hard and important as providing your business opportunity for growth. Luckily, for you, there are many great movers and packers NYC businesses used for these kinds of situations. So at least, you will have good support and proper assistance during the moving process. Now, let’s take a look at how to move and expand your business the right way.
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Scan for locations – find the best place for your new office
Are you moving your Bronx office to a larger space or are you thinking about adding an additional space? Whatever the case, opening a new office will require the same amount of planning and consideration as when you first started your business. And, one of the first and most important things that you have to think about is the location. Of course, if your business solely depends on foot traffic, location will be more important than when you are, for example, providing some types of online services. Still, in that case, as well, you will want to get to know your Bronx neighborhoods and NYC zoning requirements and find the best possible location for your business. Here are some of the best locations in Bronx to open an office right now. Check them out when you are scouting for a new location:
- Westchester Ave, Unionport
- Grand Concourse, Fordham, the Clock Tower building
- Webster Ave, Belmont
- Bruckner Blvd, Port Morris
- 3rd Ave, Morrisania
- Metropolitan Avenue, Parkchester
- Woodycrest Ave, High Bridge
- Hoe Ave, Foxhurst
- E Fordham Rd, Fordham
- Willis Ave, Mott Haven
Make a solid financial plan
Once you find a perfect location to move your Bronx office, or add a new one to your growing business, it is time to look at the finance. This is especially important if you are adding a new location to your growing business. So the first question to ask yourself is whether your old location is capable of supporting another. At least for the first couple of months. If that is the case, then great! If not, you should look at some of the available financing options like SBA financing, getting a bank loan, or maybe even attracting angel investors. Whatever you choose, it is important that you do this before you start searching for good office movers NYC offers and actually moving your Bronx office. If you decide on a small business loan, check out:
- Bronx Small Business Development Center
- Spring Bank
- Muth Capital, LLC
- Hudson Funding
- Bronx Chamber of Commerce
Will you be able to run two offices at the same time?
Another important thing that you will have to think about before you start searching for Bronx moving company and moving to a new space is whether both of your offices will be capable of running without you. You cannot be at two locations at the same time. And going back and forth on a daily basis is not feasible for an extended period of time. Not to mention that is not financially viable. So make sure that you think this through before you start moving your Bronx office and expanding your business.
Create a business plan for your new Bronx office
One of the things that will help you a lot in this process is making a business plan for your new office location. It is one of the most important Small Business Administration (SBA) recommendations as well. Of course, this plan should be suitable for the new location and should be different from when you first started your business. So if you are, for example, moving from Manhattan to Bronx, plan your advertising strategy, sales goals, dealing with competition, or which payment methods your business will accept. If you are not sure how to create a business plan from the scratch, The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) provides free courses that can teach you how to create a business plan. In the end, it is important to get feedback on your newly developed business plan. And you can ask SBS to help you with that as well.
Check out the legal requirements for opening a business in Bronx
If you are already running a business in NYC, you are probably aware of the legal requirements for opening a business in Bronx. Nevertheless, it is good to remind yourself about the process so you can avoid violations and fines that are not uncommon when you are opening a new office in Bronx. Here are the things that you need to do before you start moving your Bronx office:
Choose a legal structure for your business
If your business is Corporation, Limited Liability Company, or Limited Partnership you will need to register with New York State. If on the other hand, your business is structured as a Legal Partnership or Sole Proprietorship, you will have to register at Bronx County Clerk’s Office located at 851 Grand Concourse, Rm. 118.
Apply for EIN
If you do not already have one, apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). This is also known as the Federal Tax ID Number but if you are a sole proprietor check whether you can use your Social Security Number as an alternative.
Register as a Sales Tax Vendor
You will also have to register as a Sales Tax Vendor. NYS Department of Taxation and Finance requires this in order to sell products and services.
Get proper insurance
Research required insurance. Usually, you will need workers’ compensation, liability, and disability insurance. Or even some other types required for permits and licenses as well as protecting you from loss or lawsuits.
Consult with your lawyer before signing a lease
Before signing a lease for your new office space, it would be good to get legal assistance. Talk to your lawyers before you sign it. Let them check all terms in the agreement to make sure everything is legal and that the lease doesn’t have any hidden terms that could cause you problems in the future.
Maybe you will need a Place of Assembly Permit
Get a Place of Assembly Permit in case your business will host more than 75 people on certain occasions. Of course, this is required only for some types of businesses. And only in the case of hosting events.
Schedule pre-opening inspection for your new Bronx office
Before you open a new office in Bronx, you will have to schedule a pre-opening inspection. This includes the NYC Department of Health (DOH) and the NYC Fire Department (FDNY).
Do your employees have all required permits and licenses?
When you are opening a new office in Bronx, you need to make sure that your employees also have permits and licenses appropriate for your business. If you want, you can use a step-by-step tool that will help you assemble a list of requirements your business needs.
Set up everything so you can recycle
When you are running an office in Bronx, you will have to recycle. So make sure that you set everything up properly in this regard in order to avoid violations and fines. If you are not sure how to do it, you can find a top of materials online, watch videos, and attend webinars NYC Department of Small Business Services organizes to learn more about it.
Hang worker protection and other notifications around your new office
Protecting your workers is one of the most important tasks that you will have to complete when running a business. In that regard, the NYC Department of Small Business Services requires you to post worker protection posters in order to follow Federal as well as New York State requirements. Besides worker protection posters, you are also obliged to post prices, refund policy, and other signs that the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs requires.
Display your licenses and you can start working
And that is all you really need to know about opening a new office in Bronx. Of course, maybe you already know all this since you were running a business already. Nevertheless, it is good to remind yourself about them before you start moving your Bronx office and expanding your business. Once you finish with all the paperwork, all you need to do is to display licenses and required posters, make sure that you give your customers clear receipts and invoices, and pay your taxes.
Prepare a thorough plan for moving your Bronx office
That is all you need to know about opening a new office in Bronx. If you are already running a business and you simply want to move it to a more prosperous location, you will need to plan everything well before you start searching for commercial movers Bronx has to offer. In business, time is money, so you will want to be as efficient as possible in order to avoid delays and downtime that could cost you a lot. So sit down and plan your move before anything else.
Offer your employees relocation packages
If you are moving your office to a more distant location, you will have to think about your employees as well. Moving a business can have a big impact on your workers’ private life. So you will have to find a way to attract them to follow you. And the best thing to do is to offer them certain relocation packages that will make the moving process easier for them.
Give your employees tasks in order to lower your moving costs
Employees that will continue working for you, should participate in the moving process. Relocation can be expensive, and one of the best ways to lower that cost is to handle the part of the job on your own. For example, packing and decluttering are jobs that your workers can do. Someone should also sort out your paperwork before moving. For this, employ your most trusted employees. Let them go through all the papers you have in your office, remove the outdated and unimportant documents, and properly prepare important ones for relocation.
Get rid of worn-out furniture and equipment
Every office has worn-out furniture or pieces of equipment. So, one of your first tasks when relocating your Bronx office is to get rid of the junk. Maybe, with moving, you also plan to redesign your business and give is a new look altogether. If that is the case, you will have a much harder task. So, you can donate your old furniture and equipment, or even better, sell them. Of course, selling your items takes time. And you do not have time to waste. So, the best thing to do is to find some good and affordable storage Bronx has to offer, put your items there for the time being, and concentrate on more important issues.
Find reliable commercial movers to help you relocate your Bronx office
Finally, you will need to find a reliable moving company to help you. Business relocation can be tricky and complicated. And in order to minimize the downtime that is inevitable, you will need some well-organized and experienced commercial movers. Luckily, Bronx has a wide selection of commercial moving professionals that will know how to help you in this situation.
Relocating your office is not easy but it can be very beneficial
And that is it. As you can see, there are a lot of things that you need to consider before moving your Bronx office. You will need a good plan and strategy if you want to successfully expand your business. Hopefully, this article helped you comprehend the task in front of you.