Price is only one of the major factors in choosing the right moving company. You want value, not just a good price. Before you choose, conduct a thorough evaluation of at least two or three similar companies. Look beyond the price. Consider at least seven additional factors: 1 Is the moving company reliable? a. Check on the firm's reputation and background. Seek input from each firm's former customers and suppliers. 2 Is the firm experienced? a. Has this moving company successfully handled moves similar to yours in size and type? 3 Is the proposal clear and complete? a. Does the moving company's proposal show exactly what is covered? Is everything clear to you? Are there things you need that are not listed and that may cost you extra? 4 Does the company communicate with you and listen well? a. You want to work with a company that understands your needs and make things easier. Choose a company that listens to you and clearly communicates. 5 Is the insurance coverage comprehensive? a. Things can go wrong even with the best moving company. Which firm has the most comprehensive insurance coverage? Is there an extra charge for the insurance you want?

After you choose a mover, sign the contract as soon as possible. As soon as you sign, a reliable moving firm will lighten your load by assisting you in planning your relocation. Commercial Moving Services 800 Marshall Phelps Road, Bldg 3 Windsor, CT 06095 860-688-6606 Page 2 of 9 Check Building Rules, Regulations and Access Your moving day will go smoothly and quickly if you practice some simple do’s and don’ts: Learn about any building access restrictions Are there any times during the day, or any days during the week, that moving is not allowed? Check your old building as well as your new building.

Secure elevators and loading areas availability Make sure you can have access to any elevators and loading areas you need at the times your mover will need them. This is equally important to check for both the building you are in now and the building you are moving into.

Get a commitment from any contractor who is preparing your new space that all the contractor's work will be completed 24 hours before you are scheduled to move in. You want the 24 hours so you can conduct a check before the move. This will help you avoid any delays or cancellation charges

Stuff happens. Think about any potential problems and have instructions on who to contact in case an emergency occurs. The fire department, building security and the elevator maintenance companies at each building should all be on your list. Inform everyone Inform contractors and other people who need advance notice of your move date. It's better to over-inform than to risk not telling someone who may need to know

Whatever date you have in mind for the move, talk it over with contractors, utility companies and anyone else who may be affected. Be sure they can commit to do what you need them to do on or before the date you need that task done. Contractors might include painters, paperhangers, carpet layers, plumbers, the telephone company, your internet technology provider and others. Unless the building management handles all of this, you must coordinate moving day with the completion of your new offices. Build a space use plan that's efficient A competent moving firm with years of commercial moving experience, such as CMS, LLC, will help you determine the most efficient use of space in your new office.

You want employees to be positive about the move. If you keep them informed and prepare them well, their move will go smoothly and their productivity will be higher. Generally, employees who have been informed of the relocation well in advance and who are given the right tools to make and adjust to the move, will cooperate fully. The information that is crucial for each employee includes:

• Date of move

• Exact street address

• Telephone number

• Directions to the new location

• Public transportation options

• Parking facilities

• Lunch and dinner options

• Building access hours and procedure If you are moving to a new building just for your firm, include a map of the building showing locations of the copy center, mail room, lunch room, supply area, and other areas commonly used by many employees. Is your company fairly large with many different departments? Then for efficiency, assign one person from each department to coordinate that department's preparations for the move. Choose someone who is outgoing, positive and helpful. Assign a person to handle the distribution of keys or security cards to authorized personnel. Think about the major questions employees may have about the move and answers those questions in writing well in advance. An e-mail message or print document sent to everyone works well.

Have an assistant compile a list of every piece of paper and electronic communication that lists your street address. Have the old address changed to the new one a few business days before the move. Ideally, all your business communications -- from letterheads to statements; website to e-newsletter -- should be updated. Always carefully check the new address and phone number on the new pieces. One wrong letter or number might mean missing a critical message. If you cannot revise every piece at once, do those that are the most widely used first. Have a schedule to get the changes made on the less frequently used communications within a few weeks.

To keep your bills low, be sure to have your utilities turned off on the right date and have every service up and ready the day before you'll need them at the new building. Notify water, gas and electricity providers, unless they are covered under your lease. Be sure to tell them the date on which you want the service switched. Talk to janitorial services, trash removal and your alarm or security system company. If your alarm and security system services are handled by building management, you don\'t have to worry about this. But if your business is contracting with a security system company now and expects to use them at your new location, have them visit your new building early.

Your computers or other electronic equipment may need to be serviced by the vendor\'s representative before the move.

This might include:

• Computers, monitors and servers

• Copiers

• Printers

• Fax machines

• Mailing machines

• Lab equipment Is there other machinery and equipment that requires servicing before a move? Ask the vendor representative or ask Commercial Moving Services. We're happy to help.

Other people or businesses you may have to notify are:

• A locksmith (if keys are not supplied by the building management)

• Your insurance company

• The post office (to assure mail delivery, tell them at least 1 week prior to the move)

• Circulation departments of any newspapers and magazines o they need 4-6 weeks notice

You want to move away from your building – you don't want to move away from your customers and suppliers. Be sure customers and suppliers know when the move will take place and how to find you at any time – before, during and after the move. With suppliers, allow about two weeks for your move information to go through channels and reach their mailroom. Suppliers who ship to you regularly could hold you responsible for re-consignment charges unless you give them plenty of notice of your change of address.

Help Customers and Clients Move with You Your customers deserve an attractive, clear, well-thought-out notification. They'll want to know when you are moving, where you are moving and how you to reach you. One creative way we've seen companies do this is by sending out as a postcard a plain piece of cardboard with the move information written on one side. Emphasize the positive. If you're moving because the company is growing and needs more space, say so. If the move will allow you to provide additional services to your customers, tell them.

Complete, clear instructions on who will pack what and who will move what will keep lost work time to a minimum. Here are some general guidelines that work well for most companies.

1 Make each employee responsible for his or her own preliminary packing. Arm them with detailed packing instructions like those below. 2 With Commercial Moving Services, unless you make other arrangements, your employees will perform packing and unpacking. Our experience shows this works best.

3 Successful moves require that only professional moving personnel and anyone else involved directly with the move be present during the actual move. You don't want too many people trying to do too many things on moving day.

4 Your employees should pack up all their things, label the boxes clearly and then leave the actual move to your moving company.

5 Larger companies should assign a move coordinator for each department.

Your coordinators will be trained by Commercial Moving Services so they can answer employees' basic moving questions, show employees how to pack, and serve as good will ambassadors for the move.

Packing Instructions (Note: Your instructions may vary, depending on your circumstances) Please read these packing and moving instructions carefully. Following them will assure that all of your work area equipment and supplies will arrive at your work station on time and in good shape.

1 Commercial Moving Services will provide you with either cardboard totes or plastic crates depending upon your needs. If you do not receive a supply of each in your work station, or if you need more, please see the move coordinator for your department.

2 Have your move coordinator show you the proper way to pack and stack the crates. Your move coordinator will also show you how to assemble the cardboard moving cartons. Both crates and cartons have advantages and specific uses. For ease of packing and speed of moving, the crates are more desirable.

3 Your office must be completely packed in the crates and cartons by the designated time of your move.