Planning a long-distance commercial relocation can be challenging for a number of reasons, not least the confusing nature of the national moving scene. The industry is dominated by local residential movers and by Van Line organizations.

These are networks that are created primarily for the purpose of moving people’s homes. It’s a common and potentially costly error to assume that these networks are equipped to handle commercial moves. Major van lines, for example, are focused on helping people cross state lines and make big interstate moves. Most of them have very little aptitude for commercial moves.

Commercial Moving: A Fragmented Industry

If you look more narrowly at commercial relocation, the industry is surprisingly fragmented. Again, it’s made up mostly of local and regional service providers, which typically lack the resources and experience to accommodate relocation projects with a larger scope. Note, too, that commercial relocation is a second business for most moving companies; and that a regional supplier may be great in one market but atrocious in another. Consistency can be hard to come by in the national moving scene.

Indeed, suppliers often exhibit dramatic variation in terms of:

  • Expertise
  • Experience
  • Resources
  • Technology
  • Project management skill
  • Sophistication

Navigating Local Markets Can Be Difficult

At the same time, it can be hard for your business to navigate the national commercial mover landscape on their own, as most national locations lack a local presence to help answer questions or provide assurance. This will force a business to manage their projects from a distance.

Trying to manage a commercial relocation remotely can be inopportune, for more reasons than one. Consider:

  • Travel expenses can compound quickly.
  • Local markets have their own specific nuances that can be hard to parse.
  • Understanding local labor relations can be especially tricky. In any given area, collective bargaining agreements can impact work rules and restrictions, what services the movers can provide, and whether the movers can provide their services at a specific property.
  • Also note that local movers may or may not have specific skill sets, such as moving technology, relocating laboratory equipment, or furniture installation. In some markets it may be possible to hire a single moving supplier, while in other markets it is necessary to hire multiple suppliers.
  • Even the terminology and methodologies used in different markets can vary, causing confusion or frustration for those simply trying to identify the right relocation partner.

It’s also worth noting that managing a relocation remotely can be quite a bit more time-consuming than managing a local move. Well-established processes for routine projects at home do not apply to remote projects. It can be especially difficult to execute short-notice projects, because of additional process steps, managing new suppliers, juggling multiple suppliers, and other unknowns.

And that’s to say nothing of the time-consuming nature of vetting and selecting suppliers remotely; even with due diligence, it can be hard to truly ascertain a mover’s level of aptitude, to evaluate a moving plan, or to properly assess an estimate.

Corovan is a Leader in Nationwide Moves

For decades, Corovan has been the most trusted name in large-scale commercial moves. We are uniquely equipped to walk clients through their options, to explain moving plans, and to furnish easy-to-understand estimates for clients anywhere in the country. We can also provide guidance for clients looking to better understand the particularities of a given market.

The national moving scene can be confusing, but at Corovan, we offer clarity. To find out more, we welcome you to contact us directly.