Relocating your business to the South is a great way to expand into a growing or revitalizing economy with lower costs of living on average. There are many thriving industries in southern states, from healthcare in Florida to film in Georgia. Tax structures are also often attractive in southern states, which is ideal for business owners. Regardless of what type of business you’re moving, you’ll want to be prepared in multiple ways to reduce stress and downtime.
Start a Moving Budget
Moving costs a lot of money, especially for businesses with large or fragile equipment. You will need to factor in transportation, new leasing costs, gas, and movers into your overall business expenses. Moving can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $30,000, depending on what you’re moving and how far you’re going. Call movers for quotes to get a budget started. You may need to finance your move or offer promotional sales to your clients to help fund it.
Hire Movers
Most businesses have a lot of vehicles and equipment to move, and it can be tricky for only one person to handle it all. Movers are a smart choice for most business owners, as you can even hire them to help you pack and unpack if desired. They’ll drive any extra vehicles or moving trucks you may need, too. There are even moving services that will drop off a storage container for you to fill. If you can fit movers into your commercial budget, they’re an excellent choice to save time and labor.
Inform Customers
If you plan to move away from your current customers, it’s a good business practice to let them know. Inform them of any last-minute sales or promotions, and thank them for their loyalty. If you’re familiar with your competition, you can even go above and beyond by recommending alternative local businesses to use.
Transfer Utilities and Insurance
Your current business likely has phone services, internet connections, utilities, and insurance policies. Not all insurance policies are reciprocal across state lines, so you should check each of your policies and get them updated. You will need to stop all utility services, such as water, gas, and electricity when you leave. You’ll then need to find utility services in the state you’re moving to and have them turned on in your name by the time you arrive to prevent delays. Don’t forget about your internet and phone services; they’re important tools to connect with clients.
Update Your Information
Your business address, phone number, and other relevant information will change with your move. To reduce customer confusion, you’ll need to update this information in many places.
Digital Presence
Your website, social media, and business listings will need to be updated with the new address and phone number. This includes email signatures, biography pages, advertisements, and business cards.
IRS
Tax rates and laws change between state lines. You should update your address information with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as soon as possible so you can pay adequate taxes on your business income.
Postal Service
You will want to file a change-of-address notice with the United States Postal Service. It may take time to update all of your contacts, banks, and bills of your move, so a change-of-address notice will automatically forward your mail from your old address to your new address while you get everything sorted.
Obtain or Renew Licensing
Depending on what southern state you relocate to, such as Alabama or Tennessee, you may need to obtain a general business license before resuming operations. If you already have one for your current state, it’s unlikely to be reciprocal, so you will need to apply for a new one. For certain businesses, like medical, electrical, or plumbing, you will likely require new licensing unless it is reciprocal in the state you move to. For example, certain medical licenses can allow physicians to practice in multiple states, and certain HVAC licenses are compatible with numerous states. Check your specific license and the state’s reciprocity rules to ensure your business can continue legally and smoothly. You may also need to take additional educational courses to obtain or renew a license, depending on your business and new location. In states like Georgia or Alabama, continuing education is required to renew an HVAC license or electrical license. For plumbers, you’ll need continuing education in Georgia but not Alabama, so it’s important to check laws for your specific trade and location.
Hire New Staff (If Applicable)
Unfortunately, you can’t take your staff members with you during long-distance moves. If you’re in need of new staff, you’ll want to get started with the hiring process straight away. Post online job listings and advertise you’re hiring at your physical location when you arrive.
Adapt Your Marketing Strategy
Marketing is one of the most important tools for the success of a business. If your marketing strategy isn’t updated to include your new target audiences in the south, you may struggle to find footing. For any local marketing efforts, update your location. You may need to change digital marketing keywords to cater to the southern markets better. You can hire a local marketing team to help you learn about your area’s most effective strategies.
Conclusion
Packing up your business and moving can be stressful and time-consuming, even if you’re excited about the new location. While moving to the South can be a smart strategic business choice, how you organize and handle the move will significantly impact your business’s success.
We hope you found this blog post on Checklist for a Hassle-Free Business Relocation to the South, useful. Be sure to check out our post on Tips For Managing a Business During an Office Relocation for more great tips!
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