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Move Consultants – how to hire and what you buy when you hire

Renee McNiel, PMP - noemail@cmcimove.com — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:00:00 GMT

If you have never hired a move consultant or you don’t know what one is, this is the article for you! A move consultant is an organized, drill-sergeanty type of human being or group who really cares about your company, your company’s bottom line and how to get the company efficiently from Point A to Point B while ensuring you stay in business as long as possible. No small feat you say… and it is true.

Hiring a move consultant really is an easy thing to do. First, you will want to do a little homework. Your homework should include looking up moving consultants in your area. Second, ask around about move consultants. While I would not say you need to hire someone to vet this out for you, I would say a few prudent conversations with your friends, architects, property managers and brokers would get you a number of names. Call these companies, ask for referrals and check them out. Find out how they saved their clients money and time. If a move consultant is doing their job, they will save you time, save you money and make you look like the expert in your organization for having hired them. Here in Houston a moving company on a large move is likely to cost between $800 and $1000 per hour. It is imperative that you have someone with experience at the helm or you will end up with a very large bill and possible chaos in your new space come opening day. Interview your top two or three picks. If you are planning a large move, it is important that you like who you are hiring and feel like they are a fit with your company. It is also important that you know they know every pitfall and the solution for any issues that may arise. I would suggest coming up with a few scenarios and testing them out in your interview process. Further, ask for references around the scenarios they are discussing and call those companies for their take. One thing to avoid is anyone who will not be present on move day. When you hire a move consultant, you want them there for the weekend, day or night to guarantee that your goods are properly handled from beginning to end. If someone tries to hand you a book to tell you how to do it, be wary – you want the help and the expertise of the real consultant, not the one in the book who may or may not have conducted a move!

Following are a number of additional reasons to hire a move consultant:

1. Time - Your time is really better focused on what you do for a living. The move consulting wheel has been invented and you don’t need to try to figure it out while continuing to do your full time job, as this will be another full time job.

2. Processes - In addition to wanting their processes, you want their experience with those processes. While some move consultants provide purely scheduling, others go into great detail for every little thing associated with your business. They look at everything and make certain that all of your things are accounted for in “to do” lists. They then track those lists (and things) all the way to the new space.

3. Planning - The move consultant should make sure all things fit according to the plan. Not every consultant does this so you need to make sure yours does. It is imperative that everything you are sending to the new space fits and that you know it fits before you get it the room. This will save you time and money.

4. RFP’s (request for proposals) - A good move consultant will have all the RFP’s you need to conduct your move. They will take a template and hone it to fit your needs for a number of services including your mover, your shelving vendor, deinstallation/reinstallation of computer equipment and/or crate rental. The big one here is the mover RFP. It is imperative that it be written for exactly the elements on your job. Are you moving files, is the mover packing the files, and are the file cabinets being moved loaded –can the file cabinets be moved loaded safely and without damage? There are a number of items to be considered and most of all, you want an RFP to reflect that reality and get you a good number. Your move consultant will write mover contract directly to you and then oversee that contract making sure that the mover comes in on or under their proposed amount. A good RFP will ensure no “scope creep” and no surprises when the bill comes due.

5. Experience – A move consultant will have encountered broken elevators, broken down trucks, floods, fires, delinquent movers, etc. One of the more stressful activities a person can perform in their career is managing their companies move. All eyes are on you with the expectation that you will keep your company running as long as possible.

In a nutshell, you want and should have it all. A good move consultant will be concerned with all your pain points – furniture planning, movers, computers, communications, all the way down to the coffee and paper clips. You want someone with know how who cares about you and your bottom line. Good luck on your next move, I recommend hiring a move consultant so that you can keep on moving on!

Renee McNiel, PMP, has been a Move Consultant for twenty-one years. She has managed the moves of 3 people all the way to 5000 people for her corporate, institution and hospital clients. She owns Corporate Move Consulting Inc. in Houston, Texas.

10-Mar-10 10:00 PM

The Green Move - originally featured in International Facilities Management Association Houston Chapter newsletter and also featured in the Spring 2008 newsletter of IFMA - www.ifma.org

Renee McNiel - noemail@cmcimove.com — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 19:00:00 GMT

A corporate move is a challenging event for Facilities Managers in that it typically happens at the tail end of a major construction project handled by that same Facilities Manager. While more and more corporations are considering or opting for sustainable environments, the same choices hold true in the world of relocation. There are a number of ways to green your move such as; cleaning out prior to the move, recycling electronic equipment, using environmentally conscience building materials, utilizing crates and purchasing carbon credits.

There are pieces of the relocation puzzle that will aid in minimizing the amount of paper storage and thereby save on your square feet and will also save on your need for shelving to accommodate that paper. One method of saving space and saving dollars is by implementing a trash day prior to your move. Incorporate into that day, the information needed to effectively throw away what needs to be trashed versus items that legally must be kept with regard to records, logs, books, etc. Including your records retention information with trash day information will make employees more comfortable about actually throwing away unnecessary documents, etc. For a small investment in lunch, shredding containers, trash bins and a cleaning crew, your savings in both your footprint and your move can easily be realized.

Another issue for the sustainable conscientious is what to do with electronics that are no longer of use. There are a number of companies that offer services to recycle your computers and cell phones. Further, it is important to make sure that we are not throwing computers and cell phones into land fills. Here is an exert from the US Geological Survey website: "The metals contained in PC's commonly include aluminum, antimony, arsenic , barium , beryllium, cadmium , chromium , cobalt, copper, gallium, gold, iron, lead , manganese, mercury , palladium, platinum, selenium , silver , and zinc. Eight of these metals (shown in bolded type) are listed as hazardous by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), one of the Federal laws that control the disposition of waste in the United States. This law prohibits companies from incinerating some types of electronic scrap or disposing of it into municipal landfills."

On a recent project, I had a client who needed to get rid of a number of computers and a few servers. I called United Way to inquire about what they might do. Here in Houston, the United Way has a recycle program called Gifts in Kind wherein IBM technicians wipe the computers clean and United Way provides the computers back out to non-profit organizations.

Unless you have had a vendor provide you information on sustainable products in the relocation industry, it is not likely that you would have considered them or have even known they were out there. When it is time to consider relocation vendors, it is also time to consider the products they may or may not bring. If you are affiliated with a corporation who moves regularly (restacks), it is a good idea to consider purchasing or renting building protection materials. When considering building protection, you may want to include coroflex – a plastic material that is typically 4’ X 8’ and can be reused. Coroflex is used to protect your walls - it is large to store but really provides the protection of your walls where you need. There are also quilted pads for doors and elevators that can be purchased or specified in your bid requirements.

In addition to reusable building materials there are also a product for packing that is reusable - a moving crate. According to Rentacrate, a plastic moving crate saves our resources because they are reusable for a minimum of ten years and there are no logging of trees in making crates. Crates can be purchased for those continually restacking, be specified in your moving bid requirements or can be rented through a crate rental company. The return on investment on utilizing crates is in labor savings on your move and in knowing that you have not contributed to the further logging of trees to create moving boxes. Additionally, you are saving on the number of truckloads. With a box move, you would move 338 cubic feet per truck whereas utilizing crates, you could move 600 cubic feet per truck. Crates come with dollies and are packed by the end user with the dolly underneath. When the moving crew arrives, there is no loading/unloading of boxes on to dollies, it is already done – saving labor and time – and thereby, your money. A crate is twice the size of a typical moving box (boxes are 1.5 cubic feet and crates are 3.0 cubic feet), which will assist in ensuring that the end user unpack as crates take up more room in their offices.

Another possibility is to purchase carbon credits to off-set the CO2 emissions of the moving trucks. Wilkipedia defines carbon credits as follows:

“Carbon credits are a key component of national and international emissions trading schemes. They provide a way to reduce greenhouse effect emissions on an industrial scale by capping total annual emissions and letting the market assign a monetary value to any shortfall through trading. Credits can be exchanged between businesses or bought and sold in international markets at the prevailing market price. Credits can be used to finance carbon reduction schemes between trading partners and around the world.

There are also many companies that sell carbon credits to commercial and individual customers who are interested in lowering their carbon footprint on a voluntary basis. These carbon offsetters purchase the credits from an investment fund or a carbon development company that has aggregated the credits from individual projects. The quality of the credits is based in part on the validation process and sophistication of the fund or development company that acted as the sponsor to the carbon project. This is reflected in their price; voluntary units typically have less value than the units sold through the rigorously-validated Clean Development Mechanism.”

Carbon credits can be purchased at a number of companies. I spoke to Terra Pass and they said on a 25,000 square foot move, the cost of the carbon credit off-set would be about $11. This cost is to off-set one metric ton of CO2 emissions created by the moving company trucks.

At the 2007 IFMA World Workplace Conference, the topic most discussed was sustainability. The relocation industry has changed in the last decade and is striving to ensure it meets the needs of its most important client – the Facilities Manager. By including the items discussed here, you can save the earth’s resources, assist in your sustainability program and goals and save your corporation money.

Companies who provide crates:

*New Haven Moving and Equipment – www.newhaven.com

*Rentacrate, Inc. – www.rentacrate.com

Tyga Box – www.tygabox.com

* - companies who also provide building protection

Companies who provide computer disposal:

Capital Asset Recovery – www.capasset.com

Rentacrate – www.rentacrate.com

Companies who provide shredding services:

Rentacrate – www.rentacrate.com

Shred-it – www.shredit.com

To purchase carbon credits:

Carbonfund – www.carbonfund.org

Native Energy – www.nativeenergy.com

Terra Pass – www.terrapass.com

29-Jan-08 1:00 PM

Crates versus boxes

Renee Lesley-McNiel - noemail@cmcimove.com — Tue, 09 May 2006 14:00:00 GMT

To use crates or boxes, that is the question! As a move consultant for 15 years, I was sceptical when the crate vendor came to call. She told us that utilizing crates on a move would save us money. All I could go back to was the simple math - they cost more money, how could you possibly save my clients money when the cost of a crate is more than the cost of a box? She kept insisting that the savings was in the labor. Being the cynic, I politely requested that she prove it and preferrably, at her cost. She did!

I know that it seems unbelievable, but crates will save you money on the labor side of the move. The fact is, the movers no longer have to touch every box. When the movers show up at the job site, the crates are on the dollies. The labor savings is phenomenal and so is the rate at which your belongings will be moved. You will be in your new space at lightning speed.

Another way crates will save you is - safety. Simply put, crates are easier on your back both to pack and to move out of your way. My clients love them.

I know there are times when boxes have to be utilized. When they do not, I highly recommend utlizing crates while saving your back and your money.

9-May-06 9:00 AM

A Tale of Two Buildings (from Legal Times)

E. Pete Karelis - noemail@cmcimove.com — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 22:00:00 GMT

Moving to a new office wasn’t just a headache—it was an opportunity.

Every office move is a critical time for an information technology department. Unsuccessful office relocations can mean work disruption, angry clients, and lost billings. Successful moves, on the other hand, will go unnoticed by your clients.

Office moves can also be a good opportunity to revisit your IT infrastructure, and ensure that your technology is ready to meet the future needs of your firm.

Venable recently relocated our D.C. office to our new flagship facility at Terrell Place on 7th Street, N.W. The move took place during the last two weekends of September 2003.

More than 290 employees moved on the first weekend, with the remaining 195 employees moving on the second weekend. And being a law firm, all systems absolutely needed to be 100 percent available on both Monday mornings following the moves. Click here to read the entire article on Legal Times

28-Apr-06 5:00 PM

CMCI - Top 500 emerging businesses 2010

noemail@cmcimove.com — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:00:00 GMT

For Immediate Release Corporate Move Consulting Inc. Named to DiversityBusiness.com’s Top 500 emerging businesses 2010 Houston, Texas, February 15, 2010 In recognition of the economic power of privately held businesses, DiversityBusiness.com, the nations’ leading business-to-business internet site, recently named Corporate Move Consulting Inc. as one of the top businesses in the United States. This is the 10th annual listing of the Nation’s top businesses by DiversityBusiness.com. Companies listed on the Top Business Lists represent the Nation’s top multicultural earners and challenge the long-held notion that a privately held business is small or insignificant. Winners are sought after by major corporations wishing to increase spending with small businesses. “Entrepreneurs are a growing force in the U.S. economy, and a force to be reckoned with,” said Kenton Clarke, CEO of Computer Consulting Associates International, the company that...

CMCI celebrates one year in business

noemail@cmcimove.com — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 21:00:00 GMT

On June 20, 2006 CMCI announced with pleasure the marking of their first anniversary. CMCI now has five employees with more than 34 years of relocation experience among them. After seventeen years in the office relocation industry, Renee Lesley-McNiel is estatic about her first year results.

In the first year of business CMCI managed 60 relocation projects totaling 3500 employees into 1.7 million square feet. Among the many projects, CMCI set up and supervised the installation of 1,500 computers and 750 printing devices for two new County buildings and performed the move of one client's nine locations into one building in Bridgeport, Texas.

CMCI is very proud of the on-going relationships they have established with their clients and are very aware that their referrals are their largest asset. CMCI extends thanks to each of their clients for making their first year a success.

CMCI Web Site Launched

noemail@cmcimove.com — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 22:00:00 GMT

Corporate Move Consulting Inc (CMCI) has launched its new Web site to enhance client communications, receive client feedback and offer useful articles to clients and prospects alike.

Powered by Schipul's Tendenci software, the new CMCI Web site features easy-to-use content management system to enable the CMCI staff to update its site witht the latest news and information for its clients. CMCI will also be able to send newsletters, post interesting articles and even offer the sale of Corporate Furniture & Equipment online.

Corporate Move Consulting Inc

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 20:50:17 GMT

Corporate Move Consulting Inc. assists clients who are relocating, re-stacking, commissioning, transitioning or decommissioning either to a new space or within the current location. Our goal is to help your business continue to function even during the stress and difficult process of moving to a new office or moving within your current space. In this Web site you will find useful information in the form of best practices, our move consulting processes, interesting news articles as well as information regarding corporate furniture and equipment available for your purchase. In addition to assisting you in your move or transition, CMCI can assist you in your space management by conducting space audits to garner valuable information for planning. With the advent of hospital construction comes the need for transition planning. CMCI has built a process for this very need and has assisted hospitals in such a...

e-Move Consulting

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:52:12 GMT

CMCI provides you with the level of service to fit your needs. E-move consulting is provided to those clients who need a minimal level of one time service. Our service can include:

Communications

We can customize moving instructions, newsletters, and "trash bash" campaigns to fit your relocation needs.

Database

CMCI will build a database based upon your teams needs and provide you a way to make changes via common used programs on a schedule published to your group.

Move Related Services

We can assist with writing and/or reviewing mover and move related request for proposals and make recommendations on your bid responses. Additionally, we can assist in writing ongoing moving service proposals for your yearly contract needs.

Furniture

CMCI's website is equipped to assist with the disposal of furniture. We have furniture liquidators who will gladly provide a price for your product and will remove that product from your space.

Request e-move consulting

To request e-move consulting services for your company, please fill out the form to the right and hit submit. Please let us know in the comment section what your e-move consulting needs are and a CMCI consultant will get back with you shortly.

5-Step Process and Space Audits

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:51:30 GMT

Corporate Move Consulting Inc (CMCI) has developed a 5 step process to ensure our customers achieve their desired result. Our system is based on the principles of Project Management. Our staff is trained in this system and will direct the process every step of the way. Additionally, see our Space Audit section and how we might help you in managing your space needs. Project Start-up The project start-up phase allows the team to determine both its function and goals. We assist in team building, defining the project itself, and creating the budget baseline. The budget will be tracked throughout the project. Project Development In the project development phase we set up a meeting schedule with the team and determine move activities and define how we will communicate. We meet based upon the set schedule and track all of the activities to ensure the team hits their deadlines. We provide the team enough information to determine database use and functions and build the database to meet...

Space Audits

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:09:18 GMT

At Corporate Move Consulting Incorporated, we have helped many clients to determine if they are in need of furniture, can consolidate space, downsize in current space or determine if they have unaccounted vacancies throughout their space. We have assisted a number of clients with verying degrees of need and can help in tracking furntiure, people, equipment, and space and put in a database or spreadsheet.

Petrobras

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 22:50:19 GMT

PETROBRAS

Please visit the tab entitled surveys (located on the right in dark blue) to fill out the survey created for the move from 10777 Westheimer to 2101 City West Blvd, 2nd floor. We will utlize the information gathered to ensure every move is better than the one before. Your participation is very much appreciated.

Thank you,

Shared Services Department of Petrobras

Contact Corporate Move Consulting Inc.

Fri, 02 Jun 2006 03:55:51 GMT

Please let us know what you are considering and provide us with contact information for prompt follow-up to your request. Thanks!

Corporate Move Consulting Inc. Holder Page

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 22:14:12 GMT

You can modify this page using the "Content Managers" module

For more information on using Tendenci Content Managers, view the Tendenci Help Files

Corporate Move Consulting Inc. Holder Page

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 22:14:12 GMT

You can modify this page using the "Content Managers" module

For more information on using Tendenci Content Managers, view the Tendenci Help Files

Corporate Move Consulting Inc. Holder Page

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 22:14:12 GMT

You can modify this page using the "Content Managers" module

For more information on using Tendenci Content Managers, view the Tendenci Help Files

Corporate Move Consulting Inc. Holder Page

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 22:14:12 GMT

You can modify this page using the "Content Managers" module

For more information on using Tendenci Content Managers, view the Tendenci Help Files

Petrobras

noemail@cmcimove.com — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 17:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

This survey was put together to gather information regarding the move. We are interested in your opinion and want to ensure that we better the process as we move forward.

Your opinion is important to us. Please fill out the anonymous survey.

Thank you.

Release Date: 11-Jun-07 12:00 PM
Expiration Date: 9-Sep-07 12:00 PM

CMCI Post-Move Survey

noemail@cmcimove.com — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 22:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

This is a survey that will be offered to our existing clients once a move has been completed. The goal of the survey is to help us gain a better understanding of positive and negative experiences our clients encounter before, during and after the move.

Release Date: 28-Apr-06 5:00 PM
Expiration Date: 28-Jul-09 5:00 PM

Please provide as detailed an answer as you can. We would like to improve our services and your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Renee2

Mon, 21 May 2012 04:37:46 GMT

File uploaded by Renee McNiel.

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2006-04-28T22:14:12Z

Instructor: Fraley

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