As you might already know, there are differences between residential and commercial moving. However, they are not readily apparent and many people consider these two to be mostly the same. While the actual relocation process is quite similar, commercial relocations are usually much more complicated. That being said, the main confusion stems from the fact that there are simple commercial relocations and complicated residential moves. At Fairfax Transfer & Storage, we conduct each of them according to their requirements, needs, and wishes, and provide our customers with an amazing combination of price and quality. We also love informing our customers of everything their relocation might entail, which is what we will be doing right now, in this article!
Differences between residential and commercial moving – Basics of each relocation
To fully understand the differences, you need to know what each relocation type represents. So, before you hire your local movers for the job at hand, let’s learn more about them. Starting with:
Residential moving
Moving out of an apartment is relatively simple, all you need to do is pack your furniture and belongings, transfer them to your new place of residence, and then unpack. It is a process that requires but a few people and you can unpack at your own leisure. The only issue you might have is to make sure that everything arrived without any damage and to have everyone sort out their rooms. This is why you might want to consider hiring expert residential movers, ones that will take care that your items arrive in their original condition. However, there are some challenges in residential moves, such as relocating valuable, fragile items, such as antique furniture, glassware, or a piano. This is why Fairfax Transfer & Storage provides our employees with all the training and tools they might need for the job.
We have years of experience relocating such items and can ensure their safe arrival. We will eliminate all the stress that comes with broken items with diligent, safe, service.
Commercial moving
Commercial relocations, on the other hand, require a somewhat different process. They require moving experts to ensure that business transition goes smoothly. Moving into a new office needs to be fast, precise, and safe to minimize productivity loss. It puts a lot more strain on the moving crew, as the stakes are a bit higher. Most businesses have specialized machinery, as well, which warrants further planning. All in all, commercial movers really need to ensure that everything goes according to plan, and that requires more resources. Thus, commercial relocations are usually a bit more expensive than residential ones.
Key differences between residential and commercial moving
Now that you know the basics, let’s explore the differences in greater detail. We will be looking at the following factors:
- Simplicity
- Time sensitivity
- Item constraints
- Required number of movers
These things make all the difference in the world when it comes to these two relocation types, and explain why commercial relocations are generally considered more complicated. The most influencing factor is:
Simplicity
When it really comes down to it, residential relocations are a lot simpler than commercial ones. All that needs to be done is pack up a few rooms and transport the items to the next destination. Yes, there might be a few “difficult” pieces such as heavy furniture but moving teams can deal with them easily enough. With commercial moves, a lot more planning is required, as they usually have a lot more items to transport. There’s the IT equipment, large machinery, office furniture, desks, as well as a host of fragile items. All of that takes a lot of space and requires a considerable time investment. Thus, proper planning becomes critical, as the business wants to resume its operations in the shortest time possible. This leads us to our next difference.
Time sensitivity
The fact of the matter is that commercial moving needs to happen faster. Most commercial movers get requests to relocate an office “yesterday”. This puts a lot of strain on the moving company, as they need to work within a time limit. Residential moves can afford to be somewhat slower, as there are no extra clients or customers to deal with. Also, residential relocations are inherently faster and require less planning. As some would say “time is money” and everything that needs to be done in a shorter period usually costs more.
Differences between residential and commercial moving – Item constraints
Most residential moves can be accomplished by a singular moving truck. Yes, some households might require two or more trucks, but they are an exception to the norm. When it comes to an office, a warehouse, a lab, or a medical facility, their relocation can require a fleet of moving trucks. With residential moves, there is always the possibility of taking some items with you in the car, where there’s no such thing as for commercial relocations. Furthermore, the fact of the matter is that office equipment is usually a lot more valuable than an average household item. It needs careful preparation, as well as additional packing supplies. Which, again, takes more time.
Required number of movers
The last one of key differences between residential and commercial moving lies in the number of movers required for the job. Residential relocations usually require two or three movers on the moving crew. Commercial relocations can require a dozen or more. Figuring out the necessary number of movers is another hurdle that commercial relocation imposes. However, expert commercial movers, such as Fairfax Transfer & Storage, can accurately estimate the number of people to send for any business relocation. For best results, always get in touch with professionals whether it is a residential or commercial relocation. Contact us today and we will be happy to answer all of your questions and provide you with moving assistance regardless of your relocation type!
