Total Distance Solutions is a top-quality long-distance restaurant equipment moving company that puts customers' needs first.
Moving restaurant equipment, no matter the size, is a complicated undertaking and involves a lot of logistics to get the job done right.
Our long-distance restaurant equipment movers are skilled professionals who know the right and wrong ways of moving restaurant equipment. And yes, there is a wrong way to move! We have come to the rescue more than once, to help customers who have learned that the hard way.
Here is a list of 5 mistakes amateurs make when moving restaurant equipment and how to avoid these common errors.
Mistake 1: Not having a clear gameplan when moving restaurant equipment
Choosing to move a restaurant is not a decision you make overnight. It requires a lot of planning, as far in advance as possible. There are so many things to consider when moving restaurant equipment. You need to give yourself enough time to get all of this in order long before moving day.
A really helpful tool when moving a restaurant is to make yourself a detailed “to-do” list. Sit down during a quiet moment (which is difficult to find as a restaurant owner, we know) and make a list of the following:
- Contacts (think vendors, suppliers, insurance, banking, utilities, permits, and employees, to name a few)
- Inventory (List all your non-perishable inventory that will need to be moved, including alcohol, ingredients, etc.)
- Dining area furniture (chairs, benches, tables, bars, shelving, front counter, etc.)
- Dining area art/incidentals (any art on the wall, statues, rugs, mats, carpets, etc.)
- Dining ware (all glassware, utensils, plates, bowls, etc.)
- Barware (wine glasses, shot glasses, pint glasses, garnish trays, etc.)
- Audio/visual equipment (speakers, sound systems, etc.)
- Kitchen furniture (tables, cutting boards, knives, mixing bowls, measuring cups, scales, etc.)
- Kitchenware (pots, pans, storage containers, baking dishes, sheets, etc.)
- Commercial appliances moving (fridges, freezers, stoves, dishwashers, air ovens, dough sheeters, food processors, mixers, etc.)
- Cleaning supplies (bins, trash carts, utility carts, dollies, industrial mops, buckets, etc.)
It’s important to note that professional long-distance restaurant moving companies will not transport perishable food items or flammable or hazardous materials.
Once you have your list, it's time to divide and conquer. Call long-distance restaurant equipment movers to discuss the next steps for your move.
Mistake 2: Moving During High-Season
When moving a restaurant, the time of year you are moving really matters. The summer months are high season for long-distance restaurant equipment movers. It's also a super busy time for restaurants. People tend to dine out more when the weather is nice, especially in Canada, and this can be a double whammy for a restaurant owner looking to move.
Not only will you lose valuable time that your restaurant could be making money serving customers, but you will also be paying a premium for a moving service. If you are able to plan a restaurant move, try to do it in the spring or fall when the weather is still reasonable. This will make moving restaurant equipment easier for everyone.
If you are stuck moving during the high season, try to give a long-distance restaurant equipment moving company as much notice as possible. This also give you the time to get everything in order to help your move go as smoothly as possible.
Another tip to saving money during the busy season is to book a move-out date during the week rather than on a weekend. Things tend to be less busy on a Tuesday or Wednesday, and if you play your cards right, you may even be able to find a cheaper rate if you pick an off day.
Mistake 3: Not using the correct tools and techniques when moving restaurant equipment
When moving restaurant equipment, you need to exercise caution, as a small mistake could have disastrous consequences. Maintaining the condition of restaurant furniture and equipment is extremely important.
You can’t run a successful restaurant and have scraped, dinged, dented and damaged furniture. You can’t sauté vegetables on a stove with a broken pilot light. You can’t serve your best merlot in a chipped wine glass. Even tiny accidents can have big consequences, especially when commercial appliances moving.
Hiring professional long-distance restaurant equipment movers who use proper techniques while moving, can guarantee your things make it to your new restaurant space in one-piece, and unharmed in the process.
Some of the techniques and tools our long-distance restaurant equipment movers use while moving restaurant equipment are:
Disassembling furniture for easier transport (our movers can disassemble any brand and type of furniture)
Reassembling furniture at the new location
Wrapping easily damaged furniture in blankets, pads, and plastic wrap to keep it protected during the moving process
Using only the very best packing materials (including boxes or various sizes, various wrap material, heavy-duty packing tape, blankets, plastic wrap, etc.)
Using proper packing techniques to protect all glassware, barware, and kitchenware (including wrapping all breakable items in packing paper, or bubble-wrap)
Wrapping all small kitchen appliances to protect them from being damaged while moving restaurant equipment
Using the correct tools (dollies, hand trucks, shoulder straps, furniture sliders) for large commercial appliances moving
Putting down mats, carpets to protect the floors while moving heavy items (at the old restaurant and the new one) to assist with commercial appliances moving.
These are just some of the ways our long-distance restaurant equipment moving company meets the needs of a restaurant move. Ensuring every item, whether it be a single fork, or the most expensive piece of equipment, gets to its final destination in perfect condition.
Mistake 4: Not hiring a specialized long-distance restaurant equipment moving service
A big mistake we see when moving restaurant equipment is a busy restaurant owner trying to do it all on their own. Moving a restaurant is an enormous undertaking and simple mistakes can cost you more than you’d imagine.
Replacing damaged items is the last thing you want to do when long-distance restaurant equipment moving. Do yourself a favor and find a reputable long-distance restaurant equipment moving company that has experience moving restaurant equipment.
The cost you pay upfront will be worth it to guarantee the contents of your restaurant will be moved safely. Not to mention the amount of stress off your plate knowing your move is being taken care of by experts.
