Moving an office is often thought of as one of the most stressful events a company can face. Between packing desks, moving equipment, and adjusting to a new space, it’s easy to see why many businesses dread the process. But here’s the good news: with the right strategy, your office move doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it can actually be a fun, team-building experience.

At Big Lake Movers, we know that a move is more than just boxes and trucks—it’s a milestone for your company. Whether you’re upgrading to a bigger office, relocating for convenience, or setting up shop in a new city, moving represents growth. Our role as a trusted Grand Rapids moving company is to make the process smooth and enjoyable, so your team feels supported every step of the way.

In this article, we’ll walk you through seven creative and practical ways to make your office move not just manageable, but enjoyable. By the end, you’ll have a roadmap for a stress-free, engaging relocation that boosts morale, strengthens company culture, and sets you up for success in your new space.

1. Keep Employees Informed During Your Office Move

Don’t leave your employees in the dark till the last minute. A lack of information can keep people guessing, and you want to have them all on board if the relocation has any chance of success. Once you sign the new lease and have a moving date set, tell your employees about the move, explaining not only the timeline and location but the on-site perks as well. Those may include a day care center, gym, coffee shop, cafeteria, and bank. Show them a virtual tour online so they can get a feel for the new digs.

One of the biggest sources of stress during a move is uncertainty. Employees may wonder:

When is the move happening?
How will it affect my daily schedule?
What new benefits or challenges will the new office bring?

Keeping everyone informed is the first step toward a smooth transition.

How to Keep Employees in the Loop:

Share a detailed timeline. Provide key dates for packing, moving, and reopening.
Offer regular updates. Send weekly email bulletins or hold short check-ins.
Highlight perks. If your new office has upgraded amenities, talk them up. Examples include a gym, daycare center, or improved parking.
Give a sneak peek. A virtual tour or floor plan helps employees visualize the new space.

Transparency builds trust. When employees feel included in the planning process, they’re more likely to approach the move with excitement rather than anxiety.

2. Boost Morale with a Workshop Lunch

To ease your employees’ minds as they have to give up familiar rituals and spaces, hold a luncheon where you explain everything that will change and what won’t. They may have gotten used to stopping at the local coffee shop down the street for muffins every day. But maybe the new place has an even better coffee shop located closer. Get them excited about what they can look forward to.

Nobody likes dry, mandatory meetings—but combine a meeting with food, and suddenly it feels more like a perk. A “workshop lunch” is a great way to answer questions about the move while treating your employees.

Benefits of a Workshop Lunch:

Creates a relaxed environment where employees can ask questions.
Encourages team bonding before the move begins.
Reinforces that leadership cares about employees’ well-being.
Provides an opportunity to introduce new office policies or amenities.

You could even make the workshop interactive:

Set up a suggestion box where employees can submit ideas for the new space.
Hold a short trivia session about the company or the new office location.
Provide a moving survival kit (snacks, stress balls, branded water bottles) as a fun takeaway.

Food, conversation, and preparation—this simple event goes a long way in easing tensions.

3. Make Moving Fun with Swag and Incentives

Everyone loves free stuff—especially when it celebrates a fresh start. Consider giving employees branded items like T-shirts, mugs, or tote bags featuring the new office location. Even practical swag like water bottles or gym bags can make employees feel valued. These small gestures go a long way in turning a potentially stressful move into something employees look forward to.

Everyone loves freebies, especially when they’re both fun and useful. Moving provides the perfect opportunity to roll out new company swag and create excitement about the transition.

Ideas for Move-In Swag:

Branded apparel – T-shirts, hoodies, or hats with the company logo.
Desk accessories – Mouse pads, mugs, or water bottles for the new office.
Wellness kits – Gym bags, reusable lunch containers, or coffee gift cards.
Practical tools – Labeled boxes, markers, or tote bags that help with packing.

Why Swag Works:

Builds team spirit.
Gives employees something to look forward to.
Turns the move into a celebration rather than a chore.

Tie the swag to the new location. If your new office is near downtown Grand Rapids, consider including a gift card to a local coffee shop or restaurant so employees can explore the neighborhood.

4. Encourage Employee Involvement in the Move

When you get everyone involved, they feel like a part of the team. Hold a contest to see what you should name the new conference room. Ask if they would like a ping pong table or a pool table in the common area. Talk to the new and pregnant moms to see which items you should stock the nursing mothers’ room with. Let them customize their own offices with their own color scheme and furnishings. Make their voices heard and you will benefit 100-fold.

Moves feel less stressful when employees feel like active participants. Instead of treating the relocation as something being “done to them,” involve your team in meaningful ways.

How to Get Employees Involved:

Let them personalize workstations. Encourage creativity in decorating their new space.
Hold a naming contest. Have employees vote on names for conference rooms, lounges, or break areas.
Create committees. Assign small teams to oversee aspects like décor, welcome kits, or move-day snacks.
Involve them in packing. Provide clear instructions and materials so they can pack personal items efficiently.

This sense of ownership helps employees feel connected to the process. Instead of dreading the move, they’ll take pride in contributing to the company’s next chapter.

5. Create Friendly Competitions for a Stress-Free Move

Who says moving has to be boring? By introducing a little friendly competition, you can keep energy levels high and make the process enjoyable.

To get people motivated to complete the planning process, hold competitions to see which team can pack up their offices first, or which team had the biggest pile of trash after de-cluttering their spaces. Create small goals they can meet and win, then host a pizza party for the winner.

Fun Competition Ideas:

Fastest desk packer. Time teams to see who can safely and neatly pack their area.
Best decorated box. Give employees markers and stickers to personalize their moving boxes.
Trivia contests. Test knowledge of the new office’s neighborhood or company history.
Team challenges. Departments can compete to finish packing first or stay the most organized.

Rewards Could Include:

Pizza parties.
Extra break time.
Gift cards to local restaurants or shops.
Company-wide shoutouts or certificates.

Competitions not only break up the monotony of packing but also strengthen camaraderie. Employees will be more likely to view the move as a collective achievement rather than an inconvenience.

6. Celebrate the New Office with a Happy Hour

Once the move is complete, celebrate your team’s hard work with a happy hour. Invite not only your employees but also clients and vendors who contributed to the transition. This is a great way to showcase your new space, strengthen relationships, and start building new memories in the office.

After all the planning, packing, and organizing, your team deserves a celebration. Hosting a happy hour is a great way to officially welcome everyone to the new office.

How to Host a Successful Office Happy Hour:

Make it inclusive. Offer both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Invite clients and vendors. It’s a perfect networking opportunity.
Show off the space. Offer guided tours of the new office to showcase its features.
Include fun activities. Photo booths, raffles, or icebreaker games can keep the mood lively.

Not only does this event reward employees for their hard work, but it also sets a positive tone for your company’s future in the new space.

7. Hire Professional Movers Instead of DIY

While DIY might seem cost-effective, office moves often involve heavy lifting, complex logistics, and time-sensitive deadlines. Hiring experienced West Michigan movers ensures everything gets done safely, efficiently, and on schedule. At Big Lake Movers, our licensed and insured commercial movers provide everything from moving labor to packing services, so your team can focus on business while we handle the heavy lifting.

While competitions and swag make moving fun, the logistics still matter. A poorly planned move can result in lost productivity, damaged equipment, and stressed-out employees. That’s why hiring professional movers is the smartest decision you can make.

At Big Lake Movers, we provide:

Commercial moving services designed for businesses of all sizes.
Residential moving services for employees who may also be relocating.
Packing services to ensure delicate items are safe.
Moving labor for loading, unloading, and heavy lifting.

Why Choose Professional Movers Over DIY?

Saves time and allows your team to focus on work.
Reduces the risk of injuries from lifting heavy furniture.
Ensures that expensive office equipment is handled with care.
Provides peace of mind knowing the company is licensed and insured.

The cost of hiring professionals is often offset by the productivity you save during the move. With West Michigan office movers like Big Lake Movers, you can rest assured your relocation will be efficient and hassle-free.

Contact Big Lake Movers for Office Relocation Services

An office move is more than a logistical task—it’s an opportunity to re-energize your company culture and prepare for future growth. By keeping employees informed, making the process interactive, and celebrating your progress, you can transform your relocation into a milestone worth remembering.

Big Lake Movers is here to make that transition smooth and enjoyable. Based in Grand Rapids, MI, we proudly serve businesses across West Michigan with:

Affordable residential movers for individuals and families.
Reliable commercial movers for small and large businesses.
Flexible moving labor to handle the heavy lifting.
Expert packing services to protect your valuable items.

Whether you’re moving across town in Grand Rapids or expanding your business in Holland, our licensed and insured team is here to help.

👉 Ready to make your office move fun and stress-free? Contact Big Lake Movers today for a free estimate and let us handle the hard work while you focus on what matters most—your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make an office move less stressful for employees?

You can reduce stress by keeping employees informed, involving them in decisions, and turning moving tasks into team-building opportunities. Hosting events like workshop lunches or happy hours also helps boost morale.

What are some fun ways to engage employees during an office move?

Ideas include friendly competitions, giving out company swag, hosting packing contests, or allowing employees to personalize their new workspace. These activities make the process enjoyable rather than overwhelming.

Should a business hire professional movers for an office relocation?

Yes. Hiring licensed and insured commercial movers ensures that the move is efficient, safe, and well-organized. Professionals handle the logistics so your employees can focus on their work instead of heavy lifting.

What services do professional moving companies offer for office relocations?

Most moving companies offer moving labor, packing services, loading and unloading, transportation, and setup in the new office. Some, like Big Lake Movers, provide both residential and commercial moving services for businesses and their employees.

Why choose Big Lake Movers for an office relocation in West Michigan?

Big Lake Movers is a trusted Grand Rapids moving company known for competitive pricing, licensed and insured services, and a professional team. We provide everything from packing and moving labor to full commercial relocation solutions.

7 Ways to Make Your Office Move Fun