Relocation Consultants: Give Them Time to Save You Money

By Marta Garcia Arnold, Branch Office Director, Washington, D.C., and Gretchen Fox, President

Organizations planning a move often question the need to engage a relocation management firm in the earliest stages of planning. After all, the actual move may be months, or even years, away. Why hire them so early? One reason is teamwork. Convening your full team at the inception gives the players an opportunity to meet, establish their respective roles before pressures mount, and work cohesively throughout the process.

To be sure, teamwork is an admirable goal, and it is critical to success. But, the more compelling response to the question actually is, “A professional relocation firm can save you money, and the sooner you hire them, the more you can save.” Consider the following case studies:

A major footwear manufacturer attained a $350,000 reduction in new furniture expense because its relocation manager identified 700 chairs appropriate for re-use with only a $50 re-upholstery job. The resultant savings of $315,000 exceeded the consultant’s fees.
An international financial services company eliminated the need to purchase 600 new file cabinets at a total cost of $360,000, because its relocation manager completed an inventory before new orders were placed and labeled cabinets already in use that comported with the new standard. For a cost of $45,000, the files were painted and moved.
A national management consulting firm had decided to have all its partners move their existing furniture. However, upon reviewing the plans, the relocation consultant informed them that approximately half of the furniture would not fit as proposed. By reallocating furniture, functional layouts were devised, and no new furniture was required.
A small internet company had selected furniture that was lower-priced than any product they had seen, and they were already writing an order when the relocation manager came on board. After a careful review of their plan, the consultant informed them that, although the furniture was less expensive to acquire, it was shipped in knocked-down condition and required hundreds of labor hours to assemble. By quickly accessing the consultant’s vast network of furniture vendors, the client got better product for less money – installed, and on schedule.

Accomplishing key tasks early in the process helps avoid the pitfalls that bedevil many relocations. A comprehensive plan takes into account where problems may occur and minimizes the likelihood of costly change orders.

No one is better equipped to validate the foregoing assertions than those who have engaged relocation consultants, and here’s what some have said . According to the Executive Director of a 300,000 square foot law firm, “…to assign an expensive law firm member responsibility for managing a once-in-a-career activity of this magnitude would border on the foolish! We needed bona fide move experts to help us figure it all out, and we needed them early.”

Further, the Chairman of a major financial services firm stated, “At the peak of activity, they managed moves for 12,000 employees in a single year. It wasn’t cheap, but they saved us far more than we paid them, by being on top of every detail and keeping everything on track.”

Finally, from senior management of an international publishing company, “This was the best project ever because our entire team was formed at the front end! Often the issues of image, branding and overall appearance are made by senior management working with designers, while the people responsible for implementation, i.e., facilities staff and relocation management consultants, are overlooked in the beginning. By including our entire team in all meetings, we avoided conflict, overlap in services, and – worst of all – omissions. We also achieved our goals, and we were heroes in the eyes of our Board.”

Top of Page


Creative Solutions Personable & Professional Staff Proven Strategies Technologically Innovative	Home : Why Fox? : : Relocation Consultants: Give Them Time to Save You Money By Marta Garcia Arnold, Branch Office Director, Washington, D.C., and Gretchen Fox, President Organizations planning a move often question the need to engage a relocation management firm in the earliest stages of planning. After all, the actual move may be months, or even years, away. Why hire them so early? One reason is teamwork. Convening your full team at the inception gives the players an opportunity to meet, establish their respective roles before pressures mount, and work cohesively throughout the process. To be sure, teamwork is an admirable goal, and it is critical to success. But, the more compelling response to the question actually is, “A professional relocation firm can save you money, and the sooner you hire them, the more you can save.” Consider the following case studies: A major footwear manufacturer attained a $350,000 reduction in new furniture expense because its relocation manager identified 700 chairs appropriate for re-use with only a $50 re-upholstery job. The resultant savings of $315,000 exceeded the consultant’s fees. An international financial services company eliminated the need to purchase 600 new file cabinets at a total cost of $360,000, because its relocation manager completed an inventory before new orders were placed and labeled cabinets already in use that comported with the new standard. For a cost of $45,000, the files were painted and moved. A national management consulting firm had decided to have all its partners move their existing furniture. However, upon reviewing the plans, the relocation consultant informed them that approximately half of the furniture would not fit as proposed. By reallocating furniture, functional layouts were devised, and no new furniture was required. A small internet company had selected furniture that was lower-priced than any product they had seen, and they were already writing an order when the relocation manager came on board. After a careful review of their plan, the consultant informed them that, although the furniture was less expensive to acquire, it was shipped in knocked-down condition and required hundreds of labor hours to assemble. By quickly accessing the consultant’s vast network of furniture vendors, the client got better product for less money – installed, and on schedule. Accomplishing key tasks early in the process helps avoid the pitfalls that bedevil many relocations. A comprehensive plan takes into account where problems may occur and minimizes the likelihood of costly change orders. No one is better equipped to validate the foregoing assertions than those who have engaged relocation consultants, and here’s what some have said . According to the Executive Director of a 300,000 square foot law firm, “…to assign an expensive law firm member responsibility for managing a once-in-a-career activity of this magnitude would border on the foolish! We needed bona fide move experts to help us figure it all out, and we needed them early.” Further, the Chairman of a major financial services firm stated, “At the peak of activity, they managed moves for 12,000 employees in a single year. It wasn’t cheap, but they saved us far more than we paid them, by being on top of every detail and keeping everything on track.” Finally, from senior management of an international publishing company, “This was the best project ever because our entire team was formed at the front end! Often the issues of image, branding and overall appearance are made by senior management working with designers, while the people responsible for implementation, i.e., facilities staff and relocation management consultants, are overlooked in the beginning. By including our entire team in all meetings, we avoided conflict, overlap in services, and – worst of all – omissions. We also achieved our goals, and we were heroes in the eyes of our Board.” Top of Page
© 2008 Fox RPM Corp. \| Privacy