There are so many things that can go wrong with an office move, or at least cause the moving project manager to have a lot of extra time, extra stress, and extra work.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce the negative effects of an upcoming office move and increase your chances of it going smoothly. Advance planning is one of them: the earlier you start, the more time you have to be thorough, and the more thorough you are, the better organized your move will be.

Another key element of your office relocation is the quality and caliber of the moving company you choose. Your skill, knowledge, experience and professionalism (or lack thereof) can often make the difference between a successful move and one that turns out to be a nightmare.

If you’re looking to hire office movers in the near future, these tips can help you choose the best company for your needs:

One: don’t be too swayed by price.

Your budget is important, sure, but in some cases the cheapest mover is not necessarily the best mover. A low-budget company that shows up four hours late and breaks three pieces of furniture isn’t doing you any favors, and the $200 you saved by hiring them will start to look like a bargaining chip the moment the cheap guys start giving you trouble.

Two: Ask for referrals.

This is where social media can really come in handy. Post a question to your friends and colleagues asking them to suggest companies to avoid or companies to check out. If you’re already considering a particular moving company, ask if anyone else has used it.

Three: Ask the movers lots of questions.

Before signing on the dotted line, ask questions about licenses, insurance, the company’s years of experience, how they hire crew members, prepare quotes, solve problems, etc. The answers, or lack thereof, will help you get a better idea of ​​the overall quality of the company you’re considering.

Four: Online research.

Once you’ve narrowed down your list, go online and check out the business’s reviews on Google or Yelp, their ranking on the Better Business Bureau, etc. You can also ask the mover for a list of references or see if they have a list of their past clients on their website. Call the office managers of some of those companies and see if they are willing to share their experiences with you.

Five: Ask the management of both your current building and the building you are moving to for suggestions.

In many cases, the property management company has “seen it all” over the years: tenants who have moved out successfully and tenants who have moved out poorly. They may have some amazing ideas about who you should call for a quote and who you should avoid. If nothing else, the property manager can at least tell you which moving company names they see most often.