You are growing, move your garage in 5 steps (and with peace of mind)

Your decision is made, you are moving your car garage ! Your repair business is more than thriving, to the point where you are forced to push the walls out. You lack space for new, more efficient equipment and working in a confined environment presents certain risks for your mechanics. You have found the perfect premises, the rare pearl that meets all - or almost all - your criteria. All that's left is to move. On paper, the plan is simple, but in reality, things get more complicated. From sorting and boxing to administrative formalities and employee mobility, move your garage in 5 steps, with peace of mind.

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#1 : the essential retroplanning

A successful move is an anticipated move. And this is even more true in the case of a professional repair shop. Setting up a retroplanning is therefore essential and allows all the actions to be listed at least six months in advance.

D —6 months

• Assign a team to follow up on the move ;
• prepare the budget for this operation ;
and
• transmit your notice of departure to your landlord ;
• start the company removal professionals and fix a definitive date as soon as possible ;
• inform the employees.

You also need to anticipate the refurbishment of your current premises and the possible renovation of your future workshops. This is an ideal opportunity to restart your car repair business in clean, modern premises fitted out for safe mechanical practice.

D —2 months

• Perform administrative procedures (URSSAF, social security, pension fund, insurance, etc.) ;
• begin the sorting and boxing of company documents ;
• notify your suppliers of your change of address ;
• Launch a recruitment process, should one of your employees refuse to continue the adventure by your side.

D —1 month, until move

• Continue sorting and boxing ;
• Plan the dismantling operations of heavy equipment ;
• Finalise the transfer of networks and IT tools.

In order to limit the downtime of your business, your internet, telephone and computer networks must be operational as soon as you arrive in your new premises. If you have taken out a subscription reserved for professionals with an access provider, you can be accompanied in the move. Don't hesitate to take advantage of this service, which is included in your package.

The last month before departure is also a good time to communicate with your customers. Update your website, Facebook or LinkedIn pages and any documents advertising yourself. Plan a specific display to prepare your customers for your departure, especially as your move will most likely involve closing your garage.

#2 : building a dedicated moving team

Aside from your legal obligation to notify your employees of a change of geographical location, it seems obvious and logical to involve them closely in the move. Creating an ad hoc team will ensure that every stage of the planning is followed, that there are no delays and that the motivation of the troops is kept at the highest level.

The relocation team will therefore have to divide its working time between its usual tasks and the specific action plan dedicated to the change of site. It will be responsible for carrying out precise and regular progress reports so that everyone feels fully integrated into the system. This is all the more important because as the deadline approaches, stress is likely to rise and tempers are likely to flare. If each mechanic and team leader knows his or her role, the transition from one site to another will be all the smoother and the resumption of activity will be quicker.

If you are the owner of an independent garage, it is likely that you will follow every step of the move yourself. Don't hesitate to get one of your workshop managers to assist you. He or she will be able to follow the process, even if you are unexpectedly absent.

#3 : the administrative formalities for moving your garage

The administrative formalities, as we have seen with the retroplanning, are to be listed from the start and followed throughout the months leading up to the move. Good news, garage owners are not alone in tackling the intricacies of the French administration. Departmental chambers of commerce and industry have a mission to simplify your procedures and assist you with all your business change formalities.

Among these is thedeclaration of the transfer of your garage's registered office. This is because the address of your garage is recorded in the statutes of your company. Moving house means a change of address, and therefore a change in the articles of association. You have one month from the time you make the decision to publish your change of address in a legal gazette. You must then declare your future situation to the CCI or the clerk's office of the commercial court.

Finally, you must pay special attention to your suppliers, both for spare parts and for anything related to gas and fluid deliveries of any kind.

#4 : moving the workshops

Moving workshops is inevitably a tricky step, as you need to keep the disruption to your business to a minimum. You must therefore choose the most favourable period to temporarily close your garage and carry out the transfer of equipment and tools.

Important point : don't forget that your lifting equipment is subject to specific regulations. The law states that lifts must undergo a mandatory test when they are put into service, but also when the equipment is moved. It is imperative that you include this vital step in your planning so as not to block the resumption of your repair activity.

#5 : the mobility of your employees

Moving your garage is an important decision for your company, for your business, but also for your employees. First of all, the law requires you to notify them of your decision. In a company with less than 50 employees (as is most certainly your case), it is sufficient to officially inform the staff representatives or, failing that, the employees directly.

Can one of your mechanics or team leaders refuse to change their place of work ? The answer is in each employee's contract of employment. If the mobility clause is included, the employee cannot refuse, or risk dismissal on personal grounds. Similarly, if the new garage location is in the same geographical area as the old one, he or she cannot theoretically refuse.

The Service-public.fr website, however, specifies that the notion of geographical sector remains rather vague and must be defined in the mobility clause. If this is not the case, it is assessed on the basis of the increase in travel time between home and work and access to public transport.

Other than that, your employee may well refuse to join your new garage site. If no agreement can be reached, you must then proceed to make him/her redundant for economic reasons.