Office moving checklist
A timeline for an office move, from the first lease decision to the first week in the new space. Shorten it for a small office; stretch it for several floors.
Six months before
Read both leases
Check the end date and notice period of the old lease, restoration duties (what must be removed or repaired) and the start date of the new one.
Name one move lead
One person who makes decisions and talks to the movers, the buildings and IT.
Set a budget
Moving, IT, furniture, disposal, new cabling and overlap rent. See what a commercial move costs.
Three months before
Get moving quotes
Ask for a walkthrough and a written quote listing each part of the move.
Plan the new floor
Desk numbers, rooms and where shared equipment goes. This becomes the label plan.
Plan the IT
Internet and phone lines ordered for the new space, cabling, and the shutdown order. See how to plan an IT move.
Decide what not to move
Old furniture and equipment for disposal, donation or resale.
One month before
Book both buildings
Freight elevators, loading docks and move hours at the old and the new site. Ask what insurance paperwork each building needs from the movers.
Street permits
If the truck will occupy a lane, a sidewalk or a metered space, check the city's permit rules. See your city on the locations page.
Tell people
Staff, clients, suppliers, the post office and anyone who delivers to you. Update your address online.
One to two weeks before
Crates arrive
Staff pack their desks and label each crate with the new desk number. See packing and crates.
Clear out
Shred old paper, empty the kitchen, and finish anything that does not need to move.
Confirm the schedule
Times for IT shutdown, movers and building access, sent to everyone involved.
Move day and after
Shut down IT
At the agreed time, in the agreed order.
Move
Furniture and crates go to the labelled rooms and desks. See after-hours moves.
Walk through
Check both sites with the crew lead: the new one is set up, the old one is empty.
First week
Collect the crates, fix small issues, and hand the old space back to the landlord.
Planning a business move?
Send the details and we reply by email with a written quote.