Office relocations can be a game-changer for businesses.
A fresh space often brings renewed energy and a boost to team morale.
Yet, for business owners who can’t afford disruptions to productivity, a meticulous office move checklist is an absolute must.
Whether you’re a small startup or a growing enterprise, the move can feel overwhelming.
This guide will lead you through each phase, so your company can settle into its new environment as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Why a proper planning for an office move matters
Moving offices is no small task.
There are countless moving parts to coordinate: from selecting the right removals team to notifying suppliers and clients of your new address.
Many business owners also find themselves facing conflicting deadlines or unexpected issues at the last minute.
Without a plan, it’s all too easy to overlook a crucial detail and end up with a chaotic move day.
A well-prepared office move list sets your company up for a successful transition.
Even with a serviced office, there are still tasks that need addressing — that’s why we created this is your one-stop, free office move checklist, so nothing slips through the cracks.
Identifying your office relocation needs
Every office relocation unfolds differently.
The complexity depends on factors like:
The size of your workforce
Whether you’re moving to a serviced, managed, or leased office
The types and amount of equipment you own
The urgency of the move
It’s easy to think a serviced office move is a breeze — some business owners assume that the space is “set up” and ready to go.
However, there are still important tasks: transferring key documents, notifying clients, and ensuring everyone on your team knows their new commute.
Skipping these details can slow you down at a time when disruption is already a factor.
What is the optimal timeline for moving office?
When you're in a leased office with a fixed term, like a 5-year lease, you usually know well in advance whether you'll extend it.
However, with serviced offices and their flexible contracts, you don't have this level of foresight.
In a serviced office, you will need to give anywhere from 1-6 months notice if you're planning to move offices, so the timeline is considerably shortened compared with managed or leased relocations.
Luckily, if you can aim to have a two-month timeline from notice served to move-in day, this is plenty of time to ensure a successful office relocation and with some dedication, a one-month period should equally provide you with enough time to properly plan your move.
Your step-by-step moving office checklist
This moving office checklist is designed to guide you from start to finish.
Every business is unique, so adjust the timeline and tasks as needed.
1. Plan your move timeline early
Recommended start time: 4–8 weeks before moving day
Confirm your move date: The first step is identifying the specific day (or days) you’ll relocate. If possible, choose a day when fewer employees will need to be in the office. If remote work is an option, coordinate around that schedule to reduce disruption.
Book a removals service: Don’t wait until the week before. Good moving companies often have busy schedules, especially during peak seasons. Lock in your preferred date and communicate any special requirements (like dismantling large furniture).
Decide what to pack first: You might only want to box up non-essentials initially. This prevents the office feeling barren too soon while still chipping away at your packing obligations.
Giving yourself at least a month will allow you to pace these tasks efficiently.
If you only have two weeks, you’ll need to compress tasks.
In either scenario, proper planning prevents those last-minute panics.
2. Organise packing and labelling
Recommended start time: 2–4 weeks before moving day
The idea of packing up an entire workspace can seem daunting, but a structured approach keeps it manageable.
Create a labelling system: If each employee has dedicated equipment, assign them individual boxes with a clear label, such as “Sarah — Desk Items.” If gear is communal, think about grouping items by function (e.g., put all cables, chargers, and adaptors together).
Prioritise critical electronics:Monitors, laptops, and specialist hardware must be packed securely to prevent damage. Place them in sturdy boxes with protective padding, and label them as fragile. This ensures movers know to handle them carefully.
Back up your data: For companies that still rely on local storage, a move raises the risk of losing or misplacing USBs or hard drives. Back everything up — preferably to the cloud, so you don’t have to worry about hardware going missing.
Consider furniture needs: Some serviced offices come fully furnished, but if you’re bringing your own furniture, confirm whether it needs disassembling. Some removal services handle disassembly, but it’s wise to check in advance.
Labelling saves you significant time on the other side of the move.
Instead of opening random boxes to look for a mouse or keyboard, you’ll know exactly where to find them.
3. Conduct an inventory count
Recommended start time: During your packing phase
An office relocation offers a valuable chance to list everything you have. This helps you:
Prevent items from disappearing: If you can’t locate something after the move, you’ll know immediately.
Forecast new equipment needs: Perhaps you’ve been considering a technology upgrade or additional seating. Doing a quick inventory highlights missing or outdated items.
Simplify expense tracking: If you’re keeping better tabs on your assets, it’s easier to align your budget with real-world needs.
Accurate records now will spare you confusion later, particularly if you suspect a valuable piece of equipment was lost in transit.
We recommend keeping track in a spreadsheet, so you can have different columns for who it belongs to, where it’s meant to go, and any other inventory information that matters to you.
4. Moving day!
Recommended time frame: On the day of the move
Delegate tasks: By this point, you’ll know which employees are helping. Be clear about each person’s responsibilities, whether it’s overseeing movers, handling small-value items, or offering directions to the new address.
Double-check each room: Before leaving your old office, walk through every room (including storage closets and server areas) to make sure nothing is left behind.
Have an essentials kit at the ready: Keep vital documents, chargers, snacks, and first-aid items accessible. If something urgent happens, you don’t want it hidden in a taped-up box.
Moving day can feel chaotic, but a systematic approach helps reduce confusion.
When everyone knows their role, the process flows smoothly.
5. Unpacking and setting up in your new office space
Recommended time frame: Immediately after arriving in your new office
Sort out furniture placement first: If you have multiple pieces, it’s easier to adjust seating arrangements when IT equipment isn’t yet installed.
Install computers and monitors: This task can be slow, so consider doing it in stages: place the desk setups, confirm everything powers on, then tackle final tweaks like cable management.
Decorate and customise (where allowed): Serviced offices often have certain rules, but small touches like plants, noticeboards, or a coffee station can transform a generic space into a workplace that feels like home.
A thoughtful unpacking phase pays off.
Well-organised boxes will quicken the process, and a clean layout ensures people can find what they need by their first work session.
6. Tie up any loose ends in week one
Recommended time frame: 1–7 days after the move
Office relocations typically come with small follow-up tasks, including:
Updating your address everywhere: Think company letterheads, email signatures, invoices, and online listings. This step also means letting suppliers, banks, insurers, and any subscription services know where to send deliveries or correspondence.
Arranging key cards or passes: If your new space is in a building with a security system, be sure everyone has their access card or pass. Ensure it’s functional before they need to enter after hours or on weekends.
Confirming safety procedures: Many serviced offices offer a basic onboarding session where they explain fire safety and evacuation routes. Prompt your employees to attend or, if needed, schedule a quick briefing yourself.
Refining the layout: After a few days of use, you might want to tweak desk configurations or re-home certain shared items (like printers, stationery, or coffee machines) to boost convenience.
Handling these tasks promptly lets you and your team settle in fully.
The quicker they feel comfortable in the new office environment, the sooner everyone gets back to peak productivity.
7. Celebrate your new office space!
An office relocation is worth commemorating.
It might be an upgrade to a bigger, nicer space — a reflection of your business growth — or a strategic downsizing that helps you focus on core objectives.
Either way, treat this as a milestone.
Your team put in the effort, so a small celebration fosters a sense of accomplishment.
A group lunch, a quick toast, or a friendly post-move gathering can go a long way in building team spirit.
Our top office relocation tips for minimising disruption
Maintaining business continuity is crucial.
Here are our favourite office relocation tips to keep operations running smoothly:
Stagger employees: If hybrid work is an option, allow some people to work remotely during the peak phases of the move. That minimises the crowding and confusion at both the old and new sites.
Plan IT transitions carefully: If your work depends heavily on servers or stable internet connections, speak to your provider well ahead of the move date. Try to arrange overlapping internet service in both locations, if you can. This measure safeguards your data and helps you avoid downtime.
Communicate with clients: If you anticipate a temporary slowdown in responding to queries, share that. A quick email explaining your move schedule can keep clients’ expectations realistic and maintain trust.
Mistakes to avoid while moving office
Mistakes can happen during an office move, but careful planning and open communication limit the surprises.
Here are the most common mistakes he’s come across, along with practical ways to sidestep them:
1. Unrealistic timelines and budgets
“Setting unrealistic timelines and budgets is a frequent mistake when moving offices. Underestimating the task can lead to a hurried move and unforeseen expenses. Hence, it's a good idea to start planning a thorough office move checklist, including a realistic timeline and budget. Anticipating setbacks and allocating resources accordingly is vital. This strategy will prepare you for any unexpected issues during your office relocation.”
2. Lack of communication with employees
“Poor communication during the move can create confusion and anxiety among your team members. To avoid this, foster clear communication by hosting meetings or maintaining open lines with line managers. Ensure that your team is informed about the new office space, its facilities, and other amenities.”
3. Not decluttering before the move
“Not decluttering your existing office before the move can result in unnecessary costs and wasted time. Encourage your team members to tidy their workstations ahead of the moving date. By doing so, your office move becomes efficient and less stressful.”
4. Failing to update your address
“Not updating your business address can cause substantial confusion post-move. Begin planning to update your address on all important documents and platforms well ahead of the moving date. By doing so, all stakeholders remain informed, ensuring smooth business operations.”
5. Improper labelling of items
“Improper labelling of items can lead to stress during office relocation. Make sure all boxes and items are labelled properly before the moving day. A colour-coding or numbering system will aid in tracking items and make unpacking more efficient.
We’d recommend organising your items into logical categories before you start packing, as this will make the labelling process for your items much easier when the time comes.”
6. Not enough research on the new location
“Insufficient research on the new location can lead to unexpected expenses or logistical issues. Invest time in thorough research on the new location ahead of the move. Knowledge of local traffic patterns, parking availability, and regulations can streamline the commercial moving process.”
7. Inadequate protection of sensitive information
“Failing to secure sensitive information during the move can lead to data breaches and potential legal issues. Take precautions to secure all sensitive documents by storing or digitising them. Organising and locking filing cabinets can prevent unauthorised access during the move, offering peace of mind.”
8. Not getting enough packing supplies beforehand
“One often overlooked detail is the packing process. It's not just about wrapping items in bubble wrap and placing them into boxes.
Each piece of office furniture and equipment requires specific packing techniques to prevent damage. For instance, delicate equipment like computers and printers should be packed securely, with adequate padding and in suitable containers.”
9. Not designing your new office in advance
“As part of your move process, it's beneficial to consider how your new office will be set up. If you’re bringing large pieces of furniture, ensure they’ll fit through the doors and into their intended spaces. Having a floor plan ready before the moving date will make arranging the new office space quicker and more efficient.
Your new space also represents your company, so it should align with your brand and promote productivity among team members.
In your new office design make sure to consider factors like lighting, noise levels, and space utilisation. Incorporating these elements will not only make the office visually appealing, but will also create a comfortable working environment, promoting peace of mind for everyone involved. This detailed planning will undoubtedly contribute to the success of your office relocation.”
Moving office? Tally Workspace can help
If you’ve gone through this office relocation tips guide and are ready for action, you may also need help finding a space that truly meets your needs.
At Tally Workspace, we’ve supported hundreds of businesses seeking a professional environment tailored to their style.
If you’re specifically looking for office space inLondon, we can make introductions to serviced or managed locations you might not find on your own.
Got a friend or colleague in search of a new office?
Refer them to us, and we’ll gladly organise a party to celebrate worth £500 for you (see the T&Cs here).
Your endorsement helps us connect more people with offices they love.
It can be about scaling up, simplifying operations, or refreshing the company’s culture in a different environment.
As you get closer to moving day, the to-do list might seem endless, but this free office move checklist will help cut down the chaos.
Stay focused on the positive change your new space can deliver.
With a well-structured plan, your transition will be a hallmark of success — one that elevates both your team’s workflow and their enjoyment of everyday office life.
Use your best judgement at each step and don’t hesitate to ask for a helping hand.
Embrace the journey, keep your checklist close, and give yourself permission to celebrate the accomplishment of a job well done.
Enjoy your new office space!
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