Office Move 101: What You Need for a Stress-free Relocation

Our Office Move Checklist Will Make Life Easier!

Is 2022 bringing an office move to your business or organization? Whether you’re super-sizing due to increased staffing or downsizing to accommodate remote and work-from-home employees, commercial relocation can be a complicated and stressful task for any company to handle. In addition to moving furniture, desks, chairs, computers, and technology, there’s often an enormous amount of paper files and printed documents that need to be securely packed. While all of this can seem overwhelming at times, our office move checklist is designed to help walk you through this process in a logical and organized way.

Camelot Moving & Storage: The Office Move Experts!

Camelot Moving & Storage has offered superior commercial relocation support throughout the Los Angeles metro area for nearly forty years. We’ve helped thousands of small and large companies in all business sectors relocate throughout California (and the United States). Our long history provides us with expertise and knowledge not often found in other companies that say they can provide an office move. With our office move checklist, we’re sharing some essential tips and strategies to help make the process a bit easier for everyone in your workplace.

Camelot’s Office Move Checklist Basics

Orchestrating an office move is not for the faint at heart! Relocating employees, expensive office equipment, computers, paper files, and office machinery requires significant planning and organization. Here are some of our suggestions that will help your relocation preparations.

1. Create a plan for the furniture.

First, create a map and plan for your office furniture. An office move means a new floorplan, so review your future and current office layouts to determine where everything should go. At this time, it’s wise to establish a furniture inventory. This list will help you decide ahead of the move if more furniture is needed or if unnecessary furniture can be sold or donated.

2. Create a technology plan.

Before moving into your new space, be sure the environment is ready for your technology and facilities needs. This review should include phone systems, security systems, networked computing, HVAC, and electrical power needs for any specialized equipment. In addition, include your business’ IT professionals in the office move plans to minimize any technology downtime that may occur.

3. Create the exit plan for your current space.

One item often overlooked on office move checklists is establishing an exit plan for the space you’re leaving. This plan involves reviewing your current lease for any special requirements such as cleaning, turning over keys, or parking permits. If utilities are not included in your lease, working with each provider to schedule shut-offs or transfers to your new location will lessen the likelihood of power interruptions.

4. Create a storage plan.

Some office moves will require storage services. It may be necessary to store excess furniture, equipment, or files. If this applies to your office move, finding high-quality, climate-controlled storage is essential. It’s better to secure storage space in advance of your move. Then, your moving company can easily transport items to your storage space and your new location.

5. Create the office move budget.

No office move checklist is complete without mentioning the budget. Many different factors can decrease or increase the cost of your commercial relocation. For example, are you moving to a larger space in your current building or office park or transferring operations farther, even across the country? The amount of furniture, boxes, and equipment being relocated will factor into the total cost. Additionally, you need to consider if you’ll need temporary storage services or assistance with packing. Contracting with professional movers to pack filing cabinets, law or medical libraries, or expensive artwork can help ensure they safely arrive at their new destination.

Make an Office Move Less Stressful by Following this Timeline

Items to Tackle Right Away

Once you’ve decided that relocating your office is a “must-do,” there are a few items that need to be addressed right away. First, review Camelot’s Office Move Checklist suggestions. This checklist will help get your relocation team in place. You’ll need floor plans, technology plans, an exit plan, and your relocation budget. You’ll also want to start researching commercial moving companies that service your area. If your office move happens at the start or close of a month, be sure to contract with a mover well in advance as those are traditionally very busy times.

Two to Four Months Before the Move Date

Once you have your office move date established and you’ve contracted with a moving company, you’ll want to fine-tune your inventory list. Now is the time to start selling or donating furniture or materials you will not be taking with you. If you’re renting commercial storage space, moving those items ahead of your scheduled relocation date can help ease the pressure when moving day comes.

One Month Before the Move Date

If you are not contracting with your moving company for packing services, this is the time to purchase boxes and packing supplies and start emptying file cabinets, libraries, bookshelves, and all paper materials. In addition, employees should begin emptying their desks, keeping only the essentials they need for their work. Make sure all boxes are clearly labeled and secured.

The Week Before the Move Date

The big day is quickly approaching! If you’ve followed your office move checklist and an organized timeline, you’ll be busy with final details but not feeling overwhelmed! Now’s the time to have all staff backup essential data, finish packing mission-critical items, and communicate with IT staff to ensure all technology is ready to be installed in the new location. Congratulations, you’re ready to move!

Camelot Moving & Storage: Your Trusted Source for Office Relocation Services

With over 35 years of experience handling office moves throughout California and the Santa Clarita Valley, Camelot is your trusted source for commercial relocation. If you have questions or would like to discuss moving your office, contact us to be connected to a commercial relocation specialist.