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Moving offices can be a significant undertaking for any business, and often, a change of professional scenery can be a clear indicator of positive company growth. According to a Price Economics survey, almost 50% of business executives claim that growth is the primary reason behind office relocations. 

Other factors that indicate business growth include an update in workspaces to accommodate a growing workforce and improve the management of wider company logistics. To help business owners and managers plan an efficient, effective and prompt change of location, this guide outlines a clear and actionable office relocation checklist, including office moving plan tips, timeline and other considerations to facilitate a seamless moving process.

Why use an office and business relocation checklist?

Developing a new office move-in checklist can help management teams understand the task at hand, helping team members to break processes down into manageable objectives, better allocate resources and ensure that no important considerations are overlooked. 

Through the development of an office moves checklist, business leaders will gain more control over the process, with further benefits including increased employee motivation, improved productivity and lower likelihood of errors.

How to create an office move checklist template

Before detailing a moving business location checklist, a broad template should be devised to help frame the most important aspects of the process. Here are some key steps to take when planning a checklist for moving offices: 

Develop new office moving plans as soon as possible

For most businesses, the planning of a corporate relocation checklist should begin at least 6 months prior to the date of the move. Larger companies may need a longer timeframe to develop a new moving office checklist. A good rule to follow is to begin drafting a business moving checklist once the relocation paperwork has been signed. 

When approaching the framework of an office move checklist, business leaders are recommended to: 

  • Hold a meeting with all team leaders to ensure that important department-specific procedures are equally considered in the corporate moving checklist. 
  • Allocate the role of moving coordinator to a trusted team member to oversee the operation. 
  • Create smaller teams responsible for each key task identified by department heads. 
  • Create deadlines for each task with extra time set aside for unexpected delays. 

Select an office moving team

Next up on your relocating a business checklist: get your people organized. Depending on the size of the business, leaders and the moving coordinator may wish to select certain individuals in the office to be a part of the moving team. It is recommended to hold regular meetings with the team to review the business moving checklist regularly and keep the project on track. 

Moving team members identified on the relocating the office checklist will be responsible for: 

  • Refining the corporate moving checklist tasks allocated to each department 
  • Working with the coordinator to apply task-specific deadlines 
  • Choosing an appropriate order to complete tasks on the business moving checklist
  • Delegating smaller responsibilities within departments 
  • Deciding which team members will prepare the new space 

Choosing reliable team members for these responsibilities will require leaders to identify employees with experience in project management, as well as staff members with knowledge of specific systems. For example, IT professionals will be selected to safely handle computer equipment as part of the checklist for moving office systems. 

Setting deadlines within a business moving checklist

Even the best-laid plans can sometimes experience disruptions. Whether a moving company is experiencing delays or an internal problem occurs and diverts resources away from the move, an effective moving business checklist will outline realistic deadlines accounting for unforeseen roadblocks. 

Leaders and planning teams should ensure that the moving date chosen and the termination of the current lease are planned with ample time for staff to properly prepare. 

Deadlines are best enforced through weekly or bi-weekly meetings, in which department heads can update teams on progress, with a public calendar displayed as a reminder of all office moving plans. 

Budgeting and costs of moving an office location

When working through a checklist for moving office spaces, it’s essential that project leaders keep a watchful eye over all associated costs. For smaller companies, much of the physical work can be handled in-house, saving on costs associated with hiring a company to handle the office move checklist items. Larger companies may need to budget more for moving expenses to ensure a smooth business moving checklist execution. 

Expenses to consider when planning an office move checklist can include: 

  • Moving insurance
  • Full-service movers
  • Installing new signage 
  • Rewiring computer and phone networks 
  • Reconfiguring security systems 
  • Replacing, repairing and purchasing new furnishings and office furniture

All expenses should be recorded as part of a moving budget template, with both projected costs and actual costs compiled to help leaders keep track of active expenses. 

Transferring technology and services

As part of any corporate move checklist, considerations for transferring existing technology and essential company services must be considered. All services used to conduct daily business should be operational at the new premises from the projected date of arrival, including: 

  • Package and mail delivery services 
  • Office supply delivery services 
  • Utilities (an overlap should be implemented between the old and new premises) 
  • Telephone and internet service providers 
  • Marketing and printing companies providing updated business cards and stationery 

Installing new office security systems

Security should never be ignored when writing moving checklist office plans. Door entry, intrusion detection and commercial video security systems should ideally be installed in the new office before moving in and can be detailed as part of a new floor plan. 

Some existing office equipment like door locks may not be movable without some construction or disruption to business operations. While simply transferring your existing security systems may seem like a good idea for your office move checklist, consider the benefits of instead investing in newer technology. The moving process can present an ideal opportunity for office design planning and install updated office security systems and to review existing company security policies. 

When discussing new security features as part of your office relocation checklist, consider these points: 

  • Obtain opinions and guidance from heads of security on what needs to be improved 
  • How previous incidents highlighted weaknesses in existing systems 
  • Identify elements of existing physical security plans that need to be amended for the new location 
  • Consult current vendors for advice regarding moving systems and technologies 
  • Assess which new technologies will deliver greater security and productivity 
  • Draft detailed plans and blueprints for installing security in the new office checklist 
  • Allow sufficient time for planning, vendor estimates, cabling, installation and testing 

It’s important to also consider how your team will access the building as part of your new office checklist. Will new systems work with existing credentials, or will you need to issue new key fobs or cards prior to the move-in date? Your checklist for an office move or business relocation should also include plans for any access levels or permissions adjustments, door schedules and passes for vendors and maintenance teams.

Finalizing your business and office move checklist

When devising a checklist for a new office move and relocation, make sure to begin the planning process as soon as possible and start by determining an appropriate budget, as well as delegating responsibilities to trusted employees. Create deadlines for important tasks, allowing room for unexpected delays, and promote accountability through regularly scheduled meetings. 

Work with utility and service providers to ensure that essential systems are functional on the move-in date and consider using the move as an opportunity to update existing security systems and related policies. 

No matter the size of the business, packing up and moving a professional operation can be a daunting task. By organizing and planning in advance, it’s possible to enjoy a smooth office relocation while sticking to the budget and deadline.

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