Your 2024 Office Move Checklist For a Smooth Transition

Moving house is hard enough. Moving offices is a different beast. 

Or is it?

As with any move, a checklist can be a lifesaver. It will help you stay organised during every phase of your relocation, allowing you to stress less and focus more on what matters: your business.

What follows is the ultimate office move checklist designed to facilitate the smoothest transition possible into your new space. We cover every essential step of the process from 12 months out all the way to move out day, helping you stay on track as you happily tick tasks off the list. Make sure to bookmark this page so you can return and update your progress as you go.

• Review your current commercial lease agreement. Understand what terms and conditions you need to abide by should you decide not to renew. Understand what penalties may apply if you decide to break your lease early. 
• Identify the scope for the new office.
• If you haven’t already, start researching and inspecting potential spaces for relocation.
• If not yourself, assign a project manager to oversee the move at every stage. Work with them to create a moving plan (using this checklist), to keep everything on track.
• Set a moving budget and share this with the project manager to avoid overspend.
• If you have a new space locked in, explore your office fitout options. A custom fitout can be designed and optimised for your unique business needs.

• Sign the lease agreement on your new space.
• Notify your current landlord and give official notice in writing.
• Notify your wider team of the move and the potential relocation date.
• Decide what furniture and equipment you’ll keep, and if there is a need to purchase new furniture.
• Lock in your moving date.
• Depending on the size of your team, assign department leaders to coordinate the move along with your project manager.
• Finalise your office fitout design, timeframe, and budget. Use this to determine when you should start your new fitout design.
• Secure a removalist company.
• Create an inventory checklist of all office supplies, equipment, and furniture.
• Looking Ahead: 
  • Review special equipment and determine how it will be handled during the move. 
  • If you have a “make good” clause in your current lease agreement, explore office strip out options to ensure you receive your bond back in full.

• Begin your office fitout if you haven’t started already.
• Start packing and tagging non-essential items and their final destinations (e.g. new office, offsite storage, recycling)
• Walk through your new space with your office fitout provider and assess the work in progress.
• If you’re bringing older equipment into the new office, tag all essential items and confirm this with the removalist.
• Notify customers, clients, and suppliers of the change of address. Share a point of contact during the transitionary period and the address of the new location. 
• Schedule IT, phone, and other necessary utility installations in the new office, and cut-off dates in your current office.

• Unpack and set up furniture and equipment.
• Test internet speeds and phone systems.
• Update company website email signatures with the new address.
• Ensure that any insurance from the previous location has been transferred to the new office.
• Distribute keys/security codes to the rest of the team.
• Complete a post-move evaluation with the project manager and identify if any changes need to be made to the new layout.
• Consider issuing a press release regarding the new move.
• Celebrate the move, thanking your team for their support and patience during the transitionary period.

Armed with this guide, you’ll be well on your way to a smooth move from your current office space to your new one. Bookmark, print, and share this checklist with your team to make this process even easier. 

If you’re moving into a new space, chances are you’ll need to “make good” your current space, while also designing your new office. Doing this alone while coordinating multiple contractors is a recipe for stress at a time when you should be focusing on running your business. Why not consolidate these services under one point of contact?

At Canopy Fitouts we create spaces that inspire meaningful work. If you're in the process of moving into a new space or want to upgrade your existing one, we can help. We have years of fitout experience across multiple industries and can work with you to create a design that is fresh, welcoming, and functional. We also can perform comprehensive office strip outs, ensuring your bond is returned on time. 

If you have any specific questions or are ready to explore your office fitout options, speak with our knowledgeable team today. Initial consultations are free and fully transparent.