What Is Office Relocation?
Office relocation is everything it takes to move your business to a new office. The truck is only one part. It also means planning, laying out the new space, moving your computers and phones, telling your team and customers, and setting everything back up. Done well, your business keeps running and your team is working on day one.
Some of the businesses we've worked with
What Are the Phases of an Office Relocation?
Most office moves follow the same steps. The timing below is a common guide; your move may need more or less.
- Planning (8-12 weeks out) - Set a budget, pick who runs the move on your side, choose a mover and set the dates.
- Space preparation (4-6 weeks out) - Finish the floor plan, order any new furniture, get internet and cabling in, and book the elevator and dock at both buildings.
- Communication (2-4 weeks out) - Tell your team, customers and vendors. Hand out packing instructions and the new address.
- Packing and labeling (1-2 weeks out) - Get crates delivered, label every box and piece of furniture with where it goes, and get computers ready to unplug.
- Physical move (1-3 days) - Unplug, take apart, load, drive, unload, put back together and plug back in at the new office.
- Post-move setup (1-2 days) - Check that computers and phones work, adjust furniture, fix anything missed and make sure every desk is ready.
Who Should Be on the Relocation Team?
In a small business this might be two or three people. What matters is that someone owns each piece:
- Office manager or facilities person (runs the move)
- Your IT person or IT vendor (internet, computers, phones, cabling)
- A lead from each team (what their area needs)
- The moving company project manager
- Building management at both offices
Common Office Relocation Mistakes
These are the mistakes we see most often:
- Starting too late
- Skipping the walkthrough at both offices
- Not labeling boxes and furniture with the room and floor they go to
- Leaving IT until the last week
- Hiring an hourly mover instead of getting a fixed price
How Much Does Office Relocation Cost?
The cost depends on how big your office is, how much you are moving, how far, how much IT is involved, building access, and whether you move after hours or on a weekend.
A small office costs far less than a multi-floor move with a server room. The way to know your number is a walkthrough. BMG walks your office for free and gives you a fixed price for the documented scope, so the bill does not grow on move day.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does an office relocation take from start to finish?
- Plan on a few months from the first planning meeting to everyone working at the new desk. The move itself is usually a day or a few days. Most of the time goes into planning, getting the new space ready, IT and telling your people.
- What is the biggest risk during an office relocation?
- Downtime. Computers that stay down longer than planned, furniture that shows up late or a building that will not give you the elevator can stop your team from working. Avoid it with an experienced mover, a walkthrough of both offices before the move, and some extra time in the schedule.
- Should I hire a project manager for an office relocation?
- You need one, but you may not need to hire one. A project manager keeps the vendors on schedule, tells your team what is happening and fixes problems on move day. BMG assigns you a dedicated project manager, so you do not have to hire one.
- Can employees keep working during an office relocation?
- Yes. Most businesses move after hours or over a weekend. Your team packs their desks on Friday and unpacks at the new office on Monday. Bigger offices can move in phases, one team at a time, while everyone else keeps working.
Planning an Office Relocation?
BMG plans the move with you, works with your IT person, moves you after hours or on a weekend, and sets everything up. Book a free walkthrough and get a fixed price.