Guide
Office Moving Checklist
A practical timeline for Australian businesses planning an office relocation. Work backwards from your move date — most office moves need eight to twelve weeks of lead time to avoid surprises with IT, vendors, and your lease.
8–12 weeks out: plan and budget
8–12 weeks- Confirm the new office address, floor plan, and move-in date.
- Set a relocation budget, including removalists, IT, fit-out, and contingency.
- Appoint an internal move coordinator and assign a backup.
- Review your current lease for exit conditions, make-good, and notice periods.
- Request quotes from at least three licensed commercial removalists.
6–8 weeks out: vendors and infrastructure
6–8 weeks- Confirm your removalist booking in writing and lock in the date.
- Brief IT on internet, phone, server, and Wi-Fi cutover timelines.
- Order any new furniture, monitors, or fit-out items with long lead times.
- Notify cleaners, security, building management, and waste services.
- Update business address with the ATO, ASIC, banks, insurers, and suppliers.
3–4 weeks out: staff and logistics
3–4 weeks- Communicate the move date and new address to every staff member.
- Assign desks, parking, and access cards for the new location.
- Audit storage, archives, and confidential files — decide what to keep, archive, or shred.
- Order labelled crates and packing materials from your removalist.
- Book elevators and loading docks at both buildings for moving day.
1–2 weeks out: pack and verify
1–2 weeks- Start packing non-essential items, books, and stored equipment.
- Label every crate and item with destination room, owner, and priority.
- Confirm utilities, internet, and alarms are active at the new office.
- Back up servers and critical data. Document every device being moved.
- Send a final reminder to staff with the moving-day plan and contacts.
Moving day
Day of- Walk the old office with the removalist lead before loading starts.
- Keep critical IT equipment (servers, switches, key laptops) on a separate run.
- Have one team member receive items at the new office and check off the inventory.
- Photograph any existing damage at both locations before furniture is placed.
- Confirm payment terms, sign the job sheet, and capture the final invoice.
First week in the new office
Week 1- Verify every workstation, phone, and meeting room is operational.
- Update Google Business Profile, website, email signatures, and social profiles.
- Walk through the old space and complete any make-good obligations.
- Run a short staff survey to capture issues and lessons learned.
- Schedule a follow-up with your removalist for any outstanding items.
Ready to book your office move?
Chipper Move handles office relocations across Australia with experienced crews, transparent pricing, and instant deposits.