5 Vital Things To Consider When Moving Business Premises

Moving business premises is an exciting time. Maybe you’ve outgrown your current space, found somewhere closer to clients, or just want a change of scene. Whatever the reason, relocating your business is a big step. But it can get a bit chaotic if you don’t plan ahead.

There’s a lot more to it than shifting desks and plugging in laptops. Between keeping the team informed, sorting your tech, and making sure your new space actually works for you, there’s plenty to juggle. 

In this post, we’re breaking down the five essential things you need to consider when moving business premises. Keep reading for a stress-saving checklist that will get you safely from A to B with your sanity (and budget) intact.

Things To Consider When Moving Business Premises

1. Timing is Everything

One of the most overlooked parts of a business move is timing.

When you move isn’t just about picking a free weekend. There are a few things to think about, like a lease overlap. Will you have access to both spaces for a while, or are you doing a one-day handover? That can seriously affect how smoothly things go. You’ll also need to factor in notice periods, landlord requirements, and any downtime you’ll need to schedule.

And then there’s business disruption. Ideally, you want the move to have minimal impact on day-to-day operations. Can you stagger the move over a few days? Shift things outside working hours? Make a plan that keeps your business ticking along, even while you’re surrounded by cardboard boxes.

A little forward planning now can save a lot of scrambling later. And the earlier you start thinking about your timeline, the more control you’ll have over how it all unfolds.

2. Get the Right People Involved Early

A smooth office move is a team effort, and the sooner you loop the right people in, the better!

Start with your internal team. It helps to assign someone (or some groups) to oversee different aspects of the move. From IT to finance to facilities, involve the people who know the nuts and bolts of how your business runs. Their input can flag issues early, such as servers that need specialist handling or departments that need certain setups in place from day one.

If you’re moving into a shared building, reach out to the facilities or building manager to understand access restrictions, lift usage, or parking for the moving day. Got contractors helping with design or fit-out? Keep them in the loop, too.

Clear communication and early collaboration are the secret weapons of any successful business relocation. Keep everyone informed with enough time to prepare, and your move will go a lot more smoothly.

3. Don’t Underestimate the Tech Move

You’d be surprised how often businesses plan the logistics of moving desks and furniture down to the minute but forget to think about the tech until the last second.

Moving computers, servers, phones, and everything else that keeps your business online isn’t just a case of unplugging and re-plugging. You’ll want to make sure your internet is set up and tested before the team walks through the door. Phone systems need to be reconnected. Printers, screens, and meeting room setups all need a home, and someone to install them. 

It’s also worth having a backup plan. Things don’t always go perfectly on day one, so make sure critical data is backed up and stored securely. If your team can work remotely while the dust settles, even better.

Basically, don’t wing it. Your business runs on tech, and if it’s not ready when you arrive, you could lose more than just time. Check out our page for more help and information on IT relocation. 

4. Notify Everyone Who Needs to Know

It’s not the most glamorous part of moving business premises, but updating your contacts is essential.

Start with the big stuff: Companies House, HMRC, your bank, insurance providers, and your suppliers all need to know where you’re going. Then, move on to the customer-facing bits like updating your address on your website, social media, Google Business Profile, email signatures, and invoices.

Set up post redirection so nothing important goes astray, and make sure phone lines are forwarded during the transition if needed.

And don’t forget to let your clients or customers know about the move ahead of time, especially if it might impact deliveries, service times, or access to your office. A quick email or heads-up can go a long way in keeping relationships strong while you’re settling in.

5. Plan Your Layout Before You Arrive

You know that classic moving day chaos. Boxes everywhere, the kettle’s gone waklabout, someone desperately searching for a plug socket? Let’s avoid that.

Before the move, take some time to plan out how your new space will work. Where will each team sit? Where will the printers, storage units, and meeting areas go? Have you thought about breakout space, lighting, or where people are going to eat lunch?

If you’re able to visit the new premises ahead of time, grab a tape measure and sketch out a basic floorplan. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just something that gives you a clear idea of what’s going where.

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Getting your layout sorted in advance saves time and stops everyone from wandering around wondering where their desk went. And it helps you settle in faster, which means less downtime and a quicker return to business as usual.

Move Smart, Land Smoothly

Relocating your business is a big milestone, and while it might feel like a lot to think about, a bit of planning goes a long way. From timing and tech to layout and logistics, getting the details right upfront can save you headaches later. And if you want to save a few pennies along the way, we’ve written a post with ways to save money on your commercial move. 

The key is to not just think about how you’re moving, but to think about what you’re moving towards. With the right approach, your new premises can be more than just a change of address. It can be a fresh start for your team, your workspace, and your business.

Ready to Make Your Move?

If you're planning to move business premises in London, we're here to help make it simple.  With decades of experience, we specialise in office moves across the UK and tailor every relocation to minimise disruption and downtime.

From packing and furniture reassembly to secure storage, our expert team handles it all so you can stay focused on your business.

Get in touch today for a friendly chat and free quote from people who’ve done this hundreds of times before.

Let’s get your business moving in the right direction.