Every business that’s moved offices has a story about the one thing they forgot. Maybe it was updating the address on Google, maybe it was telling the courier company, maybe it was realising halfway through the move that nobody backed up the shared drive.
This office moving checklist is built around the items that genuinely get missed, not just the obvious ones like booking a truck. If you’re planning a commercial move in Perth, treat this as your second pass after the big stuff is already sorted.
Why a Checklist Actually Matters Here
Office relocations fail more often because of poor coordination than because of the physical move itself. Workplace research consistently points to IT interruptions and miscommunication as the leading causes of post-move downtime, not the trucks.
In other words, the things on this list are exactly the kind of detail that turns a smooth move into a frustrating one if they slip through.
The 20-Point Checklist
Before the Move
- Confirm your removalist booking and exact crew/truck size at least two weeks out
- Notify your landlord or building manager of your move-out date
- Confirm lift access or loading dock bookings at both buildings
- Back up all shared drives, servers, and critical business data before IT teardown
- Update your registered business address with ASIC and the ATO
- Update your address on Google Business Profile and any other directory listings
- Notify your bank, insurer, and any finance providers of the new address
- Arrange mail redirection through Australia Post
- Order new signage if the business name or branding is changing at the new site
- Confirm internet and phone line installation dates at the new office
During Packing
- Label every box by department and destination room, not just contents
- Photograph IT cabling setups before disconnecting anything
- Pack an essentials box per department with chargers, basic stationery, and anything needed on day one
- Confirm which furniture needs disassembly and flag it to your removalist in advance
- Remove or securely pack anything fragile or high value separately
On Moving Day and After
- Do a final walkthrough of the old office before the truck leaves
- Confirm all keys, access cards, and parking permits are returned or transferred
- Test internet, phones, and core systems at the new site before staff return
- Brief staff on the new layout, parking, and amenities before their first day there
- Notify clients and key vendors of the new address directly, not just via a website update
The Three Items Businesses Forget Most
1. Updating Vendor and Supplier Records
It’s easy to update your website and forget that your printer supplier, cleaning contractor, or courier company still has your old address on file. This usually surfaces a few weeks later when a delivery goes to the wrong building.
2. Backing Up Data Before IT Teardown
Server downtime during a move is one of the costliest parts of any office relocation Perth project. Small business research puts downtime costs at roughly $427 per minute on average.
A backup taken the day before the move, not weeks earlier, protects you if anything goes wrong during transport or reconnection.
3. Briefing Staff Before, Not After
Workplace communication research found that 39% of employees feel poorly informed about company changes, including office moves.
If your team finds out about parking arrangements or the new layout on the morning of the move, expect a slower, more confused first day than if you’d briefed them properly beforehand.
Assigning Ownership for Each Section
A checklist only works if someone actually owns each item on it. In a small office, this might mean one person handles the whole thing. In a larger business, splitting it across department heads, with one person responsible for IT, another for facilities, and another for staff communication, tends to work better than leaving everything to a single overwhelmed coordinator.
Building in a Buffer for the Unexpected
Even a thorough checklist won’t catch everything. Building managers sometimes change access rules with little notice, IT providers occasionally need extra time to activate a new line, and furniture sometimes doesn’t fit through a doorway despite careful measuring.
Final Thoughts
A solid office moving checklist isn’t about being overly cautious. It’s about catching the unglamorous details, like mail redirection and vendor notifications, before they turn into a problem three weeks after the move is technically done.
If you’d rather have an experienced crew handle the physical side while you focus on the admin checklist, our Office Removal Perth team manages furniture, IT equipment, and after-hours scheduling as part of every commercial job.