A typical office move timeline starts three to six months before moving day. Small offices can plan in about three months. Larger offices with IT rooms, custom furniture or build-outs need six months or more. The first steps are reading your lease, setting a budget and naming a move coordinator.
Office moves rarely go wrong on moving day. They go wrong months earlier, when a notice date is missed or the new space is not ready. A clear timeline keeps every task in the right order.
How far ahead should you plan an office move?
| Office size | Suggested lead time |
|---|---|
| Under 10 people | About 3 months |
| 10 to 50 people | 4 to 6 months |
| 50 or more people | 6 to 12 months |
| New build-out or major renovation | 9 to 12 months or more |
Build-outs take the longest. Permits, contractors and furniture lead times can stretch a project. Add a buffer whenever construction is involved.
Month-by-month office move timeline
Six months out
- ✓Review your current lease. Confirm the end date and the notice you must give.
- ✓Name a move coordinator. One person owns the plan and the decisions.
- ✓Set a budget. Include movers, IT, furniture, cleaning and any overlap rent.
- ✓Measure the new space. Get floor plans for furniture and desk layouts.
Three to four months out
- ✓Get moving estimates. Have movers walk the space so the estimate is accurate.
- ✓Order furniture. New desks and chairs can take weeks or months to arrive.
- ✓Book IT and phones. Internet installs at a new address often need long lead times.
- ✓Plan the cleanout. Decide what you will not take with you.
One to two months out
- ✓Confirm building rules. Get move hours, elevator rules and insurance requirements from both buildings.
- ✓Order new printed items. Business cards, letterhead and signage.
- ✓Start packing storage areas. Archive rooms and closets can be packed early.
- ✓Tell your contacts. Let clients, vendors and your bank know the new address.
Final two weeks
- ✓Label everything. Use a numbered or color code that matches the new floor plan.
- ✓Pack desks. Staff pack their own desks the day before.
- ✓Back up data. IT backs up servers and confirms the cutover plan.
- ✓Forward the mail. Set up business mail forwarding before your last day.
The Postal Service lets businesses file a change of address online. Do it at least two weeks ahead.
Want the checklist on paper? Download our free office moving guide.
Planning an office move?
Book a walkthrough early and lock in your moving date while it is open.
What usually delays an office move?
- ✓Construction running late. The new space is not ready on the planned date.
- ✓Internet not installed. The team arrives to a new office with no connection.
- ✓Missing building paperwork. The building will not let the crew in without insurance documents.
- ✓Late furniture. New furniture is backordered past moving day.
If dates slip, short-term storage can hold furniture until the space is ready. Ask about our commercial packing and storage options.
Should you plan a cleanout before the office move?
Yes. Moving items you do not need costs time and truck space. Sort the office a month or two before the move. Old furniture, dead electronics and outdated files should go before moving day, not after.
A cleanout also makes the new office easier to set up. Fewer boxes means faster unpacking and less clutter on day one. Read our office cleanout guide for a full plan.
Office moves across Greater Philadelphia
LiteMovers plans and handles commercial moves from our base in King of Prussia. We move offices in Conshohocken, West Chester, Bala Cynwyd and Center City.
Moving after hours? Read our guide to weekend and after-hours office moves. Need to know what buildings ask for? See our guide to moving insurance certificates.
Office Move Timeline FAQs
How far in advance should you plan an office move?
Most offices should start planning three to six months before moving day. Small offices under ten people can usually plan in about three months. Larger offices, or moves that involve a new build-out, often need six to twelve months to handle leases, construction, furniture and IT.
When should I book movers for an office move?
Book your movers three to four months ahead if you can. Have them walk your space so the estimate is accurate. Weekend and month-end dates fill up fast, especially in spring and summer, so booking early helps you get the date you want.
What is the first step in planning an office move?
Start by reading your current lease to confirm the end date and notice rules. Then name one move coordinator and set a budget. These three steps shape every later decision, from when to book movers to how much overlap time you can afford.
When should employees pack their desks for an office move?
Employees usually pack their own desks a day or two before the move. Shared areas like storage rooms and file rooms should be packed earlier. Give staff boxes, labels and a simple floor plan code so every box lands in the right spot.
Start your office move plan
Request a walkthrough and get a timeline built around your move date.
LiteMovers LLC · 307 East Church Rd, Suites 1 & 2, King of Prussia, PA 19406 · (610) 755-5535 · Toll-free 1-877-798-8989 · moves@litemovers.com
Licensed and insured · PA PUC A-8916211 · USDOT 2173383 · MC-888055
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