Office IT Relocation Checklist: Move Without Losing a Day of Productivity

An office move is one of the most disruptive events for IT infrastructure. A detailed plan is the difference between a seamless weekend cutover and weeks of productivity loss.

Phase 1 — Assessment (8-12 Weeks Before Move)

• [ ] Audit current IT inventory (servers, switches, firewalls, phones, APs, cameras, UPS)
• [ ] Document current network architecture (topology diagrams, IP addressing, VLANs)
• [ ] Assess new space — tour with IT team, identify MDF/IDF locations, power capacity
• [ ] Review new building cabling — is existing cabling adequate or is new installation needed?
• [ ] Order ISP service for new location (lead times: 4-12 weeks for fiber)
• [ ] Obtain floor plans of new space for cabling and AP placement design
• [ ] Engage a cabling contractor for new-space installation if needed
• [ ] Review lease for low-voltage cabling requirements and landlord approvals

Phase 2 — Design & Ordering (6-8 Weeks Before)

• [ ] Design network layout for new space (MDF/IDF locations, cable pathways, AP placement)
• [ ] Order new equipment if needed (switches, APs, racks, UPS, patch panels)
• [ ] Schedule cabling installation at new location (should complete 2+ weeks before move)
• [ ] Configure DNS changes with appropriate TTL adjustments (lower TTL 2 weeks prior)
• [ ] Plan phone system migration (port numbers, configure new PBX, or update cloud PBX settings)
• [ ] Plan security system installation at new location (cameras, access control, alarm)
• [ ] Create move-day runbook with tasks, owners, and timeline

Phase 3 — Pre-Move Setup (2-4 Weeks Before)

• [ ] Install and certify cabling at new location
• [ ] Install racks, patch panels, and cable management in new MDF/IDF
• [ ] Install and test internet connectivity at new location (run parallel to old location)
• [ ] Pre-configure switches, firewall, and wireless controllers
• [ ] Stage new equipment in new space telecom rooms
• [ ] Install security cameras and access control at new location
• [ ] Test phone system at new location (parallel with old)
• [ ] Communicate move timeline to all employees with IT-specific instructions

Phase 4 — Move Weekend

• [ ] Back up all servers and critical data before disconnecting anything
• [ ] Label every cable and device at old location before disconnecting
• [ ] Disconnect and transport servers, switches, and equipment
• [ ] Rack and cable equipment at new location per the runbook
• [ ] Power up core infrastructure first: firewall → core switch → servers → APs
• [ ] Verify internet connectivity and VPN tunnels
• [ ] Test phone system — inbound and outbound calls
• [ ] Test wireless coverage on every floor
• [ ] Verify printer and copier connectivity
• [ ] Spot-check 10-15 workstations for network, phone, and application access

Phase 5 — Post-Move Validation (Week 1)

• [ ] Walk every floor — verify all workstations, phones, and APs are operational
• [ ] Test security cameras and access control
• [ ] Verify backup jobs are running successfully at new location
• [ ] Update documentation with new network diagrams and IP assignments
• [ ] Update business listings (Google, Yelp, website) with new address
• [ ] Schedule old-location ISP disconnection (keep overlap for 30 days)
• [ ] Decommission old-location equipment and cabling

Summit DNC manages office IT relocations for businesses across Southern California. We handle cabling, network deployment, phone migration, and security installation. Contact us 12 weeks before your planned move date.