Office moves only run well when the basics are sorted early. I’ve seen plenty of jobs fall apart because a desk didn’t fit in the lift, the truck had nowhere to park, or no one knew who was packing what. This guide is made for everyday Melbourne offices — the small teams in Thomastown, Dandenong, Craigieburn, Werribee and the business parks where space is tight and time matters.
If you want a simple plan that keeps things steady and gets your team working again sooner, this checklist will do it.
If you need extra hands, check trusted locals like furniture removals in Melbourne or office movers in Melbourne who know how to handle tight access and busy buildings.
1. Sort Your Plan Early So You’re Not Scrambling Later
Most problems start because someone left the planning too late. A bit of prep goes a long way.
Lock In a Timeline You Can Stick To
Work backwards from your move date:
- book the lift
- sort parking
- tell each team what they’re packing
- plan when IT is shutting down
- confirm what’s moving and what isn’t
Places in tier-3 suburbs often share loading spots. Don’t leave it last minute.
Double-Check the Simple Stuff
These things cause the worst delays:
- the desk that doesn’t fit in the lift
- the truck with nowhere to park
- the missing access card
- the floor plan no one has seen
Ten minutes checking this now saves an hour later.
2. Don’t Move Furniture You Don’t Need
A quick walk-through will cut your load — and your bill.
Sort Into Three Simple Piles
- Keep: anything solid and still used
- Replace: wobbly desks, broken drawers
- Dump/Recycle: old shelves, cracked tops
If it’s been sitting in the corner for months, don’t take it.
3. Prep Your Furniture Properly So Nothing Gets Damaged
Wrap the Basics
You don’t need expensive gear:
- cardboard on desk corners
- proper bubble wrap on glass
- empty all drawers
- bag screws and tape them to the item
Pull Apart the Items That Won’t Fit
Especially in older suburban buildings where lifts are tiny:
- sit-stand desks
- big meeting tables
- tall shelving
- steel filing units
Measure the lift before move day. Not during.
4. Keep Your IT Gear Organised or You’ll Waste Half a Day
Take Photos Before You Unplug Anything
Makes it easier to reconnect later.
Bag and Label Cables Properly
Each workstation should have its own cable bag. Keep monitors in padded sleeves and keyboards in tubs.
Protect Sensitive Stuff
Backups done. Laptops separate. Drives secure.
5. Keep Moving Day Straightforward and Safe
Set Up the Space Before We Arrive
- clear walk paths
- boxes in one spot
- lift access sorted
- staff out of the way
Give the Movers What They Need
- floor plan
- colour sections
- one point of contact
- fragile list
Simple helps everyone.
6. Set Up the New Office Without Losing Your First Day
Place the Big Items First
Desks, chairs, cabinets. Follow the plan so you’re not pushing furniture around later.
Reconnect IT in a Clean Order
Power → modem → desks → printers.
Do a Quick Final Check
- desks steady
- screens working
- internet up
- no loose parts
7. When You Should Call Professional Movers
Use pros when you’re dealing with:
- more than 10 desks
- heavy tables
- tight access
- strict timelines
- lots of IT gear
Local operators like office movers in Melbourne or furniture removals in Melbourne handle this every day and know how to work around tight suburban access.
