A Smooth Move - The IT Checklist for Successful Office Relocations

Moving offices can be an exciting time for any organisation—it signals growth, change, and new opportunities. But as anyone who’s managed a relocation knows, it also comes with its fair share of headaches, especially when it comes to IT infrastructure. Whether you're downsizing, upgrading, or simply moving to a more suitable space, being proactive and strategic is the best way to ensure a seamless transition.

At Fitzrovia IT, we've helped many clients navigate this process and recently completed our own office move. We've learned firsthand that solid planning—particularly around IT—is essential for keeping your business running smoothly before, during, and after the move.

In this blog, we’ll share our top tips and key IT factors you should consider when planning an office relocation—and introduce you to wantdontwant, who can help you manage unwanted office furniture in a way that’s efficient, ethical, and environmentally responsible.

Start with a Plan

Before you even start packing, it’s important to sit down and understand what you want to achieve from the move. Are you looking to reduce overheads? Upgrade your space to support hybrid working? Improve connectivity or collaboration?

Start by engaging your team and identifying the pros and cons of your current setup. From there, build a list of “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves” for the new space, and carry out a thorough audit of your current IT infrastructure. Knowing what you have—and what you need—will give you a clearer picture and help you avoid surprises down the line.

Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) goals can be a helpful framework to guide this early planning phase.

Key IT Considerations for a Smooth Move

There are many moving parts (literally) when it comes to relocating your IT environment. Here are some of the most critical areas to focus on:

1. Comms Room Location & Environment

Your comms room is the heart of your office IT setup. It needs to be secure, well-ventilated, and lockable. Proper air conditioning is non-negotiable—overheating hardware is one of the most common (and avoidable) issues we see during and after moves.

2. Power Supply & Desk Connectivity

Make sure your new space has sufficient power capacity. This includes electrical outlets for all desks, meeting rooms, and of course, the comms room. If you're expanding, consider future-proofing your layout by building in a buffer for additional equipment.

3. Internet Connectivity

No business can afford to go without internet—even for a few hours. Ensure your new location has connectivity ready well in advance of move-in day. It’s also wise to set up a backup connection in case your primary service experiences delays or outages.

At Fitzrovia IT, we use Ekahau software to map Wi-Fi needs and identify optimal placements for access points. We conduct pre-deployment site audits and tailor wireless network architecture to your space for maximum reliability.

4. Wireless Access Point (WAP) Placement

Using specialist software, we can generate a digital heatmap of your office to ensure WAPs are strategically placed to provide consistent, high-speed coverage across the entire space. This can save a lot of headaches post-move when staff start settling in.

5. Outdated or Surplus Hardware

A move is the perfect time to review whether older equipment still serves your needs. Many businesses find that relocating presents an opportunity to migrate some systems to the cloud—saving both space and ongoing maintenance costs.

6. Equipment Handling

IT equipment is expensive and sensitive. Moving it requires expertise. Fitzrovia IT offers a fully insured moving service that ensures your tech arrives safely and is reinstalled correctly. Trust us: cutting corners on this step can end up costing more in the long run.

7. Backups & Contingency Planning

Even the best-laid plans can go sideways. That’s why it's essential to have a robust backup of all your data—ideally stored offsite or in the cloud. Should anything unexpected occur during the move, your business won’t be left scrambling.

Going Green: Our Partnership with wantdontwant

Relocations often result in a surprising amount of unused or unwanted furniture and equipment. Rather than sending these items to landfill, wantdontwant provide a more sustainable, eco-friendly solution.

wantdontwant have been ticking all the 'Re-use', 'Recycling' and 'Sustainability' boxes since they began brokering used office furniture online in 2000. Working on a “No Sale, No Fee” basis, they help sellers get the best prices for good-quality used furniture—while buyers benefit from prices better than most trade suppliers.

In addition to second-hand options, wantdontwant also supply brand new office furniture from trusted manufacturers. Over the years, they’ve built a reputation as a communicative, honest, and genuinely client-focused company. Whether you’re looking to clear out or kit out your new space, they’re a fantastic resource for making sustainable, cost-effective choices.

Final Thoughts

Relocating an office can feel overwhelming, but with the right plan and partners in place, it doesn’t have to be. Focusing on IT early in the process helps avoid costly downtime and keeps your team productive throughout the transition.

At Fitzrovia IT, we’ve seen it all—surprises, setbacks, and success stories—and we’re here to make sure your move falls firmly in the latter category. Whether you need expert advice, help with the physical move, or a fresh set of eyes on your network needs, our friendly team is ready to support.

Thinking about a move? Please get in contact with us today. And if you're looking to clear out or refurnish your new space, contact wantdontwant—they’ll be happy to offer advice and help you find the perfect sustainable solution.