Office relocation IT checklist for Manchester businesses

22 hours ago

5 min read

An office relocation IT checklist should cover internet connectivity, network cabling, Wi-Fi, telephone systems, computers, servers, backups and testing. These need to be planned before moving day so employees can access the systems they need when the new premises opens.

For Manchester businesses, an office move is also an opportunity to review whether existing technology will support the next stage of growth.

A new office may provide more space, but reliable IT depends on what happens behind the desks: how devices connect, where equipment is installed and whether business applications work as expected.

ShaeTec supports businesses across Manchester and the North West with IT support, business connectivity, network installation, hardware and software solutions.

Office relocation IT checklist: what should you plan first?

Start by identifying the technology your business depends on and who is responsible for each part of the move.

Your checklist should include:

Internet availability and installation at the new address.
Existing connectivity contracts and notice periods.
Network cabling, sockets and equipment locations.
Wi-Fi coverage and capacity.
Telephone systems and business numbers.
Computers, monitors, printers and meeting-room equipment.
Servers and business applications.
Backups and recovery arrangements.
Security settings and access controls.
A testing plan before employees arrive.
A contingency plan if essential services are delayed.

Give each task an owner and an agreed completion date. This helps prevent assumptions between your business, landlord, contractors and technology providers.

Check business broadband before moving day

Do not assume that the new premises has a suitable internet connection because the previous tenant had broadband.

Availability, capacity and installation requirements need to be checked for your business and the exact address.

Consider how your team uses the connection. Video meetings, cloud applications, file transfers and internet-based telephone systems can place different demands on it.

Before committing to a changeover date, establish:

Which services are available.
Whether installation work is required.
The provider’s confirmed delivery timetable.
Whether the existing service must remain active during the move.
What temporary arrangements are possible if installation is delayed.

A connection should be installed and tested wherever possible before the business becomes dependent on it.

Plan network cabling around the office layout

Desk positions affect where network connections are needed, but computers are only part of the picture.

Printers, telephone handsets, wireless access points and other connected equipment may also require suitable cabling and power.

Mark the proposed equipment locations on a floor plan and review them before furniture is installed.

Check whether existing sockets work, where they terminate and whether the network equipment can support the intended setup.

Planning structured cabling early can help avoid trailing cables, inconvenient equipment positions and additional disruption after the move.

Review Wi-Fi coverage in the new premises

An office with more space may need a different wireless layout.

Walls, building materials, room positions and the number of connected devices can affect Wi-Fi performance. A router placed in one corner may not provide suitable coverage throughout the premises.

Consider where people will work, take calls and hold meetings. Include reception areas, shared spaces and any operational areas that depend on wireless devices.

Where appropriate, separate guest access from the business network and review the security settings before the service is opened to users.

Include telephone systems in your relocation plan

Your business needs to know how customers will reach you during the move.

Review your existing telephone arrangement and confirm what needs to happen to numbers, handsets, call routing and user settings.

For internet-based telephone systems, check connectivity, network configuration and power requirements at the new site.

Test incoming and outgoing calls, voicemail and any call-routing arrangements before the main changeover. If temporary forwarding is needed, agree it in advance.

Record the equipment you are moving

An equipment inventory helps the business understand what is moving, what is being replaced and what needs configuring.

Record essential details for computers, monitors, printers, network equipment and servers.

Label devices and cables so equipment can be returned to the correct users and locations. Identify any specialist software or peripherals that need additional setup.

This is also a useful point to review whether ageing hardware remains suitable for the work it supports.

Avoid replacing equipment simply because you are moving. Prioritise changes that address a clear performance, reliability or business requirement.

Protect data before equipment is disconnected

Before moving servers or other equipment holding business information, check that the relevant backups have completed and that recovery arrangements are understood.

Identify who can authorise shutdowns, who will reconnect equipment and how systems will be checked afterwards.

Cloud-based applications should also be included in the plan. Employees still need working devices, internet access, suitable permissions and any required authentication methods to use them.

Moving premises does not remove the need to review security settings or control who can access business information.

Test the systems your team actually uses

A computer connecting to the internet does not prove that the office is ready.

Test the activities employees need to complete, including:

Signing into business accounts.
Sending and receiving email.
Accessing shared files and applications.
Making and receiving telephone calls.
Joining video meetings.
Printing and scanning.
Connecting from different rooms.
Accessing any required servers or specialist systems.

Record any problems and resolve critical issues before the main team arrives.

Prepare for delays and first-day support

Even a carefully planned move needs a contingency plan.

Decide how essential work could continue if connectivity, equipment or access is delayed. The appropriate arrangement depends on your systems, staff and business priorities.

Employees should also know how to report problems during the first days in the new office.

Clear responsibilities and an agreed support route help the business respond quickly instead of leaving staff to troubleshoot unfamiliar equipment themselves.

How ShaeTec can support your office IT move

ShaeTec brings business IT support, connectivity, infrastructure, hardware and software expertise together through one provider.

Our services include network installation, structured cabling, business Wi-Fi, broadband, telephone systems, computers, servers and Microsoft 365 support.

For businesses moving premises in Manchester and the North West, we can discuss the technology requirements of the new workplace and help identify which installations, configurations and support arrangements need planning.

The aim is straightforward: technology that suits the way your business works.

Frequently asked questions

How early should we plan an office IT move?

Begin as soon as the proposed premises and moving timetable are known. Connectivity installation, building access and contractor availability can affect the schedule. Confirm actual delivery dates rather than relying on a standard lead time.

Can we move office without IT downtime?

Careful planning can reduce disruption, but zero downtime should not be assumed. Some equipment or services may require a changeover period. Testing and temporary working arrangements can help manage that transition.

Will our existing Wi-Fi equipment work in a larger office?

It may, but coverage and capacity should be reviewed against the new layout and number of users. Equipment that suited the previous premises may need repositioning or supplementing.

Should we keep the old internet connection until the move is complete?

An overlap can be useful where practical, but the decision depends on contracts, costs and the migration plan. Confirm the new connection is working before making the business dependent on it.

Can ShaeTec help with networking and hardware as well as IT support?

Yes. ShaeTec provides business connectivity, network installation, structured cabling, Wi-Fi, hardware and software solutions alongside ongoing IT support.