Office Move Checklist: A Room-by-Room Furniture Plan

An office move checklist for furniture works backward from move-in day. Settle the floor plan about 16 weeks out. Order Made-to-Order and Customizable pieces 9–13 weeks before move-in, depending on region, and Quickship 2–3 weeks before. Then confirm the building’s delivery rules and inspect each delivery on arrival.

This checklist covers the furniture side of a move: the timeline, what to keep, how to measure and what each room needs. For budgets, quotes and supplier terms, see the office fit-out furniture guide.

The office move timeline, week by week

The longest lead time sets the start date. Made-to-Order takes 5–12 weeks to deliver and Customizable 5–13 weeks, longest to the Eastern US. Quickship pieces arrive in 8–14 days anywhere in the contiguous US.

Sixteen weeks leaves three weeks to settle sizes and finishes before the longest lead times begin. Customizable pieces start from drawings you approve, so decide those rooms first. When every piece is Quickship, the furniture side of a move fits in three weeks. For when each is worth it, see Quickship vs. made-to-order.

Decide what moves and what you replace

Move the pieces that fit the new rooms and have years of use left. Replace what doesn’t fit the plan and what’s near the end of its life. Quality desks and casegoods typically last 10–20 years and task chairs 5–10, so chairs come up for replacement first. See how long office furniture lasts.

Measure every piece you keep against the room it’s going to, and tag it with that room’s name before move day. Book resale, donation or removal for the rest: delivery crews bring new furniture but don’t take old pieces away.

Measure the new rooms and the route in

The largest piece sets the measurements: it has to clear every door, the freight elevator and the tightest corridor turn between the loading dock and its room. Then measure each room’s walls, doors, windows and outlets.

Hold at least 36 inches of clear width from the entrance to every room, the accessible route width in the 2010 ADA Standards (§403.5.1).

Furnish the new office room by room

Each room needs a short furniture list and one measurement that decides the order.

• Reception: a reception desk 60–72 inches wide for one person, or 90 inches and wider for a desk shared by two or more, with an accessible section at the 36-inch ADA counter height. Add waiting seating.
• Private offices: an executive desk, a credenza, a chair and shelving. Measure the wall the desk faces first.
• Meeting rooms: a conference table sized to the seats you need, with room to pull out every chair.
• Open work area: workstations, task chairs and storage, at about 150 usable square feet per person all in. See how much space each workstation needs.

Schedule delivery and assembly

Book deliveries for after the space is ready: flooring down, power and data live, and the route clear. Many commercial buildings need 48–72 hours’ notice for large freight and a certificate of insurance naming the building; we provide the certificate on request.

Standard Arc Grove® delivery is curbside. White-glove delivery, quoted per order where available, adds uncrating, full assembly, placement in the room you choose and packaging removal by insured local crews.

On delivery day, count the pieces and inspect the packaging before you sign, and note any damage on the bill of lading. Then place everything against the floor plan, room by room.

Fill the rooms that can’t wait from Quickship, and order the rest to size.

Frequently asked questions

What should be on an office move checklist?

For the furniture: a floor plan and headcount, a keep-or-replace list, measurements of every room and the delivery route, orders placed by lead time, the building’s delivery rules, and an inspection of every piece on arrival.

How far in advance should you plan an office move?

Start the furniture plan about 16 weeks before move-in when any piece is made to order or customized. When every piece is Quickship, 3 weeks is enough, because Quickship delivers in 8–14 days.

When should you order furniture for a new office?

Place Made-to-Order and Customizable orders 9–13 weeks before move-in, depending on region, and Quickship orders 2–3 weeks before. Ordering earlier can leave furniture waiting for a space that isn’t ready.

Should you move old office furniture or buy new?

Move the pieces that fit the new rooms and have years of use left, and replace the rest. Quality desks and casegoods typically last 10–20 years and task chairs 5–10, so chairs come up for replacement first.

Who assembles office furniture after an office move?

With standard curbside delivery, your team or an installer you hire. White-glove delivery, quoted per order, includes uncrating, full assembly, placement and packaging removal.