Office Move IT Checklist for Manchester

An office move is one of the easiest times for IT to go wrong. Internet lines take longer than expected, phones do not follow you, and the new building’s cabling is not what the agent said. This checklist is based on the jobs that cause the most trouble, roughly in the order you should tackle them.

Three months or more before the move

1. Order your internet connection first. Business broadband and especially leased lines can take weeks or longer to install, particularly if new ducting or a wayleave (landlord permission for the cabling) is needed. See business connectivity.
2. Visit the new office with your IT provider. Check where lines come into the building, whether there is existing data cabling and its condition, where the comms cabinet will go, and power for desks.
3. Check the lease for rules on cabling, drilling, roof access (for wireless links) and who owns existing equipment.
4. Decide what is changing: new phones, new Wi-Fi, new hardware. It is often cheaper to install new equipment in the new office than to move old kit.

Phones and numbers

Plan how your phone numbers will move. With the PSTN switch-off due by 31 January 2027 [1], an office move is a good time to move to a cloud phone system if you have not already. Numbers can usually be ported, but porting takes time and needs accurate account details. Read keeping your business number when moving to VoIP.

Cabling, cabinet and Wi-Fi

• Get a structured cabling survey and quote if the building needs new or extra data points. Plan points for desks, printers, access points, screens and door entry.
• Choose a well-ventilated, secure spot for the comms cabinet with dedicated power.
• Have a Wi-Fi survey done once the layout is final. Walls, glass and lift shafts all affect coverage. See managed Wi-Fi.
• Order networking equipment (firewall, switches, access points) in good time.

Four weeks before

1. Confirm the line installation date and test it as soon as it is live.
2. Plan the move weekend: who disconnects, packs, moves and reconnects each device.
3. Label every device and cable with its destination.
4. Take a full backup of servers and important data before anything is unplugged.
5. Tell suppliers, your bank and customers about the new address.

Move weekend and the first week

1. Set up the network and test internet, phones and Wi-Fi before staff arrive.
2. Reconnect and test each desk, printer and meeting room.
3. Have someone on site on the first morning to fix problems quickly.
4. Update your address on your website, Google Business Profile and directories so local search results stay accurate. See local SEO.

Common mistakes

• Ordering the internet line too late.
• Assuming existing cabling is fine without testing it.
• Forgetting door entry, alarms, card machines and lift lines that still rely on old analogue lines.
• No backup taken before equipment is moved.

When to speak to BMT

We plan and run office moves across Greater Manchester, from line orders and cabling to the move weekend itself. See IT support in Manchester. Call us on 0161 672 7461 or 01706 391 047, or get in touch online.

Related reading: Cat6 vs Cat6a: office cabling explained · VoIP or landline for UK small firms?

Sources

[1] The big switch-off – Openreach