How to Relocate Your Office Phone System, Internet & Tech Infrastructure
Your office move shouldn’t slow your business down—let Two Amigos handle every detail so your team stays productive and your transition happens seamlessly. Whether you’re relocating a small workplace, an entire corporate floor, or a large multi-department operation, our experienced office-moving specialists manage the packing, labeling, IT equipment handling, furniture disassembly, transport, and coordinated setup so your business is back up and running fast.
A Complete Guide to Moving Business Technology Without Disruption
Relocating an office is always a major project—but relocating your phone system, internet services, and full tech infrastructure takes the complexity to a completely different level. These systems are the backbone of your operations. When handled incorrectly, a single overlooked detail can lead to downtime, data loss, security gaps, missed calls, and frustrated employees or clients.
Whether you’re moving a small office or a multi-department operation with servers, VoIP systems, and specialized networks, you need a structured, technical plan to ensure everything comes online smoothly.
This guide walks you through each step of the process—planning, auditing, upgrading, coordinating with providers, transferring services, reinstalling equipment, and testing—so your business can move with confidence and zero unnecessary downtime.
Why Technology Infrastructure Must Be a Top Priority During an Office Move
Even if you have movers handling desks, furniture, and supplies, your IT systems require a totally different level of care.
Here’s why:
1. They are essential for your business to function
If your phones don’t ring, customers think you’re closed. If your internet is down, your team sits idle. If your server doesn’t boot, your operations stall.
2. Disconnecting and reconnecting tech is more complicated than it appears
Equipment such as switches, routers, PBX systems, cloud gateways, modems, patch panels, and servers must be shut down in a precise order and reconnected to avoid configuration failures.
3. Not all buildings support the same cabling or infrastructure
Your new office may require new wiring, upgraded network speeds, or enhanced WiFi coverage.
4. Providers often need weeks of notice
Carriers and internet providers are not designed for last-minute moves. Early scheduling prevents delays.
5. A move is the perfect time to upgrade
New office? New tech. A relocation lets you consolidate outdated equipment and move into more efficient systems.
Because of all this, businesses must give technology the same attention as logistics, scheduling, and staffing—if not more.
Step 1: Conduct a Full Audit of Your Existing Technology
Before touching a single cable, complete a top-to-bottom assessment of your current setup.
This includes:
Phone system type and configuration (PBX, VoIP, hosted system, analog lines)
Network hardware (firewalls, routers, switches, access points)
Workstations and devices (desktops, laptops, docking stations)
Cabling and wall-jack layout
Server room layout including racks, power, ventilation, UPS units
Printers, copiers, scanners, and shared devices
POS or proprietary systems
Cloud systems and software subscriptions
Backup and data recovery processes
Internet service details: bandwidth, static IPs, service-level agreements
Document every component, its location, and how it is connected.
Take photos wherever possible to simplify reinstallation.
This audit becomes your blueprint for the entire relocation.
Step 2: Determine What Needs to Be Upgraded Before the Move
Tech evolves faster than office furniture.
A relocation is an ideal time to modernize systems, including:
VoIP Phone Systems
Businesses still using analog lines or an on-site PBX often upgrade to cloud-based systems during a move to eliminate bulky hardware and reduce support costs.
Network Equipment
Switches, routers, firewalls, and WiFi access points typically need upgrading every five to seven years.
Server Infrastructure
A move may inspire transitioning from physical servers to cloud solutions such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or hosted servers.
Cabling
If your existing cabling is not Cat6 or better, the new office gives you the opportunity to implement high-speed cabling that supports modern data demands.
Backup Systems
Cloud backups, off-site replication, and modern redundancy systems protect your data during and after the move.
Perform upgrades before the move, not after.
This prevents double work and dramatically improves reliability.
Step 3: Assess the New Office for Technical Requirements
Before signing a lease—or long before your move date—inspect your new location with an IT professional or consultant.
Key factors include:
Internet Availability
Determine:
Available carriers
Available speeds (fiber, cable, DSL)
Whether the building can support your bandwidth and redundancy needs
Whether you require static IP addresses or dedicated lines
Order new services at least 30–90 days before move-in, depending on the provider.
Cabling Infrastructure
Verify:
Number of network drops per workstation
Cabling type (Cat6, Cat6a, fiber)
Wireless coverage needs
Server room cabling requirements
Whether recabling is required
Power Requirements
Servers, VoIP equipment, and network infrastructure may need:
Dedicated circuits
Higher voltage power
UPS and surge protection
Redundant power paths
Server or Network Room
Ensure the room includes:
Controlled temperature and ventilation
Sufficient rack space
Secure locking mechanisms
Proper grounding
Fiber or CAT cabling structure
Phone System Compatibility
If you’re keeping your current phone system, ensure it’s compatible with the building’s wiring or your provider’s infrastructure.
Step 4: Coordinate With Internet and Phone Providers Early
Telecom and internet providers often experience delays.
To avoid downtime, contact your providers as early as possible.
You’ll need to:
Submit address change requests
Confirm installation dates
Discuss transferring phone numbers
Determine cut-over dates
Request any new static IPs
Ask about downtime windows
Confirm technician scheduling
For VoIP systems, the process is usually fast and handled remotely.
For analog or PRI systems, schedule well in advance because physical wiring changes are required.
Step 5: Create a Technical Moving Plan
Your plan should include:
A detailed shutdown sequence
Servers, switches, firewalls, and phone systems must be powered down in the correct order to avoid data corruption.
Labeling and documentation
Every cable, rack component, and workstation should be clearly labeled before disconnecting.
Packing standards
Use anti-static materials, specialized crates, or shock-protected containers for sensitive equipment.
Timing strategy
Decide whether the move:
Happens after hours
Occurs over a weekend
Requires temporary redundancy
Needs backup systems running in parallel
Reinstallation plan
Prepare configuration details, IP mappings, rack layouts, and workstation assignments ahead of time.
Your IT team or managed service provider should take the lead on this plan.
Step 6: Prepare Your Team for the Transition
Employees must know:
When systems will be offline
What to back up
How to secure personal or company data during the move
How to label and pack their workstations
How to handle sensitive equipment such as laptops and monitors
For teams using cloud systems, ensure all files are synced before shutdown.
For those using local storage, ensure backups are performed.
Step 7: Moving Day Procedures
On relocation day, follow a structured approach.
IT Shutdown
Your tech team should shut down:
Servers
Network switches
Firewalls
Backup devices
Phones
WiFi access points
Specialty hardware
Shutting down improperly can lead to hardware failure.
Packing
All technology must be packed separately from furniture.
Equipment should be handled by tech-savvy movers or specialized team members.
Transport
Use:
Climate-controlled transport if necessary
Equipment-rated cases
Shock absorption systems
Professional handling protocols
Unloading
Place equipment directly in the server room or designated tech areas, avoiding unnecessary movement.
Step 8: Reinstallation and Configuration in the New Office
Once onsite, reinstall systems in the proper order.
Network Setup
Install and configure:
Patch panels
Switches
Firewalls
Routers
Access points
PoE requirements for phones
Redundant ISP connections (if applicable)
Phone System Setup
Reconnect VoIP or PBX hardware and verify:
Extensions
Call routing
Voicemail
Auto-attendants
Conference lines
Server Room Setup
Ensure:
Rack mount stability
Cable management
Proper ventilation
UPS power and surge protection
Backup systems online
Workstation Setup
Each workstation should be tested for:
Network connectivity
Login access
Phone functionality
Printer connections
Software licensing
Step 9: Testing, Troubleshooting, and Going Live
Before giving employees full access, complete a full technology test.
Verify:
Internet speed and stability
Internal network performance
Phone system call flow
Email delivery
Server accessibility
Software functionality
Remote access (VPN, cloud portals)
Printing and scanning
Security systems and alarms connected to the network
Address issues before regular operations resume.
Step 10: Post-Move Optimization
After the move is complete:
Fine-tune WiFi coverage
Reorganize cabling
Review server room airflow
Update documentation
Train staff on any new systems
Dispose of outdated equipment securely
Evaluate whether additional bandwidth or redundancy is needed
This phase ensures your office operates at peak efficiency in the new space.
Final Thoughts: Make Technology the First Thing You Plan, Not the Last Thing You Move
Relocating your office phone system, internet, and tech infrastructure requires planning weeks or even months in advance. When done correctly, you minimize downtime, avoid costly mistakes, and ensure your business transitions smoothly into its new space.
Many companies wait too long to plan their IT move and end up dealing with delays, hours of downtime, and infrastructure that does not work correctly in the new location. By following a structured process—from auditing and upgrading to provider coordination and thorough testing—you safeguard your company’s operational continuity.
If you need help with technical moving logistics, specialized equipment transport, or coordinating the entire relocation, professional commercial movers and IT specialists can ensure everything arrives safely and comes online without disruption.