Planning a Maryland business move in 2026 involves far more than packing desks and booking trucks.

In the D.C. metro area, office relocations often intersect with permitting cycles, IT cutovers, records control, and building access rules that can derail operations if missed, which is precisely where creating a commercial moving checklist to follow can help.

In This Article: This checklist is designed to give business owners and facilities leaders a practical, experience-based roadmap that shows how an organized office relocation checklist supports continuity, security, and predictable timelines from planning through closeout.

Office Move Planning Checklist for Maryland Moves

Creating a successful commercial moving guide starts months before move day. In Maryland, lead times around tenant improvements, telecom installation, and loading access frequently dictate the schedule. 

Treating relocation as a coordinated program rather than a facilities task helps reduce surprises and keeps teams aligned as the move approaches.

Six Months Before Your Move

Early planning sets the tone for the entire project.

• Begin space planning, furniture inventory, and timeline development with Maryland permitting realities in mind.
• Interior fit-outs can trigger approvals for electrical, fire protection, or systems furniture at the county or city level, which influences layout decisions and move sequencing.
• Conduct a detailed walkthrough of the new office, focused on both facilities and IT. On-site reviews should confirm loading dock dimensions, freight elevator capacity, floor load limits, riser access, and server room conditions.
• In regulated environments, related to compliance, access points such as badge-controlled doors and after-hours restrictions matter as much as square footage.
• Collect vendor quotes and select a moving partner experienced with commercial and government work. For many organizations, especially those handling sensitive data, vendor qualifications, credentialing, and insurance documentation affect who can enter the building and when.

Three Months Before Your Move

At this stage, departmental planning begins.

• Assign internal coordinators who can approve decisions, track assets, and serve as points of contact. Large organizations benefit from written roles and escalation paths, particularly when records or federally owned property are involved.
• Inventory technology equipment and begin IT transition planning. For contractors handling regulated information, relocation plans should treat transport and staging as part of the controlled environment. Decisions around room access, visitor logs, and temporary storage influence system readiness after the move.
• Confirm parking, loading dock access, and freight elevator scheduling at both locations. In dense corridors, curb access and right-of-way approvals often limit move windows. Early coordination with building management and local authorities helps avoid last-minute schedule changes.

One Month Before Your Move

Establish a clear labeling strategy for furniture, equipment, and boxed materials to facilitate prompt identification during transport or setup. 

• In commercial settings, labels should support post-move reconciliation rather than simple room assignment. Many teams map labels to asset inventories so nothing disappears during transport.
• Finalize storage and staging plans for phased moves. Temporary storage can introduce compliance and accountability challenges, especially when records or high-value equipment are involved. Clear documentation and inventory tracking simplify retrieval and closeout later.
• You should communicate the move timeline to employees, vendors, and clients. Address changes ripple through Maryland SDAT filings, tax accounts, federal registrations, and shipping systems. Updating these in advance reduces billing delays and missed notices during the transition.

One Week Before Your Move

Shared spaces and server rooms usually move last during an office relocation, which makes this week particularly busy. 

• During this time, finalize IT migration plans, confirm backup status, and define rollback procedures so teams know how to respond if something does not power up as expected.
• Take the time to organize any surge protectors, cables, peripherals, and lingering small electronics. Any loose components often slow reinstallation more than large furniture. Packing these items in labeled kits speeds workstation setup.
• Conduct a final walkthrough with your mover to review sequencing, access hours, and security boundaries. This meeting aligns expectations on elevator usage, escort rules, and staging zones.

Move Day Checklist

Direct teams to the assigned staging zones and verify building access is available. 

• Pre-authorized access lists and escorts help keep sensitive areas controlled while crews work efficiently.
• Make sure to oversee the sequence of furniture removal, equipment transport, and reinstallation. Experienced supervisors watch for choke points at docks and elevators, adjusting flow to maintain momentum.
• Confirm that all IT assets, records, and high-value equipment are handled in accordance with approved procedures. Documented custody during transport reduces disputes and supports audits after delivery.

First Week After the Move

Conduct department-by-department validation of furniture placement and equipment setup. 

• Focus on usability and safety, checking egress paths, workstation readiness, and shared spaces.
• Resolve issues with the internet, power, and building logistics as they appear. Early troubleshooting limits downtime and helps teams settle into routines faster.
• Close out with your mover by inventorying delivered items and confirming nothing remains in storage or staging. Formal closeout protects against later claims and sets a clean endpoint for the project.

Start Your 2026 Office Move With Moving Masters

At Moving Masters, we approach 2026 office move planning as a coordinated process built on decades of commercial relocation experience. 

Our team has supported complex office-movement timelines for government agencies, contractors, and private organizations across the region, handling everything from moving office equipment to phased relocations with storage and tracking.

We work alongside clients as trusted Maryland commercial movers, helping translate planning decisions into efficient execution. With more than 40 years in the field, our crews understand how preparation, sequencing, and communication shape results.

If your organization is preparing for a Maryland business move, reach out to our team to request a consultation and free estimate. Let us review your relocation planning steps and show how our commercial packing services and project management support a smooth transition from start to finish.