Moving office is easier to coordinate when the cabling plan is settled before furniture arrives. Moving furniture can be straightforward; changing outlet locations after a fitout is finished can involve more access, disruption and cost. Use this checklist to prepare a clear brief for your cabling installer, internet provider and IT support team.
Start with the proposed floorplan
Mark where people will work, where shared equipment will sit and which rooms need a network connection. Include reception, meeting rooms, printers, storage areas and any space you expect to use later. Show the proposed position of the communications rack, even if that location still needs to be assessed.
Use a dated version of the plan and share the same copy with everyone involved. If the desk layout changes, update the cabling brief too. A small furniture change can put a data outlet behind a cabinet or leave it on the wrong side of a workstation.
List devices before counting outlets
Write down the equipment that will move with you and any new devices being ordered. Include computers, desk phones, printers, wireless access points, meeting-room equipment and any network-connected security systems. Ask your IT provider which devices need a wired connection and where wireless access points should be located.
Do not assume one outlet per desk will suit every workstation. Equally, avoid ordering extra points without a reason. Discuss likely changes in staffing and room use so the proposed outlet schedule reflects how your business will operate. Label each proposed point on the plan to make the quote easier to check.
Check the building and access arrangements
Ask the building manager or landlord about site access, proposed work hours and any approvals needed before installation. Find out who can provide access to ceiling spaces, risers, locked rooms and existing communications areas. Give the installer any available cabling records and photographs of the rack and outlets.
Existing sockets do not tell you whether the cabling is suitable for the new layout. Ask what can be inspected or tested before deciding what to retain. Coordinate the work with the fitout contractor so cable routes and outlet positions can be considered before walls, joinery and ceilings are finished.
Keep internet activation and cabling responsibilities clear
Arrange the internet service for the new address with your chosen provider and confirm the activation arrangements separately. Internal data cabling, the internet connection and the configuration of your office network are different parts of the move. A finished cabling installation does not, by itself, mean the internet service is active.
Ask your IT provider who will move or supply the router, switches and other network equipment, and who will configure them. Record a contact for each part of the job. If the old office must remain online during the move, make that requirement clear before agreeing to any equipment changeover.
Ask for a quote with a defined scope
A useful commercial data cabling brief includes the floorplan, outlet schedule, rack requirements and site access information. Ask the quote to identify the cabling work, equipment, testing and documentation included, along with any exclusions or assumptions. If an existing rack is being reused, clarify whether patching, labelling and cable organisation are part of the work.
Share your intended move date, but confirm availability and the sequence of work before relying on a completion date. Discuss broader networking installation needs early if the move also involves wireless coverage, new equipment or connections between different areas.
Plan testing and handover before move day
Agree what testing and handover records you will receive. Ask for clear labels at the outlets and rack, an updated point schedule and the relevant test results for the agreed scope. These records help your IT provider identify connections without tracing every cable again.
Allow time for your IT team to check the services that matter to daily work, such as internet access, phones, printing and meeting-room equipment. Keep a short list of outstanding items and confirm who will resolve each one. Store the handover records somewhere the business can access when staff or support providers change.
Prepare your office move brief
Send your proposed floorplan, suburb, intended move date and device list when you contact DeltaPrime. Include any access restrictions or equipment that needs to stay online. We can discuss the cabling scope and the information needed for a quote before you commit to a layout.
