An office move is a scheduling job as much as a lifting one. Desks have to come apart and go back together in the right place, filing has to stay in order, computers have to be shut down by the people who look after them, and both buildings usually want a permit and a lift booking before anything is carried out. This guide explains how to plan an office relocation and what to send office movers and packers in Dubai so the quote matches the job.
Office and home shifting is handled by the Cargo & Transport division of Emirates Way Cargo L.L.C. Moving support can include furniture removal, dismantling, packing, moving, unpacking and reassembly, chair and cabinet handling, office machinery, wall-frame removal and installation, and boxes when requested.
Start with the new floor plan
The quickest office moves are planned backwards from the new layout. Before anything is packed, decide where every team, desk and cabinet will sit at the new address and give each position a number or name. Put the same reference on the item at the old office, so the crew unloading at the new floor can place it straight away instead of stacking everything in one room to sort later.
- Share the new floor plan with the movers before moving day; a marked-up sketch or photo is enough.
- Label workstations, pedestals, cabinets and boxes with the destination room and desk number.
- Mark anything that is staying behind, so it is not loaded by mistake.
Make an office inventory
Office inventories are different from home moves: most of the volume is repeated items, so counts matter more than descriptions. List each type of item, floor by floor:
- Desks and workstations, and whether they are freestanding or linked bench systems
- Office chairs, meeting tables and reception furniture
- Filing cabinets, pedestals, lockers and storage cupboards
- Computers, monitors, printers and other office machines
- Wall-mounted frames, mirrors and display items
- Archive boxes and stationery stock
Photos of each room help the team judge the truck, the number of people and the time needed, often more accurately than a written list.
Workstations and furniture that need dismantling
Linked desk systems, large meeting tables and tall storage units rarely fit through doors and lifts in one piece. Say which items need taking apart and reassembling at the new office, so the right tools and time are planned. If you still have the assembly instructions or spare fittings for a desk system, keep them with the furniture.
Filing cabinets and documents
Full cabinets are heavy and their drawers can slide open in transit. When you enquire, give the number and type of cabinets and confirm whether they should be emptied or locked and moved full. If files are boxed, label each box with the cabinet and drawer it came from so the filing order survives the move. Keep confidential documents, keys and company stamps with a named member of staff rather than in general boxes.
Computers and IT equipment
Disconnecting and reconnecting computers, servers and network equipment is a job for your IT team or provider. Ask them to back up data, shut equipment down, label the cables and disconnect everything before the movers arrive, and to be at the new office to reconnect it. Tell the moving team which boxes and items are electronics so they are wrapped, loaded and placed with care.
Building rules at both offices
Commercial towers and business parks in Dubai commonly control moves through building management. Before fixing a date, ask both buildings:
- Whether a move permit or approval is needed, and how long it takes to issue
- Which service lift and loading bay can be used, and the permitted move hours
- Which documents they need from the moving company
- How lifts, floors and corridors must be protected
- Where the truck can park while loading and unloading
Procedures differ between buildings, so check with each one rather than assuming the same rules apply at both addresses.
Choosing the moving day and time
Most businesses try to lose as little working time as possible, either by moving at the end of the week or by moving in phases, one department at a time. A phased move takes longer overall but keeps part of the business running throughout. Whichever you choose, check it against both buildings’ permitted move hours first, then include the preferred date and time window in your enquiry so timing can be confirmed before you announce it to staff.
What to send for an office moving quote
- Both office addresses, with floor numbers and lift and loading-bay access
- The inventory or room photos, with counts of desks, chairs and cabinets
- Items that need dismantling and reassembly, and any wall frames to remove and refit
- Whether you want packing done, or boxes supplied for your staff to pack
- The new floor plan and how items will be labelled
- Preferred date, time window and whether the move will be phased
- Building rules and documents already requested by either building
Cargo & Transport Enquiries: call or WhatsApp +971 55 388 5075, or send a cargo enquiry with these details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far ahead should an office move be planned?
Start as soon as the new lease date is known. Building permits, lift bookings and IT shutdown all need lead time, and the moving date should only be fixed after both buildings have confirmed their permitted hours.
Do filing cabinets have to be emptied before the move?
It depends on the cabinet and the route. Mention the number and type of cabinets in your enquiry and confirm whether they should be emptied or locked and moved full before moving day.
Can a small office or a single department be moved?
Yes. A smaller move follows the same steps, with an inventory, building rules, labelling and an agreed time window, just on a smaller scale. For one or two pieces of furniture, the single item moving guide below is the better starting point.
Which number should I contact for an office move?
Use Cargo & Transport Enquiries on +971 55 388 5075. Equipment Rental Enquiries is a separate team for machine hire, such as forklifts for a warehouse or stockroom relocation.