Relocating an entire warehouse is no small task. It requires careful planning, expert coordination, and experienced partners who can manage the logistics without disrupting your workflow.
At Meyer, we specialize in turn-key industrial and warehouse relocation solutions tailored to your business. Whether you’re moving a small stockroom or a large-scale manufacturing facility, our team is equipped to handle every aspect of your move—from packing and transportation to leaving your old space broom-swept and ready for new tenants.
To help you get started, we’ve created this complete warehouse relocation checklist, breaking down each phase of the move to keep your transition streamlined, on-time, and hassle-free.
Don’t feel like reading? Download this checklist as a PDF to prepare for your move over the next several months.
Pre-Move Planning
The key to a smooth warehouse transition? Start planning early. The more time you give your team, the easier it’ll be to stay organized, make adjustments when issues arise (and they will), and avoid any last minute surprises. We recommend starting the planning process at least six months before your target move date.
The initial planning phase is your opportunity to take a good look at what’s working in your current facility, as well as what’s holding you back. These insights will help you design your new warehouse layout. Remember to consider both your current day-to-day operations as well as your long-term plans for future growth.
- Set your ideal (preliminary) move date
- Avoid peak business times
- Consider employee availability
- Conduct a current site audit
- Identify what’s working and what needs improvement
- Document all inventory, equipment, racking systems, and specialized machinery
- Perform a detailed walkthrough of the new facility
- Measure and document key building dimensions
- Evaluate key features including docking bays, rack configuration, doorways, office areas, ceiling heights, HVAC, electrical, and internet infrastructure
- Confirm your new layout, racking systems, and equipment will fit in your new space
- Create a relocation budget
- Consider rent and operating costs, packing materials and supplies, IT and tech infrastructure, build-out costs, cost to hire a professional moving company
Share the Plan and Start Designing Your New Warehouse
Once you’ve found your new warehouse, it’s time to get everyone on the same page and start shaping the layout of your new location.
Clear communication is key to a successful warehouse relocation. Make sure your leadership team, department heads, and employees understand the plan, their roles, and what to expect before, during, and after the move. Keep everyone informed with regular updates, and consider holding team meetings or sending out move-specific newsletters to keep the momentum going and reduce uncertainty.
It’s also time to start designing your new warehouse layout based on everything you learned during your audits. Think through workflows, equipment placement, storage zones, shipping/receiving access, OSHA safety standards, and any upgrades you’d like to make. Now’s your chance to build a setup that solves past problems and supports better efficiency going forward.
- Set your official move date
- It’s important to lock in a firm moving day to guide all planning and communication going forward
- Create a realistic moving timeline and plan
- Establish hard deadlines for moving-related tasks such as the final shipping day at the current facility, target go-live date at the new location, etc.
- Consider a phased relocation plan, moving inventory first, then racking systems and equipment, and finally office furniture and supplies
- Breaking down racking systems, machinery, and IT infrastructure takes time—and setting it all back up in the new location takes even longer, especially if layout changes are involved
- Notify your employees
- Share move details, timelines, what to expect, and how they’ll be involved in the move
- Consider holding a kickoff meeting and providing regular updates through team meetings or newsletters
- Notify key contacts and partners
- Share your move details and new address with vendors, suppliers, freight carriers, and customers.
- Update your company’s address with any relevant business directories and shipping platforms
- Plan to forward all company mail and future orders to the new address
- Design your new warehouse layout
- Use your audits to guide smart decisions around racking placement, equipment flow, inventory zones, and employee workspaces
- Perform a walkthrough with your safety manager or a third-party safety consultant to identify potential hazards and ensure full compliance with OSHA safety standards
- Ensure your new facility is up to date with building codes and permits
- Develop detailed layout maps and floor plans for the new warehouse
- Inventory management
- Ensure a complete and updated inventory list and being systematically labeling inventory for the upcoming move
- Hire a trusted warehouse moving company
- Partnering with an experienced partner—like Meyer—can make all the difference in keeping your move on schedule and your business running smoothly
From day one, Meyer will assign a dedicated project manager to serve as your single point of contact. They’ll work closely with you to build a detailed project plan and timeline, ensuring every state of your warehouse move is carefully coordinated to minimize downtime and avoid disruption to your operations.
Our comprehensive warehouse relocation services include:
- Warehouse inventory packing
- Inventory control and tracking technology
- Mechanical disassembly and packing
- Meyer Rigging services are available for heavy industrial equipment transportation
- Warehouse racking disassembly and installation
- Specialized crating and packing
- Disconnect and reconnect IT equipment
- Stockroom moving services
With decades of experience and a nationwide logistics network, Meyer offers a full-service warehouse moving solution tailored to your specific needs—no matter the size or complexity of your operation.
Moving day (or week)
Moving day has arrived! With your plan in place, it’s time to focus on smooth execution. Coordinate closely with your warehouse moving team to ensure equipment, inventory, and racking systems are loaded in the right order and properly labeled. Do a final walkthrough of the old facility to make sure nothing is left behind and the space is broom-swept for turnover.
Stay organized, keep communication flowing between teams, and keep morale high—this is the final step toward getting your new warehouse up and running.
- Disassembly and packing
- Schedule racking system disassembly and reassembly at the new facility
- Use your moving team to handle heavy equipment rigging, IT disconnections/reconnections, and specialized crating for sensitive equipment
- Dispose of or recycle any outdated or broken equipment and inventory
- Secure transportation
- Consider racking, palletized inventory, operating equipment, office furniture, etc.
- On-site coordination
- Your project manager should supervise loading/unloading and ensure racking and equipment is placed in the correct locations at the new site
- Use layout maps and floor plans to direct placement of racking, machinery, and inventory storage zones
Post-Move Setup and Go-Live
- Verify inventory
- Perform a post-move audit to confirm all inventory, equipment, and assets arrived safely and undamaged
- Reconnect and test equipment
- Resume operations and conduct training
- Notify partners, carriers, and customers of your move completion
- Conduct a soft open to troubleshoot any operational issues before resuming full production
- Train your employees on the new layout and warehouse logistics
- Review and debrief
- Meet with your project manager to assess what went well and identify future improvements
- File documentation and update internal logistics systems with the new warehouse specs
Relocating Your Warehouse? Call Meyer Inc Today!
At Meyer Inc., we specialize in full-service warehouse and industrial relocations, supporting businesses across Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Maryland.
Whether you’re moving a small distribution center or a large-scale manufacturing operation, our experienced team can manage every aspect of your warehouse move—from inventory packing and racking disassembly to heavy equipment transport and setup at your new facility.
As a proud member of the United Van Lines network, we can also connect you with trusted partners outside our core service areas for nationwide support.
Ready to get moving? Contact Meyer today to schedule a consultation and let our experts help you plan a smooth, efficient warehouse relocation.