Office relocation in Spokane: hiring and setup

Confirm the new office can support your plans

Ask the landlord for the current Certificate of Occupancy and describe your intended activities, staffing and proposed alterations to the city's permit team. Spokane says a change-of-use or occupancy permit is required when a business moves into premises used for a different type of business or into a former residence, or increases the occupant load beyond the current certificate. A vacant or never-occupied space may also need a change of use. [2]

The city advises preparing for change-of-use review to take a month or longer. Its commercial permit guidance also says approval times vary with staffing, permit activity, location, occupancy and scope. Ask for guidance on your address and project before setting an opening date. [2] [3]

Separate furniture placement from alterations to the premises. Spokane requires electrical permits for new wiring and modifications such as adding or moving outlets or light fixtures. Commercial remodels or tenant improvements may qualify for simple review, while changes of use require an intake meeting. Agree with the landlord who will arrange applications, contractor access and completion checks. [2] [3]

Choose a carrier for business property

Ask the mover to identify the company that will carry your property and the authority it will use. Washington's Utilities and Transportation Commission describes a common carrier as someone who transports property other than household goods for pay within Washington. Its household-goods category covers an individual's personal belongings. For a move within the state, ask the UTC to resolve any uncertainty about the carrier category before signing. [4]

Request evidence of insurance and ask what protection applies to desks, computers, leased equipment and records in transit. For common carriers transporting nonhazardous property, Washington's rule sets liability and property-damage insurance filing amounts according to vehicle weight. Ask separate questions about protection for your shipment, deductibles, exclusions and the claims process. [5]

Give bidders an inventory that identifies items requiring special handling. Include workstation parts, filing cabinets, printers, monitors and equipment that a leasing company or service technician must disconnect. Ask who will pack each category and who accepts responsibility at each handoff.

Arrange loading access at both addresses

Confirm the loading dock, freight elevator, door clearances and permitted work hours with both building managers. Give the mover photographs and measurements, then ask it to confirm its truck and handling plan. Put elevator reservations, access contacts and building protection requirements in the written scope.

For on-street access within Spokane, ask city parking staff whether the proposed vehicle and activity qualify for a Special Loading Zone permit. The city describes these zones as serving commercial vehicles and specified service uses. It requires applicants to identify the parking spaces, create an online permit account and allow 72 hours of advance notice for online reservations. The published fee is $15 per parking space per day. [1]

Name the person who will apply and keep the reservation confirmation with the move plan. If your move date changes, have that person confirm the parking arrangements again. Ask the mover to price any alternative loading route before accepting it.

Compare the complete move and setup scope

Request job-specific office-moving quotes based on your inventory, access and setup requirements. Ask for separate quote lines for packing, transport, furniture disassembly and reassembly, placement, storage and IT work. Have each bidder explain whether it prices labor by the hour or quotes a fixed scope, and how it charges for waiting, extra truck runs and schedule changes.

Define what ready for work means before comparing offers. You might require assembled desks in assigned positions, labeled crates beside each workstation and removal of packing materials. Assign internet activation, network configuration, printer testing and account access to a named person. Ask each bidder to state which of these tasks it includes.

Prepare the handoff and reopening check

Label furniture and boxes to match a destination floor plan. Keep an inventory of equipment and photograph its condition before packing. Ask your IT lead to confirm backups, shutdown steps and access to credentials before disconnecting systems. Choose a staff contact who can answer placement questions during unloading.

Before dismissing the crew, walk through both premises with the inventory and record missing items, damage and unfinished assembly. Test the systems your staff need to resume work, including internet access, phones, printers and shared files. Keep a written list of outstanding tasks with an owner and agreed completion date.

Washington common-carrier insurance filing amounts

Choose the next step before booking

Your hiring checklist

1. Ask the landlord and permit team to confirm the destination's approved use and any required alterations.
2. Send each bidder the same inventory, floor plan and access information.
3. Ask the carrier to identify its authority and explain shipment protection in writing.
4. Assign loading-space and freight-elevator reservations to named contacts.
5. Agree who packs, disconnects, transports, assembles and tests each equipment category.
6. Confirm backups, internet activation and a plan for staff who need to work during the move.
7. Record condition before packing and complete an inventory walk-through before releasing the crew.
8. Assign business-address updates and unfinished setup tasks to specific staff members.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an office mover need the same permit as a household mover?

Washington distinguishes common carriers transporting property for pay from household-goods carriers transporting personal belongings. Ask the company which authority covers your office shipment and resolve uncertainty with the UTC before booking. [4]

How far ahead should I arrange street loading?

Spokane requires 72 hours of advance notice for online Special Loading Zone reservations. Confirm eligibility, identify the spaces and assign someone to apply. The city publishes a fee of $15 per parking space per day. [1]

Can I move into a former shop and start using it as an office?

Ask the permit team before scheduling occupancy. Spokane identifies a different previous business use as a change-of-use or occupancy permit trigger and requires an intake meeting for changes of use. The city advises preparing for review to take a month or longer. [2] [3]

Does relocation and setup include IT reconnection?

Ask each bidder to list its included tasks. Assign backups, shutdown, transport, reconnection and testing to named people, and specify the equipment involved. Agree who will resolve connection problems before accepting the quote.