In this guide
An office move in St. Peters runs on two schedules: the move itself and the city approvals for the new space. The City of St. Peters requires a Certificate of Occupancy on any change in tenancy of a commercial building, so the paperwork has to be ready before the furniture arrives. This checklist covers both, in the order a business owner needs them.
We move offices and small businesses across St. Charles County from our St. Peters office. Here is how to plan one without losing workdays.
Start With the City Approvals for the New Space
A new St. Peters business location needs inspection approval before it opens. Every new business and every change of use, tenancy or ownership must be approved by the City Building Department and the right Fire Protection District before opening, per the city's Building Code Compliance page.
The Certificate of Occupancy page adds that the permit is required whatever the building is used for, and all areas of the space can be inspected.
Arch Mover Tip
Set your moving date after the inspection date, not before it. Furniture can wait in the truck for a day, but a business cannot open in a space that has not been approved.
What the City Guide for New Businesses Covers
The city publishes a guide for businesses opening in St. Peters. Its Opening a Business page lists the topics it covers.
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Zoning for the new location
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Business licenses
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Occupancy permits
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Backflow device rules
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Water and sewer service
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Trash pickup
Read the guide early. Zoning and licensing questions take the longest to answer, and they affect whether the space works at all.
An Office Move Timeline That Works
1
Eight weeks out
Confirm the lease, the inspection steps and a target moving date. Ask for your moving quote.
2
Six weeks out
Measure the new space and decide where desks, files and shared equipment go.
3
Four weeks out
Book the movers and the building loading times at both locations.
4
Two weeks out
Start packing files and supply closets. Label every box with its new room or desk.
5
Moving week
Back up computers, pack desks and clear the halls for the movers.
Packing Desks, Files and Equipment
Each employee packing their own desk is the fastest way to get an office ready. Give everyone boxes, labels and a deadline.
Empty every desk drawer and filing cabinet before move day
Box computers and monitors, and keep cables bagged with each machine
Label boxes by room and desk number, not by person
Keep keys, checks, records and legal documents with the owner
Set aside one box per person for the first day in the new space
Our moving boxes and packing supplies cover the materials, and we can pack common areas if you want it handled.
Moving Day at Both Locations
Moving day goes faster when both buildings are ready for the truck. Our office and commercial moving service covers the loading, the drive and the setup at the new space.
Old space
Before the truck arrives
Reserve the loading area, clear the hallways and have one person on site to answer questions.
New space
When the truck arrives
Post a floor plan at the door and tape room labels on each office so the movers can place furniture the first time.
Furniture that comes apart, like desks and tables, is taken apart and put back together. Tell us about large equipment such as copiers when you request a quote, so we can plan for it.
Keeping the Business Running During the Move
Most small offices can move in a day or two with planning. Moving on a slower weekday, or splitting the move by department, keeps phones and customers covered.
| Approach | Works for | Plan ahead for |
|---|---|---|
| One-day move | Small offices | Everything packed the night before |
| Move by department | Larger offices | A clear order and labels by department |
| Slower weekday move | Offices open on weekdays | Customer notices and phone forwarding |
Telling Customers and Vendors About the Move
A business move is also an address change for everyone who works with you. Start the list early and send notices about four weeks before the move.
Update the address on your website, invoices and email signatures
Tell vendors and delivery services the new address and the move date
Forward your mail and update your bank and payroll records
Update your listings, such as your Google Business Profile, on the day you open
Plan phone and internet setup so the lines work on day one
Order new signs and business cards before the move, not after. A customer who walks into an empty space is a customer you have to win back.
Planning the Layout of the New Office
A simple floor plan with a number for each room and desk is the most useful thing you can hand the movers. Tape matching numbers on the doors of the new space and on every box, and the furniture goes where it belongs on the first trip.
The First Day in the New Space
Plan a short first day. Have each person unpack their own desk box, test computers and phones, and report anything missing while the movers can still help.
Walk the old space one last time with the landlord or building manager. Check every room, closet and drawer before you hand back the keys.
Keep a short list of open items for the first week, such as a missing cable or a desk that needs moving. Fixing them in one pass is faster than handling each one as it comes up. Share the list with the person who planned the move, so nothing gets lost between departments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a new occupancy permit to move my business in St. Peters?
Yes. St. Peters requires a Certificate of Occupancy on any change in use, tenancy or occupancy of a commercial building.
Who inspects a new business location in St. Peters?
The City Building Department and the right Fire Protection District must approve the premises before the business opens.
How far ahead should I plan an office move?
Start about eight weeks out. That leaves room for the city steps, the floor plan and booking movers.
Should employees pack their own desks?
Yes, it is the fastest way. Give each person boxes, labels and a deadline, and label boxes by desk number.
Can movers take apart and reassemble office furniture?
Yes, most desks and tables. Tell us about large equipment when you ask for a quote.
Office Movers in St. Peters
With the approvals in hand and the boxes labeled, an office move becomes a planned workday instead of a lost week. Our movers in St. Peters move offices and small businesses across St. Charles County.
Request a free quote for your office move in St. Peters.
About the author
Hayden Mattingly
Owner, Arch Moving · St. Ann, MO
Hayden Mattingly owns and runs Arch Moving, a locally owned moving company in St. Ann serving St. Louis, St. Charles County and the rest of Missouri. He leads a crew with a combined 20 years in the moving industry, trains movers from within, and oversees residential, commercial, packing and long-distance moves. He writes these guides from what his crews handle on real St. Louis moves.
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Office move order
1
Check zoning and licensing
2
Book the occupancy inspection
3
Measure and plan the layout
4
Book movers after the inspection
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