Moving out of an office isn't finished when the last box leaves. Most commercial leases require the space to be returned empty, clean and in good condition. That's where office decommissioning comes in - and it's often the step businesses forget to plan.

What is office decommissioning?

Decommissioning means taking an office space out of service. It usually includes:

Disassembling and removing workstations, desks, chairs and boardroom furniture.
Removing filing cabinets, shelving and storage units.
Disconnecting and removing IT equipment, cabling and e-waste.
Clearing kitchens, storage rooms and leftover items.
Leaving the space ready for the landlord's inspection.

The reverse - commissioning - is setting up a new space: delivering and installing furniture, placing equipment and getting the office ready for staff.

When do you need it?

Relocating to a new office and leaving furniture behind.
Downsizing or moving to hybrid work with fewer desks.
Closing a branch or location.
Refurnishing - new furniture arriving means old furniture needs to go.

Disposal options: reuse, donate, recycle

Not everything needs to go to the landfill. A responsible disposal plan sorts items into: 1. Move - furniture you're keeping goes to the new space. 2. Reuse or donate - good-condition pieces can go to charities, schools or resellers. 3. Recycle - metal frames, cabinets and e-waste go to proper recycling facilities. 4. Dispose - only what's left goes to the transfer station.

Learn more about our recycling and disposal service.

E-waste needs special handling

Computers, monitors, printers and phones are e-waste in BC and shouldn't go in the garbage. Make sure hard drives are wiped or removed by your IT team before equipment leaves the office.

Planning tips

Start with an inventory. List what's moving, what's being donated and what's being disposed of.
Check the lease. Know exactly what condition the landlord expects.
Book the building. Removal days need elevator and loading dock time like any move.
Combine jobs. Using one crew for the move, furniture installation and disposal saves time and coordination. See our office and commercial moving services.
Go after-hours if other tenants or your own staff are still working.

Why use a commercial mover for decommissioning?

A general junk removal company can haul items away, but office decommissioning often involves systems furniture that must be disassembled, heavy filing and IT equipment, and tight building rules. A commercial moving crew with installers and the right trucks - in our case three 3-ton and five 5-ton trucks - can clear a full floor efficiently and handle the new-space setup at the same time.

Decommissioning across Metro Vancouver

Big Brothers Moving provides office decommissioning, commissioning, furniture installation and disposal from Horseshoe Bay to Langley, including Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey and the Tri-Cities. After-hours work available. Request a custom quote or call 604-218-MOVE.

Office Furniture Decommissioning and Disposal in Metro Vancouver