Insights · Lease
Office Relocation Checklist.
A practical checklist for businesses planning an office relocation in Ontario or Alberta — from setting the timeline and search criteria through lease negotiation, fit-out and move coordination.
The Relocation Timeline
Start 18 months
before your lease expires.
18mo
Establish Requirements
Headcount projection (current + 3-year growth), preferred markets, must-have vs nice-to-have specifications, parking requirement, transit access, and budget per SF including TMI. Brief a tenant-rep broker.
15mo
Tour Shortlist
Review available options, tour the 5–8 best candidates, and narrow to 3 finalists. This stage also creates competitive tension — landlords negotiate more aggressively when they know you're actively comparing alternatives.
12mo
Negotiate Lease
Issue Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to your 2–3 finalists simultaneously. Negotiate net rent, free rent, TI allowance, lease term, renewal options, expansion rights, and termination rights in parallel before selecting a landlord.
10mo
Execute Lease & Brief Architect
Sign the lease. Engage an architect for space planning and fit-out design. Building permit applications for commercial fit-out in Ontario and Alberta can take 6–12 weeks from submission.
6mo
Construction
Standard commercial office fit-out takes 8–16 weeks depending on complexity. Schedule your IT infrastructure provider, furniture supplier, and signage concurrently to compress the overall timeline.
0mo
Move & Activate
Phased move reduces business disruption. Notify clients, update directories, and ensure your old lease surrender obligations are met (repairs, cleaning, removal of fixtures) before vacating.
$50M+
Transactions Closed
10+
Years Experience
2
Provinces Licensed
RECO · RECA
Dual-Province
Insights · Lease
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take action?
Speak directly with Lucero Commercial Group. All enquiries are treated as confidential.
Ready to Act?
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Or call directly: +1 (647) 720-8998 · RECO Licensed Ontario · RECA Licensed Alberta
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