How to Prepare for an Office Furniture Installation: A Project Manager’s Guide
One of the most valuable things you can do as a project manager is walk your client through the steps that will set their installation up for success. At RDI – ReceiveDeliverInstall, we’ve found that five simple areas of preparation make all the difference.
1. Finalize and Share Layout Plan
A layout plan is the blueprint for success. Confirm final placement for each piece of furniture—desks, storage, workstations, conference room setups—and share this plan with your installation team.
Our crews will come prepared with your blueprints to ensure the actual placement matches your client’s expectations.
2. Coordinate Access and Entry Logistics
Ease of access is crucial for a smooth install. Whether in a high-rise or ground-level space, be sure to:
- Share any badging or security requirements for the building.
- Confirm parking/unloading areas and staging space for our installers.
Helpful items to include: construction status, dock location, or preferred staging locations to avoid disruption to business operations. - Schedule and reserve freight elevator if location is not on a ground floor.
- Proactively communicate with the landlord or building management if extra approvals are required.
At RDI, we’ve been installing throughout Missouri and Illinois for 50 years. This means we have credentials for many government, financial, and educational facilities in the area.
3. Declutter the Space
Make room for installing with a clean, organized environment:
- Clear walkways and open the paths for moving furniture.
- Remove or relocate valuables and fragile items.
- Notify other trades where our crews will be installing, if necessary.
Our installation team will remove any trash or debris created by us after the project is complete – leaving the space how we found it.
4. Plan for Employee Relocation
Planning for employee relocation ensures that business continues to run smoothly while the new workspace takes shape.
- Temporarily relocate employees (or designate alternate work areas) in zones impacted by the install
Our installers strive to eliminate disruptions to your operations — but furniture installation can sometimes take more than a few hours. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead.
5. Assign a Point of Contact
Having someone present during installation helps keep things on track:
- Designate a decision-maker to be present in order to answer questions quickly without delays.
- Share direct contact info so installers can reach out quickly if any issues arise.
At the end of the project, we’ll do a walkthrough to receive your approval and ensure it exceeded your expectations
Why These Tips Matter
Our goal is to make sure your design vision installs smoothly, on time, and exactly as planned. Ultimately, these preparations help avoid delays, maintain your project’s timeline, and let your workspace come together the way you envision it.
If you or your client need support with any of these steps, our team is here to help. Reach out anytime at 📲 314-200-6202 and we’ll make sure installation day goes smoothly.
