Feb 9, 2026
The Challenge: Changing the Tires on a Moving Car
Most Facility Managers fear the "Occupied Restack" more than a full relocation.
The mandate is contradictory: "Renovate the entire 20,000 sq. ft. floor, but do not close the office, do not disrupt operations, and do not let the dust settle on the CEO's desk."
It feels impossible, but it is standard procedure for high-growth companies. The secret isn't magic; it is phased logistics. We call it the Checkerboard Strategy.
Phase 1: The "Lung" (Swing Space)
You cannot renovate a full house without a spare room. In commercial real estate, this is called Swing Space.
Before a single hammer swings, we identify a "Lung"—a 10-15% portion of your floor plan that we empty completely.
Option A: We consolidate a department into a denser configuration (temporary discomfort for long-term gain).
Option B: We utilize a temporary off-site space or a conference center.
The Goal: This empty zone becomes the destination for the first wave of moves.
Phase 2: The Checkerboard Move
Once we have the Swing Space, we execute a sequential rotation. It looks like a slide puzzle:
Move 1 (Friday Night): We move the Finance Department (Zone A) into the Swing Space. They are live and working Monday morning.
Renovation (Weeks 1-3): General Contractors demolish and rebuild Zone A. It is now brand new.
Move 2 (Friday Night): We move the Marketing Department (Zone B) into the newly finished Zone A.
Renovation (Weeks 4-6): Zone B is renovated.
Repeat: We cycle through the floor plan until every zone is refreshed.
Phase 3: The "Invisible" Buffer
The logistics of the move are easy; the logistics of the environment are hard. Construction creates two enemies: Noise and Dust.
The Dust Protocol: We require Negative Pressure containment. We seal the active construction zone with floor-to-ceiling plastic barriers (zip-walls) and use industrial HEPA scrubbers to ensure that airflow moves into the construction zone, not out into the office. Your employees shouldn't smell drywall dust.
The Noise Protocol: We implement a "No-Drill" rule during business hours (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM).
Heavy Demo: Occurs 6:00 PM – 2:00 AM.
Silent Work: Painting, wiring, and carpet tile installation happen during the day.
The Result: Your team hears footsteps, not jackhammers.
The IT Disconnect: Zero Lag
In a restack, IT assets move multiple times. We utilize a "Park and Plug" system.
We map every user’s specific port configuration.
When Finance moves to the Swing Space, their phones and PCs are patched in before they arrive.
When they move back to their permanent desk, the system follows them.
We treat the temporary Swing Space as a fully production-ready environment, not a "camping" spot.
The Bottom Line
An occupied renovation doesn't have to be a nightmare. It is a math problem. By calculating the exact square footage of your Swing Space and timing the commercial moves to sync with the General Contractor's schedule, CPM One Source turns a chaotic remodel into a quiet, orderly evolution.
We don't just move furniture; we manage the entire project lifecycle, ensuring your business keeps billing while your building gets better.