Table of Contents

• Choosing a Temporary Workspace During Office Repairs
• Temporary Office Setup Checklist and Repair Timeline
• Keeping Teams Productive and Business Continuity Planning During Repairs
  • Confirm the Repair Scope
  • Count Your Team Needs
  • Review the Lease Terms
  • Plan Your Communication
  • Protect Your Records
  • Test Your IT Setup
  • Plan Your Return
  • Avoid Unsafe Areas
  • Can my team work from home during repairs?
  • How long do office repairs usually take?
  • Will insurance pay for a temporary office?
  • Should staff go back into a damaged office?
  • What should I do first after damage?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing a Temporary Workspace During Office Repairs

Many teams can keep working during office repairs. The key is choosing the right temporary workspace before work starts.

Start with the repair scope. Minor work, like drywall in one room, may only need a few desks moved. Major damage often means moving the whole team out for weeks.

Match the space to your team. Count desks, meeting rooms and reliable internet. Check whether staff need files or equipment that cannot leave the building. Read after-hours property emergency planning to prepare for leaks, fires and floods before you move.

Ask the right questions before you sign. Confirm the lease length, notice period and what is included, such as furniture, internet and parking.

Watch out: keep staff out of areas with standing water, smoke residue or damaged electrical equipment until a qualified crew clears them.

The right space depends on how much work is planned and what your team needs to keep running.

Repair scope	What it usually means	What to plan for
Minor work	Drywall in one room	Move a few desks
Major damage	Whole office affected	Move the whole team out for weeks
Before you sign	Confirm lease length, notice period, inclusions	Furniture, internet and parking
Areas to avoid	Standing water, smoke residue, damaged electrical equipment	Keep staff out until a qualified crew clears them

Temporary Office Setup Checklist and Repair Timeline

Ask your restoration team for a written timeline before work starts (Contractors: roles and responsibilities). Update it when inspections or insurance decisions change the schedule.

Keeping Teams Productive and Business Continuity Planning During Repairs

Productivity depends on clear communication and working systems. Tell staff where to go, when to start and who to contact with problems. Our office restoration communication plan shows how to set up updates that keep everyone informed.

Check your IT setup early. Confirm that secure logins, shared drives and phone lines work from the new location.

For more on shared spaces and building access, see our condo restoration planning guide and phased office restoration plan.

Plan your return early, too. Decide who moves back first and how you will test systems before staff return.

Confirm the Repair Scope

Ask your restoration team for a written scope and timeline before you choose a space.

Count Your Team Needs

List desks, meeting rooms and internet needs for each person or group.

Review the Lease Terms

Check the lease length, notice period and what is included in the rent.

Plan Your Communication

Share updates with staff on a fixed schedule so everyone knows where to go.

Protect Your Records

Back up files and move essential paperwork before the work begins.

Test Your IT Setup

Confirm logins, phone lines and shared drives work before the team moves in.

Plan Your Return

Decide the order for moving back and test systems before reopening the office.

Avoid Unsafe Areas

Keep staff out of damaged or hazardous areas until qualified professionals clear them.

Need help planning repairs for your office? Call our team for guidance.

Call Us: 416-800-0000

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Can my team work from home during repairs?

Many teams can, if they have secure logins and reliable internet. Confirm your IT setup before the move.

How long do office repairs usually take?

The timeline depends on the damage. Ask your restoration team for a written schedule.

Will insurance pay for a temporary office?

Coverage depends on your policy. Your insurer makes the final decision.

Should staff go back into a damaged office?

No. Keep staff out until qualified professionals confirm the area is safe.

What should I do first after damage?

Contact a restoration company and document the damage. Protect records and equipment where it is safe to do so.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you set up a temporary workspace during office repairs?

Start by listing the equipment, internet access, and meeting space your team needs. Confirm the space has power, secure storage, and working IT before staff move in. Test everything before the first day.

Where can a business work while its office is being repaired?

Common options include serviced offices, coworking spaces, a leased short-term suite, or a modular office unit on site. Choose based on team size, lease length, and how close staff need to be to clients.

How long should a business plan for temporary workspace?

Plan for the full repair timeline plus a buffer for delays. Ask your contractor for milestone dates, then match your lease terms to them. Build in time to move back and restore equipment.