Office moving costs refer to the total expenses involved in relocating your business from one location to another. These costs can vary widely depending on the size of your office, the distance of the move, and the level of service you require.
At a basic level, commercial moving costs typically include packing, transportation, furniture dismantling and reassembly, and labor. For larger moves, you may also need services like IT equipment relocation, temporary storage, and even facility cleaning after the move.
Whether you are planning a full-scale business relocation or a simple internal office move, it’s important to create a realistic budget. The average costs of moving office can range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds, depending on the scope.
Key Factors that Affect Office Relocation Costs
Relocating your office involves more than just hiring movers and renting a van. The total office moving cost can vary significantly based on several factors.
Office Size and Square Footage
The size of your office is one of the most influential factors in determining moving companies costs. A small team of 5–10 employees will obviously be much quicker and cheaper to move than a corporate office with 100+ desks, meeting rooms, and storage areas. Larger spaces require more time for packing, more labour, and more vehicles for transport.
Pro tip: Create a list of all furniture, electronics, and supplies to get accurate moving cost estimates. Remove any unused or outdated items to reduce costs.
Distance Between Old and New Location
Distance is another major cost driver. Short, local office relocations are often billed hourly, while longer or intercity moves are charged based on distance, fuel, travel time, and sometimes overnight fees. If you are relocating within a major city like London, road restrictions and congestion can also increase costs.
Pro tip: Ask your mover if they charge extra for congestion zones or parking permits.
Complexity of the Move
Not all office moves are created equal. If your business relies on specialized equipment like servers, phone systems, or custom furniture your move will require experienced technicians. The complexity increases with cable management, security systems, and businesses that operate on tight timelines.
Pro tip: Engage your IT team early in the planning. Document your current setup and label everything.
Packing and Unpacking Charges
Packing is often underestimated. Whether you let staff pack their own items or hire professional packers, it takes time, materials, and coordination. Most commercial movers offer packing and unpacking as an add-on service.
- Packing services may include materials like boxes, bubble wrap, crates, and labels.
- Unpacking ensures that your team can get back to work faster, with minimal disruption.
Pro tip: If you’re on a budget, request partial packing services. Have your team pack non-fragile items, while the movers handle sensitive or bulky equipment.
Office Furniture Moving Cost
Moving large or modular furniture adds to the complexity and cost of moving an office. This includes dismantling desks, conference tables, storage units, and safely wrapping and moving them without damage.
- The more items that require disassembly and reassembly, the more time and labour are involved.
- Specialty furniture (like standing desks or custom workstations) may need extra care or tools.
Pro tip: Use colored labels or a floor plan for your new space to help movers know where each item goes. This saves time and reduces post-move chaos.
IT Equipment Relocation Costs
IT equipment is one of the most sensitive and costly parts of an office move, including servers, computers, routers, and backup systems. Improper handling can result in data loss or hardware damage.
- These services may include disconnecting, packing, transporting, and reconnecting all systems.
- Some companies even offer out-of-hours IT relocation to reduce downtime.
Pro tip: Back up all critical data before the move. Photograph cabling and desk setups so your team can quickly reassemble systems. Some professional removal experts include IT setup in their business relocation costs, ask for it in your quote.
Hidden and Overlooked Costs
Aside from the major cost elements, there are other expenses businesses often forget:
- Downtime or lost productivity
- Temporary storage facilities if move-in dates don’t align
- Cleaning and disposal fees at the old premises
- Insurance coverage for equipment and staff during the move
- Office fit-out costs at the new space (painting, signage, internet setup)
Pro tip: Always pad your moving budget by 10–15% to cover unexpected costs. Hidden fees can add up quickly, especially if your timeline changes or additional services are required at short notice.
Understanding all these factors helps you build a realistic and flexible office relocation cost estimate. Investing time in proper planning and working with experienced commercial movers can prevent last-minute surprises and save you thousands in the long run.
Average Office Moving Cost Estimates
Understanding the average office moving costs in UK can help you plan more effectively and avoid unexpected expenses.
Small Office Moves (Up to 10 Employees)
For a small office with limited furniture and basic IT setup:
- Local relocation (same city): £500 – £1,500
- Longer-distance relocation (30–100 miles): £1,000 – £2,500
Optional services:
- Packing/unpacking: £300 – £800
- IT disconnection/reconnection: £500+
Medium to Large Office Moves (20+ Employees)
For a growing or fully-staffed office with workstations, meeting rooms, and IT infrastructure:
- Local move: £2,000 – £5,000
- National move (100+ miles): £5,000 – £10,000+
- Full-service: May exceed £12,000
How to Estimate Your Office Relocation Cost?
Estimating your office relocation costs start with understanding your specific needs and gathering detailed quotes. Begin by listing everything you need to move, including furniture, equipment, and IT infrastructure. Use this as a basis to request office relocation cost estimates from multiple vendors.
Many businesses also calculate costs per square foot to estimate moving expenses based on office size. For larger moves, hiring a move coordinator or project manager helps streamline planning and communication.
Finally, create an office move project budget that includes moving services, packing materials, downtime, and post-move setup. A clear office moving checklist helps avoid unexpected business disruption and keeps your relocation costs under control.
Tips to Reduce Office Moving Costs Without Compromising Quality
Relocating your office doesn’t have to break the bank. With smart planning and a few strategic decisions, you can cut costs while still ensuring a smooth, professional move. Here are some simple yet effective ways to reduce your office moving expenses:
- Remove unused items to reduce moving cost
- Schedule the move during off-peak times
- Get quotes from multiple moving companies
- Use bundled packing and moving services
- Ask movers about discounts or added services
- Let your staff help with light packing and labeling
By applying these cost-saving strategies, you can keep your office relocation budget under control—without sacrificing quality or efficiency.
FAQs
Typically between £1,000 and £2,500, depending on distance, services required, and complexity.
Costs usually cover packing, loading, transport, unloading, and basic setup. Extras may include IT relocation, storage, and cleaning.
Yes, many offer specialized IT relocation services, including safe transport and reconnection of computers, servers, and phone systems.
For high-quality or custom furniture, moving is often cheaper. For basic or worn-out items, replacing may be more cost-effective.
Conclusion
Whether you are managing a small office move or a full-scale business relocation, planning ahead is key to a smooth and cost-effective transition. Taking time to set a realistic budget, compare vendors, and organize tasks early can help you avoid unnecessary stress and hidden expenses.
Choosing the right office relocation specialists ensures minimal disruption to your operations. With experienced movers and a clear plan in place, you can reduce downtime, maintain business continuity, and complete your move without surprises.
