How much does it cost to move an office in London? This is the question that comes to mind if you’re thinking of relocating your office space. You need to plan carefully, and most importantly, ensure that you have an accurate budget estimate for your office relocation. Moving office can be quite hectic especially if it’s a large organisation. Working with a reliable moving company ensures minimum downtime for your business.
There are several expenses and additional costs that you need to consider when planning to move office. It’s less complicated when you work with a qualified moving company. You’ll know the costs to factor into your budget with the right office removal company.
How much does an office move cost
On average, it costs £3,500 for an office move. Office relocation costs in London vary depending on several factors like the size of your organisation, the planning done, and the movers you choose to work with. You also need to consider the distance of the move and other additional services you might require. Here’s a detailed breakdown of some expenses that might influence the overall business relocation costs.
- Office restoration costs
- Fit-out and refurbishment cost
- Office removal company cost
- Premises survey cost
- Cost of hiring a solicitor
- Schedule of conditions cost
Office restoration costs
Office repair costs anywhere from £20 per square foot Before moving to a new office space, you need to ensure that you leave the premises as you found it when you first moved in. It’s usually a requirement in most lease contracts. This means the damage you need to repair will determine the restoration costs you incur. The more damages, the more dilapidation costs you’ll incur.
Fit-out and refurbishment cost
Refurbishment and office fit-out costs approximately £15 and £65 per square foot. You should ensure that the fit-out and refurbishment costs are catered to once you move to your new office space. The entire office might need to be refurbished to fit your business needs. You should ensure you have the ideal fit-out to maximise the available space in your new office location.
Hiring an office removal company
On average, hiring a moving company in London will cost you anywhere between £3,500 – £7,000 for 3000 sq ft+ and around £6,100 – £23,000 for 10,000sq ft+. Hiring a qualified and reliable office relocation company is one way to ensure smooth office moves in London. The size of your office is crucial in determining the office removal costs.
You should be diligent when choosing your office movers for a successful office move. When looking for professional movers, you should get at least three different quotes from other expert. You can ask your mover to give you a breakdown of the office move costs to get an idea of what’s covered. This will help you avoid any unexpected costs during the moving process.
Premises survey cost
Premises survey cost ranges between £750 to £5,000. The overall cost will vary depending on the condition and size of the premises being surveyed.
Cost of hiring a solicitor
You can pay between £2,000 to £8,000 to hire a solicitor. This cost will vary depending on the office size and lease term structure. Each party, the tenant and landlord, carries their legal fees. However, they need to agree on who gets to pay the solicitor.
Schedule of conditions cost
Overall, a schedule of conditions will cost anywhere between £1,000 to £2,000. A schedule of conditions is a document that highlights the condition of your new office. You and the landlord agree if the conditions are fit.
The table below shows some of the expenses you’re likely to incur and their various costs:
| Expense | Average Cost |
| Hiring a removals company(3000sq. ft+) | £ 3,500 – £ 7,000 |
| Fit-out cost per sq. ft. | £ 30 – £ 180 |
| Property survey | £750 – £ 5,000 |
| Property expenses | £ 3,500 – £ 13,500 |
| Office alterations | £ 750 – £ 3,000 |
| Service charge increase | 5% – 10% |
| Business rates | £ 0.466p – £ 0.479p x Rateable value |
Extra costs during an office move
Apart from the costs highlighted above, the other extra office moving costs that you might incur as part of the office relocation services in London include the following:
- Extra insurance
- IT infrastructure relocation cost
- Storage costs
- Packaging costs
- Waste disposal costs
You should also note that some relocation companies have some of these services as part of their whole package hence you won’t have to pay for them separately. Before agreeing on a quote, it’s advisable to understand all the costs covered so you can easily establish the extra amount you’ll have to cater to.
How to make an office move budget
Establishing an accurate office relocation budget has to be one of the most tricky things. There are several essential factors that you need to consider. Grouping your expenses into categories is one way to ease the whole process. When listing the various moving office costs you’re likely to incur, it’s advisable to do it based on the relevance of each. You can avoid hidden costs by getting a detailed breakdown of what the office removal costs cover.
When it comes to your miscellaneous spending, you should expect approximately a 10%-15% increase in the approximated budget. If it’s a large office space, it’s ideal to divide the costs into each room, office, or department. This will help in ensuring nothing is left out. Having an office move checklist also helps a lot.
How long does an office move take
The timeline for your office relocation will depend on the size of your business. You also need to consider how long it will take to pack for moving. From the planning phase to the day of the final move, a relocation can take between 4 to 8 months. If it’s a large organisation, it will take you around 6 to 8 months to complete office relocation. You should also ensure that you choose a timeline when your business is less busy.
What about the cost of moving?
Factors affecting the cost of an office move
There are several factors affecting an office move. One of the most significant ones is the size of your office. The bigger the organisation, the more costly it will be compared to a small business setting.
A huge space also means a lot of office equipment and manpower needed when moving to a new location.The type of business you have will also determine the overall office moving cost. If you need large equipment or machinery to be moved, you will pay more compared to a small office with fewer office furniture that needs to be moved. You also require a professional office mover for the IT relocation to your new space.
Other things like the need for extra insurance or special equipment will also impact the price you pay. If you need any packing services or unpacking, the project cost will increase. Packing materials such as bubble wrap or moving boxes and crates will likely cost extra.
You may need extra storage space before the relocation is finalised in some instances. There are different types of storage units to choose from depending on the stuff you want to store. You might need some temporary storage before the actual move. Always ask your mover about the storage solutions available to avoid any mix-ups. You should budget for additional transportation costs if you’re having a cross-country office move.
This means you’ll incur some extra charges. Of course, this will depend also on the office removal company you hire considering some of them can have this as part of the service package.
From the above, you get a clear idea of how much it costs to move an office move. You can plan a seamless office move for as low as £3,500, however, this price will vary depending on the nature of your project. But even more essential is being able to choose the ideal office removal company to work with for a seamless relocation process. You should work with a qualified mover for minimum business disruption and a successful office relocation. They will also come in handy in helping you come up with an accurate budget estimate.