Office Move Budget Guide: What Does It Really Cost?

Ask five businesses what their office move cost, and you'll get five very different answers — because most only count the obvious expenses. This guide breaks down the real cost of moving office in the UK, including the hidden expenses that blow most budgets, with practical figures you can use for planning.

How Much Does an Office Move Cost?

The total cost of a UK office move depends on four main variables: team size (which drives volume), distance (local vs. cross-country), complexity (simple desk swap vs. full fit-out), and timeline (rushed moves cost more).

As a very rough rule of thumb, budget £150–£300 per person for the move itself depending on complexity. The total project cost — including fit-out, new furniture, and professional fees — can be significantly higher.

Average Costs by Company Size

The table below shows typical all-in costs for UK office relocations. These include removals, IT migration, furniture, fit-out, and professional fees, but exclude rent and property acquisition costs.

Complete Cost Breakdown

Here's where the money goes, broken into six categories. Not every move involves all of these, but most involve more than businesses initially expect.

1. Property costs

2. Logistics costs

3. IT costs

For the full IT picture, see our IT office move checklist.

4. Fit-out and furniture costs

5. Staff-related costs

6. Insurance and legal costs

Hidden Costs Most Businesses Miss

These are the budget items that catch businesses off guard — usually because they don't appear until weeks after the move.

1. Dilapidations — the cost of restoring your old premises to lease condition. This is often the single largest unexpected cost, ranging from £10 to £30+ per sq ft. Always check your lease obligations before budgeting
2. Business rates overlap — you're liable for business rates at both premises during any overlap period. There's a limited empty property relief (3 months for offices), but timing matters
3. Broadband early termination — if your broadband contract at the old premises doesn't align with your move date, you may face early termination fees — especially on leased lines
4. Furniture disposal costs — items that can't be sold or donated still need to be disposed of legally. With landfill tax at £103.70/tonne (rising to ~£130.75 from April 2026), this adds up fast
5. Staff downtime — even a well-managed move loses 1–2 days of productivity per person. For a 50-person team, that's 50–100 person-days of lost output
6. Post-move snagging — IT glitches, furniture that doesn't fit, services that weren't reconnected. Budget time and money for the first 2 weeks of fixing things
7. Deposit disputes — getting your deposit back on the old premises often involves negotiation over dilapidations. Budget for the possibility you won't get the full amount back
8. The 10–15% contingency you didn't include — every experienced project manager budgets for contingency. If your move budget is £50,000, keep £5,000–£7,500 in reserve

Ways to Reduce Your Moving Costs

• Sell unwanted furniture — quality furniture has real resale value. Use our free valuation tool to check what yours is worth before assuming it's all waste
• Negotiate a rent-free fit-out period — landlords commonly offer 1–3 months rent-free in exchange for a longer lease commitment. Use this to offset fit-out costs
• Move mid-week — removal companies are busier (and more expensive) on Fridays and Mondays. Tuesday/Wednesday moves can be 10–20% cheaper
• Staff self-pack — having staff pack their own desks (with materials and instructions you provide) saves on removal company labour costs
• Take furniture with you — if your current furniture is in good condition, moving it is almost always cheaper than buying new. Even premium chairs cost less to move than to replace
• Cloud-first IT — migrating to cloud services during the move eliminates server room costs at the new premises and simplifies the IT migration. See our IT move checklist
• Plan early — rushed moves cost more. Contractors charge premiums for urgent work, and you lose negotiating power on everything from removal quotes to furniture orders
• Offset disposal against resale — a good office clearance company will offset the value of saleable furniture against your disposal bill. We do this as standard

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the biggest single cost in an office move?

If you're buying new furniture, that's usually the largest line item (£500–£2,000 per person). If you're taking existing furniture, the biggest cost is often dilapidations on the old premises — which can run into tens of thousands for a medium-sized office. The physical removals are usually a relatively small proportion of total cost.

Can we claim tax relief on office move costs?

Most legitimate business relocation costs are tax-deductible as business expenses, including removal costs, professional fees, and IT migration. Fit-out costs may need to be capitalised and depreciated depending on their nature. Capital allowances may apply to fixtures and fittings. Speak to your accountant about the specifics for your situation.

How accurate are online cost estimators?

Online estimators (including ours) give a useful ballpark for initial budgeting but can't account for every variable. Use them as a starting point, then get formal quotes for the major cost items. A site visit from a clearance or removal company gives the most accurate quote.

Should we hire a project manager?

For moves under 30 people with an experienced internal lead, usually not. For 50+ people, a professional move PM (£5,000–£15,000) typically saves more than they cost through better supplier management, avoided delays, and reduced disruption. They also take the burden off your team so they can keep the business running.

How much contingency should we include?

10–15% of total budget is the industry standard. For your first office move, err towards 15%. If you've done this before and have a detailed, quote-backed budget, 10% may suffice. Never go below 10% — something will cost more than expected.