How Much Does It Cost to Move Office? UK Prices 2026

"How much will our office move cost?" is the first question every business asks — and the hardest to answer without specifics. But you need a ballpark before you can plan. This guide gives you real UK prices for 2026, broken down by company size, category, and region, so you can build a budget that actually holds up.

Quick Answer: Typical UK Office Move Costs

The total cost of moving office in the UK 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).

Here's what UK businesses typically spend. The move cost covers removals, packing, IT migration, and clearance — the practical cost of getting from old office to new office. The total project cost adds fit-out, new furniture, dilapidations, and professional fees on top. Not every move involves these extras, but many do.

Cost Breakdown by Category

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

Property costs

• Dilapidations (old premises) — £10–£30 per sq ft. Can reach £50+ for heavily modified spaces. Often the single largest unexpected cost
• Business rates overlap — you pay rates at both premises during the overlap period
• End-of-tenancy clean — £500–£3,000 depending on size and lease requirements
• New premises deposit — typically 3–6 months' rent

Removal and logistics

• Removal company — £130–£150 per person for pack, move, and unpack
• Packing materials — £5–£15 per person
• Temporary storage — £100–£300 per month if timings don't align
• Waste clearance — £80–£200 per person for items not making the move. See our office clearance costs guide for detailed pricing

IT and technology

• Broadband installation — £0–£5,000 (leased lines have installation fees; FTTP is often free)
• Network cabling — £50–£150 per data point
• IT migration labour — £500–£5,000 for disconnection and reconnection
• Phone system migration — £0–£3,000 (VoIP is simpler; traditional lines cost more)

Fit-out and furniture

• New furniture — £500–£2,000 per person (desk + chair + storage)
• Partition and fit-out work — £30–£80 per sq ft
• Decoration — £5–£15 per sq ft
• Signage — £500–£5,000 (external, internal, and reception branding)
• Kitchen and welfare — £1,000–£10,000

People costs

• Staff downtime — 1–2 days per person (packing + settling in). The real cost is lost productivity
• Project manager — £5,000–£15,000 for external PM on 50+ person moves
• Staff consultation — legal fees if the move triggers employment consultation requirements

Insurance, legal, and admin

• Goods in transit insurance — £200–£1,000
• Companies House AD01 filing — £13–£40
• Royal Mail business redirect — £345+ for 12 months
• Insurance policy updates — varies (building, contents, employer's liability all need updating)

For the complete cost picture with tables, see our office move budget guide.

Costs by Office Size

Here's a more detailed look at what you can expect to spend based on your team size, with typical scope for each.

Small office (1–10 people)

Move cost: £1,500–£3,000. Typically a straightforward relocation with existing furniture, minimal IT, and no fit-out work. If the new space is ready to walk into, this is all you'll spend. Add new furniture (£500–£2,000 per person) or dilapidations on the old lease and the total project can reach £5,000–£8,000+.

Medium office (10–50 people)

Move cost: £2,000–£15,000. Professional removals become essential at this size. IT migration gets more complex (multiple network points, servers, phone systems). You'll likely need clearance for items not making the move. If you also need fit-out work at the new premises or face significant dilapidations, the total project cost can reach £15,000–£40,000+.

Large office (50–200 people)

Move cost: £10,000–£60,000. Complex logistics requiring professional project management, phased moves, and significant IT migration. The move itself stays in the £150–£300 per person range, but large offices are far more likely to need fit-out work, new furniture, and external project management — pushing total project costs to £30,000–£160,000+.

Enterprise (200+ people)

Move cost: £40,000–£90,000+. Major project with extensive planning, often spanning weeks with phased moves by department. The base move cost scales predictably, but enterprise relocations almost always involve significant fit-out budgets, dilapidations, and full project management that push total costs well beyond £120,000.

Regional Cost Variation

Where you're moving makes a meaningful difference to cost. Labour rates, access logistics, and building regulations vary across the UK.

Central London moves face unique challenges: many buildings restrict moves to evenings and weekends (adding overtime costs), loading bays require advance booking, and parking suspensions need council permits (£50–£300+). Factor these into your budget if you're in the City, West End, or Canary Wharf.

Hidden Costs Most Businesses Miss

These are the expenses that blow budgets — usually because they don't appear until weeks or months after the move decision is made.

1. Dilapidations — restoring your old premises to lease condition. Ranges from £10–£30+ per sq ft and can be the single largest unexpected line item. Always check your lease obligations before budgeting
2. Business rates overlap — you're liable at both premises during any overlap period. There's limited empty property relief (3 months for offices), but timing matters
3. Broadband early termination — breaking a leased line contract early can cost thousands. Check your contract dates before committing to a move date
4. Furniture disposal — items that can't be sold or donated still need legal disposal. 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 connected. 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. Budget for the possibility you won't get the full amount returned
8. The contingency you didn't include — 10–15% of total budget. If your move costs £50,000, keep £5,000–£7,500 in reserve. Every experienced project manager builds this in

How to Reduce Your Office Move Costs

• Plan early — this is the single most effective way to save money. Rushed moves cost 20–30% more because you lose negotiating power and pay premium rates. See our planning guide for the full walkthrough
• Sell unwanted furniture — quality furniture from recognised brands has real resale value. Use our free valuation tool to check what yours is worth before paying for disposal
• Move mid-week — Tuesday and Wednesday moves can be 10–20% cheaper than Friday or Monday
• Staff self-pack — having staff pack their own desks (with materials you provide) saves on removal company labour
• Take furniture with you — moving existing furniture is almost always cheaper than buying new, even if it's not perfect
• Negotiate a rent-free period — landlords commonly offer 1–3 months rent-free in exchange for a longer lease. Use this to offset fit-out costs
• Offset disposal against resale — a good clearance company will offset furniture resale value against your disposal bill
• Go cloud-first — migrating to cloud services during the move eliminates server room costs and simplifies IT migration. See our IT checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to move a small office in the UK?

The move itself — removals, packing, IT migration, and clearance — typically costs £1,500–£3,000 for a 1–10 person office (£150–£300 per person). If you also need new furniture, fit-out work, or face significant dilapidations on the old premises, the total project cost can reach £5,000–£8,000+. London and South East prices are typically 15–25% higher.

What is the most expensive part of an office move?

If buying new furniture, that's usually the largest single item (£500–£2,000 per person). If keeping existing furniture, dilapidations on the old premises often become the biggest cost — ranging from £10–£30 per sq ft and potentially reaching tens of thousands of pounds. The physical removals are typically only 15–25% of the total.

Are office move costs tax deductible?

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

How can I reduce my office move costs?

The most effective ways are: start planning early (rushed moves cost 20–30% more), sell unwanted furniture using our valuation tool, move mid-week, have staff self-pack, and negotiate a rent-free fit-out period on the new lease.

Is it cheaper to move office in London or outside?

Office moves in London and the South East typically cost 15–25% more due to higher labour rates, congestion charges, parking restrictions, and building access fees. Some Central London buildings require out-of-hours moves, adding further cost. The Midlands and North generally offer the lowest prices.