A moving day can be surprisingly short while the work needed to make it successful takes weeks. When people ask how long office moves take, the honest answer is that it depends on two separate timelines: the time spent physically moving furniture and equipment, and the planning needed to keep your business operating before, during and after the relocation.
For a small Kent office, the removal itself may be completed in a day. For a larger business with staff workstations, IT systems, stock, filing and several departments, the move can take a weekend or longer. The right schedule is one that protects your people, equipment and ability to trade – not simply the fastest possible date.
How long office moves take in practice
Most office relocations fall into a few broad timeframes. These are useful starting points, but every building, access route and business operation is different.
| Type of move | Typical removal time | Recommended planning time | | — | — | — | | Small office or shared workspace | Half a day to one day | 2-4 weeks | | Small business office, up to 15 staff | One day | 4-6 weeks | | Medium office with several rooms or departments | One to two days | 6-10 weeks | | Larger office, specialist equipment or multiple sites | Several days or phased move | 2-6 months |
A one-room office with desks, chairs and boxed files can often be loaded, transported and set down within a few hours, particularly if parking is close and the new premises are ready. A 10-person business may need a full day because desks need dismantling, labelled equipment needs careful handling, and each item must arrive in the right area.
The physical move is only one part of the job. Allow additional time for packing, building access arrangements, IT disconnection and reconnection, staff communication, cleaning, key collection and setting up the new workspace. If any of these are left until the last minute, a move that looked straightforward can cause an avoidable delay.
What changes an office moving timetable?
The number of desks matters, but it is rarely the only factor. Access is often the biggest influence on how quickly a removal team can work. A ground-floor office with reserved parking outside will move far more quickly than a third-floor suite with a small lift, limited loading times and a busy town-centre street.
Furniture, files and specialist items
Standard desks, chairs, cupboards and boxed paperwork are familiar removal items. They still need to be protected, loaded securely and placed in the correct room, but they can be planned efficiently. Large boardroom tables, heavy safes, filing cabinets, warehouse stock, printers and delicate screens need more time and, in some cases, extra handling equipment.
It also pays to decide what is actually coming with you. Moving unwanted furniture or old paperwork adds cost, takes up valuable space and slows down the day. Arranging clearance in advance means the removal team can focus on the items your business needs at its new address.
IT and business continuity
For many companies, the longest part of an office relocation is not carrying boxes. It is getting phones, broadband, computers, servers and security systems working again. Your IT provider should confirm exactly when equipment can be shut down, who is responsible for reconnecting it, and how staff will work if there is a gap between leaving one office and opening the next.
Some businesses choose a Friday evening and weekend move so their team can start Monday in the new premises. Others move department by department, allowing customer-facing teams to remain available. A phased approach can take longer overall, but it may be the sensible choice where even one day of downtime would affect clients or income.
Building rules and access
Commercial landlords and managing agents may require proof of insurance, lift bookings, loading-bay reservations or notice before removals can begin. Some buildings only permit moves outside normal working hours. New premises may have a strict window for deliveries, while older properties can present narrow stairways, low ceilings or awkward entrances.
Checking these details early prevents a removal vehicle arriving with nowhere safe or legal to park. It also allows the right number of movers and the right vehicle to be allocated from the outset.
A sensible office move schedule
A clear schedule reduces pressure because everyone knows what needs to happen and when. The exact order will vary, but the following approach works well for most small and medium-sized businesses.
Six to eight weeks before the move
Confirm the moving date, measure the new office and create a simple floor plan. Decide where teams, furniture and shared equipment will go before moving day. This is also the point to get a removal quote, discuss access at both properties and identify packing, storage or clearance requirements.
Tell staff early enough for them to prepare, but give them clear instructions rather than a vague request to pack everything. Each person should know what they are responsible for, what must be labelled, and what should not be moved without approval.
Two to four weeks before the move
Arrange internet and telephone services, notify suppliers and customers where necessary, and begin reducing clutter. Archive or securely dispose of documents you no longer need. Order new keys, passes and signage if applicable.
Label boxes by destination, not only by person. “Sales – window-side desks” is more useful on moving day than “Sarah’s office”. Numbering desks and matching labels to a floor plan can save hours when setting up a larger workspace.
The week before
Confirm final arrangements with the removal company, building management and IT provider. Pack non-essential items, back up important data and make sure personal belongings are removed from drawers. Prepare an essentials box for the first day at the new office with kettle supplies, cleaning items, chargers, stationery, keys and key contact numbers.
Avoid packing critical paperwork, laptops or server equipment without a clear handover plan. These are items that can hold up the whole business if they cannot be found quickly.
Moving day and the first working day
Have one decision-maker available at both ends of the move, or appoint trusted site contacts. They can answer questions about placement, access and unexpected changes without asking every member of staff to stop work.
Once furniture is in position, check that equipment has arrived, keys and access cards are accounted for, and walkways are clear. Do not expect every picture frame and drawer organiser to be perfect immediately. The priority is a safe workspace where staff can log on, communicate and serve customers.
Can an office move be done in one day?
Yes, many can. A well-prepared small office move is often completed in a single day, especially where packing is finished beforehand, both locations have straightforward access and the new layout is agreed. A professional removal team can dismantle appropriate furniture, protect items in transit and place them in the correct areas, helping your team avoid the heavy lifting.
However, moving in one day does not always mean reopening fully the following morning. If IT installation, broadband activation or specialist machinery setup is still outstanding, you may need a short period of remote working or a staged return. It is better to allow for this honestly than promise staff and clients a timetable that leaves no room for practical problems.
How to keep your move on schedule
The simplest way to avoid delays is to make decisions early. Confirm what is moving, what is being cleared, which entrances will be used and who can approve changes on the day. Give your removal team an accurate picture of stairs, lifts, parking restrictions, large furniture and fragile equipment so they can plan the job properly.
It is also wise to build in a little contingency. A delayed key handover, a lift fault or unexpected traffic around Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells or Maidstone can affect timing. A realistic plan has space for the things no one can fully control.
At Axia Removals, we treat office relocation as more than transporting desks from A to B. Careful planning, fully insured handling and clear communication give your business the best chance of settling into its new space without unnecessary disruption.
A good office move should leave your team feeling supported rather than rushed. Start with the date you need to be working again, plan backwards from there, and give the practical details the attention they deserve.