Compare office relocation quotes in London

Why ask it: IT equipment requires fundamentally different handling from furniture: anti-static packaging, careful cabling documentation, and often a separate disconnection and reconnection workflow. Whether the removal company handles this in-house or hands it back to your IT team affects how you plan the whole move day.

Good answer: They describe a specific process for IT: a pre-move survey of the server room and workstations, labelled anti-static bags and crates, a cabling photograph schedule before disconnection, and a named contact for coordinating with your IT team. They distinguish between what they move and what requires your IT team or a specialist IT contractor.

Red flag: "We move everything" with no distinction between IT and furniture, or a vague reference to being "careful with electronics." Neither response shows any understanding of what IT equipment handling actually involves.

Why ask it: In central London, parking dispensations are not optional - they are the difference between a move that runs to programme and one that involves a clamped van, an emergency relocation call, and a two-hour delay before anything moves. A removal company that has not asked about building access before quoting has not priced this properly.

Good answer: They immediately ask which boroughs both buildings are in, confirm their standard lead time for dispensation applications (typically 7-10 working days), explain how they handle loading bay bookings in managed buildings, and clarify whether their vehicles are compliant with any relevant route or weight restrictions for your locations.

Red flag: "We'll sort the parking on the day" or any suggestion that dispensations are not their responsibility. In London, that approach results in fines, towed vehicles, and a move that costs significantly more than quoted.

Why ask it: The difference between a weight-based policy at £40-£60 per kilo and a declared replacement value policy is the difference between being covered and being substantially underinsured on every piece of IT equipment and specialist furniture you own. You cannot assess this risk without knowing the basis.

Good answer: They clearly explain their standard policy basis, confirm whether it is weight-based or value-based, provide the per-kilo rate if weight-based, and have a defined process for declaring high-value items before the move - either by completing a schedule or by increasing cover at an agreed additional premium.

Red flag: "You're fully insured" without explaining the basis, or a vague reference to being "comprehensively covered." That tells you nothing about whether a £15,000 server is actually covered.

Why ask it: A move-day programme that relies on everything going to plan is not a programme - it is an assumption. London buildings with loading bay time windows and lift booking requirements have fixed constraints. If the removal company has not planned around those, any delay cascades into a significantly extended move.

Good answer: They describe a specific sequence: pre-move coordination with building management at both sites, confirmed lift and loading bay booking windows, a crew size matched to the volume, and a clear plan for the most common delay scenarios. They should name their contingency option - whether that is additional crew on standby or an agreed second-day rate.

Red flag: "We'll be in and out in a day, no problem" with no reference to building access windows, loading bay constraints, or what happens if IT takes longer to reconnect than expected.

Why ask it: If your move is not a clean switch - because the new fit-out is not complete, because leases overlap, or because you are moving in phases - you will need somewhere to put items between locations. Discovering the removal company has no storage, or only third-party storage at a significant premium, after you have committed to them limits your options.

Good answer: They confirm whether storage is in their own facility or third-party, the security standard (CCTV, alarmed, access-controlled), climate control for sensitive items, how access works if you need something back, and a clear per-week or per-month rate. The rate should be agreed in the contract, not quoted verbally and revised later.

Red flag: "We can find you somewhere" without being able to name the facility or give a rate. That is a sign they will be subcontracting storage at a margin once you need it.

Why ask it: Your dilapidations obligations do not disappear because you have moved out. If the removal company only moves items to the new office and leaves everything else - including unwanted furniture, old filing systems, redundant cabling - you will pay a premium for a separate clearance contractor at the end of a stressful move.

Good answer: They clearly distinguish what is included in the removal contract from what is a separate line item: disposal of unwanted items, end-of-tenancy clearance, disposal certificates for IT equipment if needed, and any recycling services. They give a clear price for each component so you can make an informed decision.

Red flag: "We just do the move" with no further information about what happens to items you are not taking, or an inability to give any indication of clearance costs.