---
title: "Office Relocation London: Fit-Out, Move and Make-Good"
description: "Planning an office relocation in London: timeline, fitting out the new space, IT and furniture, moving day, and making good the office you are leaving."
canonical: https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/office-relocation-london
last_updated: 2026-10-08
---

# Office Relocation London: Fit-Out, Move and Make-Good

Updated 21 October 2026. By Office Refurbishment London.

Short answer

## How long does an office relocation take to plan?

For most London businesses, allow 6 to 12 months from the decision to move to the first day in the new office. Finding space and agreeing the lease often takes 2 to 4 months, design and approvals 1 to 3 months, and the fit-out 6 to 16 weeks, with dilapidations on the old office running in parallel.

An office move touches every part of a business: people, technology, finances and brand. The physical move is the visible part, but most of the work happens months earlier, in choosing space, designing and fitting out the new office, planning IT, and dealing with obligations on the office you are leaving. We fit out new offices and make good old ones for businesses relocating within London, and coordinate the work so the move happens on time and the old lease ends cleanly.

| Stage | Typical timing before move | Key outputs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Brief and budget | 9–12 months | Space requirements, budget, timescale |
| Search and shortlist | 6–12 months | Shortlisted buildings, test fits |
| Heads of terms and lease | 4–9 months | Agreed terms, licence for alterations |
| Design | 3–6 months | Layout, finishes, services, approvals |
| Fit-out | 6–16 weeks before move | Completed new office |
| IT and furniture | 4–8 weeks before move | Network, AV, furniture installed |
| Move | Move weekend | Staff in new office |
| Make-good old office | Before old lease ends | Dilapidations settled |

## Step 1: write the brief

A good brief makes every later decision easier. It should cover:

- Headcount now and in three to five years

- Hybrid working patterns and desk sharing ratios

- Meeting rooms, focus space, collaboration and social areas

- Special requirements: labs, comms rooms, showers, storage

- Location priorities for staff and clients

- Budget for rent, fit-out, furniture, IT and moving

- Key dates, including the current lease end and any break clauses

## Step 2: find and test the space

Test fits, quick layouts showing how your team fits in a building, are the best way to compare options. They show whether a floor works for your brief and help estimate fit-out costs. A Cat A floor will need a Cat B fit-out; a Cat A+ or fitted space may need less. See [Cat A vs Cat B fit-outs](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/cat-a-vs-cat-b-fit-out) and [Cat A fit-outs in London](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/cat-a-fit-out-london).

## Step 3: design and approvals

Once the lease is agreed, the design is developed: layout, finishes, lighting, air conditioning, power and data, kitchens and AV. Landlord approval is usually needed through a licence for alterations, and Building Regulations approval for many works. See [office refurbishment planning permission and building regulations](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/office-refurbishment-planning-permission-building-regs) and our guide to [office interior design in London](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/office-interior-design-london).

## Step 4: fit out the new office

The fit-out is usually the largest cost. In London, a standard Cat B fit-out typically costs £120 to £200 per sq ft, and a premium one £220 to £380 or more, excluding VAT. See [office fit-out cost per sq ft and m²](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/office-fit-out-cost-per-sq-ft-london) and the [office fit-out cost calculator](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/tools/office-fit-out-cost-calculator). A design and build approach, with one team responsible from design to handover, reduces risk on a fixed move date; see [office design and build](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/office-design-and-build-london).

## Step 5: IT, furniture and AV

- **IT**: order connectivity early; new lines can take weeks or months

- **Network and Wi-Fi**: design and install before furniture goes in

- **AV**: meeting room screens and video conferencing

- **Furniture**: new, reused or a mix; lead times can be several weeks

- **Security and access control**: coordinate with the building

## Step 6: moving day

| Task | When |
| --- | --- |
| Confirm removals firm and building access | 6–8 weeks before |
| Label and pack desks and storage | Final week |
| Disconnect and move IT | Move weekend |
| Unpack, set up and test | Move weekend |
| Welcome and orientation | First day |
| Snagging list | First weeks |

## Step 7: make good the old office

Your old lease will almost certainly contain obligations to repair, reinstate and redecorate. This can be a major cost and is often overlooked in relocation budgets. Typical London figures for a fitted-out office are around £8 to £20 per sq ft for strip-out, £15 to £35 per sq ft for reinstatement to Cat A and £4 to £10 per sq ft for redecoration, excluding VAT. Start early: get a [dilapidations survey](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/dilapidations-survey), review the landlord's [schedule of dilapidations](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/schedule-of-dilapidations) and decide whether to carry out the works or negotiate a payment. Our guide to [office strip-out](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/office-strip-out-london) covers the physical work, and [office dilapidations](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/office-dilapidations-london) the wider process.

## How to keep relocation costs down

- Start early, so you are not forced into expensive decisions late on

- Use test fits to avoid taking more space than you need

- Negotiate landlord contributions or rent-free periods towards the fit-out

- Reuse furniture and demountable partitions where practical; see [demountable office partitions](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/demountable-office-partitions)

- Plan dilapidations alongside the move rather than after it

- Agree a fixed-price fit-out with a clear scope

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## Communicating with staff

Moves go best when people know what is happening. Share the reasons, the timeline, what the new office will be like and practical details such as travel, parking, bike storage and showers. Involving staff in choices such as kitchen and breakout design builds goodwill.

## Relocation checklist

For a step-by-step list covering brief, budget, design, approvals, build and handover, see our [office refurbishment checklist](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/office-refurbishment-checklist), which applies equally to fitting out a new office.

## Common relocation risks

- Fit-out not finished before the old lease ends

- IT connectivity delayed

- Landlord consents taking longer than expected

- Dilapidations costs not budgeted

- Furniture lead times

- Building rules restricting working hours

A clear programme with float before the move date, and early engagement with landlords and IT providers, avoids most of these.

## Moving within the same building

Some businesses relocate within their existing building, taking an extra floor or swapping floors. This can avoid a full move and keep staff close to familiar transport, but it usually involves phased works so the business keeps running. Temporary space, out-of-hours working and careful sequencing are key, and dilapidations may still apply to any space being given back.

## Budget headings for an office move

| Budget heading | Typical driver |
| --- | --- |
| New fit-out | Floor area and specification |
| Furniture | Reuse vs new, headcount |
| IT and AV | Network, meeting rooms, connectivity |
| Professional fees | Agents, lawyers, surveyors |
| Removals | Volume of items and access |
| Dilapidations on old office | Lease obligations and condition |
| Contingency | Unknowns, often a percentage of the total |

## Should you refurbish instead of moving?

Sometimes the best relocation is no relocation. If your lease has years to run, the location still works and the problem is layout or condition, a refurbishment of your existing office can cost less than moving and avoid two sets of fit-out and dilapidations costs. A test fit of your current floor alongside shortlisted buildings makes the comparison clear. See [office refurbishment cost](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/office-refurbishment-cost-uk).

## Using lease negotiations to fund the fit-out

When taking a new lease, landlords often offer incentives such as rent-free periods or capital contributions towards the fit-out. The value of these depends on the market, the building and the length of the lease. Including realistic fit-out costs in your negotiations helps you compare offers fairly.

## Communicating the move to staff

Staff take a move better when they know what is happening early. Share the date, the new address and travel options, and walk through the new layout with floor plans or a site visit. Explain what each person needs to pack and label, and when their desk and equipment will be ready.

## Talk to us about your move

We can test-fit shortlisted buildings, design and build your new office and handle the make-good of your old one. [Request a quote](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/#enquire) through our form and tell us your target move date.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the first step in an office relocation?

Define what you need, including headcount now and in future, ways of working, budget and timing. That brief guides the search, the fit-out and the move.

### Who manages an office relocation?

Usually an internal project lead working with the fit-out company, IT provider, removals firm and your property advisers. A design and build fit-out team can coordinate much of it.

### How much does it cost to relocate an office in London?

The biggest costs are usually the new fit-out and the dilapidations on the old office. Removals, IT and furniture are smaller but still significant.

### Can we move over a weekend?

Yes. Many London offices move on a Friday evening and weekend so staff can start in the new space on Monday.

### What happens to our old office?

You will usually need to meet the lease's dilapidations obligations, which may include strip-out, repairs and redecoration, before handing it back.

## Related guides

- [Office Fit-Out Cost per Sq Ft and per m² in London (2026)](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/office-fit-out-cost-per-sq-ft-london)
- [Cat A vs Cat B Fit Out: What’s the Difference? (2026)](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/cat-a-vs-cat-b-fit-out)
- [How to Choose an Office Fit Out Company in London (2026)](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/choosing-office-fit-out-company-london)
- [Office Dilapidations in London: A Tenant’s Guide](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/office-dilapidations-london)
- [Acoustic Office Partitions: Ratings, Types and Costs](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/guides/acoustic-office-partitions)
- [Office Fit-Out Cost Calculator London (2026)](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/tools/office-fit-out-cost-calculator)
- [Office refurbishment and fit-out in London](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/)
- [Areas of London we cover](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/london-areas)

Next step

## Planning an office fit-out?

Send us your brief and we will be in touch to arrange a survey and a detailed, no-obligation quote.

[Request a quote](https://officerefurbishmentlondon.com/#enquire)