A server that won't boot on Monday morning can cost your business more than the office move itself. If you're planning to relocate a London office and you're not sure who should handle the desks, the racks and the router, this guide is for you.
Why an Office Move Puts Your IT at Risk
IT kit doesn't travel like furniture. A dropped chair gets you a dent. A dropped server can wipe out client files, invoices and years of email. UK businesses lose an average of £3.6 million a year to unplanned IT downtime, and a badly planned office move is one of the most common causes. That's why more London businesses now book a dedicated IT relocation service alongside their office move, rather than leaving laptops and servers to the last van run of the day.
What a Proper IT Relocation Service Includes
Not every mover offers this. A proper IT relocation service goes further than lifting a tower unit into a box. It covers an equipment audit before moving day, safe disconnection and labelling of every cable, anti-static packing for servers and networking kit, and a tested reconnection once everything's back in place. This works alongside your in-house IT team or provider, so nothing gets unplugged or repacked without a plan. Ask any company you're considering whether they label cables and ports as standard. If the answer is no, you'll be the one untangling it on Monday morning.
Six Questions to Ask Before You Book
Ask these before you sign anything. A short list of questions will tell you more than any brochure.
- Are you fully insured, including goods-in-transit cover and £5m public liability?
- Are your crews DBS-checked and trained to handle IT equipment?
- Is the price fixed, with no extra charge for stairs or a second van?
- Can you work evenings or weekends to avoid disrupting trading hours?
- Who disconnects and reconnects the servers: you or our IT provider?
- What's your process if something is damaged on the day?
Any company that hesitates on the insurance question is one to avoid. Fixed pricing with no hidden fees for stairs, mileage or wrapping should be standard, not an upsell.
Who Should Handle What: IT Team vs Removals Crew
Split the job clearly first. Your IT provider or in-house team should handle backups, software licences and the final configuration once equipment is back online. Your removals company should handle the physical side: safe packing, transport, and reassembly of desks, racks and cabinets. A good office and business removals team will liaise directly with your IT provider on move day, so both sides know exactly when the network goes down and when it needs to be live again. Confusing these roles is the most common reason office IT moves overrun. Agree the handover points in writing before moving day, not on it.
What It Costs and How Long It Takes
Costs vary by kit and distance. A small office move with a handful of desks and a single server might need only a man and van service and a two-person crew for half a day. A 40-desk office with a server room and networking cabinet usually needs a Luton van or larger, a three-person crew, and a full working day, sometimes split across a weekend to protect trading hours. A free video survey helps for larger moves, so your quote reflects what's actually in the building rather than a guess over the phone. If your new office isn't quite ready, ask about short-term secure storage for servers and IT stock rather than leaving it in a van overnight.
Protecting Equipment on the Day
Protection starts before the van arrives. Every desk, cabinet and monitor should get free wrapping and floor coverings as standard, not as an add-on you're charged for later. Cables get labelled at both ends before disconnection, so reconnection at the new site takes minutes, not hours. Fragile screens and specialist kit travel upright and secured, never stacked flat under other equipment. A crew that's used to handling high-value and specialist items will treat a server rack with the same care. That level of attention is what separates a removals firm from one that genuinely understands IT relocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an IT relocation cost in London?
Costs depend on the size of your office and how much specialist kit you have. A small office with a handful of desks might need only a man and van, while a 40-desk office with a server room needs a larger crew and costs more. Get a free, no-obligation quote for an exact fixed price.
How far ahead should we book an office IT move?
Book at least four to six weeks ahead for a straightforward office move, and eight weeks or more if you have a server room or specialist networking kit. This gives your IT provider time to plan backups and your removals company time to survey the site.
Can a removals company move our servers?
Yes, with the right team. Ask whether the crew has handled server relocations before and whether they'll coordinate directly with your IT provider on disconnection and reconnection timing. Look for DBS-checked, insured crews who are used to working alongside IT teams during business moves.
What happens if something is damaged during the move?
A fully insured mover carries goods-in-transit cover and public liability insurance as standard, so you're protected if the worst happens. Ask to see proof of insurance before you book, and check whether the price you're quoted is genuinely fixed.
Do you offer storage if our new office isn't ready?
Yes. Secure storage is useful when your move-out and move-in dates don't line up, keeping servers and IT stock safe until your new office is ready to receive them.
Choosing the right IT relocation company comes down to insurance, clear responsibilities and a fixed price you can trust. Get a free, no-obligation quote from Just Removals London and we'll plan your office IT move around your business, not the other way round.