Moving your business to a new space can be a bit of a headache. You’ve got two main options, hire a van and do it yourself or pay an office moving company to handle it all. But which is better for your wallet and your stress levels? Let’s walk through a straightforward comparison to help you make the best choice for your small business relocation.
Understanding Your Office Removal Costs
When planning an office move, the first question is usually about money. Office workers assess moving costs, considering size, distance, and time frame to create a realistic budget.
Professional relocation services typically charge based on:
- Office size
- Distance of move
- Amount of furniture and equipment
- Access challenges (stairs, lifts, parking)
- Additional services (packing, storage)
A full-service office moving company might cost anywhere from £300 for a very small office to several thousand pounds for larger businesses. These costs can add up quickly, especially if you need storage or special handling for IT equipment.
On the flip side, if you hire a van, you’re looking at daily rates starting around:
- Small van: £49-£59 per day
- Medium van: £69-£79 per day
- Large van: £89-£99 per day
This makes van hire a particularly cost-effective office relocation option for smaller businesses or those with limited items to move.
The Benefits of Hiring Movers vs DIY Van Rental
Professional Office Movers: Pros and Cons
The benefits of hiring movers include having experts handle your valuable equipment. Professional movers load office equipment with precision into a storage facility, reducing the risk of damage.
Pros:
- They do all the heavy lifting
- Insurance coverage included
- Experience with delicate equipment
- Efficiency from years of experience
Cons:
- Significantly higher costs
- Less control over handling
- Need to book well in advance
- Fixed schedules with less flexibility
DIY Office Move with Van Hire: Pros and Cons
When you hire a van for your office relocation, you take control of the entire process.
Pros:
- Much more affordable
- Complete control over timing
- No strangers handling sensitive items
- Pay only for what you need
- Flexible scheduling
Cons:
- You do all the work
- Requires careful planning
- Need to organise your team
- May take longer
For small business relocation, the DIY approach with van hire often makes the most sense financially, especially when you’ve got a few team members willing to help.
Cost Comparison: Van Hire vs Moving Company
Let’s break down a realistic example for a clearer picture of understanding office relocation costs in the UK.
Scenario: Small Office Move (5-10 employees)
Office Moving Company:
- Basic moving service: £800-£1,500
- Packing service: £200-£400
- Insurance: Often included but limited
- Total: £1,000-£1,900
Van Hire Approach:
- Large van for 1-2 days: £49-£118
- Packing materials: £100
- Fuel: £50-£70
- Total: £199-£288
The difference is clear, hiring a van could save you over £800 for a small office move. That’s money your business could use elsewhere.
For a medium-sized office, the gap widens even further, making van hire vs moving company an easy choice for budget-conscious businesses.
Planning Your DIY Office Move
If you’re leaning towards the DIY approach with van hire, here are some office move planning tips to help things go smoothly:
- Start Early: Create a timeline at least 6-8 weeks before moving day.
- Declutter First: Don’t move what you don’t need.
- Label Everything: Colour-code by department or room.
- Book Your Van Early: Especially during busy periods.
- Choose the Right Size: Efficient team packs a Citroen Relay van with office items, guided by a size estimator app to maximize space.
- Get Help: Assign specific roles to team members.
- Create an Inventory: Track everything that moves.
With careful planning, a DIY office move with a hired van can be surprisingly straightforward. The key is good organisation and getting the right vehicle for your needs.
Small Business DIY Office Move Tips
When managing a cost-effective office relocation, these practical DIY office move tips will help:
- Move Off-Peak: Weekends can be busier and more expensive for van hire.
- Pack Systematically: One area at a time, labeling as you go.
- Essential Box: Keep critical items separate and easily accessible.
- IT First: Set up your tech infrastructure before moving furniture.
- Measure Twice: Ensure furniture will fit through doorways and lifts.
- Update Your Address: Don’t forget to update your business details everywhere.
When to Choose a Professional Service
While van hire is often the smart choice, there are times when professional relocation services make sense:
- Very large offices (30+ employees)
- Specialised equipment needing expert handling
- International moves
- When time is extremely limited
- If your team can’t assist with heavy lifting
In these cases, the convenience might outweigh the cost savings. But for most small to medium businesses, van hire provides the perfect balance of affordability and flexibility.
Why Hire2You is Your Best Option for Office Relocation
When you decide to hire a van for your office move, choosing the right provider makes all the difference. Hire2You offers:
- Flexible rental periods, hours, days, or weeks
- Wide range of vehicle sizes to match your needs
- Clear, upfront pricing without hidden fees
- Well-maintained, clean, reliable vehicles
- Helpful customer service to answer your questions
- Convenient pickup and drop-off locations
With Hire2You, you get more than just a van, you get a partner who understands the challenges of office relocation and provides the support you need to make your move smooth and stress-free.
Conclusion
When weighing up van hire vs moving company options, the choice often comes down to budget, office size, and how hands-on you want to be. For many small and medium businesses, hiring a van offers significant cost savings while providing greater control over the moving process.
Professional office movers have their place, particularly for larger organizations or those with specialised equipment. However, for most businesses, the DIY approach with a reliable van rental delivers the best value and flexibility.
Ready to plan your cost-effective office relocation? Contact Hire2You today to discuss your van hire needs and discover how we can help make your office move simpler, more affordable, and less stressful.