Complete guide to office relocation in South Africa

Relocating your office is a big step for any business, no matter the scale of your office move. If your team is growing and you need to move to a larger space, if you’re downsizing due to hybrid and remote working, or simply want to move to a better location, planning ahead will save you a lot of headaches along the way. A well-organised office move can help reduce downtime, avoid unexpected costs, and make the transition as smooth as possible for your team.

Here’s a practical office moving checklist to help you stay on track from start to finish, plus a few expert tips from the Wise Move team to keep stress to a minimum.

• Office relocation timeline
• Choosing the right office movers
• Packing tips for office moves
• Don’t forget about office cleaning
• Common office moving mistakes to avoid
• Make it a wise office move
• FAQs: Preparing for an office move

Office relocation timeline

6–12 Months before moving

• Assess your current lease to check for notice periods, penalties, and restoration responsibilities.

• Establish a moving budget covering transport, packing, IT setup, downtime, and furnishings.

• Form a relocation team or assign a move manager to oversee planning and execution.

• Identify your new office needs—think space, parking, meeting rooms, and amenities. Research premises that match these needs.

• Get multiple quotes early from trusted office moving companies in your area to compare prices and set a budget.

• Read customer reviews of potential movers, look for their experience in office relocations and make sure they have insurance in place.

3–6 Months before moving

• Secure your new office premises.

• Design a floor plan to map out team zones, common areas, and storage.

• Notify all relevant parties including staff, suppliers, and clients.

• Plan to update your business address across all platforms and official documents.

1–3 Months before moving

• Make an inventory list of your office contents and declutter anything no longer needed.

• Plan your IT move—backups, internet setup, and device transport.

• Order quality packing materials: boxes, labels, tape, bubble wrap– or get help from a removals company.

• Book your moving date with a trusted office relocation company.

Moving week

• Pack non-essential items first and label boxes clearly by team or function.

• Do final walkthroughs of both current and new offices to spot any issues.

• Share final moving plans with your team, including roles and schedules.

Moving day

• Be on-site to supervise and assist movers where needed - make sure they put items in the right rooms to make unpacking easier.

• Prioritise setting up internet, phone lines, and key systems in the new office.

• Welcome staff, offer a walkthrough and resolve any day-one issues.

Settling into the new office

• Unpack logically and focus on getting operational as quickly as possible.

• Update your new address on Google, supplier accounts, and online listings.

• Ask your team for feedback to improve any future relocations.

Choosing the right office movers

Selecting a reliable moving company is one of the most important steps in your office relocation. The right movers will ensure your equipment, furniture, and documents are handled with care, and that your timeline is respected.

With Wise Move, you have access to the top trusted office movers across South Africa. Compare reviews, prices, and services to book a moving company that fits your business needs.

Costs involved in relocating your office

Office moving costs can vary based on several factors:

• Size of the office and volume of items to be moved
• Multi-story building with stairs/elevator or ground floor move
• Distance between the old and new location
• Packing and unpacking services
• Special handling for IT infrastructure or sensitive items
• Weekend or after-hours moving (to reduce business disruption)

Local moves typically range from R1,500 to R4,000. Larger or interprovincial office relocations can exceed R30,000.

Costs can vary significantly, depending on factors such as the size of the office and volume of items, the distance between locations, and additional services required including packing and IT setup.

 It's advisable to obtain multiple quotes to get a more accurate estimate tailored to your specific needs. For a comprehensive breakdown of moving costs and to get personalised quotes, you can visit Wise Move's moving cost calculator.

TIP: Take photos of you office as is. Not only can this serve as an a useful guide to determine your inventory, it will also help you with set up in your new office.

Packing tips for office moves

• Label boxes on multiple sides with contents and department names.

• Use colour-coded labels or tags for different teams.

• Pack tech gear in original boxes if possible and wrap cords separately.

• Create an essentials box for each team with things they'll need on day one.

• Avoid overloading boxes—keep weight manageable for safety.

Common office moving mistakes to avoid

• Leaving planning too late – start at least 3 months in advance.
• Not hiring professional movers – using staff or casual labour can risk damage and delays.
• Poor labelling – unclear labels slow down unpacking and make things confusing when unpacking new premises.
• Forgetting IT infrastructure – plan internet, phones, and data security well ahead of time.
• Failing to notify stakeholders – clients, suppliers, and service providers should know your new address and move date.
• Overlooking cleaning requirements – neglecting to clean your old or new office can result in penalties or a poor first impression.

Make it a wise office move

Planning an office move can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Wise Move, we offer personalised support for office relocations. Whether you need help getting quotes, coordinating your move, or just want someone to walk you through the process, our team is here to assist.

Reach out to get dedicated Office Moving Support directly on WhatsApp: https://wa.me/27644325534

FAQs: Preparing for an office move

Q: How long should we plan for an office relocation?

A: Start planning at least 3 months ahead for small offices; and 6 months for larger ones.

Q: How can we keep disruption to a minimum?

A: Move during off-peak times, work with experienced movers, and prioritise IT setup.

Q: What’s the best way to move sensitive equipment and files?

A: Back up and encrypt data, use protective packing, and choose movers with document-handling experience.

Q: How do we prepare staff for an office move?

A: Communicate early, provide clear schedules, and involve them in layout planning.

Q: How long does it take to move an office?

A: Generally most moves are completed in one day (4 - 8 hours), however, if you need help packing add 1-3 days and if your office is on multiple floors, add 1 additional day per floor.

Q: Do we need insurance for the move?

A: Yes—verify with your insurer or moving company.