Office Moves Cost More Than the Movers' Quote
When budgeting for an office move, it's tempting to look only at the moving company's quote. But the real cost runs much higher. You need to add the gap between your new and old security deposits, the interior and facility fit-out costs for the new space, and the lost revenue from the days normal operations are interrupted while you pack up and settle in. The downtime opportunity cost in particular is easy to overlook because it isn't a line-item invoice, yet for businesses with high average daily revenue it can become a surprisingly large number. Adding up every category before you move can spare you from an unpleasant budget surprise afterward.
How It's Calculated
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Moving cost | Packing & transport quote |
| Deposit difference | New deposit - old deposit |
| Interior cost | Fit-out for the new space |
| Downtime loss | Downtime days x average daily revenue |
| Total cost | Sum of all items above |
This calculator is a reference estimate based on real quotes and revenue figures. The actual total can vary depending on your lease terms, industry, and whether remote work is an option, so it's safer to budget your final number with a cushion on top of your quotes.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's the expected downtime days multiplied by your average daily revenue. Actual losses vary by industry and whether remote work is possible.
Your new office deposit is lower than your old one, so the difference is subtracted from the total, reducing your actual moving cost.
Yes — including the fit-out cost for your new space gets you much closer to the true total cost of the move.
* Actual relocation costs vary by lease terms and industry; this is a reference estimate only.