Case study: an office move from Bradford to Edinburgh, how it is usually planned

Moving an office is different from moving a home. The furniture is heavier and more uniform, the equipment is sensitive, and every hour the business is not working costs money. Move it more than 200 miles from Bradford to Edinburgh and the planning matters even more. This post explains how an office move like this usually runs, from the first survey to the first working day in the new building.

The route north

There are two main ways to drive from Bradford to Edinburgh, and both are long days for a loaded lorry.

• The east side. The van heads east to join the A1(M) and follows it north past Scotch Corner and Newcastle, then up the A1 through Northumberland and over the border near Berwick-upon-Tweed into Edinburgh.
• The west side. Some crews prefer to cross to the M6 and head north on the M6, A74(M) and M74, coming into Edinburgh from the south west.

Either way, the drive usually takes five hours or more, plus breaks. Drivers’ hours rules and rest stops are built into the plan from the start, which is one reason a move like this is usually spread across more than one day.

Planning the timetable

A move like this usually starts weeks ahead with a survey of the Bradford office and a look at the floor plan for the new one. From there, the timetable often looks like this:

1. Two to four weeks before. Agree the move date with both buildings, book lifts and loading bays, and decide what is being moved, stored or disposed of.
2. The week before. Packing materials are delivered. Staff pack their own desks and personal items into labelled crates.
3. Move day, Bradford end. Furniture is dismantled and wrapped, IT equipment is packed, and everything is loaded in floor-plan order.
4. Overnight or next day. The load travels north.
5. Move day, Edinburgh end. Furniture is rebuilt and placed, crates go to the right desks, and IT is ready for your team to reconnect.

Many businesses choose a Friday to Sunday plan so that staff leave Bradford on Friday afternoon and start in Edinburgh on Monday morning.

Access at the Bradford end

Bradford offices range from older stone mill buildings converted into offices to modern units on business parks near the M606 and Canal Road. We check for lifts, stairs, loading bays, parking for a large vehicle, and any building rules on when moves can happen. Some managed buildings only allow moves out of hours, which suits a weekend plan.

Access at the Edinburgh end

The new building needs the same checks. Edinburgh’s city centre has narrow streets, controlled parking zones and busy bus routes, so loading arrangements need agreeing with the building manager in advance.

Edinburgh also has a Low Emission Zone covering part of the city centre, where vehicles that do not meet the emission standards cannot drive. If the new office is inside or near it, we plan the right vehicle. You can check the zone on the Low Emission Zones Scotland website.

Packing an office for a long move

A move like this usually works best with a simple labelling system that matches the new floor plan. Each desk, crate and piece of equipment gets a code showing exactly where it goes. A few other points:

• IT equipment. Monitors, computers and printers are wrapped and packed separately. Back up data before the move.
• Files and records. Confidential paperwork should be packed in sealed crates and kept together.
• Furniture. Desks, pedestals and storage units are often dismantled, wrapped and rebuilt on arrival.
• Kitchen and shared areas. Fridges need emptying and defrosting the day before.

Insurance and paperwork

Check what your business insurance covers while contents are in transit. Goods in transit cover is available to buy with your move, and we carry public liability insurance. Our post on insurance for an office move explains what to check.

What affects the cost

An office move to Edinburgh is priced on the volume of furniture and equipment, the distance, the number of crew, access at both buildings, out-of-hours working, packing, and whether storage is needed. Read more about what drives office moving costs. We do not publish set prices.

Booking an office move

Read about our office removals service, and for more on moves outside Yorkshire, see long distance removals. When you are ready, get a free quote or call 08000862860 to arrange a survey.