5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Commercial Moving Company

Key answers

A business move can run into avoidable costs and delays if pricing, timing, equipment handling and cleanup are unclear. Ask the right questions before you book so you can compare movers on practical details, not slogans.

Confirm what the quote includes before you book

For a commercial move, ask whether the quotation already includes stairs, waiting time, travel distance, parking, tunnel charges and any route changes on the day. If the office is in an old building, an industrial building or a location where a truck cannot park close by, ask the mover to list each possible surcharge and explain how it is calculated.

Also ask whether the price is fixed or subject to adjustment after a site visit, and whether after-hours or weekend planning needs separate confirmation. A written quote is best, with exclusions listed clearly, so you do not face surprise charges when the move starts.

Check how files, equipment and valuables are handled

Offices often contain computers, monitors, printers, filing cabinets and smaller devices whose value is not reflected by weight alone. Do not stop at asking whether there is coverage; ask how damage, loss, misdelivery or delay is handled, what evidence is needed, and when a claim must be reported, then request the main terms in writing.

If you have servers, network gear, confidential files or other sensitive items, confirm in advance who will disconnect, back up, seal, label and receive them. If a mover says it can handle technical dismantling, ask for written confirmation of the exact scope. Electrical, network, data and structural work should be left to qualified professionals.

Ask about office furniture dismantling experience

Many office moves are slowed down not by boxes, but by modular desks, partitions, storage units and meeting tables. Ask whether the team has handled similar jobs, whether parts will be numbered and recorded, and how items will be reassembled at the new site to reduce missing pieces and incorrect installation.

Also ask whether you need to clear the contents of cabinets first, disconnect power and cables, and photograph the existing setup. If any item is fixed to a wall, ceiling or floor, or involves glass, cable trays or built-in systems, ask a qualified person to assess it before anyone attempts removal.

Make sure the timing fits your shutdown window

Business moves often have to fit a shutdown window, a handover deadline or building rules, so timing can matter more than manpower. Before confirming, ask whether the mover can work after office hours, on weekends or on holidays, whether advance approval is needed, and how it handles buildings that only allow access at specific times.

Also ask what happens if the team is delayed by lift queues, security checks or building works. If the move must be split over two days, confirm whether items can be stored temporarily, how partial deliveries will be signed off, and how the old and new offices will be coordinated.

Clarify disposal, clearance and handover duties

Many office moves end with the old premises being handed back. Ask whether the mover can help with lawful disposal of old furniture, cartons, loose items and waste documents, and confirm which items are treated as standard removal and which need separate handling. If the landlord requires a clear handover, ask whether the mover can assist with basic clearance and returning the space to an agreed condition.

If the former office has partitions, wall-mounted items, raised flooring or other alterations, do not assume the mover will handle restoration. List each handover requirement and, where needed, arrange qualified contractors for wall repairs, plumbing, electrical, fire-safety or structural work. Any mover involvement should be written into the quotation or confirmation.

Prepare before moving day and inspect on arrival

Before the move is booked, complete sorting, labelling and go/no-go checks for files, personal items, shared equipment and confidential materials. Assign one site contact to open doors, direct the crew, verify box numbers and sign documents, and take photos of key items and conditions when loading and unloading.

On arrival, check elevator size, corridors, door frames, turning points, floors and wall corners to see whether protection is needed, and confirm the route and loading area comply with building rules. If you spot a mismatch in quantity, sealing or furniture parts, note it immediately and ask for written confirmation; if the issue involves technical dismantling, electrical work or data equipment, stop and refer it to the relevant professional.

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