What else does an office move involve, beyond the desks?
Three things beyond the desks. The council needs to know about the move for business rates, a main-road address may need a bay held outside for the van, and anything not coming needs a route of its own.
There is no price list. The quote follows the survey and comes in writing. Check it carries the date, both addresses and the furniture to take apart before anything moves.
Tell BCP business rates within four weeks of changing premises
BCP Council's business rates page says to tell it when the business moves address, because the rateable value, and so the bill, may change. It asks you to tell it within four weeks.
- Your account number, from the business rates bill for the old premises.
- The address you leave, the date you left it and the owner's details.
- Your forwarding address.
- The day goods go into the new premises, if it is in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole.
The date you leave and the day goods go in are usually moving day, so the written quote doubles as your record.
Taking the new premises before giving up the old? If you get small business rate relief, GOV.UK says it carries on for 36 months on the main property when the second was taken on or after 27 November 2025.
Lease ending? Book the move as soon as you know the date
As soon as the date or the lease end is known. Often nothing is needed from the council for the van, but some streets may need a bay outside held.
If it does, the removals team does the applying to the council. If anything is needed from you, you hear before the job is booked.
- Weeks ahead. Book early. If a bay does need holding, the council's terms (written for works) ask for at least 8 weeks' notice.
- Date in writing. Check the quote names the date, both addresses and the furniture to take apart.
- Moving day. The day the goods go into the new premises.
- After. Tell BCP business rates within four weeks of the change.
Is the office on Poole Quay? It is closed to motor vehicles from 1 April to 31 October, 10am to 10pm, so mention it when you ring. The Poole Quay and parking rules are set out in full.
How it works
From a rough desk count to a written quote, in three steps
Get the desks, the date and both addresses in writing before you agree the move.
- Rough desk count
- Survey of the premises
- Every piece quoted
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Estimate the desk count
Give both postcodes, roughly how many desks are moving and a phone number. Say it is a business move.
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Tour the premises desk to kerb
In person or on a video call. The drawing below shows what to point out, from the desks to the kerb.
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Tick off every piece on the quote
It should name the moving date, both addresses, any packing and every piece to take apart. Ask about anything missing before you say yes.
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Walk the surveyor past every desk and doorway, so nothing is left off the quote
Everything that moves, and every way it leaves the building. Then describe the stairs, lift and kerb at the new premises.
- Desks and chairs, and which ones come apart.
- Filing cabinets and cupboards. Say whether they will be emptied first.
- The meeting room.
- The kitchen, and anything staying for the landlord.
- Stairs or a lift, and any booking the building needs.
- Doors and corridors the furniture has to pass through.
- Where a van can stand, and how far it is to the entrance.
If the building has a managing agent, ask whether the lift or a loading slot needs booking, and pass the answer to the surveyor.
Plan the move date around trading
Pick the date around the work, not the other way round. Say at the survey which days the business can manage without its desks, and the quote is written for that date.
Label each desk's things with where they go in the new office. A floor plan of the new premises, marked up with names, saves the crew guessing on the day.
Do desks and shelving have to come apart? Often, and they're rebuilt at the new office
Often, so they fit through doors and stairs. The removals team takes furniture apart and puts it back together; list the pieces at the survey so each one is on the written quote.
Anything not moving needs a route of its own
Plan its route before moving day. Sort every piece into one of three piles at the survey, so the quote covers only what moves.
- Moving with you. On the written quote, with anything to take apart.
- Into your own storage unit. The crew can take it there; ask for that leg on the quote.
- Not coming. BCP Council's page for Poole Recycling Centre says commercial waste can be accepted there.
The new premises can be anywhere in Great Britain
The removals team takes moves to or from anywhere in Great Britain. Long distance moves from Poole covers timing over distance and what to tell the surveyor about the far end.
For packing questions, the packing options explained sets out full, part and fragile-only packing.
Questions
Is office equipment covered, and what if the date changes?
Rather ring?
What cover is there for office furniture and equipment in transit?
Goods in transit and public liability. Monitors, flat-pack furniture and boxes your staff packed may be handled under specific terms, so point them out at the survey.
Will the floors and doors at the premises be protected?
Yes. Floors and doors are protected as standard, with the team's own protective equipment.
What if the lease end or the moving date changes?
Tell the removals team as soon as you know. Before you book, ask what the terms say about moving or cancelling the date, and keep the answer in writing.
Sources for this page, read in November 2026:
Moving a business in or around Poole?
Ring with a rough desk count, or send the form, and the removals team books a survey of the premises.