Speak to one of our advisors directly
Every search is led personally by Mark or Laurie, with the expertise and the time to give your brief the attention it deserves.
Laurie Thomasson
Mark O'Neill
Speak to one of our advisors directly
Every search is led personally by Mark or Laurie, with the expertise and the time to give your brief the attention it deserves.
Laurie Thomasson
Mark O'Neill
April 3, 2025
•
3
min. read
By
Laurie Thomasson
Relocating to a new office is an exciting step for your business, but the costs involved can quickly add up if they’re not budgeted for. To help you budget effectively, we’ve broken down the expenses into two categories: one-off costs and ongoing costs. We've also included helpful cost estimates to guide your planning — though professional fees may vary depending on the project.
If managing these costs sounds overwhelming, perhaps consider a serviced or managed office. These often combine most expenses into one predictable monthly payment, simplifying budgeting and cash flow. For further advice on leased, serviced, or managed offices, speak to a member of the Spacepoint team.
An agent helps you find and secure the best office space while negotiating favourable terms. They also manage due diligence and assist with project management during the relocation process.
Tip: Expect to pay around 10% of the annual rent as a fee.
Your solicitor will handle lease negotiations, property searches, and ensure your legal obligations are clear.
Tip: Fees typically range between 3-5% of the annual rent, plus around £800 - £1,000 for property searches.
Structural surveys, air-conditioning checks, and condition reports may be necessary to avoid costly surprises.
Tip: Survey costs range from £950- £3,000.
Designing your new space may involve extensive refurbishment or simple furnishing.
Tip:
For complex office setups, an independent project manager can oversee the design, cost control, and build timeline.
Your deposit size will depend on your company's financial standing. Stronger financials may reduce or eliminate this requirement.
Tip: Deposits are generally 3- 12 months' rent plus VAT.
If your lease value exceeds £150,000, stamp duty will apply.
Tip: Estimate 3.5 - 5% of the annual rent as a rough guide.
Installing connectivity can involve equipment, cabling, and even legal fees for wayleave agreements.
Tip: Expect potential extra-solicitor costs of £1,000 - £2,500.
From small moves to large-scale office relocations, professional removal services may be required.
At the end of your lease, you may be required to restore the office to its original condition.
Tip: Costs typically fall between £20 - £30 per sq. ft.
This includes rent, business rates, service charges, and estate charges. Rent is usually paid quarterly in advance, while business rates are your contribution to local council funding.
You'll need to arrange a cleaning contract or source a trusted contractor.
Utilities may be metered or included in service charges. Your managing agent can advise on the setup.
Internet costs vary based on user numbers and bandwidth requirements, ranging from under £100 to several £1,000s per month.
Landlords typically arrange building insurance, with tenants responsible for content and business-related coverage.
