Local service guide
Office Relocation and Setup in London, ON
For Office Relocation and Setup in London, ON, choose a mover who will quote your inventory, loading access, furniture assembly and equipment handling in writing. Assign an IT contact to reconnect and test equipment, and confirm the destination's readiness before committing to the move date. London's permit guidance lists interior alterations and changes of use among projects requiring permits, so check any proposed fit-out with the City before contractors begin. [2]
Define what the mover must deliver
Prepare an inventory of desks, chairs, storage units, boxed files, monitors, printers and specialist equipment. Mark anything you want dismantled, packed or reassembled. Give the mover a destination floor plan with room names and workstation labels so you can agree where each item belongs.
Ask the bidder to describe its commercial moving experience and explain how its crew will handle your furniture and equipment. Request insurance documentation and written details of damage coverage, exclusions, deductibles and the claims process. For leased printers or other specialist equipment, ask the equipment supplier who should prepare and reconnect it.
Separate transport from technical setup in the quote. Name the person responsible for disconnecting computers, moving network equipment, reconnecting devices and testing access to business systems. Ask who will return if a desk needs adjustment or a workstation fails its opening-day test.
Compare quotes using the same scope
Request a walkthrough of both premises, or provide photographs and measurements where a visit is impractical. Include stairs, elevator dimensions, door widths, loading restrictions and the distance from truck parking to the office. Ask each bidder to identify assumptions that could change the charge.
For an hourly quote, request crew size, truck allocation, minimum charges, travel billing and the rule for waiting time. For a fixed quote, ask what inventory or access changes would trigger an extra charge. Obtain separate amounts for packing materials, furniture assembly, storage, after-hours work and equipment setup, plus applicable taxes.
Set an approval rule for additional work: name your authorized contact and require a written price before the crew proceeds. These sources provide municipal and utility guidance rather than office-moving rates. Get a job-specific commercial quote instead of using a residential moving estimate as your budget.
Confirm loading access at both buildings
Ask each property manager to confirm the loading location, permitted hours, elevator booking, protective coverings and crew entry arrangements. Give the mover the booking confirmation and a contact who can resolve access problems on arrival. Walk the route with your largest item in mind.
The City of London's commercial parking permit lets a registered vehicle use a city metered parking space without further deposit for up to 30 minutes. The City ties the permit to the registered plate and requires the driver to display it on the windshield. For a multi-hour move, confirm a suitable loading arrangement with the property manager and City rather than treating this permit as approval for the entire unloading period. [1]
Clear destination approvals before moving
Describe the destination work to the landlord and City before hiring a fit-out contractor. London's permit list includes interior alterations, HVAC systems, fire alarm systems, loading docks and changes of use. Ask which approvals apply to your proposed work, who will submit the application and who will arrange required inspections. [2]
The City starts its published permit-review timeframes when it deems an application complete. Its guidance lists 15 business days for qualifying buildings up to three storeys and 600 square metres, and 20 business days for buildings exceeding those height or area limits, with separate categories for certain occupancies. Ask the City which category applies; allow for document preparation, construction and inspections beyond application review. [2]
If you plan to occupy part of an unfinished building, discuss partial occupancy with the landlord and City. London's building by-law requires an applicant to describe the portion they want to occupy and submit plans showing that area and temporary exits where applicable. Obtain the necessary approval before scheduling staff arrival. [3]
Assign utility and IT responsibilities
Confirm with the landlord whether your business manages the electricity account. For a transfer within London Hydro's service territory, the utility directs customers to log into MyLondonHydro, select Move In/Move Out/Transfer and follow the screens. Assign this task to your account contact and record the requested dates alongside the lease handover. [4]
Ask your internet and telephone providers to confirm installation arrangements before equipment arrives. Have your IT contact prepare a backup, label cables and devices, and record the order for shutdown and reconnection. Agree who will keep control of confidential files and portable devices during transport.
Before staff return, test a workstation, shared files, internet access, telephone calls and printing. Walk through the furniture placement with the crew lead, photograph any damage and record unresolved items. Keep the old-office handover separate from the new-office acceptance so you can track both.
London fees that may apply to destination-office approvals
Local details that affect your job
A metered-space permit has a short loading window
London limits its commercial parking permit to 30 minutes at a city metered space and makes it vehicle-specific and non-transferable. Tell your mover the expected unloading duration before it chooses a parking arrangement. Contact the City Clerk's Office at 519-661-4530 to discuss the permit conditions if the access plan depends on one. [1]
A change of use needs destination information
London's building by-law requires a change-of-use applicant to describe the current and proposed occupancies and provide plans sufficient to establish Building Code compliance. If the premises previously served another purpose, give that history and your proposed office use to the City before committing to the fit-out schedule. [3]
Transfer the electricity account through the utility
For moves within London Hydro's service territory, use MyLondonHydro's Move In/Move Out/Transfer link. The utility offers transfer assistance at 519-661-5503, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Confirm who holds the destination account and assign the transfer to that contact. [4]
Choose the scope for your office move
| Your situation | Scope to request | Confirm before booking |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture and boxed files only | Transport, protection and placement | Inventory, access route and responsibility for packing |
| Desks need dismantling and assembly | Furniture relocation with assembly | Parts tracking, destination layout and completion check |
| Computers, network equipment or specialist printers | Mover plus a named IT or equipment contact | Shutdown, secure handling, reconnection and testing responsibilities |
| Destination needs interior alterations or a change of use | Move coordinated with a fit-out and approval plan | Check applicable permits with the City before work begins |
| You intend to occupy part of an unfinished building | Move coordinated with partial-occupancy approval | Ask the City about the application and plans for the area and exits |
Your hiring checklist
- Send each bidder the same inventory, floor plan and packing requirements.
- Confirm loading access, elevator bookings and entry contacts at both premises.
- Request written scope, insurance details, exclusions and extra-charge approval rules.
- Ask the landlord and City about approvals for the proposed destination work.
- Assign utility-account changes and internet installation to named contacts.
- Label equipment and boxes by destination room; agree who handles confidential material.
- Test business systems and record damage or unfinished setup before accepting completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I budget for an office move?
Request a commercial quote based on your inventory and both buildings' access arrangements. Compare transport, packing, assembly, equipment setup, storage and taxes as separate items. The municipal fees shown here cover specific approvals; they do not establish a moving-company price. [3]
Does the commercial parking permit cover a full moving day?
London limits the permit to stays of no more than 30 minutes at city metered parking spaces. Confirm another suitable arrangement for longer loading or unloading before booking the truck. [1]
Do I need a permit for the destination office?
Ask the City about your proposed scope. London lists interior alterations and changes of use among projects requiring permits. Describe any planned building work rather than assuming that permission to lease the space covers the fit-out. [2]
Can the mover handle the electricity transfer?
Assign the account task to your business's utility contact and confirm any help you expect from the mover. London Hydro directs customers moving within its service territory to transfer through MyLondonHydro's Move In/Move Out/Transfer link. [4]
Sources and scope
This guide combines the sources below with practical planning guidance. Figures apply to the stated geography and period; request a written quote for your property.