Relocating an office is a major undertaking, and while most businesses expect to pay for packing and transportation, it’s the unexpected details that can end up putting you over budget. From downtime and technology disruptions to overlooked building requirements, the true cost of a move isn’t always clear until you’re in the middle of it.
At DLO Move Support Services, we’ve helped hundreds of organizations plan and execute relocations of every size, and we’ve seen how easy it is for hidden costs to sneak in. The good news? With the right planning and professional support, you can anticipate these expenses and avoid surprises altogether.
Here are some of the most common hidden costs of office moves in Vancouver, and how we help you stay ahead of them.
1. Lost Productivity and Downtime
Even the smoothest office move comes with some level of disruption. If your employees can’t access their workstations or files, the ripple effects can add up quickly. For many businesses, downtime is one of the most significant hidden costs of relocation.
The key to minimizing lost productivity is careful scheduling and coordination. Our Move Coordinators plan each stage of the relocation to reduce business interruptions, often coordinating moves during evenings or weekends to keep operations running. By creating detailed timelines and communicating clearly with your team, we help ensure your business stays on track, even during a time of transition.
2. IT and Technology Relocation
One of the most complex (and costly) parts of any office move is the technology. Disassembling, transporting, and reconnecting computers, monitors, servers, and phones demands precision and expertise.
That’s where DLO Move Support Services’ dedicated IT Move Division comes in. This specialized team manages the disconnection, packing, transport, and reconnection of all computer and server equipment for clients who call on us to handle this critical aspect of their move. Working closely with your internal tech team or external IT provider, our experts ensure every device is safely moved, properly reconnected, and ready to go when your employees return to work.
Ultimately, avoiding unexpected IT downtime saves money and protects your entire business continuity.
3. Furniture Disassembly, Installation, and Adjustments
Office furniture can be deceptively complex to move. Workstations, boardroom tables, and modular systems often need to be taken apart, transported, and reassembled in specific configurations. What seems like a simple “move the desks” task can quickly become a time-consuming and costly process if it’s not properly planned.
Our Move Managers oversee every detail, including furniture mapping, labelling, and layout verification, so each item arrives exactly where it belongs. And if your new space calls for a different configuration, our team can reassemble and reconfigure existing furniture to fit the new environment, extending the life of your assets and reducing unnecessary purchases.
4. Storage and Temporary Space Needs
Another often overlooked expense is temporary storage. During transitions, many businesses discover they need to hold onto extra furniture or equipment until a new space is ready, or they simply don’t have room for everything in the new layout.
DLO Move Support Services’ 25,000 square feet of warehouse storage in Vancouver provides flexible short- and long-term storage solutions tailored to each client. We manage everything from initial inventory and digital photo records to same-day pickup, retrieval, and setup. Whether you need a place to stage equipment between offices or hold furniture while it’s being sold or donated, our under-one-roof warehouse and office make it easy to access what you need, when you need it.
By planning for storage early, you can avoid last-minute rental fees or rushed decisions about what to keep, move, or discard.
5. Disposal, Recycling, and Cleanup
When moving day arrives, many companies are surprised by just how much is left behind. Old furniture, outdated electronics, and miscellaneous debris can quickly become an afterthought, but managing them responsibly takes time, space, and money.
Our recycling and cleanup services eliminate this hidden cost. Our crews are experts in disassembling, removing, and repurposing redundant office furniture, keeping it out of the landfill. We start by selling, donating, or holding gently used items for reuse through our extensive client network. Anything that can’t be reused is carefully separated into wood, metal, and plastic components and sent to our trusted recycling partners.
From post-move cleanup to meeting back-to-base requirements, we make it easy to stay true to your company’s sustainability commitments while avoiding unexpected disposal fees.
6. Permits, Parking, and Building Access
Finally, one of the smallest but most frustrating hidden costs can come from building logistics. Freight elevator bookings, access permits, security deposits, or after-hours fees can all add up if they aren’t accounted for early.
By managing these details in advance, it will help prevent day-of delays and additional charges.
Moving Without Surprises
The biggest cost of an office move is usually the stress and disruption that come from poor planning. The good news is that none of these challenges have to take you by surprise.
With our comprehensive approach, from Move Coordinators and IT specialists to storage and recycling experts, every stage of your relocation is handled with precision. We think through the details, so you don’t have to, ensuring your business stays on budget, on schedule, and fully operational.
Ready to start planning your next office move? Talk to the team at DLO Move Support Services to build a move plan that accounts for every detail and eliminates every hidden cost. Call us at 604-254-0135 or email us at go@dlo.ca to learn more.