How long does it take to move into a new office?

Moving office is more time-consuming than most people expect, from the search to the deadlines to keeping the team informed. Whether you are ready to start or planning ahead, one question comes up first: how long does all of this take?

There is no single answer, every business has a different team size and set of preferences, but here are realistic guidelines for each option.

Moving into a serviced office

The quickest route, much like renting rather than buying a home. The main variable is the search: tied to one location with a large team, it can take a while; a small team open on location could find the right spot in days. Once you are in, the space is furnished and run for you. Typical time: around 2 months.

Moving into a managed office

A managed office gives you control over design and layout, your name on the door, the space tailored to your team, so the timeline depends on the fit-out and the provider. A rough Kitt timeline: four to six weeks to scout the market, shortlist, and agree terms; a couple of weeks for legals, during which the design process (the fun part) begins and runs four to eight weeks; then a build of around 10 to 12 weeks, depending on the space. For a straightforward space, the journey from viewing to move-in can be as short as 8 weeks. Typical time: 4 to 6 months.

Moving into a leased office

Similar design control to managed, but you do everything yourself. You will project-manage the build (unless you use a design-and-build firm), so expect 16 weeks or more once sourcing and negotiating are factored in. It suits businesses with a stable outlook, since lease terms run longer than managed or serviced. Typical time: 6 to 12 months.

At Kitt, we work with you across the whole journey, finding, designing, and building the space, then acting as an extension of your team once you are in.