Average Office Size and Moving Costs in Canberra


Moving a business office is a significant step for any aspect of a business, be it a gradual increase of the office size, setting up modern amenities, and the empowerment of operational efficiency. In Canberra, entrepreneurs have the advantage of being in a well-planned city with locations suitable for offices, from small ones in the suburbs to large ones in the CBD. However, knowing the connection between office size and moving costs is essential for a smooth transition.


This article introduces the sizes of the average office in Canberra and their linked relocation expenses, plus the matters influencing these costs. This guide, targeted at businesses planning an office move, offers them the resources to know what will happen and how the preparation should be done.


Why Office Size Matters in Relocation Costs

The size of the office is one of the very vital characteristics that affect the expenses that occur in the relocation process since it is a space that you spend more time in each day than in any other activity. More often than not, increasing office space will mean more furniture, equipment, and even supplies, all requiring careful packing and transportation. Functions such as moving and setting up larger living spaces sometimes result in a longer time for which the movement and setting up of the living spaces can be accelerated.


The office space size is different for the companies in Canberra in parallel to the sector and location. Small offices related to startups may range between 50 to 150 square meters. In contrast, mid-sized companies ranging from 300 to 500 square meters will be found. In contrast, corporations with much larger office spaces of over 1,000 square meters are required, especially downtown.


Each is not alike, as each size has its problems and costs, which we will discuss in detail.


Understanding Average Office Sizes in Canberra

Obtaining office spaces enabling innovativeness, which are the result of the city's role as a government headquarters and include educational and commercial possibilities, is how the city's government shares with entrepreneurs in Canberra. The size standard that I get from common office spaces in Canberra is like this:

Small Offices (50–150 sqm)
  • Who Uses Them: These are good for such users as startups, freelancers, and small consultancies.

  • Key Features allow compact setups, shared amenities, and passive interim on a fixed leasing schedule.

  • Popular Locations: Living in the city offers more choices like Braddon, Dickson, and Kingston.

  • Typical Rent: $300–$500/sq m per year is the typical Rent in such a place.

Medium Offices (300–500 sqm)
  • Who Uses Them: Law firms, IT companies, and some non-profits are the ones who do their work most of the time in the middle-sized business sector of the city.

  • Key Features: They have private rooms for meetings and spaces for breaks with meal preparation facilities on the side.

  • Popular Locations: Compact areas with office space availability are located precisely in the country's central location near Civic, Barton, and Woden.

  • Typical Rent: $400–$600/sq m per year is the Rent I am commonly asked to pay for this office space.

Large Offices (1,000+ sqm)
  • Who Uses Them: Most corporate clients are government departments, multinational companies, and large organizations.

  • Key Features: There are often many floors and excellent facilities, and the designs are client-specific.

  • Popular Locations: Canberra CBD and the Barton Precinct.

  • Typical Rent: For locations with more amenities, the Rent is between $500–$800 per square metre per year on average.


Breakdown of Moving Costs in Canberra

Relocating an office is a bundle comprising many staff fees, fuel, and packing materials, all affected by office size, distance, and additional services. Here is a comprehensive insight into the fundamental costs of the relocation process:

1. Packing and Preparation Costs
  • What It Involves: One of the key components of a moving package, together with disassembling furniture, packing equipment, and securing items for transport, is packing and preparation costs.

  • Cost Range: Most moving companies charge $20-50 per square meter of your office area for this service.

  • Influencing Factors: It's based on the size of the items and how much time the staff will take to pack the items into the moving trucks.

2. Transportation Costs
  • What It Involves: Traveling through the city involves loading, transporting, and unloading items at the new building, which is the key component of the moving business.

  • Cost Range: It would cost around $500–$2,000 per truckload, with the rate being proportional to the distance apart.

  • Influencing Factors: The most critical point is how soon your new office is to the current location, the number of cars on the road, and if the extent of access to the new office is possible.

3. Reassembly and Setup Costs
  • What It Involves: It's possible for former desks and chairs, the kitchen, and the personal computers to be reapplied and set up in the new working place and be illuminated and linked to the equipment in a new way.

  • Cost Range: On average, the price of reassembly and the proper setup are between $30–$60 per square meter.

  • Influencing Factors: Employees are better under simple circumstances based on a product's setup, completed tasks, or installing less equipment.

4. Additional Services
  • Examples: Secure handling of sensitive equipment, IT infrastructure setup, and disposal of old furniture.

  • Cost Range: Moving companies may charge from $500 to $5,000 depending upon which of their services is the most suitable for your move.


Factors That Influence Moving Costs

The office relocation in Canberra is, of course, dedicated to the size and distance categories. Still, those are not the determining factors that explain the difference in the overall cost. The relative impact of the other factors could well be something else:

1. Accessibility of Locations

In the case of high-density areas such as the CBD, one can face challenges like limited parking and access issues. According to the company's needs, it might be necessary to set aside a specific part of the budget for permits or extra labour to deal with such issues.

2. Timing of the Move

During certain times of the year, such as at the end of the financial year, there will be a hike in the demand for movers. The consequence is a price rise for moving in peak seasons, which will save your budget if you apply for a schedule during quiet seasons.

3. Complexity of Equipment

Conveying the concept of the setup's complexity, some chic equipment and the kits will have to be installed. Thus, the technician will ask for more service money.

4. Level of Customisation

Developing a new office layout, which would add to top proficiency, is related to adding elements such as meeting room installations or fragmenting space to resonate with your brand and everyday functionality.


How Office Size Affects Moving Timeframes

The size of your office is the determining factor as to how long the process takes. Here is a standard timeline according to square footage:

  • Small Offices: 1–2 days, including packing, transport, and setup.

  • Medium Offices: 3–5 days, and start to finish from multiple departments if necessary.

  • Large Offices: 1–2 weeks, usually going through phased moves to get as little downtime as possible out of the way.

Proper planning and coordination with experienced office movers in Canberra can help streamline the process and reduce disruptions.


Tips for Managing Relocation Costs

Higher chances of cost-saving in your office move can be generated with the help of the words below:

  1. Plan Ahead: Ensure that your move is well planned and that you approach it with utmost seriousness and early planning to reduce last-minute spikes, thus securing better price offers.

  2. Declutter: Sorting your inventory to check which items are no longer needed so you can decrease costs for packing and transport.

  3. Compare Quotes: Most official movers near you provide such costs, so obtaining multiple offers from them will help you pick the best offer that fits your capabilities and needs.

  4. Leverage Professional Expertise: Professional movers can optimise the process, saving time and money.


Conclusion: Preparing for a Smooth Office Relocation

Moving an office in Canberra might be stressful, even in such a short time. However, knowing what to cover when driving and its associated costs can help companies be more informed about problems and provide the necessary solutions. Customers can allocate a well-planned budget that will not lead to shocking moments by determining factors like packing expenses, transportation, and time frames.


Suppose you need a reliable company to assist you during the moving process in Canberra. In that case, you can consider professionals acquainted with the city's peculiarities. So, if you get established this way and receive adequate help and assistance, the move will be easy and free from stress.


Does your office relocation make you feel stressed? Connect with Harry The Mover today to get a personalised and affordable relocation plan just for you.