Are you a business owner who’s considering asking your employees to help you move to a new office building? If so, you might want to consider some of the many inherent risks that come when you choose not to hire a professional mover. Here are some of the biggest risks of asking employees to move your office.
1. Increased Risk of Employee Injury
The potential for employee injury is a huge issue when it comes to moving offices. It’s not safe to have employees help with a move, but if you are set on it, ensure that all of your employees follow safe moving practices to minimize injury.
Here are just a few of the issues that can arise when you use employees as your office movers:
- Injuries or concussions from falling furniture
- Back strain or injuries from lifting heavy boxes/furniture
- Hand sprains from carrying oddly-shaped items
- Increased risk of trips and falls due to tripping hazards
- Difficulty leaving the building during an emergency because of obstructions
As many as 21% of workplace injuries are caused by manual handling (lifting, caring, or moving boxes or items). When you require employees to move offices, you increase the risk of these types of injuries. Trips and falls are other risks, with 15% of all claims being attributed to them. 22% of these incidents resulted in over a month away from work.
As a business owner, the last thing you want to deal with is an injury that will lead to worker’s compensation claims and require your employees to be out of the office following the move.
When everyone is rushing to get supplies from one location to another, chances are that they won’t be as safe as they should be. Reports show that 88% of workplace injuries are caused by unsafe acts done by workers. This statistic should discourage any employer from having their employees assist with a move.
2. Allergic Reaction to Dust and Cleaning Products
Another danger that most don’t consider when it comes to a move is the potential to exacerbate allergies, asthma, or other breathing problems. Between the dust and other allergens being released into the air and the use of chemicals to clean the office, breathing issues are inevitable.
If your employee has severe allergies or other breathing problems, they could be entitled to compensation and time off work.
Here are some of the allergens that could potentially cause problems on moving day:
- Dust
- Latex
- Fumes
- Office plants
- Office supply chemicals
- Foods
- Perfume
- Pet dander
3. Destruction of Important Company Property
If you facilitate your office move and suffer loss, you will be responsible for it. If you hire a professional moving company and something gets damaged, all you need to do is file a claim to recoup the loss. (Note: this is only true if the moving company packs your belongings. In other words, make you opt for packing services!)
4. Elevated Stress Levels for Employees and Employers
It’s confirmed: moving is officially the most stressful experience a person can have. A 2020 study found that nearly half (45%) of Americans agree that there is nothing more stressful than going through a move. It beat out getting married, having kids, starting a first job, and switching careers. That really says something about how we feel about moving.
As you know, it’s harder than ever to find and keep invested employees. In today’s current climate, it’s important for employers to show that they value their employees. Telling your employees to risk their health by moving offices is not a good idea. It causes employees to feel disrespected and disempowered, which is the last thing you want as a business owner.
Besides that, the greater stress you experience, the greater your risk of injury. (Yes, that goes for you too!) Stress is a factor in 60%-80% of injuries. Hiring a professional moving company would be well worth your peace of mind and that of your employees!
5. Loss of Company or Client Assets
Professional moving companies have specific systems set in place to ensure that things don’t get lost. Imagine the stress you and your employees would feel if key equipment were lost in the move. No one needs that kind of tension in the workplace. Moving companies do this all the time, which means they have learned the systems that keep it smooth.
And, again, if anything is lost, it is the moving company’s responsibility.
6. Less Productivity As Your Team Adjusts
For several days after the move, your team will be dealing with sore muscles and physical exhaustion. This could lead to a decrease in productivity as they adjust. They will need time to recover from the stress as well, which may affect their performance.
It will likely take time to get the office back to a productive state, as there may be a delay in getting access to records, files, or internet servers on day one of the move. If you have professional office movers to set up your workspace for you, your employees will be energized and empowered to get into the swing of things quickly without having to work through feelings of frustration due to careless words said during a move.
7. Difficulty Providing Exceptional Customer Service
Stress and physical strain is a poor recipe for providing customer service.
By allowing a commercial moving company to handle your office move, your employees will be energized and able to give the exceptional customer service your clients have come to expect. You will directly contribute to their mental and physical well-being by trusting the move to the experts rather than relying on your own employees to do it.
How to Move Your Office Safely
If you still plan to handle the move in-house, plan for safety first. A safe office move starts with a written risk assessment. Walk through both the old and new spaces. Note tight doorways, stairs, loose cords, and anything heavy or awkward to lift. Then decide what your staff should never touch.
Most office move injuries trace back to a short list of hazards:
- Lifting boxes and furniture that are too heavy for one person
- Tripping over cords, packing materials, or boxes left in walkways
- Stacking boxes too high, so they tip or fall
- Blocked exits and hallways during the move
- Carrying loads up and down stairs
Professional office movers remove most of these risks. They bring dollies, straps, furniture pads, and lift equipment. They disassemble desks and workstations, then rebuild them in the new space. They also carry insurance that covers the labor, so a dropped monitor or a strained back becomes their problem, not yours.
When you hire professional commercial movers, schedule the job for after hours or a weekend when your team is out of the building. That keeps your people safe and your floor clear to work.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Office Movers?
Cost is the main reason owners think about using their own staff. Here is the trade-off in plain numbers.
Office moves are priced by size, distance, and the volume of furniture and equipment. Industry estimates for 2025 and 2026 put most moves in these ranges:
- Small office, 1 to 10 people: about $1,000 to $5,000
- Mid-size office: about $5,000 to $15,000
- Large office, 100 or more people: $20,000 to $30,000 or more
Relocating servers, computers, and cabling can add a few thousand dollars more. Packing, taking furniture apart, stairs, and after-hours work also change the price. Your real cost depends on your space and your inventory, so the only true number comes from a quote.
Now weigh that against the cost of using employees. One serious back injury or workers’ compensation claim can wipe out the money you hoped to save. Lost equipment, damaged furniture, and days of slow productivity add up too. A professional move often costs less than the risks it removes. You can get a free estimate to see your number before you decide.
Office Move FAQs
Is it safe to have employees move the office?
Usually not. Manual handling causes a large share of workplace injuries, and you are responsible for staff safety during the move. Trained movers with the right equipment are far safer for your team and your property.
Can I require employees to help move the office?
You can ask, but it carries real risk. If a staff member gets hurt while moving, your business can face a workers’ compensation claim and lost work time. Many employees also feel disrespected when asked to do heavy labor outside their role.
How much does it cost to move office furniture?
Most small office moves run about $1,000 to $5,000, and larger moves cost more. The price depends on furniture volume, distance, packing, and IT equipment. A written quote gives you the exact figure.
What should I ask before hiring office movers?
Ask about their commercial moving experience, licensing, and insurance. Confirm who handles your items from start to finish, and what is covered if something breaks. Always get the estimate in writing.
When is the best time to move an office?
Move during off hours, a weekend, or a slower season when you can. This keeps staff safe and cuts the downtime that hurts your output and sales.
Let Us Handle Your Texas Company Move
Rather than risking the health of yourself and your employees, trust your commercial move to experts who have been in the business for over three decades. We serve the entire North Texas area, along with Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and more.
As experienced office movers, we offer a free online estimate to give you an idea of how much your move will cost. Contact us to get your office move started today!
