Factory and workshop relocations

Factory and workshop relocations across the UK: whole sites moved in a planned sequence to keep downtime low, each machine labelled and placed to plan.

In short: A factory or workshop relocation is the planned move of a whole production site, including machinery, tooling, racking and stock, to a new building. It suits manufacturers and engineering firms that need to move premises with as little lost production as possible. Small workshop relocations typically cost £2,000 to £8,000 in the UK, with factory moves priced after a survey.

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Moving a whole site is a project rather than a single job. The aim is to move every machine, rack and bench into the right place in the new building, in an order that keeps the business supplying customers. That usually means building stock ahead of the move, moving production cells in phases, and reconnecting each machine before the next group moves, rather than emptying the old site in one go.

We work from your new floor plan, with every item numbered and its position marked on the new floor. Machines are surveyed, grouped by method and vehicle, and scheduled in a sequence agreed with your production team. Electricians, compressed air installers and machine suppliers are lined up so that services are ready at the new site and equipment is commissioned as soon as it lands, keeping downtime as short as possible.

What is included

Survey of both sites and every machine to be moved
Move schedule built around your production plan and stock build
Numbered labelling of machines, racking and ancillaries against the new floor plan
Phased moves by production cell or department
Racking, workbenches, tooling cabinets and stock moved alongside machinery
Evening and weekend working where it reduces downtime
Coordination with electricians, air and services installers and machine suppliers
Removal of redundant equipment for resale or recycling

Who it is for

Manufacturers moving to a larger or more efficient unit
Workshops whose lease is ending with a fixed handback date
Businesses merging two sites into one
Firms moving production between UK regions
Companies that cannot afford a long production shutdown

How much does it cost?

As a guide, a small workshop relocation with several machines typically costs £2,000 to £8,000, and factory or production line relocations commonly start around £10,000 and are priced individually after a survey. See our full cost guide.

How it works

Plan the layout

Your new floor plan is checked against machine footprints, maintenance clearances, floor loadings and service routes, and each item gets a number and a marked position.

Sequence the move

Machines are grouped into phases, with the order agreed around customer orders, stock levels and the lead times for reconnection and commissioning.

Move in phases

Each phase is isolated, moved, positioned and handed over, with services ready at the new site so that machines can be run up quickly.

Clear the old site

Once production has moved, remaining racking, redundant machines and waste are cleared so the old building can be handed back.

Factory and workshop relocations: FAQs

How far ahead should we plan a factory move?

For a small workshop, a few weeks of planning is often enough. For a factory with many machines, three to six months is more realistic, because the new building may need power, air, floor works or foundations, and machine suppliers may have long lead times for commissioning visits. Start with the floor plan and service requirements, as these are usually the slowest parts.

Can we keep working during the move?

Usually, yes. Phased moves let one department or cell move while the rest keeps producing, and building stock ahead of each phase covers the gap. Weekend and evening working can shorten downtime further. The trade-off is that a phased move takes longer overall and may cost more than a single shutdown, so we discuss both options.

Who prepares the new building?

You or your building contractor normally prepare the new site, including electrical supplies, compressed air, extraction, floor repairs and any foundations or pits. We check the floor plan against machine sizes and weights and flag where foundations or floor checks may be needed. Services should be in place before the machines arrive.

Do you move racking and stock too?

Yes. Pallet racking, shelving, benches, tool cabinets and stock are usually moved alongside the machinery so the new site works as a whole. Pallet racking must be reinstalled to the manufacturer's specification and inspected before it is loaded, and many firms use the move to have it inspected by a qualified racking inspector.