Machinery relocation

Machinery relocation across the UK: lathes, mills, CNC centres and presses moved within a site or between sites, planned with a survey and method statement

In short: Machinery relocation is the planned move of industrial machines such as lathes, mills, CNC machining centres, presses and injection moulding machines, either within a building or to a new site. It suits manufacturers and workshops moving premises, reorganising a shop floor or installing new kit. A single small machine moved locally typically costs around £400 to £1,200 in the UK, with larger machines priced after a survey.

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A machine tool is not just heavy. It is often top-heavy, has delicate slideways, ballscrews and electronics, and may have only a few safe lifting or jacking points. Relocating it means working out how it comes out of the building, how it is secured on a vehicle, and how it goes into its new position without twisting the bed or knocking the machine out of alignment. That planning is the main difference between a professional machinery move and a general haulage job.

We move single machines and full lines, from a bench lathe to multi-tonne machining centres and presses. Every move starts with the make, model, weight and dimensions, then a look at the route at both ends. Your electricians and engineers isolate the machine before we arrive and reconnect it afterwards, while we handle the jacking, skating, lifting, loading, transport and positioning in between, so the machine travels once and arrives ready to level and commission.

What is included

Review of the manufacturer's weights, dimensions and lifting or jacking points
Site survey of the route out, floor surfaces, doorways and vehicle access
Written method statement, plus a lift plan where any lifting equipment is used
Securing of moving parts such as tables, heads, spindles and doors before the move
Jacking, skating or lifting out using equipment matched to the machine
Loading, chaining or strapping and transport on a suitable vehicle
Positioning on marked locations at the new site, ready for levelling
Coordination with your electricians, engineers or the machine supplier

Who it is for

Manufacturers and workshops moving to a new unit
Firms reorganising a shop floor for a better production flow
Businesses buying second-hand machines that need collecting from another site
Companies installing a new machine and moving an old one out
Engineering firms consolidating two sites into one

How much does it cost?

As a guide, moving a single small machine locally typically costs £400 to £1,200, while a 3 to 10 tonne machine usually runs from about £1,200 to £4,000, depending on access, distance and lifting method. See our full cost guide.

How it works

Gather machine data

We confirm make, model, weight, footprint and centre of gravity, ideally from the manual or the manufacturer, and note any transport brackets or locks the machine needs.

Survey and plan

The route is checked for door widths, floor condition, ramps and overhead obstructions, and the method statement sets out exactly how the machine will be moved.

Prepare and move

Once your team has isolated and drained the machine, we secure loose parts, jack it onto skates or lift it, and load it onto the vehicle with proper restraint.

Place for commissioning

At the new site the machine is set down on its marked position, with packers or levelling feet in place, so your engineers can level, reconnect and run it up.

Machinery relocation: FAQs

Will moving a CNC machine affect its accuracy?

It can, which is why machines are secured, moved level and set down carefully. Even with a good move, most CNC machines need relevelling and an accuracy check after relocation, often a ballbar test and a geometry check by the manufacturer or a service engineer. Plan this into the timetable before production restarts, and back up programs and parameters before the machine is powered down.

Do machines need transport brackets?

Many CNC machines and some presses are supplied with transport locks or brackets that stop axes, heads or tables moving in transit. If you still have them, fit them before the move, following the manual. If they are lost, the manufacturer can often supply replacements, or the axes can be secured with blocking and strapping agreed on the survey.

Can you collect a second-hand machine from an auction or dealer?

Yes. Auction and dealer collections are common, but access and loading facilities at the seller's site can be limited, and collection windows are often short. Send the lot details, any photos and the collection rules early so the right vehicle and lifting kit can be booked, and check whether the seller will disconnect the machine or expects you to arrange it.

What happens to the oil and coolant?

Coolant should normally be drained before the move, and some manufacturers also advise draining hydraulic or lubricating oil, particularly for long journeys or crane lifts. Waste fluids must be disposed of through a licensed waste carrier. Your own maintenance team usually handles draining, and we agree timings so the machine is ready when the move team arrives.