The short answer
A small office can often be cleared in a single day. Larger offices, multi-floor buildings or jobs that include dismantling and strip out can take several days, and some are phased over weeks around staff who are still working. Timings depend on volume, access, dismantling and how much sorting is needed. Booking is quicker: sometimes the same day, but generally a day or so of notice is perfect.
When you are planning a move or a lease exit, time is usually the pressure point. You need to know how long the clearance will take so you can book the right date, plan IT moves and hand keys back on time. This guide explains what affects the length of an office clearance and how to keep it on schedule.
Typical timings
| Type of job | Typical time on site |
|---|---|
| Single room or small office | A few hours to one day |
| Medium office or one full floor | One to two days |
| Large or multi-floor office | Several days, sometimes phased |
| Clearance plus strip out or reinstatement | Longer, depending on the works |
These are only a guide. The only way to get a reliable timescale is for the clearance company to see the space or photos of it.
What affects how long it takes
Volume and type of contents
Loose items move quickly. Full filing cabinets, stationery cupboards, server rooms and storerooms take longer, because they have to be emptied and sorted first. Our guide to disposing of metal filing cabinets explains why cabinets are one of the slowest items to deal with.
Access
Ground floor offices with a loading bay are fastest. Upper floors with no lift, shared lifts with booking slots, long corridors and restricted parking all add time.
Dismantling
Bank desks, workstations with cable trays, meeting room tables and fixed shelving often need to be taken apart before they can be moved.
Sorting for reuse and recycling
A responsible clearance separates waste on site: reusable furniture, metal, upholstered seating that may contain POPs, electrical waste and general recycling. This takes a little longer than throwing everything in a skip, but it is what keeps you compliant and keeps waste out of landfill. See where office furniture goes after an office clearance.
Confidential waste
Large volumes of paper may be shredded on site or taken away for secure destruction, which affects the plan for the day.
How quickly can a clearance be booked?
At Jettison, if you call to organise a quote or book a job, sometimes we can arrange it for the same day, but generally a day or so of notice is perfect. We schedule an appointment that suits you, and a member of the team gives you a courtesy call 15 or 20 minutes before arrival. For larger projects, booking a few weeks ahead gives you the best choice of dates.
Can a clearance be done around staff?
Yes. Many clearances are phased, floor by floor or area by area, so the business can keep running. Work can also be planned early in the morning, in the evening or at weekends where the building allows. Our operations are designed to keep disruption to a minimum, but a phased clearance usually takes longer overall than one completed in a single visit.
A simple timeline for an office move
- Four to eight weeks before: get quotes, check your lease and decide what is moving, being sold or cleared.
- Two to four weeks before: book the clearance date and plan IT and data destruction.
- The week before: empty personal items, mark anything that is staying and clear out files you no longer need.
- Clearance day: the team removes, sorts and loads everything.
- After: you receive your waste transfer note and after photos. See waste transfer notes for office clearances in Scotland.
If you are handing the building back, the clearance is just one step in the wider exit. Read what is office decommissioning? for the full picture, and our step by step guide to office clearance for what to expect on the day.
Common causes of delay
- Locked rooms, cabinets or cages with no keys available
- Lift bookings or building rules that were not arranged in advance
- Extra storerooms or basements that were not in the original quote
- Items that are meant to stay not being clearly marked
- Waiting for decisions on what can be thrown away
Our article on errors to avoid when clearing out your office covers more of the common mistakes.
What happens after the clearance?
Once the space is empty, you may need a final clean, reinstatement works or a walk round with the landlord before handing back the keys. Build a little time into your plan for these steps, especially at the end of a lease, rather than booking the clearance for the very last day. Jettison sends your waste transfer note and after photos along with the invoice, which gives you a clear record of the condition the space was left in.
Example: clearing a medium office
To give a sense of how a day runs, here is how a typical clearance of a medium sized office might be organised:
- Arrival and walk round: the team confirms what is going, what is staying and the route out of the building.
- Protection: floors, lift interiors and door frames are protected where needed.
- Dismantling: bank desks and workstations are taken apart while other team members start on loose items.
- Sorting and loading: reusable items, metal, seating, electrical waste and recycling are loaded separately.
- Final sweep: rooms are checked and swept, and after photos are taken.
Every job is different, but this structure is why a well planned clearance is quick without cutting corners.
How to speed up your clearance
- Provide clear photos and access details when you ask for a quote.
- Book lifts and loading bays with building management in advance.
- Label anything that is staying.
- Have keys ready for every room, cabinet and cage.
Book your office clearance
Jettison carries out office clearances of every size across Glasgow, Edinburgh and central Scotland. We provide a detailed quote and scope of works that takes your timescales into account, then carry out the work in a methodical and organised way. If cost is your next question, see how much an office clearance costs in Glasgow, or request a free quote today.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to clear an office?
A small office can often be cleared in a day. Medium offices usually take one to two days, and large or multi-floor offices can take several days or be phased.
How much notice do I need to book an office clearance?
Sometimes Jettison can arrange a clearance on the same day, but generally a day or so of notice is perfect. Larger jobs are best booked a few weeks ahead.
Can an office be cleared while staff are still working?
Yes. Clearances can be phased by floor or area, or carried out early, late or at weekends where the building allows.
What slows down an office clearance?
Poor access, no lift, full filing cabinets, items needing to be dismantled, missing keys and extra storerooms that were not included in the quote.
Do I need to be there during the clearance?
Someone should be available at the start to confirm what is going and what is staying, and to provide access. After that the team can usually work without supervision.
