How much does a laboratory relocation cost?

Laboratory relocation costs vary significantly based on the size of your facility, equipment complexity, distance, and specialized requirements like cryogenic transport. A small research lab move may cost $10,000-25,000, while large hospital or university laboratory relocations can range from $50,000-250,000+. VIP Transport provides detailed, transparent quotes after conducting a thorough on-site assessment of your equipment and requirements.

How do I prepare laboratory equipment for a move?

Proper preparation is critical for protecting sensitive equipment. Key steps include: documenting all equipment with photos and serial numbers, backing up all digital data, properly shutting down and decontaminating equipment per manufacturer specifications, draining fluids from analyzers and centrifuges, securing or removing fragile components, and labeling all cables and connections. VIP Transport provides detailed preparation checklists and can assist with pre-move planning to ensure nothing is missed.

How do you transport cryogenic samples and materials?

VIP Transport maintains specialized cryogenic transport capabilities down to -80°C for biological samples, cell cultures, and temperature-sensitive reagents. We use validated dry shippers, liquid nitrogen dewars, and monitored ultra-low temperature containers. Real-time temperature monitoring with alerts ensures sample integrity throughout transit. Chain of custody documentation tracks samples from origin to destination, meeting regulatory requirements for clinical and research specimens.

What regulatory compliance is required for lab moves?

Laboratory relocations must comply with various regulations depending on your facility type. Common requirements include: OSHA standards for hazardous material handling, EPA regulations for chemical transport, DOT requirements for shipping biological or radioactive materials, FDA/GLP documentation for pharmaceutical labs, and USDA/CDC permits for select agents. VIP Transport maintains all necessary certifications and provides complete chain of custody documentation to satisfy audit requirements.

How long does a laboratory relocation take?

Timeline depends on facility size and complexity. A small research lab (10-20 pieces of equipment) typically requires 2-4 weeks from planning through reinstallation. Medium-sized facilities (50-100 items) usually take 4-8 weeks. Large hospital or university lab complexes may require 3-6 months for phased relocation. VIP Transport develops detailed project schedules with clear milestones to minimize research downtime and keep your team informed throughout the process.

Do you handle reinstallation and calibration of lab equipment?

Yes, VIP Transport provides complete reinstallation services including positioning, leveling, utility connections, and coordination with manufacturer technicians for calibration and validation. We ensure equipment is operational before project completion. Our team documents installation with photos and verification checklists, providing records needed for quality assurance and regulatory compliance.

VIP Transport trailer arriving at The Jackson Laboratory for a research-facility relocation

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-80°CCryogenic Capable

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Why VIP

Generator-powered vans.
Freezer plug-in. One truck.

Move your entire lab — equipment, instruments, and live-powered freezers — on one truck. -80°C, -70°C, -20°C, and 4°C units stay continuously powered in transit. No thaw. No restart clock on your samples. Significant cost savings vs. multi-truck moves.

When chemicals are part of the relocation, separated environments via climate walls and partitions keep them compliant and divided from cryogenic and dry equipment — same truck, same delivery.

30+ years as a certified HAZMAT carrier

Generator-powered + backup
Freezer plug-in (-80°C / -70°C / -20°C / 4°C)
Liquid nitrogen container transport
Lab equipment + freezers, one truck
Climate walls for chemical separation
HAZMAT-certified drivers & staff
Continuous temperature monitoring
Chain of custody documentation

How We Move Your Lab

Two Ways to Relocate

VIP Transport relocates laboratories of every size and scope. Whether your move involves precision instruments, benches, and casework — or adds the complexity of live-powered freezers and liquid nitrogen storage — the same team, same protocols, and same care record apply.

Option 01

Standard Lab Relocation

Full-service relocation of laboratory equipment, precision instruments, benchwork, casework, and research infrastructure. Decommissioning, transport, reinstallation, and calibration — delivered without interruption to research continuity.

• Complete laboratory packing and transport
• Instrument crating, rigging, and white-glove handling
• Benchwork and casework disassembly/reassembly
• Sensitive equipment: microscopes, mass spectrometers, biosafety hoods
• Reinstallation and recalibration support
• Chain-of-custody documentation

Option 02Differentiator

Relocation + Freezer Plug-In

The same full-service relocation, plus our freezer plug-in capability: -80°C, -70°C, -20°C freezers, 4°C refrigerators, and liquid nitrogen containers stay powered and operational inside the van — from the old lab to the new one. No thawing. No repacking reagents. No restart clock on your samples.

• Live-powered ultra-low and standard freezer transport
• Liquid nitrogen container transport
• Cryogenic and dry-lab equipment on the same truck
• Generator-powered with backup generator on board
• Continuous temperature monitoring in transit
• Direct plug-in at destination — no unpacking

Not sure which applies? VIP’s project managers assess your facility and recommend the right approach during a complimentary on-site consultation.

Service Capabilities

Cryogenic Transportation. Bio Transport. Full Lab Logistics.

VIP’s Science and Medical division provides cryogenic transportation services, biological specimen transport, and complete laboratory relocations. From dual-driver expedited service to chemical packing and biosafety hood handling, we bring the team, certifications, and equipment your relocation requires.

Dual driver teams for expedited service and 24-hour in-route protection
Exclusive use of dedicated trailers
HAZMAT-certified drivers, operations personnel, and staff
Chemical packing and transportation
Relocation of biological specimens
Liquid nitrogen container relocation
Complete laboratory relocation services or freezer-only options
Certified chemical consultant on staff
Full packing and unpacking of laboratory equipment
Sensitive equipment: microscopes, cryostats, mass spectrometers
Biosafety hoods and high-value medical instruments
Climate walls and partitions for environment separation

Equipment Specs

Laboratory Transportation Capabilities

Generator-powered trailer specifications, climate-control systems, and on-board monitoring. Built to handle full-truckload lab moves with multiple freezers under continuous power.

Power & Plug-In

Onboard generator capacity

Single phase: 125 amps combined 120V / 240V
Three phase: 60 amps combined 240V / 480V
Dedicated breaker panel: (6) 20-amp + (4) 30-amp
Plug-in capacity: up to 10 freezers simultaneously

Climate Control

In-trailer environment regulation

Maintains trailer climate temperature and circulates air to create the optimal freezer environment
Holds optimum operating temperatures throughout transit, regardless of outside conditions

Trailer & Equipment

Fleet specifications

53′ & 52′ air-ride trailers — single or multiple freezers, combinable with full lab loads
Rear door clearance: 98″W × 120″H
Tuck-away liftgate for ground pickup and delivery
Generator monitoring systems
Freezer monitoring: Cryopak Escort iMiniPlus PDF temperature loggers

Our Expertise

Protect Your Research

With 40+ years serving research facilities and an exceptional care record, and the most sophisticated equipment with climate control and generator plug-in capabilities, VIP Transport eliminates those risks.

Precision Equipment Handling

Industry-certified protocols protect sensitive instruments worth millions. Improper handling is the #1 cause of equipment failure after relocation.

Cryogenic Transport (-80°C)

Temperature-controlled transport maintains sample integrity. Temperature fluctuations destroy irreplaceable specimens and void years of research.

Full Regulatory Compliance

Complete documentation and chain of custody tracking. Non-compliance can invalidate research and trigger regulatory penalties.

Rapid Reinstallation

Professional reinstallation and calibration minimizes downtime. Get your lab operational and productive as quickly as possible.

Our Process

The Industry-Certified Process That Eliminates Risk

Risk Assessment

Comprehensive inventory identifies every risk before we touch your equipment. Surprises during a lab move can be catastrophic.

Custom Protection

Every piece receives crating engineered to its exact specifications. Generic solutions invite damage.

Monitored Transport

Climate-controlled vehicles with air-ride suspension. Real-time GPS tracking gives you visibility throughout transit.

Verified Installation

Professional reinstallation with testing ensures operational readiness. Your lab is productive again—fast.

Healthcare Expertise

Trusted by Major Medical Centers

VIP Transport handling medical equipment

Healthcare facilities trust us with life-critical equipment. An exceptional care record and full regulatory compliance protect your patients, your staff, and your institution.

Research Partner Testimonials

In the words of the labs we’ve moved.

The testimonials below are from researchers who used our live-powered freezer plug-in service. VIP relocates labs of every type — with or without cryogenic cargo.

When people knew I was planning to move my laboratory a number of them mentioned a freezer truck. I could not believe the services they were offering — move my -80 deg, -20 deg freezers and liquid nitrogen containers intact! I was still somewhat skeptical and brought with me in the car on dry ice several of my backup stocks of reagents. I shouldn’t have bothered. All the freezer items arrived, safe and sound and delivered directly to my lab after 2 days. I would recommend this service to anyone moving a lab without hesitation.

Dr. Angel Lee, MD, PhDUniversity of Michigan

I can say without hesitation that the ability to plug in our freezers full of lab reagents into your vans and set them up in our new location without any packing or unpacking saved us two months of start up time. This was by far the best part of our relocation. I can’t imagine anyone moving a lab without using this capability.

Richard Jude SamulskiUNC Gene Therapy Center

FAQ

Laboratory Relocation FAQ

Common questions about moving laboratory equipment and research facilities

: Laboratory relocation costs vary significantly based on the size of your facility, equipment complexity, distance, and specialized requirements like cryogenic transport. A small research lab move may cost $10,000-25,000, while large hospital or university laboratory relocations can range from $50,000-250,000+. VIP Transport provides detailed, transparent quotes after conducting a thorough on-site assessment of your equipment and requirements.
: Proper preparation is critical for protecting sensitive equipment. Key steps include: documenting all equipment with photos and serial numbers, backing up all digital data, properly shutting down and decontaminating equipment per manufacturer specifications, draining fluids from analyzers and centrifuges, securing or removing fragile components, and labeling all cables and connections. VIP Transport provides detailed preparation checklists and can assist with pre-move planning to ensure nothing is missed.
: VIP Transport maintains specialized cryogenic transport capabilities down to -80°C for biological samples, cell cultures, and temperature-sensitive reagents. We use validated dry shippers, liquid nitrogen dewars, and monitored ultra-low temperature containers. Real-time temperature monitoring with alerts ensures sample integrity throughout transit. Chain of custody documentation tracks samples from origin to destination, meeting regulatory requirements for clinical and research specimens.
: Laboratory relocations must comply with various regulations depending on your facility type. Common requirements include: OSHA standards for hazardous material handling, EPA regulations for chemical transport, DOT requirements for shipping biological or radioactive materials, FDA/GLP documentation for pharmaceutical labs, and USDA/CDC permits for select agents. VIP Transport maintains all necessary certifications and provides complete chain of custody documentation to satisfy audit requirements.
: Timeline depends on facility size and complexity. A small research lab (10-20 pieces of equipment) typically requires 2-4 weeks from planning through reinstallation. Medium-sized facilities (50-100 items) usually take 4-8 weeks. Large hospital or university lab complexes may require 3-6 months for phased relocation. VIP Transport develops detailed project schedules with clear milestones to minimize research downtime and keep your team informed throughout the process.
: Yes, VIP Transport provides complete reinstallation services including positioning, leveling, utility connections, and coordination with manufacturer technicians for calibration and validation. We ensure equipment is operational before project completion. Our team documents installation with photos and verification checklists, providing records needed for quality assurance and regulatory compliance.

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ATA Member

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Limited Capacity

Our Lab Specialists Book Weeks in Advance

Certified lab moves require specialized crews and equipment. Secure your relocation date now—before your timeline becomes someone else's priority.

Reserve Your Lab Move Date 1-800-998-4847

Your Research, Protected

Generator-powered vans.Freezer plug-in. One truck.