How much do house removals cost?
Moving home isn’t just about the mortgage, you also need to factor in home removal costs. Here we’ll help you get a grasp of how much you’re likely to pay and how to keep costs down.
Key takeaways
How much you pay will depend on the property size and amount of items, distance of the move, accessibility and need for special equipment and if additional services are needed (packing, storage, cleaning)
There are different removal packages available including removals only, packing and removals, and premium services for packing fragile items
You could rent a van, pack all your belongings and move yourself to save money
How much do house removals cost?
The cost of moving home mostly depends on the size of the property you’re moving from and the distance of the move. It can also vary significantly depending on which removals company you hire.
That said, to give you some idea of how much you should expect to pay, here’s a snapshot of typical removal costs (including VAT) for a range of property types for moves between 0-20 miles.
Property size | Average cost for home removals* |
|---|---|
One-to-two bedroom house | £350-£550 |
Three-bedroom house | £800 |
Four-bedroom house | £1,100 |
Five-bedroom house | £1,400 |
* Data from Home Owners' Alliance (accurate as of 22nd April 2024)
What factors influence home removal costs?
Factors that influence the cost of home removals include:
Size of the property and volume of items to be moved
Distance between your current home and the new location
Accessibility of properties and any need for special equipment
Timing of the move, including day of the week and season
Additional services like packing, storage, and cleaning
What different removal packages are there?
What’s included in removals packages varies depending on the moving company and the package you choose. You can usually select from the following:
Removals-only package: A low-cost, bare-bones removals package will cover transport of your possessions. But it’s up to you to pack up everything and unpack it when you arrive.
Packing and removals package: Opt for a premium service and the movers will pack up your possessions (typically in boxes they provide), as well as transport them to the new location. They’ll also unpack everything when you arrive at your new home.
Some removals companies that offer a premium, packing-and-removals service also feature the option for your fragile or non-fragile goods to be packed.
If you choose this option, responsibility for the rest of the packing falls on you.
What unexpected removal costs might I encounter?
There's a lot to get head around when buying a property, especially if you're a first-time buyer.
Unexpected costs that you could incur, and should budget for, include:
For carrying items up or down stairs, taking apart/reassembling furniture or if the distance from the removals truck to the property is deemed to be a long way
To ensure antiques and high-value items, such as jewellery, are kept safe
You may be charged additional fees for moving awkward or large items out of windows
These can mount up if there’s a lot to unload and you’re moving to a major city where parking is likely to be highly restricted
If you’re moving to a property located on upper floors of a block of flats
Such as robust crates or boxes, brown tape and bubble wrap
Most home insurers include insurance for your possessions as standard, but you may need additional cover if you’re transporting high-value items
These can really add up, especially if there’s a gap between leaving your current home and moving into the new one
The former, in particular, can really add up. So make sure you check if your removals company included these in your quote
Unexpected removal costs
Accessorial charges
Handling charges
Moving large items
Parking permit and fees
Lack of a lift
Packing materials
Extra insurance cover
Storage charges
Ferries or toll roads
Do I need a removals survey to get an accurate removals cost?
If you book a removals survey, someone from the removal company will walk around your property and take a look at what needs to be moved. They can then give a more accurate quote for the removals cost.
Many companies also conduct these virtually, usually by you taking a video walking around all of the rooms of the house and the garden.
How can I cut the cost of a home removal?
There are a few ways you can reduce removal costs, including:
Renting a van and doing the move yourself works out much cheaper than hiring someone to do it for you. This approach is probably best suited to people who aren’t moving far and could even move in instalments, or first-time buyers who may not have as many possessions.
If you're moving long distances, ask about sharing a truck with another customer. This is often cheaper than paying for a whole truck that isn't fully used.
Opt for off-peak seasons or weekdays. Demand is lower then. This can significantly reduce your moving costs. What's more, companies often offer lower rates to fill their schedules.
Less stuff means fewer things to pack and transport. Sell, donate, or dispose of items you no longer need. This not only lightens your load but can also cut down on moving expenses.
How to cut the cost of removals
Handle the move yourself
Consider part-load arrangements
Choose the right time to move
Declutter before the move
Other useful guides
Compare mortgages with MoneySuperMarket
It’s easy to find and compare mortgages from a range of leading lenders with MoneySuperMarket. Whether you’re looking for a fixed-rate, a tracker, or a discount mortgage, our mortgage comparison tool can help you find a great deal for you. Also check out our mortgage affordability calculator to find out how much you could borrow.
We’ll just ask you a few questions about the property you’re looking to buy or remortgage and how much you’ll need to borrow. We’ll then show you results including the initial interest rate and your monthly repayments and any product fees you’ll be asked to pay.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
