It’s helpful to know the moving costs you’ll need to cover before and during moving day. You can use these costs to create a budget and plan what you’ll need to pay for.
Removal firm
Removal firms can save you the heavy lifting when moving large or valuable items, like:
- Furniture – beds, sofas, tables
- Kitchen appliances – Cookers, fridge freezers, microwaves
- Tech items – TVs, laptops, speakers
- Valuables – jewellery, artwork
Removal firm charges depend on the size and number of items you’re moving. The average cost to hire a removal company for a three-bedroom house, moving around 50 miles away, is around £1,000 - £1,200. Get a quote from a number of firms before choosing.
Packing
You’ll need a lot of boxes when moving house. Buying bulk packs of storage boxes before you start is usually cheaper than getting them individually. Include items like bubble wrap and tape for fragile items too.
Think outside the box – your local supermarket may gift you leftover boxes you can use.Â
Furniture storage
If you can’t move into your new home straight away, you may need to store furniture temporarily in a storage unit.
The cost of these units depends on how much space you need. Different storage companies offer their own rates, so compare prices beforehand. Some have minimum stays and charge by the week.
Childcare
Young children and moving day don’t mix! If family or friends aren’t available to babysit, factor a crèche or babysitter into your moving costs.
Pet sitters
A busy house in the middle of a move is not be a fun place for a pet. If you choose to use a kennel, cattery or pet sitting service, you’ll have to factor these costs in.
Hotels
If you can’t move into your home straight away, you might need to spend a few nights in a hotel, so include this in your budget. Check hotel prices beforehand to get an idea of how much this might cost.
Royal Mail redirection
When you move to a new address, redirecting your mail guarantees important notices reach you. Royal Mail offers a service that automatically makes sure your post goes to your new address – find out more about mail redirection.
Travel
If you’re not using a removal company, you may need to hire a van to transport your furniture and belongings. Or you may be travelling on the train or driving while a removal company moves your belongings.
If you have a set moving date, arrange suitable transport in advance:
- Book trains as early as possible
- Hire a removal company in advance
Booking these as early as possible could save you money.Â
