Cost of moving house in the UK
Moving house can be an exciting new adventure. But the costs of buying and selling your home can quickly add up. Find out how much it usually costs to move house and work out how much you might need to budget.
Other moving costs to consider
Get quotes ahead of time for these costs to help you budget for your move.
Removal costs
You’ll need to decide whether you want to hire a professional removal company or carry out the move yourself. Hiring a company could save you the heavy lifting, especially if you’re moving large items like sofas, beds and kitchen appliances.
The price they charge will depend on:
- the size of your home
- the distance you’re moving
- whether you need them to pack for you.
If you’d prefer to save on costs, moving yourself might be the cheaper option. You can ask friends or family to help and book any van hire in advance to get the best deal.
Packing
You’ll need plenty of boxes when you move. You can buy bulk packs of storage boxes. It’s usually cheaper than getting them individually.
Don’t forget bubble wrap and tape for your fragile items.
You could get leftover boxes from your local supermarket, but make sure they are strong enough for the items you’re packing.
Storage
If you can’t move into your new home straight away, you may need to store your furniture for a little time.
The cost of storage will depend on how much space you need, and the length of time you need it for. Compare prices across a few companies before you decide who to use.
There may also be a minimum rental period.
Child and pet care
If you have young children or pets, you may not want them running around on moving day. You could ask family or friends to look after them.
But if they’re not available, you might need to set aside money for day care. This will give you a chance to settle into the new home and unpack before they arrive.
Hotels and travel
If you can’t move into your home straight away, you may need to budget for a few nights in a hotel.
And if you don’t drive and are meeting the removal company at your new home, book your travel in advance. You could get it cheaper.
Redirecting your post
When you move to a new address, you might want to redirect your mail. This guarantees that important letters reach you and gives you time to update your address with different companies.
You can usually do this through Royal Mail for a fee, based on how long you want the redirect to last.
Find out more about the Royal Mail redirection service.
Tips for saving money
Moving house is expensive. Here's a few ways to help keep your moving costs down.
When do you pay your conveyancer fees for moving house?
It usually depends on the conveyancer. But most conveyancers ask for an upfront deposit or payment before starting their service to cover the initial identity checks and admin costs.
You’ll be informed of any search fees required during the buying process. Your final balance will then need to be paid just before or on completion day.
What is the best day of the week to move house?
There's no single best day for everyone. Friday is often the most popular day to move house because it gives you the weekend to settle in and unpack. But it can also be the busiest day for solicitors, lenders and removal companies, which may increase the risk of delays and higher costs. The last Friday of the month is often one of the busiest times for property completions.
Some people prefer to complete between Tuesday and Thursday. Removal companies may have better availability, and if any issues arise, you have the rest of the working week to resolve them.
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