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.

The headlines

  • Knowing how much it costs to move house and creating a budget is key.
  • Removal, packing and storage costs are just some of the house moving costs you’ll need to account for.
  • Make sure to factor in any fees and charges for paperwork needed when moving house.

In this guide

How much does it cost to move house?

What moving costs are involved in the buying process?

What moving costs are involved in the selling process?

Other moving costs to consider

How much does it cost to move house?

The average cost of moving house in the UK in 2026 is £13,018. This is based on buying and selling a house priced at £292,000*.

Your moving costs might be higher or lower than this, based on factors like:

  • whether you’re buying and selling, or just buying
  • the value of your home
  • the size of the property
  • its location
  • whether you decide to use professional removal services.

Remember that legal fees, mortgage fees and other charges can also increase overall costs.

*According to the HomeOwners Alliance.

What costs are involved in the buying process?

 

Stamp duty

If you’re buying a house in the UK, you might have to pay stamp duty. This can be one of the biggest costs to factor in – especially if you’re not a first-time buyer.

The amount of stamp duty you pay is usually based on the price of the property, where in the UK it’s located and whether you qualify for any relief.

More on stamp duty

Home survey costs

You might want to book a home survey with a professional surveyor to inspect the house before you complete the purchase. That way, you’ll know if there are any issues or repairs needed.

The cost of a house survey can range from £300 to over £1500*. It all depends on the type of survey you choose and the complexity of the property.

*According to the HomeOwners Alliance.

More on home survey costs

Conveyancing fees for buying

Another house moving cost to consider is conveyancing fees. This covers the legal side of your home purchase.

Conveyancing fees for the buying process are usually based on the price of the property. You’ll also need to pay for any third-party costs the solicitor pays on your behalf, such as local searches or Land Registry charges. These disbursements could cost up to £700*.

*According to the HomeOwners Alliance.

More on conveyancing

Mortgage fees

If you’re taking out a mortgage on your new home, you might have to pay a mortgage arrangement fee or product fee to your lender. This covers the cost of setting up your mortgage.

Lenders tend to charge between £500 and £1,500*. You could choose to either pay these fees upfront or add them to your mortgage balance. If you’re porting your mortgage, you might not have to pay this fee.

You might have to factor in other fees if you’re using a mortgage broker or getting a mortgage valuation. Though some lenders include this valuation for free as part of your mortgage deal.

*According to the HomeOwners Alliance.

Insurance costs

Don’t forget to factor in your home insurance costs. You’ll need to take out a building insurance policy to cover your new property. But you can also get other types of insurance to protect you during and after the buying process. Such as:

  • Contents insurance – can be taken out with buildings insurance to protect the contents of your home.
  • Mortgage protection insurance – can provide peace of mind that your mortgage will be paid should you face illness or injury.
  • Home buyer protection insurance – could help cover your legal, survey and mortgage fees if your property purchase falls through.
More on home insurance

What costs are involved in the selling process?

 

Estate agent fees

Estate agent fees can be one of the largest costs for sellers when moving house. The price can vary depending on:

  • the agent you choose
  • how many agents you have (a sole agency agreement might offer a lower rate than a multiple agency agreement)
  • the rate you negotiate (you might be able to negotiate with your agent to help bring down your fee).

Conveyancing fees for selling

If you’re selling your home as well as buying, you’ll need to factor in additional conveyancing fees. This will cover the legal side of selling your house.

These fees can range from £600 to £800* but might be higher if you’re selling a leasehold property.

*According to the HomeOwners Alliance.

EPC certificate costs

By law, your property must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before it's sold. The EPC shows how energy efficient your house is, with A being the highest rating and G the lowest.

EPC costs depend on local assessor prices but usually cost around £60 to £120*.

*According to the HomeOwners Alliance.

More on EPCs

Home Report fees in Scotland

If you’re selling a home in Scotland, you won’t need a separate EPC. Instead, you’ll need to get a Home Report. This is a legal document paid for by the seller, which includes a home survey, valuation, property questionnaire and energy report.

The cost is based on the value of your property, ranging from £200 to £1,200*.

*According to the Compare my Move.

Home improvement and cleaning costs

It’s a good idea to leave some of your budget aside for any home improvements and cleaning before you sell. This can include anything from paint touch-ups to appliance repairs.

This can help make your property more appealing to buyers and speed up the selling process. Costs can vary depending on the work needed, so make sure you shop around to compare quotes.

Tips for saving money​

Moving house is expensive. Here's a few ways to help keep your moving costs down.​

Budget​

Make a list of the things you need to pay for.​

Shop around for the best deals and book services early.​

Remove any non-essential costs and keep a track of what you spend.

Try the budget calculator

Declutter​

Moving house is a great time to get rid of the things you no longer need. Having less stuff to move means less storage space and you may only need a small removal van.​

Clear out or donate the things you don’t want. You could even sell some items that will help fund your move.

Get some extra help​

Asking family and friends to help on moving day could save you time and money. ​

If you get packed early, friends or family may be able to store some of your things for you. It could save you money on getting a smaller van for a shorter time if you have less to move.

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.

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