Home Buying Total Cost Calculator

The true cost of buying a home extends well beyond the deposit and purchase price. Buyers need to budget for stamp duty (or LBTT/LTT), solicitor or conveyancer fees (£1,000-£2,000), property survey (£400-£1,500 depending on type), mortgage arrangement fee (£0-£2,000), valuation fee, search fees (£250-£400) and land registry fee (£100-£500).

Moving costs include removal company (£500-£1,500), redirected mail (£50-£100), and potentially storage fees. Ongoing costs to budget for include buildings and contents insurance, council tax, utility setup fees and any immediate repairs or redecoration needed before moving in.

This calculator totals all purchase, mortgage, legal and moving costs to show the full amount you need to have available beyond your deposit. Enter the property price, deposit, mortgage details and select which optional costs apply to get a comprehensive total.

True cost of buying a UK home 2026. Sample £300,000 purchase. Deposit (10%): £30,000. Stamp Duty (FTB): £0. Solicitor/conveyancing: £1,500. Survey (HomeBuyer Report): £600. Mortgage arrangement fee: £999. Mortgage broker (if used): £0-£500. Removals: £900. EPC if missing: £80. Buildings insurance year 1: £300. Initial decoration/repairs: £1,000. Total upfront: £35,379 (£5,379 beyond deposit). Hidden monthly: mortgage + council tax + utilities + maintenance fund.

SDLT for first-time buyer 2026/27. 0% to £425,000 (no SDLT). 5% £425,001-£625,000. Above £625,000: full standard SDLT rates (no FTB relief). Sample: £400k FTB pays £0. £500k FTB pays £3,750 (5% × £75k). £700k FTB pays full SDLT £24,750 (no FTB relief). Standard buyer £300k: £2,500. Second home £300k: £20,000 (including 5% surcharge).

Monthly running costs to budget. Mortgage payment (£270k loan at 4.5% over 25 years): £1,500/month. Council tax: £100-£250/month depending on band. Buildings + contents insurance: £25-£50/month. Utilities (gas + electric): £150-£250/month. Water: £30-£50/month. Broadband: £25-£40/month. TV licence: £13/month. Maintenance fund (1% of property value/year): £250/month. Total: £2,100-£2,500/month for £300k property.

Hidden costs beyond purchase. Sale of existing property: estate agent 1-1.5% + VAT = £3,000-£5,400 on £300k. Moving fees: £700-£1,800. Mortgage early repayment charge if switching during fix: 1-5% of balance. Major home repairs (boiler, roof, structural): £3,000-£15,000+ each. Service charge if leasehold: £1,000-£5,000/year. Ground rent (older leases): £100-£500/year. Reserve maintenance fund (sinking fund): contributes to major works.

Help to buy / first-time buyer schemes 2026. Lifetime ISA: £4,000/year + 25% government bonus (max £1,000/year). First Homes: 30-50% discount on new builds, income cap £80k (£90k London). Shared Ownership: 25-75% share + rent. Mortgage Guarantee Scheme: 95% LTV mortgages with government insurance. Family Springboard / Deposit Boost: parent puts savings as security. Combined schemes save typical FTB £10,000-£30,000+ over standard purchase route.