Home Moving Cost Calculator

Moving house in the UK involves numerous costs that are easy to underestimate. Professional removal companies typically charge £500-£1,500 for a local move and £1,000-£3,000 for a long-distance move, depending on the volume of belongings and whether you require packing services. DIY van hire is cheaper at £100-£300 but requires more effort.

Additional moving costs include mail redirection (starting at £36.99 for 3 months via Royal Mail), storage if there is a gap between moves (£50-£200/month), cleaning of the old property (£100-£400), and new furniture or appliances. Utility connection and disconnection fees may also apply, though many providers waive these.

This calculator itemises all potential moving costs. Select the services you plan to use, enter quotes or use typical estimates, and add any specific items. The output gives a total moving budget that you can use alongside the home buying cost calculator for a complete picture.

How much does it cost to move home in the UK? Average total cost moving within UK 2026: £8,000-£15,000 (Which? survey). Breakdown: estate agent fees (sale) £2,000-£4,000 (1.0-1.5% + VAT typical); solicitor/conveyancing £1,200-£2,000; survey £400-£1,000; mortgage arrangement fee £999-£1,500; Stamp Duty (varies); removals £700-£1,800; EPC if needed £45-£120; new mortgage product/legal fees. London moves often £15-£25k+ due to higher property values and SDLT.

Removals — how much to budget. 1-bed flat local move (within 20 miles): £500-£800. 2-bed local: £700-£1,200. 3-bed local: £900-£1,500. 4-bed local: £1,500-£2,500. Long distance (200+ miles): 30-60% more. Storage if needed: £15-£50/m³/month. Packing service: 20-40% extra. Cheaper alternatives: DIY van hire (£100-£200/day) + friends to help; man-and-van services for 1-2 bedroom moves (£40-£60/hour). Get 3-5 quotes minimum.

Stamp Duty Land Tax thresholds 2026. First-time buyers: 0% to £425,000; 5% £425,001-£625,000; nothing if property over £625,000 (full rates apply). Standard buyers: 0% to £125,000; 2% £125,001-£250,000; 5% £250,001-£925,000; 10% £925,001-£1.5M; 12% above £1.5M. Additional property (BTL, second home): standard rates + 5% surcharge (raised from 3% Oct 2024). Scotland (LBTT) and Wales (LTT) have different bands.

Conveyancing — what does it actually involve? Solicitor/licensed conveyancer handles: title checks (Land Registry); searches (local authority, environmental, water, planning); Stamp Duty calculation and submission; exchange of contracts; completion (when money transfers, keys handed over). Timeline: average 12-16 weeks offer to completion. Common delays: lender mortgage approval, chain breaks, leasehold complications (longer for management company queries). Choose by recommendation — bad conveyancers cause months of delay and extra costs.

Saving on moving costs — proven strategies. Declutter first — fewer boxes = lower removals quote. Sell unwanted items on Vinted, eBay, Facebook Marketplace = offsets some costs. Pack yourself (save 20-40% on removals). Move mid-week, mid-month (cheaper than Friday + month-end). Get estate agent multi-firm quotes — fees negotiable, especially for higher-value properties. Online conveyancers can be 30-50% cheaper than high-street solicitors. Mortgage broker: free or fee-charging — compare APRs, watch for early repayment charges. Total potential saving: £2,000-£5,000 vs casual approach.