Costs & admin · Movesmith guide
How much does it cost to move house in the UK?
Moving costs split into two buckets: the move itself (removals, packing, cleaning) and the transaction (conveyancing, survey, Stamp Duty if you're buying, or a deposit if you're renting). Here's what each actually costs and where the money hides.
Last reviewed July 2026 · 7 min read
‘How much does it cost to move house?’ has no single answer — a man-and-van studio move and a 4-bed house purchase are different orders of magnitude. But the costs fall into predictable buckets, and most of the nasty surprises are avoidable once you know what to budget for. This guide breaks down removals, the buying and renting costs, and the ones people forget.
The short version
- Removal costs depend on your belongings, route, date, access and agreed services. Get a fixed quote for your actual move before booking; bedroom count alone is not a price.
- Buyers should budget for conveyancing (roughly £800–£1,800), a survey (£400–£1,000+), possible mortgage fees, and Stamp Duty, which varies with price and first-time-buyer status — always check GOV.UK for current rates.
- Renters pay a deposit (capped at 5 weeks' rent for annual rent under £50,000) plus the first month up front; most other tenant fees are banned in England.
- The hidden costs — cleaning, storage, time off work, new furniture, mail redirection — quietly add up. Budget a buffer.
- You cut the bill most by moving less: declutter first, book a fixed price so it can't creep, and avoid Saturday and month-end slots if your dates flex.
The short answer
Budget separately for removals, any packing and cleaning, and the costs of buying or renting. The move itself depends on your belongings, route, access and agreed services, so a generic price range cannot establish your budget. If you're buying, also account for conveyancing, a survey and any Stamp Duty; if you're renting, include your deposit and first month's rent.
The single most controllable line is removals, because a fixed-price quote locks it before you commit. Almost everything else is a range until late in the process.
How much do removals cost?
Removals are priced on your inventory, route, date, access (stairs, lifts, parking), crew and agreed services. A single item and a full house need different planning, and two homes with the same bedroom count can have very different loads. Enter your move details for a fixed quote: supported moves price online, while moves needing further planning receive a tailored review before booking.
Packing help, dismantling, long carries and customer route charges (the Congestion Charge and relevant crossings or tunnel tolls) can sit on top — but they're shown before booking, not added on the day. ULEZ is always the operator's responsibility.
How much is a man and van?
For a single item, studio or marketplace pickup, the quote depends on the load, journey, access and help required. Movesmith quotes for the agreed job rather than an open-ended hourly rate. Include those details to see the price before booking.
Extra costs when you're buying
If you're buying, the transaction costs usually outweigh the move. Rough ranges (always confirm live figures):
| Cost | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Conveyancing / legal | £800–£1,800 | Plus disbursements (searches, Land Registry). |
| Survey | £400–£1,000+ | Homebuyer or full building survey; more for larger/older homes. |
| Mortgage fees | £0–£1,500 | Arrangement and valuation fees vary by lender and deal. |
| Stamp Duty (SDLT) | Varies | Depends on price and first-time-buyer status — check GOV.UK. |
Stamp Duty rates and thresholds change, and first-time buyers get relief up to a limit, so we don't print a figure that will go stale — use the official calculator on GOV.UK for your exact liability.
Extra costs when you're renting
- Tenancy deposit — capped at 5 weeks' rent (annual rent under £50,000) or 6 weeks (£50,000+) under the Tenant Fees Act in England.
- First month's rent, usually paid up front alongside the deposit.
- A holding deposit to reserve the property — capped at one week's rent and normally put towards your first rent.
- Most other tenant fees (admin, referencing, inventory, renewal) are banned in England — if you're asked to pay them, question it.
How to move for less
- Declutter before you pack — you pay to move volume, so sell or donate what you don't use.
- Get a fixed price rather than an hourly quote, so the cost can't creep on the day.
- Avoid Saturdays and month-end if your dates flex — they book up first and cost more.
- Do your own packing where you can, and keep boxes from friends or free-cycle sites.
- Book early: last-minute availability is thinner and pricier, and a fixed quote locked early doesn't rise.
How Movesmith fits in
Removals are the one big moving cost you can pin down before you commit. Movesmith gives you a fixed price before you book — based on your property, access and inventory — and matches you with a verified local moving operator, whether it's a single item, a man-and-van load or a full house.
Supported moves receive an online quote; moves needing further planning receive a tailored review. Suitable moving-team availability is checked before booking. A booking receipt is separate from operator acceptance: assignment is confirmed when an operator accepts the job. Changes to the agreed scope need approval before any revised price applies.
Planning your move? See your booking options.
Movesmith plans home moves across the UK. Enter your belongings, route and access details for a fixed quote. Supported moves price online; moves needing further planning receive a tailored review. We check suitable moving-team availability before booking.
Get a fixed-price quote