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Moving House

Moving to a new house involves many decisions. That’s why we’ve compiled this page with all the information you need on moving house. Here, we give you moving expenses, how to get help with your removal, tips to make it all easier to handle, and free moving house quotes!

Moving house

What Is the Average Cost of Moving House?

Since removal is a major decision, you are probably wondering about the costs. The price you pay for a move consists of:

  • Legal and transaction fees
  • Taxes
  • Cost of the removal company

Moving House Costs

Below is an overview of the average costs of moving from a 3-bedroom house.

Type of CostCost Details
Cost
ConveyanceSolicitor facilitates property transfer
£500 - £1,500
Estate Agent FeesUsually between 1% and 3%
£4,226
Stamp Duty Land TaxDepends on price of your home
£1,726
Valuation FeeRequired by your mortgage provider
£150 - £600
Surveyor's FeeProperty checked for structural issues
£250 - £600
Removal CostsHouse removal with packing and disassembly / reassembly
£1,200
TotalUsing an average property price of £286,489 in the UK
£9,002

Compare Moving House Quotes and Save Up to 40% on Removal Costs

Although some of the prices shown above are fixed, you are able to change others. One of the easiest ways to save on the amount you need to spend when moving home is to find a removal company with exceptional value. To do this, compare prices by completing a free, no-obligation quote request form. The price difference between house movers in your area can reach up to 40%, savings that are incredibly useful especially considering the other costs of house moving.

how to organise a moving in the UK

Which Factors Effect Moving House Quotes?

Moving Quotes between firms may differ because of the availability

For instance, if removals firm A has several bookings on your proposed moving day, then they are likely to produce a higher quotation price than normal because they’d need to hire additional labour or pay overtime to staff to get your job done as well.

The time of the year

If your moving day comes at a less busy time, removals firm B might come in with a highly competitive price to win the business and ensure its operatives are not left without work to do. In addition to these market conditions, there are other factors which play a big part in quoted prices.

The size of your move

The size of your current property gives removals firms the fairest indication of how much work will be involved. This is usually calculated on the number of bedrooms you have but other factors are at play. A two-bedroom bungalow with off-street parking is easier to take items out of ready for loading, for example than a two-bedroom flat on the top floor of a block where only on-street parking is available.

Another crucial factor is insurance

Some firms include insurance cover for your belongings as standard while others don’t. It is worth checking whether insurance cover is provided, especially on cheaper moving house quotes.

6 Things That Should Be Included in Your Moving House Quotes

  1. Any quotation that is sent to you ought to include information about the move itself including the date the removal is to take place if this is yet known.
  2. The address of your current residence as well as where you are moving to should be included because the travel time and distances involved will make a significant impact on the price you see.
  3. Double-check the number of bedrooms on your moving house quotes because if this is wrong then the price will be out of kilter.
  4. Your quotation should include any additional services that are being provided. Perhaps the quotation only shows the removals work for your planned move, but what about help with packing and unpacking or providing packaging materials? If these are not in the quotation, then you cannot expect the service.
  5. Some removals firms will provide temporary storage space for your belongings while others will expect you to find this yourself, so this is worth checking if your new home won’t be ready to accept all of your possessions on the day you move out.
  6. Finally, consider the level of insurance your preferred removals firm has for your items when they are in transit. Again, this should be made clear in your quotation even if it is in small print.

Breakdown of Moving House Costs

While there are several costs with moving to a new home, some of the main fees to think about are:

Conveyance fees

Charged by solicitors to the buyer and seller of a home for handling the paperwork of property transfers.

Estate agent fees

Usually a charge between 1% to 3% of the price of the house sale plus 20% VAT as a commission for their work. This is only paid by the seller of the home.

Stamp duty tax

Paid on houses valued over £125,000. You only pay the rate for the portion of a property price that falls within each percentage band. The following table displays the stamp duty rates:

Moving House: Stamp Duty Land Tax Rates

Property Purchase Price Brackets
Rate
£0 - £125,000
0%
£125,001 - £250,000
2%
£250,001 - £925,000
5%
£925,001 - £1,500,000
10%
£1,500,000+
12%

Valuation fee

The price of a house valuation required by your mortgage provider. Check with your provider and surveyor whether the valuation is free or included in their services.

Surveyor’s fee

Charged for conducting a house survey. There are four main types, each differing on the level of detail and price: Condition Report, HomeBuyer Report, Home Condition Survey, and Building Survey. For most mortgage providers, a HomeBuyer Report is sufficient.

Removal costs

The price of hiring a company to transport your belongings to your new home along with any extra services you require.

Our cost of moving house page shows a more detailed breakdown along with money-saving tips.

packing house

Tips to Save Money When Moving House and Comparing Quotes

House moving is tough and takes a lot of time. Hiring a company, packing, and getting your new home ready, together with your day to day matters, all add up for a stressful moment in your life. Luckily, there are some things you can do to help alleviate this stress or take control of the chaos of your big day.

1. Create a moving checklist

A list of all the things you need to get done will really help you visualise the tasks in the buildup to moving. These include notifying all the necessary people, arranging for your children or pets to be looked after, and packing.

2. Get at least 3 moving house quotes from removal companies

Comparing removal quotes from various house movers will allow you to quickly see the best option for you. Finding the company that matches your budget and needs is important since you will have large savings.

3. Declutter

Taking stock of all of your belongings and getting rid of things you will not need goes a long way when moving house. Not only will it save money by lowering removal costs, but it will also significantly reduce your packing time.

4. Allocate plenty of time

Make sure you have enough time to complete the items on your moving house checklist. With packing, start early and with things that you will not need immediately. Since it is incredibly time-consuming, consider hiring professional packing services from your removal company.

5. Label everything

Label all boxes with its contents and the room on the top and side. This way you are able to read the labels once you stack them on top of each other. Also, colour code boxes and bags with each room in your new home so you and the movers will know exactly where to unload your belongings.

6. Pack a survival pack/box

Nothing is worse than having to spend your first few days at your new home without the essentials so pack a box including anything from cutlery, bin bags, water, tea bags, box cutters, and toilet paper – anything to make your new home liveable.

7. Create a documents folder

Keep all important documents in a clearly-designated place where you will not lose them, along with digital copies. These include passports, insurance papers, housing and financial documents, medical records, and moving documents.

8. Relaxing activities

In the midst of your move, it may seem as if you have no time for anything other than things related to your move. However, it is important to have some time to relax! Go out for a special meal to celebrate your move or take a walk around your new area so you can meet your new neighbours. Ask them for advice, helping with the transition to your new surroundings.

What if You’re Moving House Abroad?

Moving abroad is on a different level from domestic removals. International removals require a specialised company that has experience in sea or air transport. You need a company that will manage all aspects of your move to a new country; this includes coordinating sea or air freight, working with partner companies at your destination, and sorting out customs and regulations.

International Movings Services

A good international moving company will guide you closely, from getting moving house quotes to ensure your items complete the long trip so that you feel assured of everything during this exciting moment of your life. Take a look at our dedicated international moving pages for more information about moving abroad.

Choosing the Removal Firm for your House Removal

Removal companies will help with the task of transferring your valuables to your new home. Hire their packing and reassembly services to make your move as easy as possible. With moving specialists’ training and experience, you will make sure that your prized possessions will arrive at your destination safely and on time, removing the hassle from such an important life moment.

Since professional house movers have insurance that covers your items, you minimise risks and stress. You can rest easy, knowing that your items are with good hands. Let professionals deal with the heavy lifting so you can prepare your new home!

Compare Removal Companies and Move House Easily

Moving house takes a lot out of you, both emotionally and financially. One of the easiest ways to reduce the cost of moving is to conduct thorough research on removal companies. Save money by comparing the prices of moving specialists. Request moving house quotes from up to 6 companies to determine the best option and save up to 40% in your removal costs.

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