Moving into your first home or climbing the property ladder can be an exciting time. However, it can also be more stressful than divorce or starting a new job, especially when you overlook the cost of moving.
According to Yes Can Do, moving home can cost anywhere from £1,600 for a first-time buyer to £10,400 for existing homeowners. Of course, that includes expenses like conveyancing, Stamp Duty and other fees along with your removal costs. So, how much can you expect to pay to move house in the UK?
Moving costs for the average house
Knowing the average cost of house removals in your area is a first step to calculating what you could expect to pay. For example, according to the HomeOwners Alliance, the average cost of moving into a three bedroomed house 10 miles away is £458.00. That’s before services like packing and special handling charges.
But no two properties are ever the same, so you should regard average removal costs as a baseline and get your own quotes from local moving companies. Our simple quote request form lets you get a free written quote, fast, so you can budget for your move.
How are removal costs calculated?
There are two important factors when moving house:
- The volume and weight of items you want to move
- The distance you want to move them
Naturally, your final moving costs will alter depending on the items you need to move to your new home. The greater the number of household goods, the larger the size of the vehicle required and the more people needed to load and unload your removal van. Try making a complete inventory using our mover’s checklist to help you see your house contents at a glance.
While loading and unloading is the highest single cost in any house move, the distance travelled will also affect your house removal costs. The farther you move, the higher the cost. So ask your home removal company whether you’ll have to pay extra beyond a certain distance.
You should also bear in mind the timing of your move. If you need to relocate for work fast or you’ve decided to move during the summer for convenience, it could be difficult to find a removal company with a free slot. Always try and plan your move for less busy periods if you can to avoid extra costs.
Additional removal costs
Several other considerations can impact your removal costs. These tend to attract a one-off charge that is added to your quote:
Packing
If you only have a few possessions, a packing service won’t be high on your list of priorities. But if you have a three-bedroomed house full of your family’s possessions, an extra pair of hands can be very welcome. You should also check whether packing materials are included in your quote.
Special handling
If you have any of the following, you’ll be expected to pay an additional one-off moving fee:
- Items that require dismantling and reassembling in your new home
- Specialist items like pianos and fridge-freezers
- Cumbersome objects like extra-large furniture
- Items that are difficult to get in or out of your property
Delicate and valuable items
Any possessions that require special care will also affect your removal quote.
Location
If access to your home is difficult, or you have narrow doorways or stairwells, it all adds to the job’s complexity. These challenges could affect the services you need and incur extra costs.
Take the stress out of your move with Regent’s Removals
At Regent’s Removals, we’re a safe pair of hands for your valuable possessions, so contact us today and start taking the stress out of your next move.
