Removal prices can be complex and depend on numerous factors, but knowing the estimated cost can help reduce your expenses. Please read the article or jump to our removal cost calculator for an instant estimate.
Key Takeaways
- The average removal cost ranges from £1,300 for a 1-2 bedroom house to £1,700 for a 3-bedroom house, including services.
- The average moving cost varies based on factors such as region, size, and distance, with specific price ranges for different types of properties.
- Removal costs are influenced by factors like timing, volume of belongings, accessibility, and distance.
- For tips on saving money, visit our cheap removals page.
- Compare multiple removal quotes to find the best match for your needs and budget.
Average removal cost 2025
Removal costs vary based on many factors. Based on a national removal in the UK with a maximum distance of 15 miles:
- The average removal costs for a 3-bedroom house are £1,700, services included.
- For a smaller 1- or 2-bedroom house or flat, the cost will be around £1,300, services included.
- A large removal can cost up to £3000, services included.
Additionally, long distance removal costs can vary significantly based on mileage and specific cities in the UK.
The actual price will change according to your belongings and other factors, such as the provided services and specialisations of your removal company. Some may offer a higher level of insurance while others might be specialists in moving heavy or bulky items. To get a better overview of average removal costs, consult the graphs and tables below:
Example of House Removal Costs
Here are the averages of moving house costs for different size homes:
| Number of Bedrooms | Removal Costs | Extra Packing Costs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | £420 - £650 | £180 |
| 2 | £530 - £1000 | £220 |
| 3 | £800 - £1500 | £270 |
| 4 | £1200 - £2000 | £350 |
| 5+ | £1500 - £3000 | £440 |
Additional Removal Company Costs and Services
When you relocate, you might need extra services to make your moving day easier. Check out the average prices of these additional removal services here:
| Optional Service | Advantages | Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging | Boxes and other materials, enough for a four-bedroom home | £120 – £150 |
| Disassembly and Assembly | Professionals take your furniture apart and put it back together | £125 |
| Storage | Your belongings are kept safe if you cannot move in immediately | £30 / week |
| Cleaning | Professional cleaning of your old home after you move out and / or your new home before and / or after you move in | £15 / hour |
| Piano Transport | Specialist equipment and training for moving your prized instrument safely and securely | £120 – £480 |
How Removal Costs are Calculated
Based on various factors, your removal cost can change and become more or less convenient. Below you find some of the most important factors that determine the removal costs for your unique moving endeavour:
Understanding how removal companies charge for their services can help you better estimate your moving expenses.
Timing Matters for Your Moving Costs
Most people set their move dates on the weekend, holidays, and on the first or last day of the month to avoid conflicts with work obligations. Removal companies increase their rates on these peak moving days. To save money, try to plan your move during weekdays or off-season.
The Impact of Volume on Moving Costs
The biggest price factor is the amount of items you intend to transport. A larger item load means a longer loading time and a higher number of workers required. Moving is a great opportunity to remove some clutter. Carefully consider which items you may not need in your new home to reduce the volume of your belongings.
Accessibility Affects Your Moving Budget
How easy is it to enter your old home and destination property? If your house is not easily accessible, a smaller vehicle or special lift might be needed. While comparing quotes, check if the removal company owns any specific vehicles. This will mean that you could get a discounted price for the use of lifts or other vehicles.
Distance and Location: Key Factors in Costing Your Move
The distance between your point of origin and the destination helps determine the costs of transport. To save up, find a company with cheaper costs per mile. When moving house, it’s important to consider how distance and location will affect your overall costs.
Calculate Your House Removal Costs
Payment terms for removal companies in the UK
- Deposit upfront, remainder on delivery
- Full payment upfront for complex moves
Before hiring, ask when each payment is due and which methods are accepted. Find out if the deposit is refundable or non-refundable. Double-check any special terms if you’re dealing with a large or international move. Most removal companies require a deposit upfront, with the remainder due on delivery. Understanding how removal companies charge for their services can help you plan your budget more effectively.
Tipping your moving company
It is not uncommon to tip your movers 10-20 pounds after a move. This is, however, not mandatory.
Find Moving Companies in Your Area
Looking for removal companies operating in your area? Visit our listing page to find and filter moving companies based on your location. This tool allows you to easily identify and connect with professional movers who serve your specific area, ensuring a smoother and more convenient moving experience.
Additionally, explore our Top 5 Moving Companies in the UK for 2024-2025 to help you make an informed choice.
Since removal costs are affected by numerous factors and vary depending on your needs, obtaining multiple quotes is essential. Compare them to find the price that best matches your needs and budget.
How you Compare Removal Quotes
Here's what to consider to help you decide which of the removal quotes you'll receive is right for you:
1. Required Removal Services vs. Quoted Services
Some quotes will show you the most basic moving service only, presenting the best price. This basic service usually includes travelling to you, loading your pre-packaged items in stacking crates, transporting them to your new address, and then helping unload them for you.
Other firms will include a much higher basic service level within their initial pricing, such as supplying additional vehicles if needed or packing material. In some cases, they may provide more operatives to help the move go smoothly. You may also be offered a single point of contact or moving manager to oversee the job for you as something that is included in the price. Some removal companies may not offer any basic package and charge for every service individually.
We advise you to examine your quotations carefully to ensure that each of the services you need is included in the quoted price.
2. Comparing Moving Quotes' Insurance
Your household insurance policy may have restricted coverage for relocations from one address to another. Check moving businesses' public liability insurance and their coverage for potential damages to any goods in transit. Some will have an upper limit for claims while others will have an excess which means lower levels of claims may not be worth making. This is important if you happen to own precious or rare items which need to be covered at all times. Insurance levels can make a big difference to the price you see and impact greatly on the value for money that one firm is offering over another.
House Removal Costs: Additional Factors
While property size and distance are significant factors in determining removal costs, there are other additional factors to consider. These include:
- Access issues: Difficult access to the property, such as narrow streets or no parking zones, can increase costs due to the additional time and effort required.
- Time of year: Removal companies tend to charge less during quiet periods, but prices increase during peak months (usually August) and peak days (usually Fridays).
- Extra services: Additional services like packing, furniture dismantling, storage, and insurance can increase the overall cost of your removal.
- Specialist services: Moving valuable or fragile items, such as pianos or artwork, may require specialized services, which can add to the overall cost.
Understanding these factors can help you better estimate your moving costs and plan accordingly.
Circumstantial Cost Factors
Certain circumstances can also impact the cost of your removal. These include:
- Selling or buying a home: There may be additional removal costs associated with this, such as storage or temporary accommodation.
- Parking fines or congestion charges: These can add to the overall cost of your removal.
- Damage to property: Any damage to the property during the removal process can result in additional costs.
Being aware of these potential extra costs can help you budget more accurately for your move.
Specialist Services and Valuable Items
If you have valuable or fragile items that require specialized services, this can increase the overall cost of your removal. Examples of specialist services include:
- Piano removal: £100-£300
- Artwork removal: £50-£200
- Antique removal: £50-£200
It’s essential to discuss these services with your removal company and factor them into your overall budget. This ensures that your valuable items are handled with care and arrive safely at your new home.
Reducing Removal Costs
There are several ways to reduce removal costs, including:
Tips for Keeping Removal Costs Low
- Declutter: Remove unwanted items before moving to reduce the volume of goods to be moved.
- Get multiple quotes: Compare prices and services offered by different removal companies to ensure you get the best value for your money.
- Choose a Sunday or early weekday move: Weekends and holidays are peak times for moving, so scheduling your move for the middle of the week can result in lower rates.
- Pack yourself: If possible, pack your belongings yourself to save on the cost of hiring professionals to pack for you.
- Book in advance: Booking your removal service well in advance can secure you a better rate. Last-minute bookings usually come at a premium, especially during busy periods.
- Be flexible with dates: Being flexible with your moving dates can allow you to take advantage of lower rates when a removal company has available slots.
By following these tips, you can help reduce your removal costs and make your move more affordable.
