The main costs of moving house
Your total depends on whether you are buying, selling or renting, the value and size of the property, the distance travelled, how much you own and how much help you choose. Build your budget from quotes rather than a national average that may bear little resemblance to your move.
- Estate agent fees if you are selling, usually agreed as a percentage or fixed fee.
- Solicitor or conveyancer fees, searches and Land Registry costs.
- Stamp Duty Land Tax in England or the relevant property tax elsewhere in the UK, if it applies.
- Mortgage valuation, survey and any mortgage arrangement fees.
- Removals, packing materials, insurance, parking permits and possible storage.
- Cleaning, childcare or pet care, travel and a contingency for the unexpected.
- Professional organising, decluttering or unpacking if you want practical support before or after the move.
How to get a realistic figure
Ask at least three suitable removals firms to quote from the same inventory and service brief. Confirm whether packing, dismantling, reassembly, materials, waiting time and insurance are included. MoneyHelper explains the wider costs of buying and moving, while current property tax rates should always be checked through GOV.UK Stamp Duty guidance.
Allow a contingency for completion delays, storage overlap, replacement locks and the small purchases that appear in the first week. A clear spreadsheet with confirmed, estimated and optional costs is more useful than one impressive-looking total.
What does professional unpacking cost?
Professional unpacking is normally priced around the size of the team, the time available and the amount being moved. Our current unpacking prices start at £900 for the kitchen and principal bedroom, while a full-home unpack starts at £1,250. Travel and storage products are additional, and we confirm the right team after discussing your home and move.
Is professional unpacking worth it?
It is worth considering when time and energy are the scarcest parts of your move. Families with young children, demanding jobs, a renovation finishing at the same time, or a tight return to work often value being functional on the first evening more than doing every box themselves.
It may not be necessary if you have a small move, plenty of time, very little to unpack or genuinely enjoy setting up a home. A focused service can also be a sensible middle ground. We can make the kitchen work, set up the principal bedroom and leave you to take the remaining rooms at your own pace.
See exactly what a moving day unpacking service includes, or read our guide to what an unpacking service does.