How Much Does It Cost to Move House in the UK?

There's no single answer to "how much does moving house cost" — it depends on how far you're going, how much you own, and how many professionals you bring in along the way. But most people underestimate it by a wide margin, because the costs that add up fastest aren't the obvious ones.

Here's a realistic breakdown of where the money actually goes.

Removals: the biggest variable cost

Removals is usually the single largest line item, and the range is huge — a small local move might cost a few hundred pounds, while a large family home moving a long distance can run well into four figures. The variables that move the price most: distance, volume of belongings, and whether you need packing done for you or you're doing it yourself.

The easiest way to get a realistic figure for your specific move is to compare quotes rather than guess. Compare removal quotes through AnyVan — you'll get a proper price based on your actual move, not a national average that may not apply to you.

EPC certificates: small cost, legal requirement

If you're selling, you're legally required to have a valid Energy Performance Certificate before your property goes on the market. This is a fixed, relatively small cost — but it's one people sometimes leave too late, which can hold up a sale.

Get your EPC certificate sorted early so it's not a last-minute scramble when a buyer's ready to move.

Estate agent fees: often the largest single fee, if you're selling

Estate agent commission is typically a percentage of your sale price, which means on an average UK house price, this fee alone can dwarf everything else on this list combined. It's worth comparing agents rather than going with the first one you speak to — fees and service levels vary more than people expect.

Compare estate agents and get a feel for realistic local fees before you commit to one.

Storage: easy to forget, sometimes essential

If there's a gap between moving out and moving in — a delayed completion, a chain hold-up, downsizing before you've decided what to keep — storage becomes a real cost, and one people rarely budget for in advance.

Check storage costs near you if there's any chance of a gap in your timeline.

The cost people forget entirely: getting your mortgage right

This isn't a cost in the traditional sense, but getting mortgage advice early can save or cost you thousands depending on the rate and product you end up with — which makes it arguably the single biggest financial decision in the whole move, bigger than removals, agents, and storage combined.

This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice. A mortgage is a loan secured against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it.

Putting it together

There's no getting around it: moving house costs more than most people plan for, mostly because it's several separate costs landing at once rather than one big bill. The best defence against the surprise isn't avoiding the costs — it's knowing what's coming and comparing your options for each one, rather than accepting the first price you're quoted.