Average Cost of Moving House in the UK

There’s no single figure that covers every move. The average cost of moving house depends on your property value, your mortgage, and who you use.

As a rough guide, if you’re buying and selling at the same time in the UK, your total moving costs can comfortably exceed £10,000. For a first-time buyer purchasing without a sale, it’s typically lower but still significant.

Using a moving cost calculator gives you a personalised estimate rather than a generic average cost, which is far more useful when you’re actually planning your budget.

A Detailed Breakdown of Moving Costs

Your costs involved fall into three main areas.

Buying costs: stamp duty, survey fees, legal fees, mortgage fees, lender valuation, buildings insurance.

Selling costs: estate agent fees, legal fees, energy performance certificates.

Other moving costs: removal company fees, mail redirection, bubble wrap and packing materials, storage, cleaning.

Buying a House: Costs to Budget For

Here’s a breakdown of the main costs involved when buying a house in the UK.

Stamp Duty

Stamp duty is often the largest single cost when buying a house. How much you pay depends on the purchase price, whether you’re a first-time buyer, and whether it’s an additional property. Stamp duty costs can range from nothing to several thousand pounds. – Calculate stamp duty here >

In Northern Ireland the same rates apply as England and Wales, though Scotland uses its own system. It’s one of the first things to calculate when estimating your total buying costs.

Survey Costs

A survey helps identify structural issues before you commit to a purchase and can help you negotiate a better price if problems come up.

There are three main options. A condition report is a basic overview suited to newer properties. A homebuyer report is the most common choice for standard houses. A building survey is the most thorough option, recommended for older properties or where structural issues are a concern.

Survey costs typically range from £400 to over £1,000. It’s worth comparing local assessors’ prices to get the best price for your situation.

Legal Fees and Conveyancing Costs

Conveyancing solicitors handle the legal work involved in buying a house. Your legal fees will cover the solicitor’s main fee, search fees, Land Registry fees, and bank transfer charges. Conveyancing costs typically sit between £800 and £1,500 for a standard purchase. If you’re buying a leasehold property, expect additional charges.

It pays to compare quotes from conveyancing solicitors as their services and fees vary more than most people expect.

Mortgage Fees

Depending on your deal, your lender may charge an arrangement fee, a valuation fee, or both. Arrangement fees can range from a few hundred to over £1,000 and can usually be added to your mortgage; however, you’ll pay interest on that amount over the full term.

Choosing the right mortgage isn’t just about finding the lowest mortgage rates. The overall cost including all fees is what matters. At YesCanDo Money, our mortgage advice is completely fee-free, so that’s one less cost to worry about.

Your Deposit

A bigger deposit means access to better mortgage rates and more choice from your lender. As a rough guide, a 5% deposit gets you on the ladder with fewer options, while a large deposit of 20% or more unlocks the most competitive deals and better mortgage rates. If you’re moving home, you’ll typically use equity from your current sale to fund your deposit.

Buildings Insurance and Contents Insurance

Most lenders require buildings insurance in place from exchange of contracts. Contents insurance covers your belongings and is worth budgeting for separately, especially when moving into a new house with valuable items.

Selling a Property: Key Costs to Know

Here’s a breakdown of the main costs involved when selling a house in the UK.

Estate Agent Fees

Estate agent fees are typically the biggest cost when selling. Most house estate agents charge between 1% and 3% of the sale price including VAT. On a £300,000 property, that’s between £3,000 and £9,000. Comparing estate agent fees and negotiating where possible can save you a meaningful amount of money.

Legal Fees When Selling

You’ll also need conveyancing solicitors when selling. Legal fees for selling are usually lower than buying but still need to be budgeted for. Additional charges may apply for leasehold property.

Energy Performance Certificate

An energy performance certificate is a legal requirement before marketing your property. Energy performance certificates cost between £60 and £120 and are valid for ten years. Arrange yours early through a local assessor so it doesn’t delay your sale.

Other Moving Costs to Factor In

Once your sale and purchase are agreed, there are still the practical costs of physically moving to think about.

Removal Company

Removal company costs depend on the size of your property, distance, and how much you’re moving. Getting at least three quotes helps you compare quotes and get a fair price. Booking early, especially for a popular moving day such as a Friday, can also save money.

Mail Redirection

Setting up mail redirection to your new address gives you time to update your details with banks, companies, and services without missing anything. Royal Mail redirection typically costs £35 to £75 depending on the duration.

Costs People Forget

A few other moving costs regularly catch people out: bubble wrap and packing materials, storage if timings don’t align, cleaning services, council tax overlap during the move, and time off work. Individually these are manageable but together they can add several hundred pounds.

Ongoing Costs After You Move

Once you’re in your new house, the costs don’t stop. You’ll need to budget for monthly mortgage payments, council tax, buildings insurance and contents insurance, utility bills, and ongoing maintenance. These aren’t one-off costs, but they’re just as important when working out what you can comfortably afford.