When you move house, the removal costs can add up very quickly.
It’s thus useful to understand how these are priced.
If you’re attempting a move with a budget in mind, then this one’s for you.
Here’s a guide to removal fees in 2025.
Average UK removal fees
The average price of removals for a 3-bedroom house over a distance of 50 miles is around £1,700.
If you opt for additional services like packing and furniture dismantling, this cost rises to around £1,900.
If your move is nearby – such as only a couple of streets away – then removal companies might charge on an hourly basis.
You can expect a minimum charge for two hours of service and at least two removal staff members for local moves.
The final cost will then increase based on the duration of your move and the number of staff required.
What impacts the price of removal?
Size of your house
The number of items that must be moved greatly affects your price. This is almost always correlated to the size of your house.
It’s rare for removal companies to count each item.
Instead, they’ll visit your house and determine how many rooms there are. Larger houses usually pay a higher price. More on this further below.
Distance you’re moving
The further away your new house is, the more you’ll pay for removal.
For a three-bedroom house, removal costs around £1,675 on average over 15 miles.
But over 200 miles, you can expect this to increase to £1,950 or more.
Removal company you use
Every removal company charges in their own unique way. You should consider this in your budget.
Some organisations charge an hourly rate, while others have a fixed fee based on the size of your house and the distance you’re travelling.
Companies charge extra for add-on services, while others include this as part of their overall price.
It’s thus important that you get several independent quotations before deciding.
Extra services
You can pay a removal company to provide extra services if needed.
Common examples include:
- Handling fragile items
- Dismantling
- Reassembling furniture
- Cleaning your old and new house.
Access issues
Difficult access to your property, like narrow streets or no parking zones, can increase costs due to the additional time and effort required.
Make sure removal companies know this ahead of time so they can plan accordingly.
Time of year
Your removal company will charge less during quiet periods. But during the busiest months, your price will undoubtedly go up.
August is the busiest month to move house, with Friday being the most popular day.
Meanwhile, January is the quietest month and Sunday is the least popular day.
Price of packing materials
Lots of people presume that you need boxes when moving. This isn’t always true, and many learn this the hard way.
Using suitable packing materials will ensure your belongings remain safe and secure during a move.
Types of packing materials
Some of the most common types of packing materials include:
- Boxes
- Bubble Wrap
- Packing Tape
- Labelling Materials.
The cost of packing materials can vary based on the quality and quantity required, but more importantly, where you choose to buy them from.
Assuming you’ll be purchasing from Amazon, the prices for each can be seen below.
Boxes
Typically, you’ll need ten large boxes for each room. So, you would need 60 boxes on the low end for a four-bedroom house.
This would cost roughly £120 based on prices from Amazon.
Bubble Wrap
Bubble wraps are sold in rolls in different sizes.
Prices can range from £10 – £30, depending on the length and quality, but on average, it will be around £15.
Packing tape and labelling material
Packing tape and labels will cost around £5 altogether.
Ideally, you should buy durable tape to keep the boxes firmly shut.
Where to buy them from?
Packing materials can be sourced from the removal company, local stores, or online.
The prices provided above are from Amazon at the time of writing.
You can also repurpose boxes, bags, and other materials to cut down on some costs.
Removal costs by size of property
The size of your property will have the most impact on the overall cost of your move.
This assumes that each room will have more belongings, resulting in a higher cost of moving.
One bedroom properties
Smaller properties like apartments or tiny houses will usually have fewer belongings.
The average cost of moving can range from £450 to £700.
Two-bedroom properties
Similarly, two-bedroom properties will have fewer belongings. The average cost for this would be around £650 to £900.
Three-bedroom properties
A standard family home with three bedrooms usually incurs higher costs due to the increased number of items.
The average moving cost is around £900 to £1,100.
Four-bedroom properties
Larger family homes require more extensive packing and moving services.
The average cost for a four-bedroom house can be around £1,100 to £1,400.
Five-bedroom properties and larger
For substantial properties, the cost can go upwards of £1,500.
These moves often require additional movers and possibly more than one moving vehicle..
Average removal costs by city
| City | Average Cost |
| London | £1,647 |
| Manchester | £1,406 |
| Bristol | £993 |
| Cardiff | £830 |
| Leeds | £1,111 |
Removal cost by distance
The distance of your move will significantly impact the overall cost that you will be expected to pay. Generally, longer distances result in higher prices due to the increased time and fuel required.
| Distance | 1-Bed Studio / apartment | 3-bedroom house | 5-bedroom house |
| 10-20 miles | £1,050 | £1,675 | £2,350 |
| 50 miles | £1,125 | £1,700 | £2,450 |
| 100 miles | £1,175 | £1,800 | £2,500 |
| 200 miles | £1,400 | £1,950 | £2,650 |
| 300 miles | £1,500 | £2,100 | £2,750 |
| 500 miles | £1,800 | £2,400 | £3,050 |
Tips for keeping removal costs down
Remove unwanted items before moving
Decluttering has many advantages, including significantly cutting moving costs.
Sell, donate, or dispose of things you no longer need before the move.
Get a few quotes
Request quotes from a few different removal companies.
Compare prices and services offered 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.
Scheduling your move for the middle of the week can result in lower rates.
Pack yourself
Suppose you’re able to pack your belongings yourself.
This saves 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
This allows you to take advantage of lower rates when a removal company has available slots. This will require planning.
