Knowing average moving costs will help you budget and plan the most cost-effective way of moving home

Average Moving Costs in 2023

  • Expect to pay somewhere between £80 and £100 per man per hour for hiring 2 men and a van
  • Be ready to shell out around £40£45 per hour for an additional pair of hands
  • 1-bedroom home! The average removal cost for a 1 bedroom flat or house is about £850. If you hire professional packers, expect to pay about £275.
  • 2-bedroom home! The average removal costs for a 2 bedroom flat or house are approximately £1500, with packing services estimated at an extra £475.
  • 3-bedroom home! The average 3 bedroom house removal costs are around £1850, while professional packing will cost you another £775.
  • 4-bedroom home! The approximate removal costs for moving out of a 4-bedroom house will be roughly £3000, excluding professional packing services which will go around £975.

Read on to discover what extra charges you may incur, how moving locally or across the country affects those average prices, and finally how to find a good removal firm to help you with your move.

Average values can be rather tricky, don’t you think?

Just a quick example: if your neighbour has two cars and you have none, then on average you both have one car each. Now that’s not very fair, is it?

Well, to be fair, statistics were never meant to be fair in the first place. Rather, the basic idea behind statistical data is to give you an overall idea of how things are right now, how things have been in recent years, and more importantly – how those very things have changed with time.

If you happen to be getting ready to move house soon, then knowing the average removal costs will help you get a preliminary idea of what to expect when the time comes for you to pay for the professional removal services you have received.

However, unless a trustworthy removal company gives you a written estimate of the removal costs, there’s no way you can possibly know the exact sum you will pay in the end.

Still, until you reach that period of comparing moving quotes, being well aware of the average cost of moving house will help you on several different levels.

Cost Estimator

Enter route details for best prices

Save up to 40% off moving costs.
Save up to 40% off moving costs.

Save time and money on your move

Save up to 40% on your upcoming move and get a quote from reputable moving experts.

As Featured On:

as seen in

Average removal costs when moving locally

Local home moves can be just as complicated as cross country moves

Okay, let’s get straight to the point: How much do removal companies charge?

Without a doubt, this is the number one riddle that has been puzzling the majority of people who are expecting a house move anytime soon.

And if you’ve been asking yourself that same question, then at least one thing is clear: you have abandoned any false hopes of organizing and executing a successful house move without any professional assistance.

Here are the top 10 things you need to know about average house removal costs for local moves (moving within the same city or moving to a neighbouring city or county):

  • Local removals! Some local removal firms will charge more for the same type of service than others without necessarily guaranteeing better service or a more professional attitude.
  • Location! The average removal costs will vary from city to city – the average cost of moving in London, for example, will tend to be (a bit) higher than the price in a smaller town away from the capital city.
  • By the hour! Local removal companies charge on an hourly basis but they may also charge you a flat fee for an additional service. Expect to pay somewhere between £80 and £100 per hour for hiring 2 men and a van.
  • Extra help! Each additional worker will cost you extra money, of course. Be ready to shell out around £40£45 per hour for an additional pair of hands. Under ideal conditions, more helpers will complete the relocation job faster.

Good to know:

  • Packing supplies! The packing materials may or may not be included in the hourly charge for packing, so you need to clear that up with your professional partner. Don’t forget to request a cost estimate (additional services and their fees included!) to avoid unpleasant surprises later.
  • 2-hour minimum! Yes, local removal companies in the UK usually charge a 2-hour minimum charge to stay protected from supermini moves that may not justify their time and efforts.
  • Travel fee! Expect to be also billed for the time needed for the removal men to reach your home from their place of operation. Most of the time, that fee equals one hour of standard labour but you shouldn’t rely on that either.
  • Extra charges! Knowing the average house removal costs is useful but moving house can be complicated and unpredictable at the same time. And the more complicated and unpredictable the relocation process is, the more money you are likely to pay to cover the extra expenses. Too many stairs, too great a distance to the moving van, and too many heavy or bulky items to carry are just a small number of reasons you may incur extra charges.
  • Removal costs estimator! Again, the typical removal costs in the UK could end up being rather tricky for you simply because your house move is unique in terms of conditions, characteristics, and challenges. Don’t get tempted to calculate your removals costs by yourself! Instead, let experienced moving experts do it for you with the price accuracy you need.

For quick and effortless removal costs estimation, try our removal costs estimator. It is free to use and you are under obligation to hire the movers that contact you.


Average removal costs when moving long-distance

Long-distance home moves are nearly always better done by a professional removal company

How much does it cost to move house long distance?

  • 1-bedroom home! The average removal cost for a 1 bedroom flat or house is about £850. If you hire professional packers, expect to pay about £275.
  • 2-bedroom home! The average removal costs for a 2 bedroom flat or house are approximately £1500, with packing services estimated at an extra £475.
  • 3-bedroom home! The average 3 bedroom house removal costs are around £1850, while professional packing will cost you another £775.
  • 4-bedroom home! The approximate removal costs for moving out of a 4-bedroom house will be roughly £3000, excluding professional packing services which will go around £975.

If your move falls outside the range of a local move, then the average removal costs become, all of a sudden, much more complicated to calculate.

The important thing to remember when you’re moving across the country is the way the final cost will be estimated. And then, once you are familiar with the way the removal cost is formed, you will be able to take advantage of clever methods of reducing the costs as you prepare for the big day.

What is the average cost of removal companies if you’re moving long-distance? Here’s what you need to know in the first place:

  • Long-distance removals! Of course, some cross-country removals charge more but the question of all questions is whether they will offer better services than their competitor.
  • Price formation! The average moving costs for cross-country moves depend on a few essential factors: move distance, how much stuff you are moving, specialty items, and additional services.
  • Move distance! The longer the distance between the two homes, the higher the transportation costs will be. However, you have no control over the move distance so focus on the rest of the moving cost formation factors.
  • The total number of things being moved! Reduce the number of items you’re moving and your removal cost will be cut drastically too. This is one of the very best cost-saving techniques you must use to your advantage. Seriously, take only what you will really need and will use in the future!
  • Specialty items! It’s easy to guess that if you want to have your piano moved, you will need to dig deeper into your pockets. Items that are heavy such as pianos or billiard tables, or that are bulky such as beds and wardrobes, or very valuable such as antique furniture will increase the average cost of moving house.
  • Additional services! If you wish to have your prized possessions packed by professional packers, you will pay more. The same goes for any type of extra service you request – furniture disassembly and re-assembly, unpacking, temporary storage, and so on.
  • Only average values! The approximate moving costs above are just that – approximate. They can be useful as reference points but it’s important you understand that the cost of your house move will most likely differ substantially. Again, the exact move distance, total shipment size, special circumstances, and accessorial removal services will have the last say.
  • Case-by-case nature! There are so many question marks surrounding your long-distance move that only professional removal companies can calculate your specific removal costs. Do not hesitate to request accurate moving quotes from a few reputable and affordable removals. You can use our removal cost estimator from the top of the page to get that all-important initial contact with experienced removal companies near you.
  • Comparison! Compare carefully the removal prices you have received before making your final decision. Do not make the mistake of looking blindly at the quoted prices but try to see whether the rest of the stated terms and conditions are agreeable to you. Pay special attention to the additional services included in the quotes.

Must-reads:

How to find cheap removals in the UK

Always get a home moving survey done so that the removal team knows exactly what is being moved and can therefore give you an accurate estimate of your moving costs.

As you’ve noticed, the typical cost of removal firms can vary greatly depending on a score of factors such as type of removal company, availability, time of year, move distance, move size, requested services, and so on.

Still, it’s finding the right removal company for you that matters the most. For example, some removals are more willing to make certain discounts for their customers.

All in all, it’s the overall affordability of the professionals that will play a major role in helping you move house for less money.

You may like to read: How to Pick a Good Removal Company: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide. In this guide, we take a real-life example of trying to find a good removal company and guide you through every step of the process.

For even more money-saving tips visit our home moving blog where we have a library of guides that will make your home move cheaper, easier, and less stressful.

Ready to get a free quote for your move?

Answer a few questions, compare quotes and receive competitive price estimates.

Request a moving quote

More about the author

Share your thoughts by leaving a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Do you need help with your upcoming move? Call now +1 (800) 680-6439 +1 (800) 680-6439
Get a free quote and moving consultation. We are available 24/7.
Find Movers
Get a Quote
Click to call +1 (800) 680-6439*

*At RemovalReviews we will connect you with a professional moving company. Please note that we may not be affiliated with and you may be speaking with another licensed provider.

Best removals nearby