How much do removals cost in the UK?
A plain guide to removal prices, and what changes them.
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Removal prices depend on how much you are moving, how far, how many people are needed and when. These ranges are for local moves and are a guide only.
Typical removal costs
| Move type | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Man and van, London (per hour) | £40 to £80 |
| Man and van, outside London (per hour) | £30 to £70 |
| Single item or a few boxes | £45 to £90 |
| Studio or 1-bed flat | £250 to £500 |
| 2-bed home | £400 to £800 |
| 3-bed house | £600 to £1,200 |
| 4-bed house | £900 to £1,800 |
| Small office | From £500 |
What changes the price
- Volume: more furniture and boxes means a bigger van or more trips.
- Distance: long distance moves cost more because of time and fuel.
- Access: stairs, no lift, long carries and difficult parking add time.
- Date: Fridays, weekends and month ends cost more and book up first.
- Extras: packing, dismantling, storage and insurance upgrades.
- Charges: the London Congestion Charge applies in a central zone, ULEZ covers all London boroughs, and some cities have clean air zones. Ask whether charges are included.
How to pay less
- Move midweek and mid-month.
- Declutter before you get quotes.
- Do your own packing.
- Compare at least three quotes.
- Send accurate details and photos so quotes do not change on the day.
Costs where you live
See local pages for London boroughs, Surrey and UK cities.
How removal companies work out a price
Removal prices are built from a small number of things: labour (the number of people and the hours), the vehicle and fuel, the materials, the insurance and the company's overheads and profit. A company estimates how long the job takes, which depends on how much you are moving, how easily they can get it in and out and how far they have to drive. If you give two removal companies different information, you will see different prices, which is why it helps to describe the move in the same way to each one.
Price guide by type of move
These ranges are for local moves and are only a guide. Your quotes will show the real price for your move.
| Move | Usual crew and vehicle | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Single item or a few boxes | 1 person, small van | £45 to £90 |
| Man and van, London (per hour) | 1 or 2 people, small to Luton van | £40 to £80 |
| Man and van, outside London (per hour) | 1 or 2 people | £30 to £70 |
| Studio or 1-bed flat | 2 people, medium or large van | £250 to £500 |
| 2-bed home | 2 to 3 people, Luton van | £400 to £800 |
| 3-bed house | 3 people, 7.5 tonne lorry | £600 to £1,200 |
| 4-bed house | 3 to 4 people, 7.5 tonne lorry | £900 to £1,800 |
| Small office | Crew and vehicle by survey | From £500 |
Prices are higher in central London and in busy periods and can be lower elsewhere or for a flexible date. Long distance, international and specialist moves are priced separately. For city-by-city detail see removal cost by city and how much removals cost in London.
The eight factors that change the price most
- Volume. The amount you move decides the vehicle and the time.
- Distance. Long journeys cost more for fuel, time and tolls.
- Access. Stairs, no lift, long carries and difficult parking add time.
- Date and time. Fridays, weekends, month ends and school holidays are dearer.
- Packing. A packing service adds to the price, and the materials too.
- Dismantling and reassembly. Beds, wardrobes and desks take time.
- Specialist items. Pianos, safes, large appliances and artwork may need extra people or equipment.
- Insurance level. Higher cover can add to the price.
What full packing adds
The prices above are for a move where you pack yourself. A full packing service, with materials, usually adds a few hundred pounds for a one or two-bedroom home and more for a larger one, because packers and materials are charged on top. A partial service for the kitchen and breakables is a popular middle option. Ask each company to price the move with and without packing, so you can compare. See packing service costs.
Local, regional and long distance pricing
Local moves of a short distance are usually priced as a half day or a full day for a crew and a vehicle. Longer moves are usually priced by the volume of your belongings and the distance, so they are quoted as a fixed price. As a rule of thumb, once the journey is long enough that the crew cannot finish and return in a working day, the price moves to a distance-based model and may include an overnight stay. See long distance removals.
It is volume, not bedrooms
Bedrooms are a convenient label, but companies price on the volume of belongings. A loft full of boxes, a garage, a shed, a big garden or a lot of books can double the load of an otherwise small house. A survey, in person or by video, is the most reliable way to a fixed price, and it is also the reason some larger companies ask to survey before giving a final figure.
Packing and insurance
Packing services are priced by the day or the hour, plus materials. If you pack yourself, ask the company how its insurance treats items you packed, as cover can be limited for self-packed boxes. Look for companies that are members of a trade body such as the British Association of Removers, which can offer a code of practice and, for some members, a payment protection scheme. Ask the company to confirm what applies to your booking.
Costs people forget
The removal quote is only part of the cost of moving. You may also pay for parking suspensions, cleaning, storage, redirection of post, deposits, utility connections and overlapping rent or bills. In London there may be Congestion Charge or Ultra Low Emission Zone charges for the vehicle, so check Transport for London for the current rules. If you are buying, there are legal costs and Stamp Duty, which are separate. Our guides on the true cost of moving house, cost of moving house, Stamp Duty and moving costs and costs of moving into a rented home help you build a full budget.
Fixed price or hourly?
A fixed price gives you certainty and is easiest to compare. An hourly rate can be cheaper for a small, well-prepared job, but the total depends on the time. If a quote is hourly, ask for the minimum hours, how the time is counted and whether there is a cap. If a quote is fixed, ask what could change it.
How to lower the cost
- Declutter before you ask for quotes.
- Move midweek and mid-month if you can.
- Pack and dismantle yourself where it is safe to do so.
- Give accurate access details so the company does not add time.
- Compare several quotes for the same job.
See how to save money when you move house and cheap removals.
Why the same move gets different quotes
Different companies have different costs, different spare capacity, different assumptions and different standards. A company that is quiet next Tuesday may price lower than one that is full. A company that plans for a bigger crew will cost more but may finish faster. This is why comparing three to five quotes is so useful. It shows you the range and helps you spot the quote that does not belong.
Common questions
Is a man and van cheaper than a removal company?
For small moves, usually yes. For a full house, a removal team can be quicker and safer, and the total price can be similar.
Are removal quotes fixed?
Some are fixed and some are estimates. Ask whether the quote is fixed, and what could change it.
How much does it cost to move a 3-bedroom house?
As a rough guide for a local move, £600 to £1,200, depending on the volume, the access, the date and the services. Packing, storage and long distances add to the price.
Do removal prices include VAT?
Not always. Some companies quote with VAT and some without. Ask whether the price includes VAT, as the difference can be significant.
Is a fixed price better than an hourly rate?
A fixed price gives certainty and is easier to compare. An hourly rate can be fair for small jobs but depends on how long the job takes.
Do removal companies charge for parking?
Sometimes. If a parking suspension or a parking charge is needed, ask who pays and who arranges it. In London there may be other vehicle charges too.
Why do removals cost more on Fridays?
Many people want to move at the end of the week and the month, so demand is higher and companies charge more. Midweek and mid-month are usually cheaper.
