What is the Average Cost of Moving House in 2026?

Moving home is never going to be cheap, and that should not be your overriding priority.

Value for money, a stress-free moving experience, and peace of mind are far more important.

Of course, most things come down to price, so understanding what your moving costs are likely to be, and where you can sensibly and safely save money, is essential for budgeting and preventing any nasty moving day surprises.

On average:

• Moving a 1–2 bedroom home costs £950–£1,800 + VAT
• Moving a 3–4 bedroom home costs £1,600–£4,500 + VAT

These are just averages, and your move could be cheaper or more expensive depending upon distance, access, packing services, and the volume of belongings.

In this guide, we explain what affects pricing, and show you how to save money without sacrificing a stress-free move.

You may also like to read: Is Moving Home Cheaply a False Economy or Not? Of course, you want to move home as cheaply as possible, but when the safety of all your worldly possessions is at stake, is now the time to be cutting corners? In this guide, we look at various ways you can save money moving home and whether those shortcuts are a false economy or not.

What is the Average Cost of Moving Home?

Let’s start with a breakdown based on current UK market rates.

1–2 Bedroom Home Moving Costs

Hiring a professional removals company:

• £950–£1,800 + VAT

Typical service options:

• 2 movers + Luton van (8 hours): ~£950–£1,200 + VAT
• 3 movers + Luton van (8 hours): ~£1,300–£1,800 + VAT

Packing services:

• 1-bedroom: £300–£550
• 2-bedroom: £500–£700

DIY moving costs:

• Luton van hire: £130–£180 + VAT per day
• Equipment hire (trolleys, straps): £80–£120
• Packing materials: £80–£150

Whilst a DIY move looks cheaper, this can be a false economy for many people once fuel, time, and risk are factored in.

You may also like to read: What are the Average Costs of Moving a 1 or 2-Bedroom Home? In this guide, we look at the average cost of a small home move in more detail.

3–4 Bedroom Home Moving Costs

Professional removals:

• £1,600–£4,500 + VAT

Packing services:

• £500–£1,100

DIY large move costs:

• 7.5-tonne lorry hire: £420–£500 + VAT/day
• Insurance (damage waiver): £25–£40
• Specialist GPS hire: £15–£30
• Packing materials: £120–£200

Larger homes often require 2 days or multiple vehicles, which significantly increases costs.

You may also like to read: What is the Average Cost of a 3 or 4-Bedroom Home Move? In this guide, we take a more in-depth look at the average costs of a larger home move.

Local vs Long-Distance Moving Costs

Local Moves (Under 50–100 Miles)

Average costs for a 3-bedroom home:

• £1,600–£2,400

Typical UK routes:

• London → Milton Keynes: £1,700–£2,400
• Birmingham → Oxford: £1,600–£2,000
• Glasgow → Edinburgh: £1,600–£1,800
• Cardiff → Swansea: £1,650–£2,000

Hourly rates (e.g. London):

• 2 men + van: £90–£110/hour (minimum 2–3 hours)

Long-Distance Moves (100+ Miles)

Average starting costs:

• 1-bedroom: £1,200+
• 2-bedroom: £1,700+
• 3-bedroom: £2,100+
• 4-bedroom: £3,200+

When moving long-distance, it almost always makes sense to hire professional removal companies due to logistics, fuel, and time.

You may also like to read: What to Know When Hiring a Removal Company for the First Time. If you have never hired a removal company before, then this is essential reading. In this guide, we discover what removal companies do, what extra services they offer, how to prepare for moving day, and how to avoid moving day scams.

What Affects the Cost of Moving Home?

Several factors influence your final quote:

• Volume of belongings: More items require a larger vehicle, more staff, and more time.

• Distance: Fuel, driver time, and possible overnight stays will all add to costs.

• Timing: Peak season (May–September) attracts higher prices. Whilst Fridays and end-of-month moves are the most expensive

• Access issues: No parking, stairs instead of lifts, and poor access can all increase labour time and costs.

• Specialist items: Such pianos, antiques, large furniture, and artwork requiring crates will cost extra.

You may also like to read: What Do Removal Companies Do? In this guide, we look at the various services that removal companies offer that will make your home move easier and less stressful.

Should You Hire a Removal Company?

In most cases, yes.

While a DIY move might seem cheaper, hiring professionals offers:

• Faster and more efficient moving day
• Reduced risk of damage
• Less physical and mental stress
• Insurance protection

When a removal company is essential:

• Long-distance moves
• Large homes (3+ bedrooms)
• Tight timelines
• Valuable or heavy items

You may also like to read: Do I Need a Removal Company or a Man and a Van? In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of hiring a removal company vs a man and a van and help you decide which would be best for your particular home move.

How to Choose the Best Removal Company for You

Not all movers are equal. Here’s what to look for:

Industry accreditation

Choose companies registered with:

• British Association of Removers (BAR)

In-home surveys

Avoid quotes given only over the phone as they’re rarely accurate.

Transparent pricing

Make sure you understand:

• VAT
• Extra charges
• Insurance coverage

Reviews and reputation

Check trusted UK review platforms before booking.

Warning: Extremely cheap quotes can be a red flag for scams or hidden fees.

Is Moving House Cheaply a False Economy?

In many cases, yes.

Cutting corners can lead to:

• Damaged belongings
• Delays on moving day
• Higher costs later

The goal isn’t just to move cheaply; it’s to move safely, efficiently, and with minimal stress.

Budget for a Stress-Free Move

The average cost of moving house in the UK continues to rise, but so does the value of a hassle-free move.

Quick recap:

• 1–2 bed move: £950–£1,800
• 3–4 bed move: £1,600–£4,500
• Long-distance: £1,200–£3,200+

Remember, your focus should be on value for money, not just the lowest price.

You may also like to read: How to Pick a Good Removal Company. The Ultimate Sep-by-Step Guide. Choosing the right removal firm for your home move is so important that we have written a step-by-step guide using a real-life example of the complete process of picking your moving partner.

Good luck with your home move, and be sure to visit our home moving blog, which is packed with tips on how to make your home move better value for money, easier, and safer.

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