Moving house in London costs more than anywhere else in the UK — but there are proven ways to reduce the bill. Here's what London removals really cost and how to keep your costs down.
| Property Size | London–London Move | London–Outside M25 | London–North of England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bed flat | £300–£600 | £500–£900 | £700–£1,200 |
| 2-bedroom flat/house | £600–£1,000 | £900–£1,500 | £1,200–£2,000 |
| 3-bedroom house | £900–£1,500 | £1,400–£2,200 | £1,800–£3,000 |
| 4-bedroom house | £1,300–£2,200 | £2,000–£3,500 | £2,500–£4,500 |
| 5+ bedroom house | £2,000–£3,500+ | £3,000–£5,000+ | £4,000–£7,000+ |
Prices are indicative and include VAT. Actual quotes depend on volume, access, floor level, and services required.
If your move passes through or starts/ends in the Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ), the removal van will be charged £15 per day (Mon–Fri, 7am–6pm; Sat–Sun, 12pm–6pm).
Budget: £15–£30 depending on routing
Most large removal vans are non-compliant with ULEZ standards. The charge is £12.50 per day for non-compliant vehicles within the ULEZ boundary (now covering all of Greater London).
Budget: £12.50–£25. Ask your removal firm whether their fleet is ULEZ-compliant.
If you live on a permit-controlled street, you need to apply to your local council to suspend parking bays for the removal van. This costs £50–£200 per day depending on the borough.
Apply at least 10 working days before your move date.
Moving from a flat with a small lift or no lift adds significant time to the move. Many London removal companies charge a floor surcharge for moves above the 3rd floor.
Budget: £50–£200 extra depending on floor and lift access.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are the cheapest days. Avoid Fridays (most popular completion day) and Mondays — both command premium pricing.
June, July, August, and school holiday periods are the busiest and most expensive. Winter moves (November–February) are typically cheapest.
Price variation between London removal firms can be £300–£800 for the same move. Moving Merchant compares prices from our verified London partners and sends you one competitive, tailored quote.
The less you move, the smaller the van needed and the lower the cost. Donate, sell or skip items you don't want at the new property before the pre-move survey.
Professional packing adds £200–£800 to your quote. If you have time, packing your own boxes (starting weeks in advance) is the single easiest saving.
Supermarkets, off-licences, and Facebook Marketplace are good sources of free boxes. Use towels, bedding, and clothing as padding instead of buying bubble wrap.
Parking on double yellow lines in London results in fines — and the removal van blocked in a ticket situation costs time (and money). Apply for parking suspension 10+ days in advance.
Ask removal companies whether their fleet is ULEZ-compliant. A compliant van saves £12.50/day — and the firm won't need to pass the charge on to you.
For studio or 1-bed moves, student mover services or man-and-van operators can be 40–60% cheaper than full removal companies — provided the load is manageable.
If you're moving out of London, some removal firms can offer a discount if they have another booking on the same route — they load your goods as a return trip rather than driving empty.
💰 Typically £80–£400 for studio/1-bed
💰 From £600 for 2-bed, £900+ for 3-bed