How Much Does a Removal Company Cost?
The average removal company cost in the UK ranges from £300 for a studio flat moving a short distance to over £4,800 for a large 5-bedroom home moving nationally. Most households moving a 3-bedroom property within 30–70 miles pay between £1,200 and £1,850.
Prices have increased modestly, driven by fuel costs, van hire inflation, and higher crew wages. Using Moving Merchant to get a competitive, matched quote remains the single most effective way to keep costs down — our customers save an average of £390.
💡 Quick answer: Expect to pay £400–£600 for a 1-bed flat, £800–£1,200 for a 2-bed house, £1,200–£1,900 for a 3-bed house, and £2,000–£3,500 for a 4–5-bed house for a typical regional move (20–70 miles).
Average Removal Company Costs by Property Size
Property size — measured by the volume of items to move, not just bedrooms — is the biggest single driver of removal pricing. These averages are based on a standard 20–70 mile move:
| Property Type | Average Cost | Typical Range | Van Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / bedsit | £320 | £230 – £480 | Small van |
| 1-bedroom flat | £465 | £320 – £650 | Small/medium van |
| 2-bedroom house | £850 | £600 – £1,200 | Medium van |
| 3-bedroom house | £1,350 | £950 – £1,900 | Large van or small truck |
| 4-bedroom house | £2,050 | £1,500 – £2,800 | Large truck |
| 5-bedroom house | £2,950 | £2,100 – £4,300 | Large truck + crew |
| 6+ bedrooms | £4,000+ | £3,000 – £6,000+ | Multiple trucks |
*Based on Moving Merchant partner data. Prices include loading, transit, and unloading. Packing materials and packing service are extra.
Removal Costs by Distance
Distance is the second biggest cost factor. These figures are for a 3-bedroom house — scale up or down based on your property size:
| Distance Band | 3-Bed Estimate | Example Route |
|---|---|---|
| Under 10 miles (local) | £900 – £1,350 | Moving within a city |
| 10–30 miles | £1,050 – £1,550 | Town to nearby town |
| 30–70 miles (regional) | £1,200 – £1,900 | City to adjacent county |
| 70–150 miles | £1,600 – £2,400 | Birmingham to Bristol |
| 150–300 miles | £2,000 – £3,200 | London to Leeds |
| 300+ miles (national) | £2,600 – £4,800 | London to Edinburgh |
Removal Costs by UK Location
Your starting location affects cost significantly. Removal companies in London and the South East face higher overheads — ULEZ charges, parking fees, and congestion — which are passed on to customers.
| Location | 2-Bed House (avg) | vs. National Average |
|---|---|---|
| London (inner) | £1,010 | +19% |
| London (outer) | £870 | +2% |
| South East | £890 | +5% |
| South West | £840 | -1% |
| East of England | £810 | -5% |
| East Midlands | £800 | -6% |
| West Midlands | £820 | -3% |
| Yorkshire & Humber | £780 | -8% |
| North West | £790 | -7% |
| North East | £745 | -12% |
| Scotland | £800 | -6% |
| Wales | £770 | -9% |
Cost of Additional Removal Services
Many removal companies offer optional extras — these can add significant value but also increase your total bill. Always clarify what's included in the base quote:
| Additional Service | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing service | £350 – £800+ | Packers box up every item in the property |
| Part packing (fragiles only) | £120 – £350 | Professionals pack breakables, you pack the rest |
| Packing materials supply only | £60 – £180 | Boxes, tape, bubble wrap, paper delivered |
| Furniture dismantling & reassembly | £60 – £250 | Flat-pack beds, wardrobes, desks |
| Short-term storage (per week) | £25 – £90 | Depends on volume of goods stored |
| Long-term storage (per month) | £55 – £220+ | Container-based or warehouse storage |
| Piano removal | £220 – £900 | Specialist equipment and trained crew essential |
| Antiques / artwork / hot tub | £80 – £600+ | Custom crating or specialist handling required |
| Overnight storage / split move | £150 – £400 | When completion day delays require overnight storage |
Free Removal Cost Estimator
Get a ballpark figure before you request quotes. Bear in mind this is an estimate — comparing actual quotes from local companies will give you a far more accurate price.
🧮 Estimate Your Removal Cost
What's Included in a Removal Company Quote?
A standard removal quote should include:
- Pre-move survey (virtual or in-person) to assess volume
- Loading of all items from your current property
- Transit in an appropriately sized, insured vehicle
- Unloading at your new property, placed in your preferred rooms
- Goods in transit insurance (check the value and exclusions)
Not typically included: packing materials, packing service, disassembly, specialist item handling, storage, or parking/congestion charges at either end.
What Factors Affect Removal Company Costs?
- Volume of belongings: The more you have, the larger the van and the bigger the crew needed.
- Move distance: Fuel, driver time, and vehicle wear all increase with distance.
- Access difficulties: Narrow roads, no parking, stairs, no lift, long carry distances — all add crew time.
- Move date: Friday moves, month-end moves, and school holiday weeks attract a premium of 10–20%.
- Extras requested: Packing, storage, piano moves, and antique handling add directly to the bill.
- Location surcharges: London ULEZ (£12.50/day), Congestion Charge (£15/day), and restricted parking permits all add cost.
- How far in advance you book: Last-minute bookings (under 2 weeks) can cost 20–35% more.
How to Save Money on Your Removal
- Use a comparison service — the most effective saving strategy by far. Moving Merchant compares prices from our verified partner network and sends you one great, tailored quote.
- Move midweek — Tuesday to Thursday moves are typically 10–20% cheaper than Friday.
- Move mid-month — end-of-month is peak demand as completions cluster around this time.
- Declutter before the survey — volume drives cost; a car boot sale or tip run can reduce your quote.
- Pack yourself — DIY packing saves £120–£800 vs a professional packing service.
- Book early — premium companies get booked 8–12 weeks ahead in summer; early booking also secures better rates.
- Ask about combined loads — some companies consolidate local moves into shared vehicles at a discounted rate.
⚠️ Beware of rogue traders: Always check that your removal company is a member of the British Association of Removers (BAR) or Removals Industry Ombudsman Scheme (RIOS). This guarantees a code of conduct, pre-move surveys, and a dispute resolution process.
When Should I Book a Removal Company?
We recommend getting quotes 6–8 weeks before your planned move date. However, don't confirm and pay until your solicitor has confirmed the exchange of contracts, as completion dates can change. A reputable company will offer a no-fee date-change policy up until a week before the move.
During peak periods (June–September, school holidays, month-ends), popular local removal companies can be fully booked 10–12 weeks ahead. Start researching early even if you can't yet commit.
Does My Home Insurance Cover Removals?
Standard contents insurance does not cover items in transit during a house move. All reputable removal companies carry goods-in-transit insurance, but check:
- The maximum value per item and overall claim limit
- Whether items you packed yourself are covered (many policies exclude self-packed items)
- Whether high-value items (jewellery, art, antiques) require a separate declaration
Alternatively, specialist moving insurance policies are available from around £15 for a one-bed flat and cover items you pack yourself.