You might be curious about the cost of moving if you're considering a move
The expenses are broken down.
Although moving is an exciting experience, it may also be the most costly thing you ever do.
Additionally, since stamp duty thresholds were lowered at the beginning of April 2025, moving has become more costly.
In reality, how much does it cost to move?
As the supply of real estate improves, house price growth has slowed recently.
However, this does not necessarily imply that moving is becoming less expensive.
The stamp duty thresholds for first-time buyers and home movers have decreased from 425,000 to 300,000 and 250,000 to 125,000, respectively, as of April 1.
It is anticipated that this will raise a home mover's property tax bill by an additional £2,000 on average.
Additionally, mortgage rates are still high, and it's not clear when interest rates will be lowered next to help bring down borrowing costs.
There are many other expenses to take into account.
Additionally, you'll need to account for survey fees, removal fees, estate agent costs, legal fees (be on the lookout for conveyancing delays, which can make moving even more stressful), and the cost of an energy performance certificate (EPC).
Regional differences are significant, and the cost of moving has increased by 14% in the last year, according to exclusive data for the BFIA provided by comparison website reallymoving.com.
We break down the cost of moving by region and the various fees.
The entire cost of relocating to a new residence.
According to a comparison website called Reallymoving, the price of moving, selling a home, and purchasing a new one was 13,978 at the end of 2024.
This comprises:
A total of 13,978 was spent on conveyancing, 2,002 surveys, 425 removals, 697 stamp duty, 6,250 estate agents, 4,544 EPC, and 60 dollars.
Lower stamp duty thresholds since the beginning of April, however, are expected to raise the price by an additional 2,000 on average, to £15,978.
According to Toby Leek, president of the estate agency trade association NAEA Propertymark, "the additional expense may be absorbed into the cost of properties, thereby increasing the total price slightly but staying within the reach of many people, particularly considering that new mortgage products are becoming more and more affordable, with sub-4 percent products currently on the market.
As we move into the summer months, which are typically busier for the housing market and give buyers and sellers more options, it should be possible for people to move home more freely or climb the ladder for the first time as things get better.
Leek cautioned, however, that aspirations to own a home are unrealistic, saying: "The increase in the required deposit amount, which is approximately 50,000 on average, is too far out of reach.
"The UK government must immediately review the stamp duty value bands to reflect average property prices and make sure that any existing or proposed first-time buyer assistance programs, such as savings ISAs, are accessible, appropriate, and take inflation in home prices into account.
Costs of moving vary by location.
According to trulymoving, the average moving expense in England is 13,978. At 10,051, Wales is not far behind. With average fees of 5,713 and 6,328, respectively, people in Scotland and Northern Ireland pay significantly less.
Because their stamp duty bills are larger due to higher house prices, Londoners pay the highest rates of any city. A startling £30,048 is the average price of buying and selling in the capital. In addition, London has the highest conveyancing costs, at 3,026 versus the UK average of 2,129.
The North-East is the most affordable area in the UK to move. Homeowners spend an average of £5,492.
Yorkshire and Humberside is the second-cheapest, with 8,225.
Advice on how to cut moving expenses.
Expenses for stamp duty.
You have little control over some moving expenses. For example, you cannot avoid stamp duty or shop around.
Stamp duty is now required on properties in England and Northern Ireland that cost more than £250,000, with first-time buyers paying £425,000.
Purchasers of real estate in Scotland are required to pay Land and Buildings Transaction Tax. Properties valued at over £145,000 are subject to the tax (175,000 if you're a first-time buyer).
Land Transaction Tax is levied in Wales on properties purchased for more than 225,000.
The only option available to you is to try to negotiate as much of the purchase price of the property as you can; if you are successful, you will save money on the property itself and your tax bill.
"Homeownership is not inexpensive, and regrettably, some of the largest expenses associated with relocating are unavoidable, like stamp duty and the mortgage deposit," says Alistair Singer, director of My Home Move Conveyancing.
You can, however, save money on other expenses like estate agency, moving, and conveyancing fees by doing some research. Obtaining more quotes from several trustworthy companies is always worthwhile.
What are the fees for an estate agent?
Estate agent fees are frequently the next largest expense after stamp duty. The average fee is 1 point 42 percent of the sale price, including VAT, according to HomeOwners Alliance.
Have multiple real estate brokers evaluate your house and go over costs. Remember that the cheapest real estate agent might not be the best if you want a speedy sale. Selecting two or even three real estate brokers to sell your house may be the quickest option, but keep in mind that it will cost more than using a single agent.
You should always ask if you can negotiate the estate agent fee. Some agents might charge a fixed fee, like £5,000, which might be less expensive than a percentage fee. A set fee, however, might encourage the estate agent to negotiate the best deal for you. For instance, they will try to get the best deal if they are paid 1 percent because that will increase their commission.
Using an online agent like PurpleBricks, Yopa, or emoov helps you save the most money on estate agent fees. The disadvantage is that you might have to handle price negotiations, listing creation, viewings, and taking your own property photos.
Moving expenses related to conveyancing.
The cost of legal fees can also significantly reduce your moving expenses. Although costs differ greatly by location, you are not required to use a conveyancer in your area. In the Midlands or north of England, a conveyancer could save Londoners, on average, over 1,000.
Since most conveyancing is completed online, this can work out well (make sure the conveyancer accepts online identification and that you don't need to physically visit their office). On the other hand, some people would rather deal with a nearby legal practice. If you are selling a leasehold apartment in London, for example, it might be simpler to work with a conveyancer in London who specializes in leasehold properties rather than a Yorkshire law firm that has little knowledge of leasehold apartments.
Ask friends for recommendations and compare prices using comparison sites like HomeOwners Alliance and Reallymoving. A competent conveyancer can ease the stressful process of moving.
"When it comes to things like conveyancing, it's not necessarily the lowest price that gets the best word-of-mouth recommendations," asserts Jonathan Stinton, head of mortgage relations at Coventry Building Society. When your ideal home is almost finished, a speedy and effective conveyancing procedure can be invaluable.
Removals. .
It is probable that the removals will be the next largest expense. The average in the UK is 658, but if you're moving a long distance or have a big house with lots of stuff to move, this number may be higher.
To save money, get several quotes, compare prices (by using comparison websites like Reallymoving and ComparemyMove), and ask friends for recommendations. Don't forget to read reviews on Trustpilot and Google.
Avoid peak times like the end of the summer holidays and try to relocate during slower times when there is less competition for services, like the days leading up to Christmas.
It makes sense to reserve your moving company in advance, according to Houghton, as this will help you budget your expenses. You can then confirm arrangements at the point of exchange to make sure the company can move you on the day you're finished. Since most people prefer to move on a Friday, some companies will provide midweek discounts to help keep prices low.
Survey.
In the UK, a survey typically costs £425, but in London, that price can reach £570.
According to Houghton, "don't be tempted to cut corners when it comes to a survey because buying a home is probably the largest and most important financial decision you'll ever make."
However, you can cut expenses by shopping around, comparing prices, and reading reviews using a comparison website.
According to Houghton, "A RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Report normally costs 495. Major problems like woodworm, Japanese knotweed, damp, subsidence, or roof issues can be found during surveys. These issues can be expensive to fix and may discourage you from purchasing the property or give you the opportunity to renegotiate the price.
The EPC.
Lastly, you need the Energy Performance Certificate in order to sell a property. This typically ranges from 35 to 120 (VAT included), depending on the assessor and property size. You can use Gov.uk to compare quotes and look for one in your area.
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