How to move home in 2026 without breaking the bank
The cost of moving house has hit a record high, putting additional strain on homeowners already struggling with the cost of living.
The latest Cost of Moving Report from home move comparison site reallymoving found homeowners buying and selling a property in 2025 had to pay £17,831 in upfront expenses – a 27 per cent increase on last year, when the average mover paid £14,045.
Rob Houghton, founder and chief executive of reallymoving, says: “Moving costs are continuing to rise, partly due to policy changes such as the lowering of stamp duty thresholds, and partly due to inflation. In 2025, conveyancing fees, survey costs and removals charges all increased year-on-year, adding to the financial strain for movers.”
And Angela Kerr, a director at the HomeOwners Alliance, which provides advice on buying, selling and owning a property, says: “When you’re buying and selling a home, the sheer number of costs can feel overwhelming. Surveys, estate agent fees, mortgage charges and legal bills stack up quickly and it’s easy for the cost of the move itself to get lost in the noise. But it’s not small fry.”
So how do you keep the costs to a minimum? Here’s the experts’ advice:
1. Don’t just compare quotes. The experts recommend getting three quotes for each of the services you’ll need to use, including legal, estate agent, survey and removal fees. But while it’s vital to compare quotes, perhaps using a comparison site, remember that using the cheapest might not always be the best idea.
“Check customer reviews as well as prices,” advises Rob.
2. Negotiate estate agent fees. Angela says house sellers should aim to pay around one per cent including VAT to an estate agent. She recommends approaching three agents, and advises: “Ask them to carry out a home visit so you can get an understanding of their valuation and a feel for whether you can work with them. But remember to then negotiate the price.”
3. Shop around for the best deals. Many estate agents will suggest you use a particular solicitor or mortgage broker, but Angela warns: “Don’t just accept your estate agent’s recommendation for a conveyancing solicitor or a mortgage broker – they may be earning commission on this introduction and their suggestion may not be the best deal or best suit your needs.
4. Arrange an in-person removals survey. Reallymoving research has found the average UK removals costs for a typical three-bed home, moving up to 25 miles, is more than £900 in 2025.
Although a virtual removals survey can save time and money if it’s for a small property or you’re only moving a few items, Rob advises that in most cases, particularly if you have a shed, garage or loft, a physical visit is advisable to assess the volume of your belongings and ensure you have the lorry space you need on the day. Also check if they offer discounts.
5. Check out possible extra removals charges. Some removals firms may charge extra for certain things, such as multiple flights of stairs, difficult parking or delays on moving day waiting for keys, says Angela. She advises movers to ask what could trigger extra charges, and points out: “Knowing this upfront helps you avoid surprise costs on the day.”
6. Avoid moving at peak times. The time of year and day you move can affect how much you shell out. Angela says: “Demand drives cost. August is consistently the busiest month to move, and Fridays are the most popular day of the week. Removal firms say delays are much more likely on these busy days, which can mean paying more for the team’s time.”
She says if movers can choose a quieter mid-week date they’re more likely to get a lower quote and a smoother move, and recommends this guide on pinpointing the best day to move.
7. Consider a conveyancer. Angela points out that solicitors can charge higher fees than conveyancers as they offer a full range of legal services. “Licensed conveyancers are specialised in property transactions and it’s their main focus,” she explains. “So unless you’re, say, selling as part of a divorce, a conveyancer may be the less expensive route to handling your legal transaction.”
8. Declutter to save money. The fewer possessions you want to move with you, the cheaper it will be, both experts stress, advising movers to start clearing out early so the volume the removals firms quote for is the volume you actually move.
“The fewer belongings you move, the less you pay,” says Rob. “Declutter well in advance, selling, donating or recycling anything you no longer need.”
Angela adds: “The earlier you begin clearing out, making trips to the tip, and packing up the things you don’t use every day, the more control you’ll have."