In 2024, the average removal company costs for a 3-bedroom house is £1,304 based on our unique user data.
Costs will vary depending on distance, size of the property and volume of items, location and any extra services you need. Specialist items like antiques and pianos will also incur an extra cost.
In this guide, we share a detailed breakdown of the removal costs you can expect.
Removal costs by size of property
Below are the average removal costs for different sized properties, based on our user data.
1 bedroom house:
£507
2 bedroom house:
£854
3 bedroom house:
£1,304
4 bedroom house:
£1,752
For an estimate of your costs use our Cost of Moving House Calculator
Removal costs by location
Location plays a big part in the cost of your removals. Below are the average long and local distance removal costs UK taken from Compare My Move's unique data.
Our users save an average of £700 on their move
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Do removal companies charge more to travel longer distances?
Yes, removal companies will charge more based on the distance of the move and time spent on the job. On average, the cost per hour is £35 and per mile is £1.50. This is in addition to the cost of your move based on the size of your home. Long distance removal companies are common across the UK and most even offer moves to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
For example, the cost for London to Oxford (50 miles) would be £118.75 plus the size of the move.
If you’re moving internationally, you can also expect your move to cost more. The overall cost will depend on the method of shipping you use.
Our data shows that the average international removal costs for a 3-bedroom house move are £2,997 for a 40ft shipping container, £260 per 100kg for air freight and £265 per pallet for road freight.
Keeping removal costs low
There might be extra costs when it comes to your move. Some of these may be out of your control but others may be avoided if you plan in advance. Here we look at how to keep costs low and avoid extra charges.
Compare quotes
One of the best ways to keep your removal costs down is to compare quotes between different companies. At Compare My Move, we can match you with up to 6 trusted and verified removal companies in your local area. We put you directly in touch with the professionals so you can discuss your requirements and budget.
Book in advance
Booking your removal company will not only avoid disappointment, but it can help you save money too. A last minute move can be expensive so planning ahead is essential.
Underestimated volume of items
Make sure your volume estimates are accurate. If you removal company has to move more items than expected, they will likely charge more. To avoid this extra cost, make sure the removal company does a home survey to assess the number of items.
Declutter items
Before your move, declutter as much as possible to avoid paying to move items you don't need. By donating, selling or disposing of items, you will only move what you want and need in your new home.
Waiting for keys
Sometimes this is out of your hands but ensuring you can access the property on time is essential to not incuring extra charges. Your removal company might charge you each hour they wait.
Access to property
Be prepared and make sure the property is accessable as possible for the removal firm. Some companies may charge extra if they have difficulty gaining access to your property. If you live in a top-floor flat without a lift, you will likely face unavoidable charges.
Save on packing
One way to save money is by packing your items yourself. You could also find free packing materials by asking friends, families and colleagues for boxes and packing materials from deliveries.
Our users save an average of £700 on their move
Verified and Trusted Moving Companies
Used by over 1 million movers in the UK
Some additional removal costs to consider
Below we list the average costs for the most popular additional removal services.
Packing costs: £250
Packing can be a huge help if you are pressed for time or want to ensure the items are professionally packed. The cost will be based on the volume of items and labour costs.
Dismanting and reassembling furniture: £125
Many companies can assist with dismantling and reassembbling furniture. If you require this service, you should let your removal company know and they can assess this during the pre-move survey.
Fragile packing service: Varies
Labour costs will be higher when packing and moving high-value or fragile items. The cost will be based on the level of protection they need and the cost of hiring specialist equipment.
How does a pre-move survey help?
A pre-move survey will help the removal company understand how to prepare for your move. It will be able to tell them and you the following:
The volume of items that need moving
What items you want packing
Any furniture you need dismantling
How many removal vans you need
How many staff are needed for the job
Assess any restrictions to the property
Any specialist items like antiques or fine art
Our users save an average of £700 on their move
Verified and Trusted Moving Companies
Used by over 1 million movers in the UK
Why do some quotes seem cheap?
We’re always wary of removal quotes that seem too expensive, but it’s vital to question a quote that seems too cheap too. If your quote appears too good to be true, then it probably is missing some important costs.
They don’t have insurance
Removal companies should have both Goods in Transit and Public Liability insurances. If a quote seems too cheap, it may mean that the removal company don't have the correct insurance. Be sure to check that they have up to date cover before hiring a firm. Rest assured, all Compare My Move partners have Goods in Transit and Public Liability insurance.
Services aren’t included
The quote might only include the cost for the removal itself and not packing. This should be discussed before during the pre-move survey to get an accurate quote.
No pre-move survey
If the company didn’t offer a pre-move survey, they won’t be able to accurately provide a quote for the move. This could result in extra charges at the end of the move.
Wrong volume of items
If your quote seems too cheap, the company might have got the volume of items incorrect. It’s always worth comparing quotes to spot this mistake.
How to choose a removal company
Choosing the right removal company is essential for a seamless house move. Below we look at a few of the essentials checks to keep in mind when choosing a moving firm:
Check costs and quotes
Always check costs before you book a company. Ask what the quote includes so there are no suprises when it comes to the move. With Compare My Move, you can compare quotes from up to 6 partners in your local area. This way you can find the best price for your move.
Check they have insurance
All Compare My Move removal partners have both Goods in Transit and Public Liability insurance in place. This helps protect both you and your belongings. You should only ever hire a company with the correct insurances in place.
Check reviews
Always read reviews left by previous customers. This can give you an idea of how the company operates on the day and whether they are value for money. At Compare My Move, we collect reviews from real customers, allowing you to read about their experiences with the companies on our network.
Check they offer a pre-move survey
A pre-move survey is one of the best ways to ensure an accurate quote from a removal company. They can review how much needs moving, access to the property and if there are any items that need extra care. Always check a company offers a pre-move survey before choosing a company for your move.
BAR membership
Although not required to be a Compare My Move removal partner, BAR membership is highly valued. Being a member of the British Association of Removers means the company will work to the highest standards in the industry.
Questions to ask your removal company
When booking a removal company, there are a number of questions you should ask to ensure you get the best price and service. These include but are not limited to:
Do they offer additional services such as packing and storage?
Does the quote include VAT?
Will there be a charge for delays on the day?
What supplies and equipment do they provide?
What size vehicle(s) will they use?
When is payment expected?
Are there any items they won't transport?
What happens in poor weather?
What is their cancellation policy?
Our users save an average of £700 on their move
Verified and Trusted Moving Companies
Used by over 1 million movers in the UK
Our Happy Movers tell us how they saved on their removal costs
Some of our Happy Movers gave us their tips to save money and ensure a stress-free move.
1
Book a mid-week move
The weekends are usually the most popular time to move, so moving during a week day can help to save money. “Clockwork Removals did a good [home removal] survey and suggested that if we moved mid-week, it would be cheaper, which made more sense to us.” - John Banner, Happy Mover
2
Ask for a breakdown of costs
Finding out what you have to pay and when will avoid any unexpected extras. “They gave us a quote and were clear and upfront where there might be extra costs and where it’d be incurred” - Charlotte Giro, Happy Mover
3
Make sure you compare quotes
Comparing quotes allows you to weigh up your options. “With the guys that I got from Compare My Move, the prices were all different. So, it was a good exercise to see quality and quantity.” - Dawn Cooke, Happy Mover
4
Always read reviews
Reading reviews allows you to get a feel for the company. “I never order anything without looking it up first and getting customer feedback. We checked [the removal companies] out via previous customer reviews. We were able to choose the right company for our move. ” - Gerry Lunn, Happy Movers
