Ask ten people what their last move cost and you will hear ten very different numbers. Some paid a few hundred pounds for a van and two helpers, while others spent several thousand on a full service with packing and storage. Both can be fair prices. The difference comes down to how much you own, how far it travels and which extras end up on the quote. This guide gives you typical 2026 price ranges so you know roughly what to expect before the first quote lands in your inbox.
Why removal prices vary so much
A removal company is really selling you time, people and vehicle space. Every quote is built from the same few ingredients: the volume of your belongings, the number of crew needed, the hours they will spend loading and unloading, the distance between homes and the fuel and tolls that go with it. Add a narrow staircase, a missing parking space or a Friday move date and the hours creep up.
The figures below are typical ranges drawn from published UK cost guides and industry pricing in 2025 and 2026. Treat them as a starting point for budgeting rather than a promise. Costs in London and the South East usually sit at the top of each range.
Typical costs by property size
For this table, a local move means roughly under 50 miles and a long-distance move means roughly 150 to 250 miles. Prices cover loading, transport and unloading with a standard crew, without packing or storage.
| Property size | Local move (typical range) | Long-distance move (typical range) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio or 1-bed flat | £300 to £650 | £700 to £1,300 |
| 2-bed home | £500 to £950 | £1,000 to £1,800 |
| 3-bed home | £800 to £1,500 | £1,400 to £2,600 |
| 4-bed home or larger | £1,200 to £2,500+ | £2,200 to £4,000+ |
A quick sense check: a smaller flat can often go in a single Luton van in half a day, while a well-filled four-bedroom house may need a large lorry, a crew of four or five and a full day at each end. That jump in crew and vehicle size explains why prices climb faster than the bedroom count suggests.
The extras that quietly push a quote up
The base price is only part of the story. These are the add-ons that most often turn a reasonable estimate into a surprisingly large one.
Packing service
Having the crew pack for you is a real time saver, but it adds a noticeable amount. Expect roughly £150 to £400 for a small flat and £400 to £1,000 or more for a larger house, plus materials. A fragile-only pack, where the team handles kitchenware, glass and pictures while you do the rest, is a useful middle ground.
Storage
If your completion dates do not line up, you may need storage for a few days or weeks. Containerised storage with a removals firm commonly runs from around £20 to £60 per container per week, and a typical 2-bed home might fill three to five containers. Remember there may also be a second delivery charge to bring everything out again.
Dismantling and reassembly
Wardrobes, bed frames and large desks often need taking apart. Some firms include basic dismantling, while others charge per item or by the hour.
Access, stairs and long carries
Upper-floor flats without a lift, steep driveways and properties where the van must park a long way from the door all add time. Some companies quote a supplement per floor or per extra metre of carry. A home survey, either in person or by video, is the best way to make sure this is priced in from the start.
Parking suspensions
If your street has controlled parking, you may need a council parking suspension so the van can park outside. Fees vary widely by council, from under £50 to well over £200 depending on location and the length of the bay. Some removal firms arrange this for you and add an admin charge.
Weekend, Friday and end-of-month dates
Fridays, Saturdays and the last few working days of each month are the busiest slots in the removals calendar because that is when most completions happen. Demand pushes prices up, sometimes by 10 to 25 percent. If you have any flexibility, a midweek date in the middle of the month can make a real difference.
Insurance and cover
Most reputable removers include a basic level of goods in transit cover, but the limit per item may be low. Upgraded cover, often charged as a percentage of the declared value of your belongings, is worth considering if you are moving antiques, artwork or expensive electronics. Read what is excluded, particularly for items you pack yourself.
Pianos and specialist items
Upright pianos commonly add around £150 to £400, while grand pianos can cost considerably more because they need specialist equipment and extra crew. Hot tubs, gym equipment, large safes, fine art and grandfather clocks fall into the same specialist category, so list them clearly when you request quotes.
How to keep your removal costs down
- Declutter before anyone surveys your home. Less volume means a smaller van and fewer hours.
- Choose a midweek, mid-month date if your chain allows it.
- Pack non-fragile items yourself and pay only for a fragile pack.
- Check what is included in each quote, such as materials, dismantling, insurance and parking, so you compare like with like.
- Book early, especially for summer and the end of school terms when good crews get busy.
- Get at least three quotes. Prices for the same move can differ by hundreds of pounds.
Reading a quote properly
When quotes arrive, look past the headline figure. Check whether the price is fixed or an hourly estimate, what happens if the move overruns, how cancellation is handled and whether VAT is included. A slightly higher fixed price can turn out cheaper than a low hourly rate if your move takes longer than planned.
Ready to see what your move will cost?
The quickest way to find a fair price is to put a few local removal companies side by side. Tell us about your move on removals.com, compare removal quotes from vetted firms and choose the one that suits your budget and your date.