UK Moving Cost Index 2026
A transparent reference for planning removal costs by property size — with published benchmarks, MoveBudget’s own model assumptions and the factors that make real quotes move.
What should you budget for removals?
There is no single UK removal price. Property size, volume, distance, access, moving day, packing, dismantling, storage and specialist items can all change the final quote. Current consumer guidance puts professional removals broadly from around £400 to £1,000+, with larger or longer-distance moves going higher.
These figures are not directly interchangeable: the Reallymoving figure is a UK-wide average based on moving data, while the Which? example is based on a 12-mile London move. That difference is exactly why MoveBudget uses a range rather than pretending one national number fits every move.
Published removal-cost benchmarks
| Property size | Reallymoving UK average | Which? removals example | Which? incl. packing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | £432 | £540 | £899 |
| 2 bedrooms | £603 | £779 | £1,220 |
| 3 bedrooms | £867 | £1,409 | £2,075 |
| 4 bedrooms | £1,196 | £1,553 | £2,307 |
| 5 bedrooms | £1,590 | — | — |
Sources: Reallymoving, national moving data published from November 2025; Which?, prices correct May 2026 with removals-company examples for a 12-mile London move in July 2026. Reallymoving methodology/source · Which? cost guide
MoveBudget planning model
Our removal calculator is a planning model, not a quote engine. It starts with a property-size base, then adjusts for distance, access, packing, dismantling, storage, timing, specialist items and cleaning. It deliberately returns a low-to-high range.
| Property size | Model base | Typical local / normal access | Planning range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | £430 | £505 | £424–£596 |
| 2 bedrooms | £650 | £725 | £609–£856 |
| 3 bedrooms | £900 | £975 | £819–£1,150 |
| 4 bedrooms | £1,250 | £1,325 | £1,113–£1,564 |
| 5+ bedrooms | £1,650 | £1,725 | £1,449–£2,036 |
The “typical local / normal access” column uses the same assumptions as the live MoveBudget removal calculator: local move, typical access, self-packed, weekday, no storage or specialist extras. The planning range is approximately −16% / +18% around that model estimate.
What changes a removal quote?
- Volume and property size
More rooms usually mean more handling time, vehicle space and crew. - Distance
Mileage, fuel and crew time increase as the move gets longer. - Access
Stairs, parking restrictions and long carries can add labour time. - Packing
Professional packing can materially increase the total but reduces work before moving day. - Moving day
Friday, weekends and high-demand dates can price differently from quieter weekdays. - Storage and special items
Pianos, safes, antiques or temporary storage can add separate charges.
MoneyHelper similarly highlights location, property size, distance, insurance and how much work you do yourself as major cost drivers, and recommends comparing quotes for the exact service required.
Reference sources and update policy
Last reviewed: 7 September 2026. We update this page when material source data or our calculator assumptions change.