Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
How much does it cost to move house?
Moneymagpie Team
8th Apr 2024
Moving into a new home is an exciting milestone but it’s not cheap. Understanding the different costs involved is critical to helping you budget properly and save money in good time. From mortgage valuation and conveyancing fees to removal and cleaning costs, there is a lot to take into consideration.
On average, the cost of moving house is around £10,255 excluding the deposit. This may initially seem like an insurmountable figure but with the right preparation in place, you can ensure that the moving process goes smoothly.
What are the different fees included?
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or moving into your fifth property, putting together a list of all the associated costs of moving house will serve you well. The average cost of moving can be broken down into fees before moving and after.
Deposit
Typically, a deposit of 10% of the property value is required when buying a property. This is usually paid on the exchange of contracts and is often the first hurdle faced by buyers hoping to get on the property ladder.
Mortgage costs
Unless you’re buying your property outright, you’ll likely be paying monthly repayments for your mortgage. The average mortgage lasts for 25 years to spread out the cost of purchasing a property. Alongside your monthly payments, you need to factor in other fees like booking costs, arrangement fees and mortgage valuation.
Conveyancing
This is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from the seller to the buyer. This is a vital process of buying a house and ensures the purchase and sale are legal. On average, you can expect to spend around £500-£1150 plus disbursements which could add on up to £700 or more.
Surveys
A house survey is an inspection done by a surveyor to ascertain the condition of a property. This can cost between £300 and £1500 plus, but this varies depending on the type of survey needed for your home’s value and location.
Fees when you’re ready to move out
With all the above settled, your next round of costs will happen when you’re ready to move out.
Removal fees
While it’s up to you whether you want to hire professional movers or not, it can make the relocating process smoother. Typically, removal costs could see you paying up to £1332, including the price of packing materials and fuel.
Insurance
When having a third party transport your contents, the last thing you need is for your belongings to get lost or damaged. Investing in moving insurance can cover you in the case of accidental loss or damage when being moved by a professional removal company.
Redirecting mail
This may not be at the forefront of your mind, but it costs to redirect your mail. Starting fees for sending your letters and packages to a new UK or overseas address start from £36.
Cleaning
Hiring a cleaning crew to prepare the property before your arrival can save you physical exhaustion and give you less to do post-move. Depending on the level of service required and the company you choose, these costs can really add up if left to the last minute.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.
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