There’s no single figure, because the cost depends on whether you’re buying, selling or renting, what the home costs and how much you’re moving. In England, buyers budget for stamp duty, legal fees and surveys, sellers who use an estate agent pay commission, and everyone pays to move their belongings, so it helps to list each cost for your own move.
If you’re buying
Stamp Duty Land Tax. In October 2026, GOV.UK’s rates for a home you’ll live in, if it’s the only one you’ll own, are nothing on the first £125,000, 2% on the part from £125,001 to £250,000, 5% up to £925,000, 10% up to £1.5 million and 12% above that. GOV.UK’s own example: a £295,000 house means £4,750. First-time buyers pay nothing up to £300,000 and 5% on the part from £300,001 to £500,000, but can’t claim this relief if the price is over £500,000. If you’ll own more than one home, you usually pay an extra 5%. Your solicitor or conveyancer usually pays it for you on completion and adds it to their bill.
Everything else. Citizens Advice lists the other costs to allow for: survey and valuation fees, the Land Registry fee, local authority searches, any lender or broker fees, your solicitor’s costs and VAT, removal expenses, and final bills from your current home. Your lender’s valuation fee is usually paid upfront, when you apply. If a purchase falls through, you may already have paid for a survey or some legal work.
If you’re selling
Most estate agents charge a percentage of the final selling price, which Citizens Advice puts at anywhere from less than 1% to 3.5%. Check whether advertising, photos, the “for sale” board and VAT are included. You’ll also need an Energy Performance Certificate before you market your home, from an accredited assessor (it is valid for 10 years), and a solicitor or conveyancer for the legal work.
If you’re renting
If you rent privately in England, your landlord or letting agent can take no more than one month’s rent before you move in, and since 1 May 2026 they can’t take any rent before you sign the tenancy agreement. Budget for that, your tenancy deposit and the move itself.
Moving your belongings
The removal bill depends on how much you’re moving, how far, whether the firm packs for you, and how easy access is at each end. Getting two or three quotes on the same inventory is the simplest way to compare, and our room-by-room size guide can help you list it.
When the dates don’t line up
If you have to leave one home before you can move into the next, storage can bridge the gap. With us the minimum stay is two weeks, new customers don’t pay a deposit, and when you leave we refund the days you have paid for but not used. Our guide to storage for a house move explains how it works, and our prices page explains what storage costs.
To plan the gap, get a storage price online or call us on 0800 2545585.
Related questions
- Is there a minimum term?
- What’s the difference between self storage and removals storage?
- How much does it cost to store furniture?
Further reading
- GOV.UK: Stamp Duty Land Tax residential rates
- Citizens Advice: Buying a home
- Citizens Advice: Selling a home
- Shelter: Rent in advance