Every cost and task when moving home in the UK — from the big ones like stamp duty to the easily-forgotten admin. Tick as you go; your progress saves automatically.
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Sixteen items across four stages. Moving costs come in two waves — the cash due at completion, then the running costs of the new place.
1
The big completion costs
2
If your sale and purchase don’t line up
3
Removals and moving day
4
The admin and running costs
The typical order of a move
Moving has a rough sequence, though buying and selling run in parallel. Knowing roughly when each cost lands helps you keep cash ready — nothing here comes out of the mortgage.
Early
Get your finances ready. Affordability check, agree your sale, line up a conveyancer for both transactions.
On offer
Instruct solicitors & survey. Survey (£400–£600) and searches begin; these are spent even if the move later falls through.
Mid-process
Mortgage offer & enquiries. The quiet stretch where solicitors exchange correspondence.
Exchange
Deposit & insurance. Buildings cover from exchange; the move becomes binding.
Completion
Removals & the rest. Removals (£300–£1,000), stamp duty within 14 days, then the admin and new running costs.
Because you’re buying and selling at once, costs land on both sides — estate agent fees on the sale, stamp duty on the purchase. Keeping a cash buffer through the process avoids scrambling when several land together.
What does moving house cost?
Moving costs vary widely by price, location and chain, but these are typical ranges. Stamp duty is usually the largest, and roughly one in three sales falls through — so some costs (survey, searches) can be spent on a move that doesn’t complete.
Cost
Typical range
Stamp duty
Depends on price — often the biggest
Conveyancing (buy + sell)
£2,000–£4,000 combined
Survey
£400–£600
Estate agent fees (selling)
1–3% of sale price
Removals
£300–£1,000
Mortgage / valuation fees
£0–£1,500
Selling adds estate agent fees that buyers don’t face, so movers carry costs on both sides. Work out your stamp duty exactly with the stamp duty calculator.
Moving cost questions, answered
How much does it cost to move house in the UK?
It varies widely, but beyond the deposit, the main costs are stamp duty (often the largest), conveyancing for both buying and selling (£2,000–£4,000 combined), a survey (£400–£600), estate agent fees if selling (1–3%), and removals (£300–£1,000). Altogether, moving can run to several thousand pounds on top of the property itself.
What’s the biggest cost when moving?
For most movers it’s stamp duty, which scales with the property price and can run to thousands. Estate agent fees for selling come next at 1–3% of the sale price. Conveyancing, survey and removals are smaller but add up. Work out your stamp duty first, as it’s both the largest and the easiest to underestimate.
Do I pay stamp duty when moving?
Yes — buying a new main home triggers stamp duty on the purchase, payable in cash at completion. If you complete on the new home before selling the old one, the higher additional-property rates can apply temporarily, with a refund available later in some cases. It’s separate from your deposit and fees.
When do moving costs need paying?
Most land around completion and must come from cash, not the mortgage: stamp duty (within 14 days of completion), conveyancing, survey and removals. Estate agent fees are usually deducted from your sale proceeds. Budget a buffer, as roughly one in three sales falls through, meaning some costs can be lost.
Can I move if my sale and purchase don’t line up?
Yes, but it may need planning. If you complete on the purchase before your sale, a bridging loan can cover the gap — fast but expensive, so a last resort. Alternatively, temporary storage and rental bridge the gap more cheaply. A fresh affordability check matters too, as your borrowing position may have changed.
What admin do people forget when moving?
The running costs and address updates. Set up utilities and broadband before moving in, notify both councils for council tax, and update your address with your bank, employer, DVLA, GP, insurers and the electoral roll. A Royal Mail redirect catches anything missed. New running costs can also differ a lot from your old home.
How this checklist is built
The costs and steps follow standard UK moving-house practice, linking to the free Calclens calculators useful at each stage. Cost ranges are typical figures and vary by property, location and circumstances. See our methodology.
Not financial advice. This checklist is a general guide to moving costs. Figures vary by circumstances and region — confirm specifics with your solicitor, mortgage adviser and removal firm.
