What does a removals company cost in 2026?
A local removal of a two-bedroom home costs £400–900 in 2026, and a three or four-bedroom house £900–2,000. Long-distance moves within the UK typically add £200–600. Packing services, storage and specialist items are quoted on top, and the price you're given after a video or home survey is the only one worth comparing.
Updated 15 September 2026
How removals firms price a move
Most UK firms quote a fixed price for the job rather than an hourly rate, based on volume in cubic feet, distance, crew size and access. Access is what people underestimate: a third-floor flat with no lift, a shared stairwell or a street where the van can't park within fifty metres can add half a day.
Parking is a real line item in cities. Suspending a bay or buying a dispensation from the council costs £30–150 depending on the borough, and it's cheaper than the driver circling while the crew carries your sofa three hundred metres.
Completion-day timing matters too. If you're in a chain, ask what happens if keys are late — good firms build in a waiting allowance and charge hourly after it, and the poor ones simply leave.
Typical removals prices
Local moves within about 50 miles. Add VAT where the firm is registered.
| Move | Typical price |
|---|---|
| One-bed flat, local | £300–600 |
| Two-bed home, local | £400–900 |
| Three to four-bed house, local | £900–2,000 |
| Long distance, three-bed | £1,200–2,800 |
| Full packing service | £300–900 |
| Packing materials only | £50–200 |
| Piano or safe | £150–500 |
| Storage, per container per month | £40–100 |
| Parking suspension or dispensation | £30–150 |
Insurance and what it actually covers
Removal firms carry goods in transit and public liability cover, but the limits are often per consignment rather than per item, and there's frequently an exclusion for boxes you packed yourself. Ask for the policy limit in writing and declare anything worth more than a few hundred pounds.
Check your own contents insurance too — some policies cover a move between homes on the same day if a professional firm does it, and cover nothing if you hire a van yourself.
Choosing a firm
Look for membership of the British Association of Removers or the National Guild of Removers and Storers, both of which require insurance and offer a dispute process. Verify the company on Companies House and check reviews with dates on them.
Insist on a video or home survey — a phone quote without one is the strongest predictor of a price change on the day. Get three fixed quotes on the same inventory, and confirm whether VAT and parking are in or out.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a removals company cost?
£400–900 for a local two-bedroom move and £900–2,000 for a three or four-bedroom house, before packing, storage or parking costs.
Is packing worth paying for?
A full packing service costs £300–900 and usually takes a day. It's worth it for fragile items and for anyone moving on a completion day, since the firm then carries liability for how things were packed.
How far in advance should I book?
Four to six weeks, and earlier for a Friday or month-end, which are the busiest slots. In a chain, book provisionally and confirm as soon as the completion date is set.
Do I need to tip the removals crew?
It isn't expected in the UK, though tea, lunch and £10–20 a head for a long or difficult day is common courtesy and generally well received.
Describe the job and we'll match you with the right company — free for homeowners.