Moving house comes with a lot of baggage: a bit of excitement, a bit of dread, and one big question about money. We’re always getting people ringing us up from kitchens full of boxes, asking: “Look, before we book anything, what is this actually going to cost?” 

The honest answer is that removals are like houses: no two are the same. That said, there are clear things that nudge a price up or down, and a few tips that can keep costs sensible without turning a moving day into a triathlon. Let’s unpack them.

What affects the cost of removal

Naturally, size matters. Size becomes volume, and volume decides vehicles, crew, and time. But access makes a difference as well, and not many people factor that in. Top-floor flats without lifts, tight streets with restricted parking, or long walks from door to van all slow the operation down. 

When you book can make a difference, too. Fridays and month-ends are popular and school holidays get busy, while the quietest spots in the diary tend to be mid-week. And then there’s how fast your upending to: long distance moves will add mileage, fuel, and driver time.

…But what is the average cost of home removals?

If you want a yardstick to sanity-check incoming quotes, the HomeOwners Alliance plots out the average removal costs:

• One bedroom house: £484
• Three bedroom house: £928
• Five bedroom house: £1,612 

Take those as ball-park figures rather than gospel. The truth is that so many things can vary the price that there’s no one price you can expect to pay. It will sit where your volume, distance, access, and extras put it, and that is exactly why we prefer a tailored quote. 

You tell us what you have and where it’s going, and we’ll land on a price that fits you. We’ll make sure everything is communicated clear as crystal, and turn up on time with a friendly and efficient team who you can trust to have the day under control from the first box to the last.

Click here for more info on our stellar services.

How do add-ons and other services impact moving cost?

Removal firms can do more than just move. From dismantling and rebuilding furniture, to extra protection for delicates, to short-term storage, they’ve got a wealth of additional services to make your move more manageable.

Naturally, there’s a price tag attached to the extra people, materials and time, but for many, it’s worth extra cost to dodge some hassle. When we quote someone for add-ons, we’re always transparent about what’s what and why, so you can decide if something is worth the spend. 

The biggest extra service by far is packing. With a full packing service, the team arrives with strong boxes, proper tape and the right materials for fragile items.

They work room by room while you get on with the rest of life and save yourself a week of stressful evenings. Plenty of our customers take a half-and-half approach to keep the budget comfortable: they pack most things themselves, then ask us to handle the delicate bits so they won’t be damaged.

Is a man and van cheaper than full removal services?

If you are moving a small flat, travelling a short distance, and happy to chip in with a bit of carrying, a man and van will be your cheapest option. The bit that catches people out is the number of trips; their vans are often smaller than that of a removal company, and driving to and from will bump up the budget quickly.

A specialised crew with the right vehicles is built for speed, care, and capacity on bigger moves. If you are on the fence, ask us for like-for-like options so you can compare total time and cost, and see how your day will actually run. A smooth day is best for everyone, so we’ll always be honest about what suits your job.

What about long-distance moves?

Longer routes add the obvious elements: Mileage, fuel, and the driver’s time. All that adds up, especially if they need to plan around awkward key handover times or an overnight solution.

For transparency, our time-based quotes may include drive time from and back to the depot for jobs outside Bristol, unless we have agreed a set price. It keeps the sums clean and avoids any “where did that come from?” moments on the invoice.

How can you keep moving costs sensible?

If you want to keep the bill sensible, focus on the bits you can control before moving day. These simple tweaks cut time, reduce faff, and protect your belongings without cutting corners:

• Declutter before you pack! The less boxes, the more you save. Check out our top tips for that here.
• If you’ve decided to pack yourself, do a proper job. Double-walled boxes and decent tape can save everyone a headache when your nick-nacks go tumbling down the road.
• Label well and keep rooms together to speed up unloading and setup.
• Be honest about access. Tell us about top-floor flats, narrow streets, or long carries.
• Reserve parking where you can. Fewer surprises on the day mean fewer delays.
• Compare removal quotes, check what’s included, and make sure you’re clear on who is doing what.

FAQs

How long does a moving day actually take?

Most moves run quicker than people expect when they’ve done a good job preparing. A full pack and move for a typical family home can be wrapped up over one to two days. The exact timing depends on bedrooms, access, volume and whether you want your furniture dismantled and re-assembled.

Will I be charged if we run ten minutes over?

This’ll depend on the company, but time-based jobs, including ours, tend to be billed in half-hour increments after an agreed minimum, which keeps it fair for everyone. 

Do quotes include packing materials?

If you choose a packing service, your quote includes the materials and the labour to do it properly. If you prefer to pack yourself, we are still happy to point you to the right boxes and tape, or supply them for you. Just avoid the flimsy stuff that folds under the weight of a few books.

Can I help carry to save money?

Plenty of customers pitch in on the labour, especially with lighter items, and that can trim time. Let the movers look after the heavy and awkward pieces so everything stays safe: you, your furniture and the walls.

How far in advance should I book?

Book your move home in as early as you can, especially if you need a Friday, month end or school holiday date.

What happens if there’s a change of circumstances, or the new place isn’t ready on time?

It happens. If you let the removals company know, they should be able to talk through your options before the big day, including possible short-term storage or a return slot. The main thing is to keep them in the loop as your key time firms up.

Ready when you are

Nobody ever claimed moving house was a cheap endeavour, but it’s easier to make sense of the price when you know what goes into it. Nobody can give you an exact sum without specifics, but if you’re ready to get the ball rolling, let us know the what, when, and where, and we will put a clear quote together for you, and work from there. When you’re happy, we’ll get you in the diary and keep you posted.

Once the boxes are in and you have caught your breath, you’ll want to make the unpacking painless too. Check out our quick tips for that here.