What is the Cost of Selling a House?
The cost of selling a house in 2024 is £6,924. This is based on the average UK house priced at £285,000.
Your total costs will depend on what your home sells for, legal fees and the estate agent’s fees. You may also need to consider your mortgage situation and if you need any extra services.
In this guide, you can find a detailed breakdown of how much it costs to sell a house. This includes expected and potential costs, depending on your circumstances.
These are the average costs of selling a house, including the expected costs as well as some potential extras, depending on your situation. These figures are based on the average house price of £285,000.
This cost is just an average price and the costs involved in selling your house could be more or less. For example, conveyancing solicitors in London might charge more compared to other cities. Also, be aware that the cost of selling a house in Scotland may differ.
Expected costs:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Estate agent fees | £5,700 |
| Conveyancing fees | £1,139 |
| Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) | £85 |
Potential extra costs:
| Service: | Cost: |
|---|---|
Mortgage exit fee | £50-£300 |
Early mortgage repayment charge | 1% - 5% of outstanding mortgage |
Capital Gains Tax | Varies |
Porting a mortgage | Up to £450 for valuation |
Home Report (If selling in Scotland) | Upwards of £350 (depending on house value) |
Estate Agent Fees
Average UK estate agent fee: £5,700 (2% commission fee)
The average commission charged when selling with a high-street estate agent is usually 1 - 3.5% plus VAT. Selling a house priced at the average UK house price of £285,000 will see estate agent fees of £5,700.
Estate agents will base their fees on a percentage of the final sale price. Keep in mind that this is paid after the house has sold.
Many estate agents will offer a ‘no sale, no fee’ service which means if the sale falls through, they won’t charge you. Be sure to check this is the case with your estate agent before starting the selling process.
It is not a requirement to use an estate agent and you can sell your home privately if preferred. Many people opt for estate agents for their knowledge. It also means you won't be tasked with marketing and selling the house yourself.
An alternative option is online estate agents. They will usually offer a fixed-fee price of between £300 - £1,500, regardless of what your home sells for. Online estate agents are often cheaper than traditional high street agents. This is because they save on various expenses such as renting and running shops, staff at these locations and company cars.
- Make sure you know all costs involved upfront. Some estate agents might charge extra for marketing or online listings. Always ask for a breakdown of the quote.
- Estate agents will expertly value your property, but ultimately it’s up to you what price to sell your house for. They will offer you a free valuation, but it will not be as thorough as a RICS Valuation. For this, you would have to pay a registered valuer.
- Estate agents work for you and not the buyer, so they will try and get you the best sale price. If you’re feeling pressure from buyer requests, remember you’re the client.
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Solicitor Fees for Selling a House
Average conveyancing costs: £1,139
When selling a property, you'll need to hire a conveyancer or solicitor to handle the legal side of the sale.
The average conveyancing fee for selling a home will be £1,139. This includes the solicitor’s legal fee and conveyancing disbursements. In comparision the average solicitor fee for buying a house in the UK is close to double that amount. We have calculated this based on the average UK house price of £285,000.
Disbursement costs could include:
- Title Deeds Copy - £7 - Obtaining official Land Registry documents will prove that you're the legal owner of the house you’re selling. This will be in the form of a copy of the title deeds.
- Bank Transfer Fee - £40 - A bank transfer fee is a cost required when your conveyancer needs to transfer money. We found the average can range between £30 and £50.
- Anti-money Laundering Checks - £6 - This is a required check for both buyers and sellers to check that your money is coming from legitimate funds. This can cost anywhere between £6 - £20 according to Halifax.
- Mortgaged Property Supplement Fee - £220 - This only applies if you have a mortgage. Your solicitor will need to liaise with your lender to process the redemption of your mortgage. This extra work will be highlighted in the quote.
Be aware that your fees will likely be higher if the home you are selling is leasehold. These properties usually require more complex legal work.
Some solicitors will offer a fixed-fee conveyancing service, so it's important to ask about this upfront.
You can also use our Conveyancing Fees Calculator to get a better idea of the costs involved.
- Choose your solicitor carefully. Make sure they are CLC, SRA, LSS or LSNI regulated.
- Be wary of any quotes that are too cheap or too expensive. Don’t be afraid to ask for a breakdown of a quote and compare conveyancers.
- Read reviews and take recommendations from friends when it comes to finding a conveyancer.
Mortgage Fees
If you're selling a house with a mortgage, then you'll face some extra fees. The two main mortgage fees to consider are exit fees and early repayment charges.
Mortgage exit fee:
You’ll have to pay a mortgage exit fee to your lender to close your mortgage if you’re remortgaging or switching lenders. This typically costs between £50-£300 but will vary depending on your lender.
Early repayment charge:
If you’ve paid off your mortgage early, you might be subject to paying an early repayment charge. This typically costs between 1-5% of the loan.
- Check that the fees match what is written in your original mortgage contract. Always query anything you’re unsure of.
- Find out if your lender will charge you an early repayment charge or mortgage exit fee.
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EPC Certificate Costs
Cost of an EPC certificate: £85
You will need to get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) by law when you’re selling your house. This must be ordered before your property is put on the market. An EPC costs between £60 and £120.
The certificate will give an accurate idea of your property’s energy usage and costs. Not only is this useful for the buyer, but it also allows you to make any necessary changes to increase interest in your home.
For a detailed look into EPC costs, read our article: How Much Does an EPC Certificate Cost?
- You can order your EPC online directly from providers. Alternatively, you can ask your estate agent to order one for you.
- They are valid for up to 10 years, so if you sell your house within that time there’s no need to get another one.
Auction Fees
Avg. auction fees: £4,713 + VAT.
Another route is selling at auction, which costs roughly £4,713 + VAT. However, this is not a common method of selling a home. Auctions are usually used by those with houses that are in poor condition or that are particularly unusual. Your overall fees will depend on the auction house that you use, in addition to the value of the home.
Removal Company Costs
Cost of removal company: £1,110
Once you’ve found a buyer for your house and arranged completion day, you will need to book your removal company. Hiring a removal company will cost an average of £1,110. Keep in mind that this will depend on the house size, location, distance travelled and if you require any extra services like packing.
Below are the average costs for different move sizes:
| Size of Move | Cost of Removal Company |
|---|---|
1-bedroom | £506 |
2-bedroom | £854 |
3-bedroom | £1,304 |
4-bedroom | £1,752 |
- Always make sure the removal company you use has Goods in Transit and Public Liability insurance.
- One of the best ways to find the right company and price for your needs is to compare removal companies
Home Report Scotland
Cost of a Home Report: £585-£820
If you’re selling a house in Scotland, it’s a legal requirement to provide the buyer with a Home Report. This provides important information about your property. According to RICS, a Home Report will cost between £585 and £820.
The Home Report is made up of three parts; a Single Survey, an Energy Report (which includes an EPC certificate) and a Property Questionnaire.
- In Scotland, you must legally provide a copy of the Home Report to every potential buyer.
- In the rest of the UK, the buyer is responsible for paying for the survey, not the seller.
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Preparing House for House Viewings
It doesn’t have to cost a lot to get your house looking good for a sale, but it could help you get a better offer and sell quickly. Buyers will often try and negotiate the price down if their survey flags any repair work. If you pre-empt this by fixing any repairs or at least expect this to crop up, then you’ll be prepared.
Basic Home Improvement Costs
There are a few ways you can boost the selling potential of your home. These are optional but they can make a difference to buyers.
Below we look at the most common home improvements and their average costs.
1. Cleaning - £11 - £14.50 an hour
We recommend that you thoroughly clean your house before estate agent photographs and viewings. Added touches such as flowers and opening windows can enhance the viewing experience.
2. Fix repairs - Varies
If you have a damp problem, it could be worth getting a quote to see how much it would cost to resolve this. It will almost certainly be flagged if the buyer arranges a survey, and they may attempt to renegotiate the house price as a result. Other repairs can be done quickly and relatively low cost, such as using poly filler on small holes in the walls.
3. Painting: £400 per medium-sized room
Peeling paint, unfinished paintwork or dirty walls can put off a buyer. Not only is it unsightly, it suggests the home has not been taken care of. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for the overall look of a property
4. Bathroom Sealant - £85 for a professional (Cheaper if done yourself)
Resealing a bath and updating old, peeling or mouldy sealant in the bathroom can transform the space. According to CheckaTrade, the cost of sealant and installation by a plumber is £85. However, it can be considerably cheaper if you buy the sealant and do the work yourself.
5. Spruce up the garden - £240 a day
Gardens can be a huge selling factor so it’s important yours looks its best. CheckaTrade found that the average cost of a garden is £240 a day. You could also consider hiring a clearance companyto remove unwanted waste and old garden furniture.
Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
You may have to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) if you make a profit on the sale of a house that is not your place of residency, for example, a buy-to-let property.
If you’re a basic-rate taxpayer, expect to pay 18% capital gains tax and 28% if you’re in a higher tax band. This will be cut to 24% as of April 6th 2024.
You’ll need to pay Capital Gains Tax on a house you’re selling if it’s:
- Inherited property
- Buy-to-let
- A holiday property
- Business premises
- Land
- You won’t pay CGT if you’re selling a property that was your main home within the past 18 months. In this case, Private Residence Relief is automatically awarded and there will be no tax to pay.
Finding a Conveyancer
At Compare My Move, we have a network of conveyancers who can assist with your property sale. We can connect you with up to 6 licensed conveyancers, allowing you to compare quotes and save up to 70% on your conveyancing fees.
Next Steps of Selling a House
This article is part of our selling a house guide. In the next article in this guide, we'll look at the process of finding a solicitor when selling a house for the first time. More details can be found in our article: Solicitor for Selling a House: First-time Sellers' Guide
