Removal costs in London are £889 on average which is lower than the £1,044 UK average*. London movers typically move shorter distances and from smaller properties such as 1-bed flats, resulting in a lower cost.
Despite this, it's important to keep removal costs down due to increasing property prices. Hiring a removal company can alleviate the stress and help you settle into your new home faster. It’s highly recommended if you have large and heavy items to move.
In this guide, we’ll take you through removal fees in London and provide tips on how you can save money to keep costs down.
How Much Does it Cost for a Moving Company in London?
London movers can expect to pay between £735 to £1,306*, depending on the size and distance of their move. The cost range encompasses all London boroughs and different times of year.
Below we look at a breakdown of average removal costs based on area, property size, and mileage:
London Removals Cost by Location
| Location | Average Cost (£)* |
|---|---|
| North London | £665 |
| North West London | £943 |
| East London | £815 |
| East Central London | £318 |
| South West London | £875 |
| South East London | £800 |
| West London | £990 |
| West Central London | £467 |
London Removals Cost by Property Size
| Number of Bedrooms | Average Cost (£)* |
|---|---|
1 | £295-£507 |
| 2 | £705-£1,269 |
| 3 | £1,179-£2,159 |
| 4 | £1,650-£2,784 |
| 5 | £2,049-£3,454 |
London Removals Cost by Distance
| Destination | Mileage Cost* | Time Cost* | Total Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh | £622.50 | £267 | £889 |
| Cardiff | £223.50 | £109 | £332.50 |
| Birmingham | £189 | £89 | £278 |
| Manchester | £312 | £143 | £455 |
| Liverpool | £333 | £143 | £485 |
| Leeds | £294 | £141 | £435 |
| Glasgow | £604.50 | £251 | £855.50 |
| Newcastle | £436.50 | £189 | £625.50 |
| Sheffield | £250.50 | £125 | £375.50 |
| Brighton | £81 | £71 | £152 |
To help you plan ahead, you can use our cost of moving house calculator. This allows you to prepare for the costs involved with moving.
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What’s Included in a Removal Service?
It's good to have an idea of what exactly you're paying for when you hire a removal company. To summarise, the cost of your removal service will include:
A removal team to load and unload your items
Their expertise in safely and effectively loading the vehicle
Equipment such as straps, blankets and dust covers
Use of the removal vehicle (milage, petrol etc)
Goods in Transit and Public Liability Insurances
How to Save Money on Your London Move
London moves are among the highest in the UK; however, there are ways you can keep your removal costs down without compromising a quality service.
Here are a few tips to consider when choosing a removal company:
Compare Quotes
Compare My Move connects users to up to 6 London removal companies, allowing them to compare quotes and keep costs low.
Using professional removal services means your possessions are less likely to get damaged. It also means a lot less stress on your moving day, allowing you to focus on settling into your new home.
Ask about Discounts
Before booking a company, check what is and isn’t included in the quote. Some firms will give discounts to students, OAPs, key workers and armed forces.
Hourly vs Fixed Rate
Hourly rates mean that you will receive your total cost at the end of the move. If there are any delays, such as waiting for the keys from estate agents or London traffic, it will add to your costs.
Fixed-rate is a set amount agreed upon beforehand between you and the removal company. Although a flat or fixed rate can look like more than the hourly rate, very often it is the most effective option.
When the Move is Scheduled
Removals in London charge more during popular times and special events. Our research found that summer is the most popular season with August having the most number of moves among our users. On the other hand, winter was the least favourable time to move, but this can result in a cheaper move.
Special events such as the London Marathon, stadium gigs or football derbies can result in road closures and delays. Therefore, it's advised not to book a moving company during these dates.
Those hoping to do a partial move may also face significant delays due to increasing tube closures. Hiring a moving company will eliminate this risk and alleviate the stress of carrying out the move yourself.
Declutter Before You Pack
Decluttering before your move ensures you don’t take any unnecessary items to your new home. This reduces the number of goods needed in the van, which in turn frees up more space.
Read more on How to Declutter for a House Move
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Why Should I Hire a Professional Moving Company?
Hiring a removal company isn’t mandatory, but it can make the process smoother and stress-free.
Here are some advantages of using a removal company:
Saves time
Can calculate the most efficient route
Using professional equipment for large and heavy items
Fully insured
Alleviates the stress
May offer extra services such as packing and storage
Can move specialist items such as pianos
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are Moving Companies Cheaper During the Week?
Removal costs can be cheaper midweek as most people move on Friday and at the weekend. Some companies may even offer discounts with midweek moves, although this is not guaranteed.
Can You Haggle with Removal Companies?
You can try to negotiate a lower offer with your removal company; however, some firms are strict with their pricing and are not open to negotiating.
Is a Man and Van Cheaper than a Removal Company?
This depends on the size of your move. While hiring a man and van may seem cheaper at first glance, you may end up with a higher quote if you have many items as they may charge per item or volume.
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Finding a Removal Company
Comparing quotes is the best way to keep your moving costs down. Compare My Move can match you with up to 6 cheap London removal companies. You’ll have the chance to discuss your requirements and choose the right company. Fill in our removal comparison form and save up to 70% on your removal costs.
All partners have passed a strict verification process to ensure all moves are carried out to the highest standard. Part of this process requires removal companies to have Goods in Transit and Public Liability insurance in place.
*All data unless otherwise stated is based on the average service cost data for Compare My Move users in addition to our own research. See how our data works.
