Moving house can come with a hefty price tag. Of course, the excitement of finding a new home to raise your children in, escape from the city, or just start a new chapter of your life often takes priority over the cost aspect – and rightly so.

But if you’re one of the many people concerned about the cost of moving house, we’ve got you covered. On average, moving home can cost roughly £8,885, although this figure can vary dramatically depending on where you live.

Luckily for you, we’re here to help you bring this price down in seven simple steps.

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1. Hire professionals to do the hard work

This tip may seem counterintuitive, but hiring professionals for the most important jobs (like conveyancing) when you’re moving can help you save money in the long run – especially if you’re moving long distance.

Braving the move yourself could land you with a cracked TV screen, scratches on your new hardwood floor, or even an injury. You could end up losing much more money than you would have paid for professional moving services just by having to fix or replace items.

Plus, if you need to take unpaid time off work to complete your move, your losses will be even bigger.

Things might be different in each circumstance, so it’s best to weigh up the pros and cons.

ProsCons
Saves you timeThe upfront cost can be pricey
Can save you money in the long runYou’ll have to trust strangers with your belongings
The movers’ experience will mean your belongings will be safer in their handsYou have to stick to the organised date
Less effort/heavy liftingYou need to be on the look out for scammers
Minimises the stress of moving
You might not have to worry about additional things like packaging
Often, if something gets damaged, you’ll get a refund

2. Compare moving quotes until you find the right one for you

You wouldn’t settle on the first house you see without shopping around first – so make sure you don’t do this with a moving company.

Not all moving companies are the same – each will offer different services, which will all vary in price. All you need to do is take some time to research which service works best for you and your move.

And, sometimes, that’s easier said than done. Check out the tips below to make sure you’re getting the best deal for your move.

  • Make it personal – Some professional moving companies prefer to visit homes in person so they can check out the larger items you plan on getting moved. This is a great way to suss out the company and service you’ll be going for
  • Check additional services – You’ll usually find that some companies add additional services onto the moving experience, and although they can be helpful, they’ll also increase the price. The most common add-ons include packing, unpacking, disassembly and reassembly of large furniture, custom crating, and temporary storage. It’s wise to work out early which additional services you need, and which ones you can do without
  • Compare reviews – Each company will be trying to sell themselves online. By comparing customer reviews, you can get a real sense of the experience you’re likely to get

When you compare movers’ rates, resist the temptation to pick the lowest bid hastily – sometimes it can actually save you more money in the long run to get a better valued service.

3. Move at the right time

Like a lot of industries, moving house has its peak seasons – steering clear of these will shed a fair few pounds off your moving cost.

August has been the most popular month to move home for the last 12 years, which many believe comes down to the fact it’s during the school summer holidays, allowing children to settle into their new home in time for the new academic year.

Data from Home Owners Alliance

It’s also best to avoid moving house on Fridays – which is almost four times busier than an average moving day. This is usually because people tend to want the weekend to unpack all their belongings.

Data from Home Owners Alliance

If you want to avoid being overcharged by professional movers, stick to a mid-week move, preferably in the winter months if you can.

happy couple moving house

4. Give yourself plenty of time

If you know you’re a bit of a last-minute Larry, now’s the time to change your ways and get organised; leaving things to the last minute will often land you with a larger bill.

When it comes to how much time you need to leave, the answer will be different for everyone. It’s wise to leave more time if you have a large house, a large family, or, you know, just can’t bring yourself to part with your many collectables.

It also helps to get organised in the runup to your move – sit down and write a list of everything that will need to be done to make your move happen. Do you need to set up a phone line or wifi in your new home? Do you need to rent a car for moving day?

Set up reminders, mark days on your calendar to do tasks sooner rather than later, do whatever you need to do to shave a few pennies off your bill. You can also check out our moving checklist to get yourself started.

5. Sell your stuff

The more things you have, the more expensive your move will be.

A nice cathartic clear-out not only helps you reduce the cost of moving, but also means you’ll be able to earn some cash along the way. Get a pitch at a car boot sale, sell items online, or take furniture to a secondhand shop.

Of course, selling your belongings might not be right for everyone, so it’s best to consider whether it’s necessary early on. If you’re moving from a cosy one bedroom flat to somewhere bigger, for example, you might not need to ditch many belongings.

We’ve listed a few pros and cons to selling items before the big move below:

ProsCons
Saves time and effort spent packing belongingsSome items have high practical, aesthetic, or sentimental value
Saves money on the moveCan take you a while to find new items
You can make moneyBuying new items can be expensive
Allows you to get new furnishings to fit your new home’s design and layout
Creates a simpler, more clutter-free moving environment

6. Pack carefully

We’ve all been there. You figure that extra layer of bubble wrap in the moving box won’t make a difference, only to uncover unfortunate casualties when you unpack.

If you take the time to cushion your possessions, you can avoid forking out money to fix or replace broken items.

We’ve listed a few smart packing tips below:

  • Get up to date with your packaging supplies – We’re talking heavy-duty boxes, bubblewrap, newspaper, and strong duct tape
  • Use second hand boxes – Save a few pennies by reusing delivery boxes, gather cardboard boxes from supermarkets, or ask family and friends to put aside boxes for your move. Just make sure the boxes have got a strong enough base!
  • Get creative with padding – If you want to avoid spending too much money on bubble wrap, gather pillows, duvets, blankets, or towels, and use them as a layer of protection for your valuables 
  • Take your time – This one’s pretty self explanatory. The more we rush, the clumsier we get.
  • Watch the weight of your boxes – If your box is too heavy, it can be easily dropped, the cardboard can split, and it can crush other items on the journey
  • Store all your valuables in one place – This means you’re able to keep an eye on your valuables and make sure they’re safe and sound
  • Fill the empty gaps – Use padding to make sure there are no gaps in your moving boxes to avoid any items getting damaged
  • Label your boxes – Not only will this make your life a million times easier, but you can recognise which boxes need extra care

 

Because let’s face it, no one wants to be faced with a box of broken wine glasses when you’re trying to toast your first evening in your new home.

man carrying moving box

7. Pick storage wisely

Overall, 32% of people who use self storage are using it during a house move – it can be helpful with the transition period between homes, especially for anyone moving long distance or downsizing from a family home. But, unfortunately, it comes at a price.

The most obvious way to cut down on storage facility prices is to reduce the amount of items you have – for some people, however, this simply isn’t possible.

Often, people overestimate just how much space they need, and end up paying unnecessarily high fees. So, one way you can swerve sky-high storage prices is by simply choosing the correct type and size of facility. Different companies will also offer various prices, so make sure you shop around for the best offer for you and your family.

Summary

Packing up all your belongings is never an easy task – but it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think. Hopefully, these tips will help you save a chunk of money during the move to your new home.

Feel like you need a bit more information before making the leap and moving house? Take a look at our complete guide to moving house and you’re sure to feel more comfortable with the process.