| 3 bedroom house move, with packing | |
|---|---|
| Cost | about £1,300 |
| Checkatrade, April 2026. A local move within about 50 miles is often £400 to £500 for a small home. UK figures, not Leeds quotes. | |
Removal prices depend on how much you own, how far you are moving and how much help you want with packing. This guide uses two national cost guides to show what moving house costs in 2026.
How much do removals cost?
| House size | Removal | Packing | Average total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | £450 | £250 | £750 |
| 2 bedroom | £600 | £325 | £925 |
| 3 bedroom | £900 | £400 | £1,300 |
| 4 bedroom | £1,200 | £600 | £1,800 |
Source: Checkatrade, April 2026.
MyBuilder (August 2026) gives a wider range, from about £409 for a 1 bedroom flat to about £3,147 for a 5 bedroom house, and £1,200 to £1,700 for a full service 3 bedroom move.
Hourly rates and local moves
| Service | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Team of two and a van | £50 to £80 an hour | Checkatrade |
| Typical local move | £500 to £700 | Checkatrade |
| Small local move, within about 50 miles | £400 to £500 | Checkatrade |
| Long distance | add about £35 an hour and £1.50 a mile | Checkatrade |
| Loading and unloading | £40 to £60 an hour | MyBuilder |
Extras
| Extra | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | £50 to £200 | MyBuilder |
| Furniture dismantling and assembly | £30 to £60 an item | MyBuilder |
| Packing materials | £50 to £200 | MyBuilder |
| Extra insurance | £20 to £100 | MyBuilder |
| Special items, such as a piano | £30 to £200 | MyBuilder |
| Last minute booking | £50 to £150 extra | MyBuilder |
| Cleaning before or after | £100 to £300 | MyBuilder |
What affects removal costs?
House removal costs vary a lot, and removal quotes from removal companies can differ by hundreds of pounds for the same move. The main things that affect the cost are:
- The amount you are moving, usually measured by the number of bedrooms or the van loads needed
- Distance, as a long distance move adds fuel costs, mileage and sometimes an overnight stay
- Access at both homes, such as stairs, lifts, parking and long carries from the lorry
- The day you move, as Fridays, weekends and the end of the month are busiest
- Extras such as packing, dismantling furniture, storage and specialist items like pianos
- Insurance, as higher cover for valuable items costs more
Local moves in Leeds
Most moves within Leeds are local moves, so the removal team spends more time loading and unloading than driving. Checkatrade’s guide gives £400 to £500 for a small local move within about 50 miles, and £500 to £700 for a typical move with a team of two and a van. Moving locally on a weekday in the middle of the month usually costs less.
Getting an accurate removal quote
An accurate quote needs the removal company to see what you own. Ask for a home survey, in person or by video, and a written fixed price. Compare at least two or three removal firms, and check each quote lists the number of crew, the vehicle, packing, insurance and any extra cost for parking or access. On moving day, have everything packed and labelled so the removal team can work quickly.
Removal company or man and van?
A man and van is usually cheaper for a flat, a student move or a few items. A full removal company is better for a family home, with more crew, larger vehicles, packing services and more insurance cover. If you choose a man and van, check the goods in transit insurance limit.
Keeping removal costs down
- Declutter first. Every box costs money to move. See rubbish removal in Leeds.
- Avoid peak days. Fridays and the end of the month are busiest.
- Pack yourself and pay only for fragile items to be packed.
- Get a survey. A written fixed price after a home visit avoids surprises on the day.
- Check parking. A long carry from the lorry adds time on Leeds terraced streets.
For local firms, see removals in Leeds.
Questions people ask
How much do removals cost for a 3 bedroom house?
Checkatrade gives about £900 for the removal and £400 for packing, about £1,300 in total. MyBuilder puts a full service 3 bedroom move at £1,200 to £1,700.
How much do removal companies charge per hour?
Checkatrade gives £50 to £80 an hour for a team of two with a van.
How much does a long distance move cost?
Checkatrade suggests adding about £35 an hour and £1.50 a mile to a local price as a rough guide.
How much does a packing service cost?
Checkatrade suggests budgeting about £200, based on around £50 an hour per packer for four hours. Its average packing cost for a 3 bedroom house is about £400.