Total Cost of Moving

The complete, itemised stack of what it really costs to buy — and sell — a home: exact stamp duty, sourced fee ranges, and the estimated portal cost hidden in your listing.

Your move

Enter your purchase details — add your sale to see the full stack.

Property price (£)

Location

Buyer type

I'm also selling a property

The full moving-cost stack for a £300,000 property

Every figure is a sourced published range, an exact tax from HMRC / devolved rates, or an explicitly labelled estimate — never a quote.

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)Exact tax£5,000^{GOV.UK — SDLT residential rates}
Conveyancing / solicitorTypical range£1,200 – £1,800^{HomeOwners Alliance — conveyancing fees guide}
Typical published range, not a quote — always get itemised quotes including disbursements.
Survey / valuationTypical range£300 – £700^{HomeOwners Alliance — house survey cost guide}
Level 2 HomeBuyer to Level 3 Building Survey — varies with property size and age.
RemovalsTypical range£500 – £1,500^{HomeOwners Alliance — removals cost guide}
Typical published range for a local household move — distance and volume move it.

Estimated total cost of moving

£7,000 – £9,000

Typical published ranges plus exact tax — actual quotes will vary.

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What costs are involved in moving?

Buying a home involves more than just the purchase price. Stamp duty (or LBTT in Scotland, LTT in Wales) is typically the largest additional cost. You will also need to budget for a solicitor to handle conveyancing, a property survey, and removal costs. If you are selling at the same time, add an EPC certificate, the estate agent's commission, and — less visibly — the portal fees your agent pays to advertise your home. First-time buyers in England and Northern Ireland may benefit from stamp duty relief on properties up to £500,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a property survey?

While not legally required, a survey is strongly recommended. A HomeBuyer Report (Level 2) sits at the lower end of the sourced survey range in the stack above, and a full Building Survey (Level 3) at the upper end — the HomeOwners Alliance survey-cost guide linked in our sources breaks the levels down in detail.

Can I negotiate solicitor fees?

Yes. Many solicitors offer fixed-fee conveyancing packages. It's worth getting 3-4 quotes. Online conveyancers are often cheaper but may offer less personal service. Always check that any quote includes disbursements (search fees, Land Registry fees, etc.).

Are there any costs I'm missing?

This estimator covers the main costs. Other potential expenses we don't model include mortgage arrangement fees (these vary widely by lender — check your mortgage offer), buildings insurance (required on exchange), redirected mail, new furniture, and utility connection fees.