Nowadays, it seems like no matter what direction you look, things are getting more expensive. Freddo chocolate bars are now 99p, going to the cinema costs just under £7 and even moving home has become a significant investment you need to consider. Working with the right removal company and doing research on your side can help to bring these costs down.
But, with any significant decision in your life, it pays to have an understanding of how much you should budget. The exact cost of moving home will depend on factors such as how much support you have from friends and family, how far you’re moving and how big your current home is.
But this guide will look at approximations of how much it could cost you in 2021, so you can start planning today.
What Factors Determine Moving Home Costs?
We mentioned above that several elements blend to calculate how much it will cost you to move home. We’ll go through some of these below but firstly, what factors should you consider that are (somewhat) out of your control:
- Location – Houses closer to town centres are considerably more expensive than those moving out into the countryside. For example, the average 3-bed house in the centre of London in 2020 was just under £500,000 while a similar-sized property can cost in the region of £240,000 in Birmingham.
- Deposit – How much you pay for your mortgage per month will depend on how much deposit you can afford to put down. The larger the deposit, the bigger the house or the lower your monthly outgoings will be.
- First-time buyers – Here in the UK, there is a drive by the Government to help first-time buyers get on the property ladder. As such, it can be more cost effective to purchase your first home than it is to move into a larger one if you qualify for one of the available schemes.
- Size of home – Some costs we’ll discuss below will fluctuate depending on the size of your existing home and how many belongings you have. Not only will you need to find a new home to accommodate these or consider long-term storage, but you’ll also need to hire removal services that can meet your capacity requirements.
- New or old build – While new-build properties take advantage of the latest technology to make them more energy-efficient, they tend to have a higher price tag than older properties.
How Much Is the Average Home in the UK
Most people reading this guide will have some understanding of the budget they have set aside to buy and move home. However, it pays to look at the basics before delving into more detailed prices. On average and in June 2021, average house prices were approximately £265,000. Assuming you have a 10% deposit saved (£26,500), good credit and all other factors lined up, you should receive a deposit to cover this amount.
What Other Costs Do You Need to Consider
Let’s take a look at some other costs you may not have considered when it comes to moving house.
Stamp Duty
Stamp Duty is known as the property transaction tax. It applies to all freehold, leasehold or shared ownership residential properties or land purchases over £125,000 in England and Northern Ireland. The amount you will pay depends on the band that your new property falls into, but this will range between 2% up to 12%. Because it is a progressive tax, it will change depending on other factors such as the purchase date and whether you are a first-time buyer.
If you are a non-UK resident, you will have to pay an additional 2% surcharge on top of Stamp Duty. It first came into play in 1694 as a means to raise finances for the war in France. Now it is a mandatory tax paid on all properties – however, some new-build purchasers will find that the company selling their home may offer to pay this as a gesture of goodwill.
On average, Stamp Duty will cost around £4,500, although first-time buyers are normally exempt on properties under £300,000.
Removal Company
Choosing to work with a professional removal company eliminates a significant percentage of the stress associated with moving home. These experienced teams can do everything from wrapping up your belongings, taking inventory, delivering them to the new home and unpacking them in each destination room. They utilize special packing techniques and a team of removal experts to reduce the risk of damage, speed up the process and make the entire act of shifting your life from one property to another easier.
A removal company will likely cost you in the region of £500 for a full package. However, the exact price will depend on variables including how extensive of a package you go for and the distance between both properties. We highly recommend doing your research when searching for the right company. Here at Wild & Lye Removals, we have over 30 years of experience helping families and homeowners move in England, Scotland, Wales and worldwide.
Estate Agent Feeds
The Estate Agent that has helped to sell, either the property you’re moving out of or moving into, will incur certain fees. Some will charge a commission fee based on the final agreed selling price while others will give a fixed fee for a specific range of services. When working with an estate agent, it is important that you clearly understand their fee set-up and requirements so you don’t end up getting an unexpected bill at the end of the move. Remember to ask whether the quote:
- Includes VAT
- Includes additional marketing
- Includes a For Sale board
- Covers floor plants and professional photos
In the UK, you can expect to pay somewhere between £3,000 and £3,500 for your Estate Agent fees.
Conveyancing
The conveyancing process when selling a house is the legal transfer of the property from one person to another. It covers a lot of legal and administrative processes that can feel very overwhelming and confusing if this is your first time. In most chains, there are several conveyancing solicitors who are all carrying out checks at the same time – therefore, the process can take its time and feel very stressful for you and your family.
On average, conveyancing can take anywhere between 2-3 months. However, if there are any issues at any point of the chain, this will push that back slightly. And, you can expect to pay around £1500 on average for the entire process.
Moving home can be one of the most expensive times of our lives. That’s why it pays to work with professionals where you can to help eliminate stress and ensure the process remains as exciting as it should be. Here at Wild & Lye Removals, we focus on offering tailored packages to suit all of our customers. Whether you need temporary storage for goods while you settle into a new home or want to book our team for full removal, we’re here to help. If you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of the team, please do get in contact here today.