Moving properties is pretty hectic. Trying a DIY move can be risky. In that case, hiring a professional moving company is the best solution you can think of. Here comes the budget issue. Wondering ‘how much does it cost for a moving company in London’? Unfortunately, the cost of hiring a moving company is not fixed. It varies depending on many factors.
Each property move has its own story. In this article, we’ll discuss the cost of hiring a moving company. Explore our pro tips to reduce costs and learn about factors affecting costs. Let’s delve into the transparent reality of moving expenses in the UK.
Key Factors that Affect Moving Costs
Some key factors can affect the costs of moving. Before you opt to move, you must know the factors that may increase the removal cost. The factors are-
Property Size:
The cost is more than a small room removal for a large property with 3-4 bedrooms and lots of belongings. The bigger your property, the more you should expect to pay.
Location:
Hire movers near you. The costs may rise if the movers come from a distant area or you’re moving to a long-distance property.
Number of Belongings:
The volume of belongings can affect the moving costs. More belonging means more packs with more packing materials. A large number of packs require more labour time and increase labour costs.
Time of the Year:
During peak season and weekends, the cost of movers remains high due to the increasing demand. The fees are lower during the off-season, like spring, summer, or weekdays.
Accessibility:
Difficult-to-access locations increase the moving cost. If your area has narrow streets or the movers need to use staircases, the price will increase accordingly.
Waiting For Keys
One of the unavoidable things is to wait for the keys to the new property where you’ve moved. If the key comes late, the labourers wait, which costs you extra labour charges.
Junk Removal
It is an optional part, but sometimes it can be mandatory. If junk removal is needed, it will add more cost to your total budget.
Packing Material
If the movers provide packing materials, ask them how much that will cost you. Also, you must calculate the packing material cost if you’re packing it all yourself.
Insurance
Always ensure the moving company offers insurance as part of the service. If it doesn’t, you need to get the insurance alone.
Company Category
Your moving cost also depends on the category of the moving company. If you’re hiring a startup or mid-range moving company, it will save you costs. A renowned, reputable moving company may charge higher rates for moving services.
How Much Do Movers Cost?
Before hiring a moving company, you must check out the average moving company rates. You can get an idea by researching ‘how much does it cost for a moving company’? Let’s break down the costings.
Local vs Long-Distance Moving Cost
Local moving costs are much less than long-distance moving. However, both moves need precise dedication and care with professional efficiency. Here, we’re giving an approximate cost range of local and long-distance moving, excluding additional costs.
| Number of Rooms | Approximate Moving Cost of Local Move(within 50 miles) | Approximate Moving Cost of Long-distance Move (exceeding 50 miles) |
| 1-2 | £300-£500 | £600-£1100 |
| 3-4 | £800-£1500 | £1500-£3500 |
House Moving Cost
House removal is one of the hectic moving jobs. How much does it cost for a moving company to move houses? A house has all types of belongings: heavy, large, small, fragile, etc. Here’s the average cost range for moving local and long-distance houses.
| Number of Bedrooms | Average Range for Local House Moving | Average Range for Long-distance House Moving |
| 1 | £300-£350 | £800-£1000 |
| 2 | £500-£550 | £1000-£1400 |
| 3 | £800-£850 | £1500-£1900+ |
| 4 | £1000-£1500 | £1700-£2500 |
| 5+ | £1500+ | £2500-£4000 |
Office Removal Cost
Office removal needs extra care, as there can be heavy and expensive equipment. Usually, office moving costs more than other removals. Let’s delve into the average cost range of local and long-distance office moving:
| Size of the Office | Average Range for Local Office Moving | Average Range for Long-distance Office Moving |
| Small to Medium (20-50 employees) (up to 3000 sq feet) | £3000-£7500 | £8000-£20000 |
| Large (50-100+ employees) (10,000 sq feet+) | £6000-£25000 | £20000-£50000 |
Student Moving Costs
Student moving costs depend on the volume of belongings and storage requirements. Let’s break down the average student moving service costs in local and long-distance areas.
Local Moves: Local student moves cost between £200-£1500. Student movers usually charge an average of £95 hourly for local student moving services.
Long-Distance Moves: Long-distance student moving services cost between £1000-£3500+. Student moving companies may charge an average of £250-£800 hourly, depending on the distance and van size.
Storage Cost: Student moving companies charge an average of £69 per 15 square feet of storage. Each storage box costs around £3.50-£4.25.
Moving Costs By Van Type
Moving companies provide many types of Transit vans, Luton vans, etc. Here are the moving cost ranges by van type-
| Van Type | Cost per hour |
| MWB(Transit van-Medium Wheel Base) | £40-£100 |
| LWB(Transit van-Long Wheel Base) | £50-£130 |
| Lutoon van with Tail Lift | £65-£140 |
| Maximover Luton van with ramp | £95-£180 |
Moving Costs By Distance (Miles)
Distance is one of the factors influencing moving costs. The farther you move, the more you pay. Let’s break down average moving costs by miles.
| Distance by Mile | Average Cost |
| 50 miles | £400-£700 |
| 100 miles | £900-£1200 |
| 200 miles | £1400-£2500+ |
| 300 miles | £2500-£3000 |
| 500 miles | £3200-£5000+ |
Moving Costs By Packing Type
Packing for removal can be a DIY job or done by professional movers. It’s evident that DIY packing costs less than movers’ packing. Let’s shed light on DIY vs professional packing costs.
| Number of Rooms | DIY Packing for Moving Costs | Professional Packing by Movers Cost |
| 1-2 | £350-£1000 | £600-£1500 |
| 3 | £1200-£1500 | £1500-£2000 |
| 4 | £1800-£2500 | £2200-£2800 |
Additional Costs of Moving
There are some additional costs you need to pay when moving. These additional costs are some added work, excluding the service packages.
Storage
When you are moving or between homes, you may need storage solutions. Movers charge an average of £95 per 50 square feet of storage.
Assembling & Disassembling
Some moving companies offer assembling and disassembling furniture, instruments, racks, etc, which are included in the service. But you may need to pay for that extra service. Movers charge between £120-£150 per item for assembling and disassembling service.
Specialised Item Moving
Antique pieces, old furniture, glass-made items, a piano, expensive items, and sensitive items need extra attention and care when moving. Movers usually charge money for this purpose according to the value and condition of the item.
International Moving Cost
A cross-country move costs a lot. However, shipments need to be sent via moving companies. Let’s have a look at the costs of international moving-
| Moving Options | Costs |
| Air Shipment | £280 per 100KG |
| Shipping Container | £3000 per 40 feet of Shipping Container |
| Road Shipment | £270 per pallet |
Pro Tips to Reduce Moving Costs
Here are the essential tips that may help you make the move affordable and within your budget-
Book on weekdays or during the off-season:
Moving companies lower their service costs during summer, spring, and weekdays due to low customer demand. You can grab the chance.
Budget Wisely:
Get an idea of costs from quotes and make a budget. Save your money and keep some extra to avoid an unusual situation.
Choose Convenience:
If you’re on a tight budget, choose the best moving company that offers convenient rates. Hire local movers for local moves and flat-rate movers for long-distance moves.
Pack Yourself:
DIY packing will not only save your packing service cost but also save the costs of packing supplies.
Sale Off:
You can sell some of your goods. Selling out helps you earn some money and save money as well.
Quote Comparison:
Select 4-5 quotes. It will help you find a convenient quote that meets your budget.
Declutter Wisely:
Decluttering means keeping unusual things separate and not moving them with you.
Final Words:
No price is too high for comfort. Experience a hassle-free move by hiring professional movers. Hopefully, this article will help you understand ‘how much does it cost for a moving company’! However, the costs depend on your circumstances as well. So, plan wisely.
Take this move as an investment to protect your belongings from damage. Follow the tips, consider the cost-influencing factors, and experience a memorable, stress-free moving journey.
FAQ:
How much does a moving company cost in the UK?
A moving service usually costs between £300 and £20,000, depending on factors such as the volume of belongings, distance, and the required services.
How much does a full packing service cost UK?
A full packing service starts from £300, in general. It depends on the item sizes and volume of belongings.
Is it worth paying for packing when moving?
If you have heavy and large belongings, it is wise to pack them with professionals. You can try DIY packing if you have fewer items.
How many days before moving should I start packing?
We recommend you pack at least 4-6 days before moving. Ensure your packing is complete at least 24 hours before moving.